Understanding the Bible [Paperback]

Dr. John R.W. Stott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

This book answers foundational questions: Who wrote the Bible? What is its message? Why is it thought to be a 'holy' book? How does one read and interpret it? Best of all, though, you'll broaden your vision of Jesus Christ, the focal point of Scripture. How? By better understanding the geographical, religious, and historical concerns that shaped the world in which he lived. You'll see Jesus as never before: both as a man of his times and culture, and as the culmination of a divine providence that prepared the way for the ministry of the Messiah. Written by renowned preacher, writer, and apologist John Stott, this new, expanded edition includes - Questions at the beginning of each chapter to help you focus - New, up-to-date maps for the chapters on history and geography - An index to help you speedily access areas of interest.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is doubtful if John STott has ever written any book of greater value." Christian Herald --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

To apprehend Jesus in his fullness, writes world-renowned scholar John Stott, it is essential to understand the setting within which God offers him to us. He sent him to a particular place, at a particular time, and within a particular framework of truth. To new Christians as well as seasoned believers who want a fresh perspective, Understanding the Bible offers a strong grasp of the Bible's message and its focal point, Jesus Christ. New features in this edition include focus questions at the beginning of each chapter, new maps, and an index.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; Rev Sub edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310414318
• ISBN-13: 978-0310414315
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John R. W. Stott is known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as rector of All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). His many books, including Why I Am a Christian and The Cross of Christ, have sold millions of copies around the world and in dozens of languages. Whether in the West or in the Two-Thirds World, a hallmark of Stott's ministry has been expository preaching that addresses the hearts and minds of contemporary men and women. Stott was honored by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent overview of how to study the Bible, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Understanding the Bible (Paperback)

This is a very good basic overview of the right (Biblical) attitude to the Bible, how and when the study it and understand it. It is especially good in helping the reader to see the principles of natural, original and general meaning, and has some useful geographical stuff as well.

Definitely a worthwhile introduction to the topic, with challenges and incentives to read the Bible, while avoiding legalism.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grounding principles for sound exegesis., May 4, 2005

By 

Wesley L. Janssen (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Understanding the Bible (Hardcover)

". . . we must be ready for the text to penetrate our defenses, challenge our assumptions, disturb our complacency and judge our compromises. Otherwise, if we come to Scripture with our mind already made up, all we are likely to hear is the reassuring echoes of our own cultural prejudice." (p151)

This is a very helpful and enjoyable book, and I am a bit surprised that is has so far garnered only a few superficial reviews in this forum. Stott provides a well-paced and well-supported overview of the harmony and message of the Old and New Testaments, a look at their respective cultural contexts and provides three basic principles for interpreting the Bible. My hardcover volume also features maps, charts, and photographs, which enrich both understanding and enjoyment. As Stott says, "Just as in a children's treasure hunt, one is sometimes fortunate enough to stumble immediately upon the treasure but, more usually, has to follow laboriously from clue to clue until at last the treasure is found, so it is with Bible reading. . . But a painstaking pursuit of the clues will ultimately lead every reader to that treasure whose worth is beyond price." (p19, 20)

Near the end of the sixth chapter, explaining the authority of the Bible, Stott says: ". . . to accept the authority of the Bible is a Christian thing to do. It is neither a religious eccentricity, nor a case of discreditable obscurantism, but the good sense of Christian faith and humility. It . . . may be called the 'Christian' view precisely because it is Christ's view.
"To accept the divine origin of the Bible is not to pretend that there are no problems. To be candid, there are many problems . . ." He cites, as examples, the problems of pain and suffering, going on to say, ". . . it is essential that we wrestle honestly with biblical problems. It is not Christian to bury our heads in the sand, pretending that no problems exist. Nor is it Christian to manipulate Scripture in order to achieve a forced, artificial harmonization. No, we work at the problems with intellectual integrity. . . Jesus Christ taught it and exhibited it. . . To follow Christ is always sober, humble, Christian realism." (p135, 136)

The only dissenting comment I will muster is that I was slightly disappointed with Stott's casual dismissal of the exegetic works of Philo and Origen. Of course, I have seen this before. The complaints of their opponents are assumed without any attempt to give Philo and Origen their due consideration (page 146). As those who have actually read them will be aware, these expositors (and others of their approach, like Gregory of Nyssa, and to a lesser extent, Augustine) were intelligent, assiduous, exceptionally knowledgeable in both the text and the ancient philology, and centrally focused on reverence for both God and scripture. When Stott goes on to speak about "the general sense of Scripture" (i.e., "the principle of harmony") he addresses the great concern of both Philo and Origen. They did "meditate day and night" on God's Word, as the Psalm says, "like one who finds great spoil," that is, "gold" and "honey." One should not dismiss individuals who have proceeded to live this life while also holding up this type of a model for others. This is not to say Philo or Origen must be wholly accepted (neither of them asked to be, they were, after all, students of scripture in the purest sense), but on what serious basis can they be wholly dismissed?
However, all in all, it's a rather small complaint. As regards "the general sense" and harmony of scripture, Stott's brief discussion of the exchange between John Knox and Mary Queen of Scotts is excellent.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good foundation book for new Christians, December 13, 2009

By 

Karen Elphick (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Understanding the Bible (Hardcover)

This book is a really good way of grabbing hold of the message of the Bible as a whole in its historical context. Highly recommended for new Christians and for those seeking answers about what the Bible is really about.