September 23 2013
Brown Book Review
Part One:
What They Don't Tell You A Survivor's Guide to Biblical Studies by Michael Joseph
Brown and published by Westminster John Know Press is a book that provides basic information
about biblical criticism. Ultimately, it tries to motivate students to engage with the biblical text and
contemporary biblical studies by illustrating how to approach academic biblical studies in a
different way than which one would approach normal bible study. The book seems to be aimed at
students beginning their journey of academic biblical studies and is supposed to be used as a guide
to get the most out of one's studies.
Part Two:
The first
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Chapter three and four are also rules. Chapter three talks about some rules for
understanding biblical scholarship and chapter four talks about some rules for surviving biblical
scholarship. I feel that chapter four is more important than chapter three because the topic is
discusses is far more important. Biblical scholarship can sometimes be a little harsh on one's own
opinions and beliefs and rules or thumb to help survive that are a necessity. The two rules I find to
be most important are rules 27 and 28. I feel that they are most important because they discuss the
topic of one's own personal faith and how biblical scholarship can sometimes challenge it. Rule 27
basically says that if your faith is not strong enough to go through a little challenging then it could
not have really been that strong. An analogy that Brown uses that I really like is that “unchallenged
faith is no better than building your house on sand”( Brown 2000, 142). I really like this analogy
because it basically is saying that if your faith is not strong enough to go through a little shaking it
will essentially just go crumbling down. I feel that rule 27 and rule 28 really go together because
although rule 27 brings up a valid point, just because someone has a bad foundation of their faith,
it does not mean
In chapter 2, the book examines a portion of Scripture that is often used to
When studying the Bible, it is important to understand its origins; for me, I I have become enlightened, but troubled after learning about the subject. I found the unit, as a whole, very important and a positive experience for me. But, with this comes much apprehension and confusion as to the strength of the Bible.
As an academic discipline, theology should share mutual and erudite goals with other academic disciplines: whereas theology strives for historical accuracy, conceptual consistency, interpretive clarity and systematic uniformity, yet it is much more a hope than a science. Also problematic, there is an eternal perspective, a paradigm that we cannot understand. Theology is theory, there are no proofs, the only proof I have is in my heart, and I call that the Spirit of truth (faith). Still, I am conscience that I bring my own set of prejudices, and hopes to this matter. I have good reason to mistrust many of my conclusions. The systematic method of theology looks at many issues wherein much diversity exists, diversity of historical thought, methods, and approaches. Within all this diversity, there are constants. In examining the methods of theology, we must recognize both the diversity and the constancy. One constant is Scripture. Yet, the meaning of Scripture is divers and restricted to interpretation. I think Biblical authority at its best, most earnestly means one does not affirm it as truth without struggling to understand its meaning. I ascribe to a certain authority of scripture, and trust in a divine nature within it. For me, this means addressing questions like: What is the context and the point of this passage? What is it calling me to do? What does this say about the nature of
Written as an introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Brettler designedly provides a neutral approach to aid readers of all backgrounds in finding a
The Bible is a powerful book when it is used correctly. Before taking this class,
Therefore, how should students in our courses be expected to use the Bible for assignments? First,
While midrash utilizes academics, it is not a purely academic discipline. Instead midrash reminds us that the Holy Bible is a spiritual book and the pursuit of studying Scripture is a spiritual discipline. The ancient art of Midrash reminds us that Scripture has been revered in this fashion, longer than it has been held to an academic standard. For this reason the spiritual and wisdom imparted through the midrashim of revered rabbis still present us with spiritual truth. The introspective mysticism of midrash should encourage us to begin studying Scripture in a similar matter. It is an holistic exercise that encourages us to love the Lord fully by interpreting Scripture with all our heart, mind, and soul and to be encouraged to amplify the intricacy of Scripture with other Scripture and wisdom to find new wisdom and application that remained hidden in our sacred
I’m taking this course be more submerged in the Word of God. I also want to be able to articulate myself went it comes to my Faith. For a century the Bible has been read not only as history and God's Word but also for own enlightenment. The Bible is not just for us to keep to ourselves but to help one another. This, of course, is a meaningful reason for studying the Bible for those who believe in God, but the Bible is also surprisingly educational for those who do not believe. It is full of individuals facing ethical choices, life trials, and circumstances that are valid to us today. The Bible finishes in the New Testament with the story of the life, teaches, death, and revival of Jesus Christ. His ministry remains significant in our present
The Character Development methods of Useful Labor, Educating the Heart and Educating the Mind are similar in that all three help us in developing strong Christian Character. The study and daily meditating on the Word of God is a useful labor or habit that develops the education of our heart and mind. Our regular and meaningful exposure to the Word depends our understand of God and His purpose for our life. 2 Timothy 3:14-17, states “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
A Bible teacher will often be called on to answer a topical question. The question could relate to a topic in the culture, a topic in the church, or a personal question about life. The Bible is relevant to address the most pressing questions of our day! How do we work toward an understanding of the entire Bible’s teaching on a particular topic?
From experience when I took the Old Testament class it involved historical, cultural, and theological biblical studying. The purpose of the academic class is to teach us how to interpret the bible accurately. You will research more about the history, time, places, people, and have a better understanding of how important it is to read the bible. When it comes to academic reading learning the Bible, most of the time the students are reading and the teachers are implementing the goal of the reading. The teacher could be someone at your current school, preacher, or Sunday school teacher. One of the benefits about being in a classroom setting, you can ask open ended questions regarding the Bible. At that time you are able to ask any questions you don’t understand, learn historical facts about what transpired during the biblical
power. The reasons for studying the Bible will also be discussed along with scriptures and
While it is helpful to use universal writing practices to formulate a Bible study, we must always remember to include God’s divine intention when He gives you something to share with others. The authors of Effective Bible Teaching urge us to work our way through a
John M. Bracke and Karen B. Tye in Teaching the Bible in the Church provides insight about, “How do we teach the Bible in ways that form and transform persons and the Church?” Authors, assert there is an increasing number of people that are Bible illiterate. They state many Seminary students have diminutive familiarity of biblical stories of the text. The authors contend that the purpose of the church and the core of Christian Discipleship is based upon scripture. The authors allude to the notion that in order to fulfill the great commission as well as raise up future generations to be more Bible literate as well as ethically sound, the Bible must be taught in the Church. Bracke and Tye reminds and cautions readers that many assumptions are made when teaching the Bible. After gaining facts in scripture, teachers must delve further, so students are transformed. Authors argue that it is not sufficient in just providing information, but that an “encounter with God” should be experienced. Writers caution teachers to not assume when Scripture is taught, something new is to be uncovered. Bracke and Tye correspondingly introduce the notion of culture and the affect it has on learners in the matter in which they receive and process information. Authors encourage teachers of the Bible to utilize Biblical Scholarship when teaching. They argue that teachers have a responsibility when making sense of text and when used appropriately, scholarship is a great
The Bible is one of the most influential texts in the world in religion, history, and literature. However, the bible is a sensitive topic to teach about because of the issue of separation of church and state. Therefore, it should be only taught as an English elective and through an academic perspective only. This can be achieved by giving students a choice to learn about the biblical significance and a literary sense how the work has influenced many texts in the world.