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Exploring the Bible
Fortress Press's Foundations for Learning series prepares students for academic success through compelling resources that kick-start their educational journey into professional Christian ministry.
In Exploring the Bible, preseminarians and other students about to begin training in ministry join sage guides and scholars Eric D. Barreto and Michael J. Chan on a journey through Scripture. More than simply a practical guide to reading the Bible, this book will help readers claim their unique interpretive perspective and discern a living word from God.
We never read the Bible by ourselves. In the encounter of ancient texts and people today, we discern alongside others how these texts speak into our communities. Contexts matter. Histories matter. Cultures matter. Peoples matter. All these matter in interpretation when we seek to proclaim some word of gospel about a God who has breathed life into us. Barreto and Chan invite us to bring our full, authentic selves to a text that will affirm and challenge us, confirm and transform us, delight and concern us. There, God speaks, and we can hear God's word in a new way.
In Exploring the Bible, preseminarians and other students about to begin training in ministry join sage guides and scholars Eric D. Barreto and Michael J. Chan on a journey through Scripture. More than simply a practical guide to reading the Bible, this book will help readers claim their unique interpretive perspective and discern a living word from God.
We never read the Bible by ourselves. In the encounter of ancient texts and people today, we discern alongside others how these texts speak into our communities. Contexts matter. Histories matter. Cultures matter. Peoples matter. All these matter in interpretation when we seek to proclaim some word of gospel about a God who has breathed life into us. Barreto and Chan invite us to bring our full, authentic selves to a text that will affirm and challenge us, confirm and transform us, delight and concern us. There, God speaks, and we can hear God's word in a new way.
136 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2016
15 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 14, 2023
In “Exploring the Bible,” authors Eric D. Barreto and Michael J. Chan elucidate the intricate world of the Bible. Through a lens that is both scholastically rigorous and accessible, Barreto and Chan unravel the layers of the Bible, providing readers with a rich and nuanced understanding of Scripture.
Barreto and Chan possess a deep reverence for the Bible, an aspect that stands as a testament to their credibility and earnestness in approaching this endeavor. Their expertise in biblical studies is obvious throughout, making “Exploring the Bible” a trustworthy guide for readers who are both new and familiar with biblical texts.
One of the standout features of this book is its inclusivity. Barreto and Chan approach the Bible from a multi-faceted perspective, accommodating a diversity of viewpoints and interpretations. This enables a broad spectrum of readers to find value and insight in their exploration, whether they are approaching the Bible from a standpoint of faith, academic interest, or personal curiosity.
As they encounter the various texts, the authors do not shy away from examining the complex historical and cultural contexts that birthed the Bible. They delve into the linguistic nuances, dissecting Hebrew and Greek phrases to provide readers with a richer understanding of the text’s original intent and manifold interpretations. This meticulous approach not only showcases their scholastic rigor but also serves to deepen the reader’s appreciation and understanding of the Bible’s rich tapestry of narratives and teachings.
Despite the depth of analysis, Barreto and Chan maintain a language that is accessible, steering clear of overly technical jargon that could potentially alienate readers who are not well-versed in theological studies. This accessibility ensures that “Exploring the Bible” can function as a useful resource for readers from various backgrounds and levels of familiarity with the Bible.
I highly recommend this book.
Barreto and Chan possess a deep reverence for the Bible, an aspect that stands as a testament to their credibility and earnestness in approaching this endeavor. Their expertise in biblical studies is obvious throughout, making “Exploring the Bible” a trustworthy guide for readers who are both new and familiar with biblical texts.
One of the standout features of this book is its inclusivity. Barreto and Chan approach the Bible from a multi-faceted perspective, accommodating a diversity of viewpoints and interpretations. This enables a broad spectrum of readers to find value and insight in their exploration, whether they are approaching the Bible from a standpoint of faith, academic interest, or personal curiosity.
As they encounter the various texts, the authors do not shy away from examining the complex historical and cultural contexts that birthed the Bible. They delve into the linguistic nuances, dissecting Hebrew and Greek phrases to provide readers with a richer understanding of the text’s original intent and manifold interpretations. This meticulous approach not only showcases their scholastic rigor but also serves to deepen the reader’s appreciation and understanding of the Bible’s rich tapestry of narratives and teachings.
Despite the depth of analysis, Barreto and Chan maintain a language that is accessible, steering clear of overly technical jargon that could potentially alienate readers who are not well-versed in theological studies. This accessibility ensures that “Exploring the Bible” can function as a useful resource for readers from various backgrounds and levels of familiarity with the Bible.
I highly recommend this book.
August 6, 2022
A Wonderful Surprise
Honestly, I was expecting this to be a pretty dry and boring book, but it was far from it. If you’re trying to get into the Bible but find its ancientness overbearing, this will serve as a great primer to give it some color. I had to read it for a class after pastoring for over a decade and I learned plenty from it and would recommend it to anyone asking me how they can understand their Bible better.
Honestly, I was expecting this to be a pretty dry and boring book, but it was far from it. If you’re trying to get into the Bible but find its ancientness overbearing, this will serve as a great primer to give it some color. I had to read it for a class after pastoring for over a decade and I learned plenty from it and would recommend it to anyone asking me how they can understand their Bible better.
October 26, 2020
Using this text in my classroom next semester! A little thin for undergrads, but it was technically written for seminarians and I thoroughly enjoyed the quickness of it. Will supplement it with other resources.
May 1, 2023
Excellent read that makes the Bible approachable. Chapters are broken down easily in Part II, to revisit as you study the texts of the Bible. Great refresher of points to keep in mind as you study the text.
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May 16, 2021An introductory primer to reading the Bible from within the Christian tradition. Accessible and easy to follow.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews