Faith Foundations Discipleship

What's a Bible Survey? Gwyn is giving an idea of what's to come - and it's some good stuff! She's walking through every book of the Bible and breaking it down so that as you are reading on your own, you'll have an entire resource library of podcasts to listen to and gain insight from.

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The Bible is one complete story - from cover to cover. It tells the story of creation and the fall of man to God's redemption through a Savior and how He will one day make all things right again. Gwyn is giving an overarching picture of the Bible as a whole on this episode.

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The Big Story of Scripture

The Bible is the story of God’s Redemption of Man and creation.

We are made for relationship -  created from it and for it, designed to reflect the image of God, who exists in relationship within the trinity. Genesis 1:26 “Then God said ‘Let us make man in our likeness.’

-Ephesians 1:4 says “God chose us in Jesus before the foundation of the world”

- 1Peter 1:18-20 describes Jesus sacrificing to be our redemption”;before the foundation of the world”

So when God says “;Let us make man in our likeness,” the love demonstrated at the cross to restore relationship was already the plan. The cross was the plan before creation. What does that mean? It means that love could best be revealed in sacrifice, redemption and choice.

-John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that

whosoever would believe in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life” This was the only way to demonstrate His love for us and that was a given before the foundation of the World.

-Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Creation as God designed it Genesis 1:1- 2:25 Things as they were

created

1 Commands given to Adam amidst Creation - Gen. 1:28, 2:15

2 One NO given - Genesis 2:17

“The Fall” from perfection and its consequences - Gen. 3:1-6 Things as they become

fallen

1 Sin brings changes to everything.

a. To Man’s relationship with God - Gen 3:7-12

b. To the Serpent Gen 3:14-15

c. To Woman Gen 3:15-16

d. to Adam Gen 3:17-19; Rom 5:12-

e. to creation Gen 3:17-19; Rom 8:19-21

2 First sacrifice to cover - Gen 3:21 Things put Right- redemption!

Redemption is and has always been the plan.  The rest of the old Testament

contains shadows of the Perfect Sacrifice to come in Jesus!

-Hebrews chapter 11 “The Faith Chapter” describes the OT saints that believed in the

redemption to come.

-Galatians 3:6 So also “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness”

-James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ”Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” and he was called a friend of God.

The Ark: A boat bears Noah and 7 others to safety and newness of Life. Gen 7-9

The flood is wrath against sinful people.

Rainbow a sign of God’s promise

Command given to Adam repeated Gen 9:1

Future Redemption

-For Creation - Romans 8:19-21.  The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

-For Our Bodies - Romans 8:23.  Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

-For All Things - Acts 3:21.  Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Gwyn’s continuing from last week’s episode on the importance of the context of Scripture to understanding its meaning.  She’s detailing what can go wrong when we’re trying to understand the interpretation of a passage.

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The Bible cannot mean something to us today that it did not mean to its original audience in its original context.

Barriers to Correct Interpretation by Howard Hendricks

-Language: When we interact with a English as a second Language Speaker, we feel all of the language barriers of trying to fully understand all of the meanings of different words and finding equivalent words to capture the right meaning. Original hearers of the word did not have as many struggles with this.

-Cultural: reconstruct communication, transportation, trade, agriculture, occupations, religion, perceptions of time etc. Roots of the Bible are Jewish! We map our cultural identity on scripture way too much.

-Literary: we can’t read Song of Solomon with the same, cold logic that you need to read Romans. Different types of literature: Historical, prophetic, poetry and song, and letter communication. 14 types of Literary Genres: Apocalyptic, Biographical, Encomium (sings praise), Exposition (careful reasoned argument), Narrative, Oratory, Parable, Pastoral, Poetry, Prophecy, Proverb, Satire, Tragedy, Wisdom Literature.

-Communication: as finite creatures, we can never know what is going on in someone else’ mind completely. As a result, we have to settle for limited objectives in our interpretation of Scripture and expect to have things that blow our minds.

-Faulty Interpretation: Misreading the text, distorting the text, contradicting the text,

subjectivism, relativism and overconfidence.

Five Keys to Interpretation by Howard Hendricks

-Content: Observe the text, what do I actually see?

-Context: literary, Historical, cultural, Geographical, Theological contexts

Comparison: Scripture with Scripture

Culture: Jewish feasts, Weddings, “Unclean,” sacrificial system of atonement and worship, burial customs, (eating of meat sacrificed to idols, circumcision)

-Consultation: Resource Library (Concordance, Bible Dictionaries, Bible Handbooks,

Atlases/Maps, Bible Commentaries, Etc.

Jewish Scripture are the most significant context for the New testament -example Revelations 1-3 letter to the 7 churches.

Resource Books:

⁠The Essential Bible Handbook⁠ from Abingdon Press

⁠Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible by J.I. Packer,⁠ M.C. Tenney

⁠Living by the Book⁠ by Howard G. Hendericks, William D. Hendericks

Gwyn’s talking about the importance of understanding Scripture within its original context and showing us what that looks like in practice.

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The Bible cannot mean something for us today that it did not mean to its orininal audience and in its original context.

Observation, Interpretation and Application

Observe the text:

 identify key words and themes

 who, what, when, where, how and why

 make lists: What does it say about God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, the nation of Israel, us, etc.

Resources Mentioned:

⁠The Essential Bible Handbook from Abingdon Press⁠

⁠Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible by J.I. Packer, M.C. Tenney⁠

⁠Living by the Book, Howard G. Hendericks, William D. Hendericks⁠

Gwyn's sharing how many of the New Testament Christians lived out the great commission, enduring persecution even to the point of death.

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Peter requested to be crucified upside down. Both Peter and Paul were both eventually martyred in Rome about 66 A.D., during the persecution under Emperor Nero. Paul was beheaded by the sword. Peter was crucified upside down at his request, since he did not feel he was worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

Philip had a far reaching ministry in Carthage North Africa and in Asia Minor. He converted the wife of a Roman proconsul who retaliated by having Philip arrested, scourged and thrown into prison. Afterwards  he was crucified at Heliopolis, in Phrygia A.D. 54

Mattias who replaced the Betrayer Judas in the closed group of twelve apostles to Israel was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.

Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria.

Andrew was crucified by a Roman Proconsule on a X shaped cross. Andrew preached in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, and in Greece and was crucified on an “X”-shaped cross. It is known today as St. Andrew’s Cross.

James who was the pastor of the Jerusalem church; step brother of Jesus and author of the Epistle died in 62 A.D., by his fellow brethren he tried so desperately to reach. The Sanhedrin Pharisees and Sadducees assembled demanding him to declare from the galleries that Jesus was not the Messiah. He went to the roof and instead of blaspheming the name he shouted out Jesus is the Son of God and judge of the world. Enraged the Jews hurled him off the temple he was then beaten and as he was stoned He prayed as Jesus did, “Father forgive them they know not what they do.” He finally had his life ended with a club.

James the son of Zebedee was beheaded, this is recorded in Acts 12:1-3: “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.  Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.  And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also.”

Simon the Zealot was ministering in Persia, and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god according to Foxes book of Martyrs

Bartholomew(Nathaniel) ministered in Asia Minor and India. Armenian Church claimed him as their founder. tradition of the church suggests he was flayed alive in Armenia.

Matthew(Levi) went to Persia, Macedonia, Syria, Parthia, Media, and Ethiopia bringing good news to Kings.

Thomas traveled to India, suggested that he died by Spear for his faith.

James the less(son of Alphaeus): tradition suggests that he was crucified in the Sinai or in Persia or stoned to death in Jerusalem.

John the Beloved  was the only disciple not to be martyred. Died in Ephesus at about 100 AD. Cared for Mary till her death. led the church from Ephesus in later times.

Resources Mentioned:

⁠The Voice of the Martyrs⁠

⁠Fox's Book of the Martyrs

Gwyn is continuing the conversation on how the martyred are a testament to the truth of Scripture. In this episode, she's focusing on non-Biblical texts and writings from contemporary historians, what they wrote and said about Christians as the church was starting to take off.

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Two things that corroborate and affirm the authenticity of the Bible: Non-christian contemporary sources affirming details of the Bible and the lives of the Martyrs. The willingness of the followers of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to lay down their very lives for this new Kingdom. This episode begins a 3 part series diving into the people who gave their lives for the name of Jesus.

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⁠Heb.11:33-40⁠

The resurrection is what the whole Church and saints of the Old Testament will share together. Being persecuted because of one's commitment to God is not foreign to the saints, it was a normal way of life for the prophets and for the saints.

In Mt. 23 Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his day with 7 woes and then makes this assessment in vs.34-35: “Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,  “that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” They intentionally rejected the righteous just as their forefathers did, so Jesus attributes the guilt of all those who murdered the righteous and the prophets on them. Why so great a sentence? Because they had one before them greater than all the prophets, and saw the greatest amount of miracles and despite all the signs given they still stayed in unbelief.

In Mk.12:1-12 Jesus gave a parable teaching that God sent many servants to his vineyard (Israel) but they ended killing them until finally God said he would send his son (Vs.6-7; Lk.20:13-15). The story illustrates how the prophets were sent to their own people who rejected and killed them. The promise at the end of the story was that the vineyard would be put into the Church’s hands to cultivate. However what Israel did to their own prophets they would do to the early church. After Israel was scattered, Rome would do the same and eventually the political Roman Church itself would adopt its policy centuries later for conversion.

Jesus warned those who followed him early on in Mt. 10:17-21: “But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.  “You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles...V.21   “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.”

The first martyr, Stephen a deacon became the first martyr because he reminded the Pharisees of their fathers rejection in the wilderness and Jesus’ words in Mt. 23. In one of the  greatest and boldest recorded sermons in the Bible Stephen states in Acts 7:52 “Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers.” Is it any wonder they killed him on the spot! Great Persecution: We are told by Luke,  “there arose a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;” and that “they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” It is said that about two thousand Christians, suffered martyrdom during this time as Acts 11:19 tells us “those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.”

⁠Foxe's Book of Martyrs

Today is all about what the Bible has to say about itself, how Scripture affirms Scripture, what Jesus had to say about Scripture and how New Testament authors spoke about the OT and about the other authors of the NT.

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What God’s word, Jesus and the Apostles say about the Bible:

The Old Testament was canonized by the time Jesus came to redeem the relationship lost in the fall. Every time Jesus quotes it, reads it or references it, he affirms its authority. The same goes for Paul, Peter and other New Testament writers.

Paul:

1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

Romans 1:1-32 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ...

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Romans 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

Jesus

Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Peter

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

2 Peter 3:16  As [Paul] does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

Acts 1:16 Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:15 And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Luke 24:25-27 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

What's the difference between all the different types of Bibles you can buy, and how do you know which one is best for you? Gwyn is going through it all on today's episode.

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Paraphrases: restatement or summaries of a translation into modern language. often expanded for clarification. Critical qualities: can add and remove from Scripture without the reader realizing.

Translations: try to capture thought for thought. easier reading levels, for youth

Versions: more serious and scholarly translations, seeking word for word accuracy. Used for Serious Bible study.

How to Choose? Define your purpose. Study Bibles are great for anyone. They provide tools and resources that helps to unlock and open the historical and cultural contexts. They will contain cross references, dictionary, rear concordance, notes, select commentary, glossary of people and places, maps, photos and charts. 

Why do some people make a King James only argument?

In its Day, it was created from the first collaborative translation endeavor with the largest collaborative collection of manuscripts and source texts, with the most collaborative and scholarly team assembled to that point. In 1611 AD the King James Version was completed: 54 scholars were commissioned to undertake a bible translation: 6 years six teams source material: Tyndal's Bible, the Bishops Bible and available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.

So it was THE version of the day! It was at such a level that it was not revised for nearly 200 years when earlier and more complete manuscripts were found. It remains a faithful version. However it is not the old English that makes it sacred and it is important to understand that it is written at a 10-12th grade reading level. So feel free to switch to its more modern form in the New King James Version which looses the "Thees and Thous"; but maintains it structure and beauty.

The Bible is the most quoted, most published, most translated and most influential book in the history of mankind.

Resources Mentioned:

⁠Answers in Genesis article on the Apocrypha⁠

⁠Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines

Gwyn picks up where she left off last week with the A.D timeline of how Scripture came together, going over the history of God's Word from the time Jesus was on earth until today.

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-0-35AD life of Jesus. Jesus affirms the authority of the Old testament by quoting from it.

-100BC-450AD: The Romans had continued efforts to unify territories by building elaborate systems of roads, buildings, walls and canals. These Roads and the sea routes that were established became the routes that Christians used to carry the gospel to every corner of the known world.

-150AD: New Testament books were circulated and used enough to be referred to as the New Testament.

-200AD : Bible translated into 7 languages

-300AD: Constantine legalizes Christianity, NT books are collected and circulated. OT and NT canon confirmed.

-300 - 1400 Vellum and parchment were used to make copies of the bible. oldest vellum 325-350.

-382: Jerome translation called Latin Vulgate 23 years. Jerome is credited with assembling the full Bible and making full copy translation

-400AD full 27 books listed and affirmed by east and west church; the three church elders (Athanasius, Jerome and Augustine and 3 church counsels)

-500-900AD: Masoretes copy Hebrew scriptures- elaborate system to assure accuracy of copying.

-500AD: translated into 13 languages

-500-900 AD Dark ages: Bible only available in the Latin Vulgate and only organized clergy had access to the limited handwritten copies. lost a connection to the contextual cultural heritage of the original audience of scripture.

-Cultural sin to read the Bible for himself or try to understand the scriptures.

-900AD: Bible translated into 17 languages

-1300AD (1382) first English Bible Wycliffe Bible

-Wycliffe Bible banned and burned. John W. body is exhumed and burnt 40 yrs after death.

1400 Bible translated into 28 languages

1408 illegal to translate the Bible into common English without Bishops approval

1455 Gutenberg Printing Press: Gutenberg Bible is the first book ever printed.

1516: Erasmus priest and Greek scholar (goal was to get the bible into the hand of every farmer and weaver) accurate Latin translation: used by Martin Luther

1522: Martin Luther translates the NT into German.

William Tyndale early 1500 committed to putting the Bible into the everyday language of the English speaking people. Opposition: shipwreck, loss of manuscripts, secret agents, betrayal by friends, succeeded but captured, imprisoned, strangled and burned.

Lots of rough years for Bible translators wanting English Bible.

1611 AD King James Version completed: 54 scholars are commissioned to undertake a Bible translation: 6 years, six teams. Source material: Tyndale’s Bible, the Bishops Bible and available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.

1629-1947 several of the earliest known copies of the Bible were found.

1692 codex Alexandrinus - from 400ad - best copy of revelation.- made available to western scholars.

1870 KJV revised to use better Greek and Hebrew texts and to retranslate words based on new info about ancient Hebrew.

1947 The Dead Sea Scrolls: copied around 100BC(1,000 years earlier)