Luther Seminary's Bible Q & A

Dr. James Boyce offered the following notes in his Lay School of Theology class in Spring 2012, "How the Bible Came to Us: Its Writing, Use, and Authority." 

See the June 2014 Bible Reading Tip for more from this presentation.

ReadING assumptions

1. We all interpret when we read.
   The church has from the beginning and still regularly differs in its hearing of Scripture
   
   
2. We debate meaning for today.
   
   
3. Experience and knowledge matter.
   Meaning comes out of reading the Scriptures, …

Dr. James Boyce offered the following notes in his Lay School of Theology class in Spring 2012, "How the Bible Came to Us: Its Writing, Use, and Authority." 

A Road Map for Readers

Read the Bible as a Living Word

• Read with the expectation that understanding is new each day
• Read watching for the surprises or the “speed bumps”
• Read with expectation of complexity and diversity
• Read in light of judgment and promise (law and gospel)
• Read in light of the good news of God’s …

"Faced with the realities of suffering and evil, Christians can say something, but they cannot say everything or even as much as they might like to say."

That's how Terence Fretheim, Luther Seminary professor emeritus of Old Testament, leads off his article on God, evil, and suffering. 

Fretheim provides biblical perspectives in response to the theological approach offered by Paul Sponheim, Luther Seminary professor emeritus of Systematic Theology. (Read Sponheim's essay.) 

Fretheim cites …

Article by Dr. Alphonetta Wines, Ph.D.

The Bible is and has been revered for centuries by many around the world. Though seldom recognized, it is fascinating to consider the diversity of the biblical text, whether one thinks in terms of geography, culture, characters, authors, editors, or theology.

In February, African-American History Month, it's a good time to recall both the diversity of the biblical text as well as African contributions to it and to the Christian faith.

Geographical and Cultural …

This list of lesser-known stewardship Bible verses was shared by participants at Mary Sue Dreier's session at the 2010 Rethinking Stewardship conference at Luther Seminary. Grace Duddy compiled the list and offers brief commentary.

#10. 1 Timothy 6:12-19
"The life that really is life"

Stewardship emerges out of a heart of faith that confesses Christ. In this letter, Paul urges Timothy to teach the rich to put their trust in God, not their possessions. For it is only through God that they …

Podcast featuring Cameron Howard, assistant professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.

This is the second of two podcasts on the Old Testament created in collaboration with Wayne Presbyterian Church, Wayne, Penn., for its "Confirmation for the Rest of Us" program.

In this podcast, Dr. Howard covers what's in the Old Testament and discusses specific stories within the Old Testament.

[Note: The original intended audience is Presbyterian, so Dr. Howard addresses views of Scripture …

Podcast featuring Cameron Howard, assistant professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.

This is the first of two podcasts on the Old Testament created in collaboration with Wayne Presbyterian Church, Wayne, Penn., for its "Confirmation for the Rest of Us" program.

In this podcast, Dr. Howard covers what the Old Testament is, who wrote it, and how we might go about reading it.

[Note: The original intended audience is Presbyterian, so Dr. Howard addresses views of Scripture from …

by Pastor Clint Schnekloth

In previous months we've looked at how to pick a study Bible and where to find a fresh translation of the Bible.

Here's another way to study the Bible:

6. Download a Bible study program

The best on the market is www.accordancebible.com. With a program like this, you can read many different translations and access more study tools than anyone (other than a professional student of Scripture) would ever need.

Read the whole list of Pastor Clint's previous tips.

by Pastor Clint Schnekloth

In previous months we've looked at how to pick a study Bible and where to read the Bible online.

Here's another way to study the Bible:

5. Read a fresh translation of the Bible

Many new translations of Scripture come out each year. It may interest you to read a translation other than the one you are used to. One of the best is the Common English Bible (CEB). The English is how it is spoken, today, and has a fresh feel to it. Try it out and see what you think.

Check back …

by Pastor Clint Schnekloth

So maybe you have decided to read the Bible in one year. Good for you! Now you are struggling with the very practical question: Where can I find Bible study tools?

In previous months we've looked at how to pick a study Bible and where to read the Bible online.

Here's another way to study the Bible:

4.Read the Bible in its original languages

It may interest you to do a little research into the original languages.

There are a number of resources available, including: …