Our final episode in the Lenses of Context series examines the brilliant and highly intentional literary background of the Bible. We don’t read a legal document the same way we read a poem or a historical account. We’re mindful of the context. Unfortunately, many of us miss the literary clues in the Text that help us know HOW to read that particular section in context. Thus, we need to engage the four aspects of the literary lens: genre, design, what we call “the W’s,” as well as placement. By the end of this episode, you’ll have specific tools to help you engage the literary context of the Bible to ensure you’re reading it the way it was intended to be read. And as you do so, always remember that the end goal isn’t to be smarter, but to be more faithful!

Languages often reveal the values of a culture, which is one of the reasons why understanding the original languages of the Bible is so important. Hebrew and Greek can be intimidating, but here’s the good news: you don’t need formal training in these ancient languages to improve your Bible reading. There are multiple tools and techniques to help you get the most out of the languages of the Bible. By the end of this episode, you’ll know where to search and what to look for to unlock the language of the Bible! 

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” “Seeing is believing.” “I saw it with my own eyes.” We humans are deeply visual creatures. In fact, mirror neurons in our brains give us the unique capacity to empathize and embody what we see. Unfortunately, many of us fail to engage the visual aspect of the Bible. Simply seeing photos, videos, or artist renderings of Bible stories can unlock a depth of understanding we can’t access any other way (outside of traveling there). By the end of this episode, you’ll have a list of visual resources and key questions to help you see the Bible in a whole new light, literally!

The Bible often uses an economy of words to convey extremely significant information. Nowhere is this more obvious or glaring than when it comes to geography. Scripture is loaded with subtle hints and references designed to show us the connection between place and purpose, but if we don’t know the geography, we completely miss out on the insight. In this episode, we explore several examples from the Bible (including why Jesus was baptized where he was – hold on to your seats for this one) to show you how important geography is when it comes to reading the Bible better. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a whole new set of questions to ask of any passage you’re reading so you don’t miss the connections between place and purpose.

If you’ve ever felt confused by the Bible, chances are you’re suffering from biblical culture shock (and probably don’t even know it). One way out of the confusion and into understanding is by learning to see any biblical passage through the cultural lens of its day. By way of illustration, this episode explores a well-known expression from the apostle Paul about walking in the light. As the cultural context of Paul’s Roman connection is brought into view, you’ll see a stunning new reality emerge of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Furthermore, by the end of this episode, you’ll be equipped with a set of questions and resources to help you learn the cultural background of any biblical passage you read. 

Perhaps the most frequent question we hear is, “How do I learn to study the Bible in context on my own?” That’s why we wrote a free e-book called The #1 Mistake Most Everyone Makes Reading the Bible. In it, we unpack six lenses of context: historical, cultural, geographical, visual, linguistic, and literary. In this brand-new mini-series, Lenses of Context, we’ll explore each lens, citing specific examples of how that particular lens amplifies the meaning of the Text. In this episode, we unpack how the surprising history of the ancient city of Sardis informed Jesus’s warning to the church there in Revelation 3:1-6. By the end of this episode you’ll be equipped with a set of five questions to ask any passage you’re reading in order to understand the historical context. 

Timing is everything, and no one understands this better than God. When Paul writes, “In the fullness of time, God sent forth his Son,” it’s not empty language. Daniel 2 contains an ancient prophecy about how and when God would establish His everlasting kingdom. As we’ll see in this special Christmas episode, God used four different empires to pave the way for the arrival of Jesus. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a greater sense of confidence that nothing is wasted, that everything belongs, and that God’s timing isn’t just acceptable or plausible — it’s perfect. Enjoy and Merry Christmas, Everyone!

The final weapon in the armor of God, and our last line of defense, is the Sword of the Spirit which Paul says is the word of God. When Paul talks about God’s words, he uses a very particular Greek word, rhema, which means “a word that is given.” Sometimes in the midst of battle, the Holy Spirit gives us a word from God to use in the fight. Other times, the Spirit recalls the words of God that we’ve committed to memory, and that we need most to stand firm in the midst of the onslaught. In this final episode of our mini-series, you’ll learn how to wield the very words of God in order to fight a decisive battle against the evil one.

When Paul connects the image of the helmet with the concept of salvation, he’s talking about deliverance. Standing firm in the midst of the battle begins with how we think. Our adversary, the evil one, loves to get us thinking in ways that are contrary to what God wants for us. Once planted in our minds, those thoughts wreak havoc on our lives. But spotting those lies and being vigilant about guarding what enters our minds are essential to withstand the assaults. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand just how important what you think really is, and why it matters so much to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

The Roman military was one of the most formidable fighting forces in the ancient world. They routinely faced and defeated larger opponents because of their unique tactical approach to warfare: they never fought alone. The shield (scutum) allowed Roman soldiers to fight together as a unit, and that’s why Paul connects the shield with the concept of faithfulness. Evil’s desire is to isolate and cut us off from each other because we’re never more vulnerable to attack than when we’re going it alone. By the end of this episode, you’ll learn that it’s impossible to stand firm against evil if we’re not standing with each other.