Lighting the Lamp

[Accordance 11: Study] Rom. 8:28-30 is interpreted very differently by Wesleyans and Calvinists, a disagreement that often obscures the the point of the passage. In it Paul argues that God has destined his people for "glorification," an often misunderstood goal reached by an even less understood process.

[Accordance 11: Study] The story of the prophet Jonah is a delight, filled with unexpected twists and turns. In this podcast, we'll explore the way it turns the tables on its readers. Expecting judgment to fall upon others, we instead find judgement falling upon ourselves. Join Dr. J as he helps us "hear" the story of Jonah as its ancient Israelite audience would have when they heard it for the very first time.

[Accordance 11: Resources] Michael Card's Biblical Imagination is a delightful study of each the four Gospels, enhanced by four albums of his signature music. This Accordance module includes both his commentaries and his albums, with links in the text to the tune that goes with each passage. Card is an accomplished musician and writer—and these Gospels commentaries are as fresh and engaging as his music.

[Accordance Mobile 2.1: Basic] The latest release of our Accordance Mobile app includes a number of new features, including some of User Notes. In this podcast, Dr. J reviews all the capabilities of User Notes on mobile devices and demonstrates dictating a note, typing in multiple languages (including emoji characters!), changing font styles and colors in a note, and syncing User Notes with Dropbox.

Accordance 11.0.6 brings with it two new features: Change Focus and Tie/Untie Panes. Both are designed to enable users to investigate any verse while still being able to see its entire context. Join Dr. J as he demonstrates how these two subtle, but powerful features can make our Bible study both easier and more effective. [Accordance 11: Intermediate]

Not all Bible studies begin with a passage. Some start with a simple question, "What does the Bible say about ______?" Investigations of this kind are called "topical studies" and may well be the most popular kind of Bible study. Topical sermons are certainly a favorite among preachers. In this podcast Dr. J shows us how to study a topic using Accordance—and how to transform that study into three simple kinds of topical sermons.

[Accordance 11: Study] What is the Greatest Commandment? All three Synoptic Gospels include the story of Jesus' answer to the Pharisees' question—but they have significant differences. In this podcast Dr. J will help us understand the reason for such variations. Along the way, we'll trace the history of this commandment, consider the ways in which the Gospels were composed, and investigate the nature of a common figure of speech in the Bible.

Word studies are one of the core techniques for Bible study. In this podcast, Dr. J provides a simple, step-by-step process for discovering a word's meaning: Identify, Investigate, and Evaluate. First, he shows us how to identify the original language word behind every word in a Bible translation. He then explains how everyone—those who read Hebrew and Greek and those who do not— can use Accordance to find the range of meaning(s) for every word in the Bible's original languages. Finally, the podcast explains how to pinpoint the precise meaning of a word as it is used in a specific verse.

Accordance Mobile 2.0 is here! Designed for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches running at least iOS 8.0, the latest version of "Bible Study with Accordance" (iPhone App Store name) is sure to please. It is optimized to take advantage of the iPhone 6 and 6 plus screen sizes—and boasts a host of new features: enhanced text selection, social sharing, highlight symbols, quick definitions, tool bookmarks, easier downloads, and more. Join Dr. J for this quick tour of the very latest in mobile Bible study software.

The Tower of Babel is one of the best known Bible stories, but rarely read in its literary and cultural context. In this podcast, Dr. J draws on his knowledge of the Ancient Near East and the images in Accordance to retell the story as its original hearers might have understood it, complete with some timeless applications.