The Bible: An Easy-to-read Guide to Its Purpose and Origin

By Geoffrey V. Guns

This easy-to-follow Bible study provides an interactive way to better understand the foundational truths necessary to grow a more vital relationship with God through the study of the purpose and origin of God's written Word. It will greatly enhance your Christian life and walk with the Lord. It will spark within you a desire to become a more intens

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sunday School Publishing Board
• Release date: Mar 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781939225832

Book preview

Introduction to the Bible:

An Easy-to-read Guide to Its Purpose and Origin

Geoffrey V. Guns

Sunday School Publishing Board

Nashville, Tennessee

Published by Townsend Press

Nashville, Tennessee

© 2014 by Geoffrey V. Guns

All Rights Reserved. No part of this booklet may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns, author and publisher. Brief quotations can be used.

All Scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, the Lockman Foundation.

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN 978-1-939225-24-5

ISBN 978-1-939225-83-2 (e-book)

To the memory of

Hortense Madison Southall the

woman who encouraged me to write the

Weekly Bible Study Lessons for our

Noon Day Bible Study Group.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Lesson One

What Is the Bible?

Lesson Two

What Is the Old Testament?

Lesson Three

How Did We Get the Old Testament?

Lesson Four

What Is the New Testament?

Lesson Five

How Did We Get the New Testament?

End Notes

Introduction

The Bible and Its Importance

The Bible has become a closed book in many African-American congregations. There are four reasons why I believe that this is true. First, the African American religious tradition tends to be more oral than written and focuses a great deal on emotional responses to the Gospel. This is not intended in any way to be a negative comment, rather it takes into account the history of African Americans who lived under the bondage of slavery. During the time of slavery, our foreparents were not taught nor allowed to learn to read and write; hence, serious study and academic engagement with the Scriptures was slow to develop as a part of our religious experience. Further, part of the reason why African Americans tend to be more oral has a lot to do with our African heritage, which is deeply rooted in many West African and Near Eastern oral traditions. There is a place for freedom of expression in worship, emotional enthusiasm, and vocal praise, all of which are vital parts of who we are as African Americans. Worship ought to be alive and filled with spiritual fervor. Worship should reflect excitement about the goodness of God. The Word of God commands that we praise God with a loud voice and with great sounds (see Psalms 95; 150). However, we must also create a climate in which believers can grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (see 1 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Peter 3:1-10).

Second, the rise and use of electronic technology, religious television programs, Gospel radio, the Internet, social media platforms, online services, the growing demands of family life, professional stress, and a host of other influences rob us of the time needed for serious study of the Word of God. It takes discipline and time to study the Bible, interpret it properly, and to apply its teachings to daily life. Hopefully, through this study you will begin to develop and cultivate the discipline necessary for a vital relationship with God through the study of God’s Word.

Third, the creation of new worship formats stress energy and excitement, without a corresponding emphasis on the teaching and preaching ministry of the church. Many of the new worship formats focus on displays of high spiritual energy and the use of electronic high definition media presentations. The use of technology means that people do not even need to own a Bible nor bring one to a worship service because the Scriptures are projected on high definition screens. I believe that worship needs to be exciting, but excitement in worship is only one aspect of our spiritual development. God wants us to grow in grace and to reach full spiritual maturity. Peter wrote, Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation (1 Peter 2:2, compare Ephesians 4:12-16; 2 Timothy 3:14-15). We grow in grace as we learn and live by the Word of God.

Finally, the study of the Bible involves understanding the teachings of an ancient book that was written during a specific period in history. In order to fully comprehend the Bible, we must understand its cultural, historical, social, religious, political, and biblical contexts. Without this understanding, we will miss much of the meaning, interpretation, and application of Scripture that is vital for cultivating a lifelong and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. Bible study at this level requires learning new skills, investing time, and learning to use biblical study resources.

Today there are a host of Bible study aids and resources that are available over the Internet. One can find Bible dictionaries, encyclopedias, concordances, Bible maps, as well as historical introductions to the Old and New Testaments on the Internet. The rapid rise of technology has put a world of Bible scholarship right at our fingertips, making it easier for us to be learned students of the Word of God.

Nature of this Study

This book is an introduction to the history of the Holy Bible. It serves as an introduction to the studies of the Old and New Testaments. Everything that Christians believe has its basis and foundation in the Bible, which is the Word of God. The Scriptures are the first article of faith in the Baptist Articles of Faith. Baptists believe that who we are as the people of God and what God has called us to do in the world is rooted and grounded in the Scriptures.

The Bible is the primary source book for all matters of Christian doctrine, belief, and practice. What is doctrine and why is it important? The word doctrine is from the Latin root doctrina, which is derived from docco, meaning to teach, and