Bryan and Brian continue their examination of the types of literature found in the Bible as we seek to Understand God’s Word. In part 5 of our series, the guys zero in on Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon.) Although songs, poems, and proverbs are sprinkled throughout other places in Scripture, these books of the Bible are commonly considered “wisdom literature.” These sections of Scripture are often very personal, frequently written in light of the author’s relationship with God. Many times, and you can especially see this in the Psalms, they are written with God as the audience! Explore these sections of God’s Word and look at the idea of wisdom with us this week.

Resources

An Introduction to Old Testament Poetic Books by C. Hassell Bullock; 

A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible: Playing by the Rules by Robert H. Stein

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart

How should poetry in the Bible be interpreted? by Got Questions 

Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all of our episodes in your internet browser on our website http://www.oakhillbc.org/f4l/ or listen on your favorite podcast app! Make sure to rate and review the show. We would also welcome your feedback or future episode ideas in our email inbox at [email protected]

As we seek to Understand God’s Word, we will learn that throughout the history of creation, God has worked through covenants. Bryan and Brian examine the covenants of Scripture, and discuss the laws that arose out of them. Brian Van Doren summed up this episode well when he said that it is like mining for gold. The work may seem tedious, but it reveals great treasure in the end. What are the parts of a covenant? How does the Law of God factor into the covenants that He has delivered throughout history? We examine the current status of God’s covenant and how the Law applies to God’s people today.

Resources discussed or used during this episode include:

A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible: Playing by the Rules by Robert H. Stein

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart 

What is the law of Christ? by Got Questions 

What is the law of liberty? by Got Questions

Read the Bible for Life by George H. Guthrie 

Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all of our episodes in your internet browser on our website http://www.oakhillbc.org/f4l/ or listen on your favorite podcast app! Make sure to rate and review the show. We would also welcome your feedback or future episode ideas in our email inbox at [email protected]

Stories can be true, and the story of the Bible is true! It is important to understand, though, that the Bible is both a collection of stories and one overarching story. These stories are presented in various literary forms including poetry, historical narrative, parables, and more. Bryan and Brian continue their series of episodes Understanding God’s Word with a rapid fire examination of the idea of narrative, what the overarching narrative of the Bible is, and the literary forms that are presented. If you like this episode and you want to go a little deeper in your understanding of this aspect of the Bible, be sure to check out our resource links for helpful tools.

Resources

• How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart

Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all of our episodes in your internet browser on our website http://www.oakhillbc.org/f4l/ or listen on your favorite podcast app! Make sure to rate and review the show. We would also welcome your feedback or future episode ideas in our email inbox at [email protected]

"Context is key!" What does this mean?

In our last episode, Bryan and Brian framed the new series Understanding God's Word and discussed the idea of Hermeneutics so we can begin to develop a framework for meaning when we study the Scriptures. This week, the guys examine how looking into the background of a text to gain the context it was written in can go a long way in understanding because it can provide clues that include audience, language, and history. These components are important for many reasons, but one big reason is that language - even one particular language like English - changes over time. Bryan and Brian explain how to look for context clues and give some examples in this episode!

We hope that this series helps to encourage you and build a deeper love for the Bible. Send us your thoughts, questions, and comments to [email protected]

Resources

• A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible - Robert H. Stein

Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all of our episodes in your internet browser on our website http://www.oakhillbc.org/f4l/ or listen on your favorite podcast app! Make sure to rate and review the show. We would also welcome your feedback or future episode ideas in our email inbox at [email protected]

Bryan and Brian begin a new series that seeks to Understand God’s Word, beginning with a look at hermeneutics, rules, and application.

The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 was asked by Philip if he understood the prophecy of Isaiah that the eunuch was reading. The response in Acts 8:31 was “How can I, except some man should guide me?” Philip’s guidance led to rejoicing by the Ethiopian once he understood the Gospel and was baptized. Looking at this in our current cultural context, one great challenge for Christianity in the post-modern era is Biblical literacy. The best way that we can combat the problems that arise out of that challenge is regular time in God’s Word and a proper interpretation of the Scriptures. Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation, and a Biblical hermeneutic is the way in which we learn the meaning of what we read in our Bible. Thankfully, there are faithful teachers and resources that can help to guide us!

We hope that this series helps to encourage you and build a deeper love for the Bible. Send us your thoughts, questions, and comments to [email protected]

Resources

• A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible - Robert H. Stein

Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all of our episodes in your internet browser on our website http://www.oakhillbc.org/f4l/ or listen on your favorite podcast app! Make sure to rate and review the show. We would also welcome your feedback or future episode ideas in our email inbox at [email protected]

Bryan and Brian have a Top 3 on deck this week, examining their favorite resources for Christian living. While we never replace the Bible as the only sufficient authority for Christian faith and practice, there are solid resources that can help us to better understand the truths of scripture and how to apply them to our lives. With this in mind, the guys discuss their most impactful resources that they still return to in their Christian walk. We hope you find these lists encouraging!

Here is our resources list:

Brian Van Doren

3. Revival and Revivalism, Iain Murray 

2. The Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman 

1. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney  

Honorable Mention:

Confessions by Augustine  

Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle  

Bryan Gotcher:

3. Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders 

2. Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem  

1. Creative Bible Teaching by Lawrence O. Richards & Gary J. Bredfeldt  

Honorable Mention:

Leadership Books by Patrick Lencioni  

Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all of our episodes in your internet browser on our website http://www.oakhillbc.org/f4l/ or listen on your favorite podcast app! Make sure to rate and review the show. We would also welcome your feedback or future episode ideas in our email inbox at [email protected]

Bryan and Brian return from Summer break and dive into the deepest part of the current cultural pool as they examine the issue of life. What does it mean to be made in the image of God? When does life begin? Most importantly, what does the Bible have to say and have to do with these issues. The decision by the Supreme Court to overturn a monumental decision about “women’s reproductive rights” has a lot of folks talking about what happens next. This is a deeply sobering and culturally relevant conversation that is best listened to with maturity. If you usually listen to the podcast with your children, you may want to pre-screen this episode. We pray that God blesses you with this content and equips you to trust in Him and His Word.

Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all of our episodes in your internet browser on our website http://www.oakhillbc.org/f4l/ or listen on your favorite podcast app! Make sure to rate and review the show. We would also welcome your feedback or future episode ideas in our email inbox at [email protected]

On this Independence Day special of Families For Life Bryan and Brian discuss the topic of Freedom, comparing the freedom that some nations like the USA enjoy to the true freedom found in Christ. Mature Christians recognize that spiritual freedom and material freedom are two different things, and we can have freedoms and still be enslaved to sin. How should we view patriotism as followers of Jesus? These concepts and more are discussed in this episode.

Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all of our episodes in your internet browser on our website http://www.oakhillbc.org/f4l/ or listen on your favorite podcast app! Make sure to rate and review the show. We would also welcome your feedback or future episode ideas in our email inbox at [email protected]

Bryan and Brian dig down into a new Biblical Balance discussing legalism and antinomianism. They have been called the twin heresies, and both have God’s law in view. Legalism places an emphasis on God’s law that expects more out of the believer than he can possibly bear. Antinomianism (literally “anti law” at its etymological root) downplays God’s law upon the life of the believer. How do we navigate the Christian road without steering into one or both of these ditches? What is the proper perspective that a Christian should possess when interacting with God’s law? These questions and much more are unpacked in this episode. Don’t miss it!

Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all of our episodes in your internet browser on our website http://www.oakhillbc.org/f4l/ or listen on your favorite podcast app! Make sure to rate and review the show. We would also welcome your feedback or future episode ideas in our email inbox at [email protected]

Brian and Bryan mix it up this week with an episode dedicated to discussing the top 3 places that each of them have visited. From mission trips to majestic vacations, the guys explain the favorite travel destinations they’ve experienced, and offer some insights from these trips.

Families For Life is a podcast of Oakhill Baptist Church. You can stream all of our episodes in your internet browser on our website http://www.oakhillbc.org/f4l/ or listen on your favorite podcast app! Make sure to rate and review the show. We would also welcome your feedback or future episode ideas in our email inbox at [email protected]