Special Section

Composing the Bible

TRANSMISSION

The Bible as Composition—From Conception to Present

John D. Barry,Editor-in-Chief, Minister and Bible Scholar (MA in Biblical Studies)

“In the beginning” there was the Composer (Gen 1:1), who created our dwelling place and then instructed us to maintain His creation (Gen 1:28). That’s the intro to His song—what a rock star! Then the pace of His piece quickened. In a mad rush to save the world, He brought His people out of slavery in Egypt. God started singing to them three imperatives: “hear Yahweh our God”; (2) “love” Him; and (3) “follow” Him (Deut 6:4–6). This is His refrain (Jer 31:31–34) that Jesus repeats (Matt 22:36–40) and writes cover songs about (Matt 5–7).

What They Don’t Tell You in Church : The New Testament Didn’t Drop out of Heaven

Rick Brannan, Greek and New Testament Manuscript Specialist (with John D. Barry)

The New Testament didn’t drop out of heaven; It was written and reproduced by people who were following God’s will and the leading of His Spirit. And the people who wrote it were persecuted, beaten, and murdered for their beliefs. … Yet we still have many ancient copies of the New Testament. … In total, 162 textual witnesses to the New Testament books produced in the 5th century or earlier have been discovered.

I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible : How the Bible was Written and Edited : What Pronouns Tell Us

Michael S. Heiser, Academic Editor and Bible Scholar (PhD in Hebrew Bible and Semitic Studies)

Who had the authority to edit the Bible? … The short answer is whomever God moved to do so under inspiration. The longer answer is that, in the case of the prophetic writings, someone accepted by the believing community of Israel to be a member of the prophetic class or tradition served as editor of the preaching and teaching of the prophets.

Weird, but Important : Even the Bible Needed Upgrading

Michael S. Heiser, Academic Editor and Bible Scholar (PhD in Hebrew Bible and Semitic Studies)

Wait a minute. The Bible needed an upgrade? Those sound like fighting words to anyone with a high view of Scripture. An upgrade implies that something needed updating, but the Bible is timeless! That’s true, but in this case I would have to excuse myself from the ring. I wouldn’t want to tangle with those responsible for the improvements: the biblical writers and, well, the Spirit of God.

Believe it or not, there is evidence that the Bible was updated. That may sound strange, but if you read closely, it’s undeniable. Take Gen 14:14 as an illustration.

TRANSLATIONS

Thoughts from the Church Fathers : Which Translation is Holy? St. Augustine on Correcting the Bible

John D. Barry,Editor-in-Chief, Minister and Bible Scholar (MA in Biblical Studies)

St. Augustine did not suggest that churches use the Old Testament in its original language of Hebrew. Instead, he tells them to use the translation in their language—Latin. He then recommends they correct the Latin translation, not with the Hebrew, but the Greek translation of the Old Testament—the Septuagint. Augustine’s words show the high regard for the Septuagint that existed in the early church.

Bible Backdrops : It’s All ‘Gk’ to Me : What the Septuagint Is and Why It Matters

Leonard Greenspoon, Septuagint Specialist and Bible Scholar (Professor)

What a disappointment to follow a note in your Bible down to the bottom margin and read “MT”, “LXX” or “Gk.” Why not just give us Morse code? Allow me to clear up the confusion.

Greek Word Study without Greek (and Latin) : Will the Real Advocate Please Stand Up?

Jacob M. Massine, Columnist and Greek Specialist (MA in English Literature Candidate)

Most of us are familiar with the idea that the Holy Spirit is a ‘helper,’ who intercedes between us and God. Images of lawyers pressing their case with passionate appeals and compelling arguments seem to fit the descriptions. But is there more to this idea of advocacy? What else lies hidden in the word we have assumed to mean ‘lawyer’?

CONTEXT

Bible Study Tips : Beyond Cross References : Old Testament Allusions in the New Testament

Johnny Cisneros, Columnist and Church Leadership Equipper/Trainer (Masters of Christian Studies)

Most English bibles are pretty good at showing you where Old Testament quotations in the New Testament came from. But in some instance, cross references only tell half the story. Usually when Jesus was confronted with opposition, He answered on the basis of His own authority. But when tempted by the devil in the wilderness, He quotes from the Book of Deuteronomy three times (Deut 6:13, 16; 8:3).

There’s more going on here than just a few quotations of the Old Testament. To understand the importance of citations, we need to look at Jesus’ baptism and subsequent temptation in the wilderness in the context of the Old Testament, especially the story of Israel.

D.I.Y. Bible Study : 3 Steps for Contextualizing the New Testament Using Josephus’ Works

John D. Barry,Editor-in-Chief, Minister and Bible Scholar (MA in Biblical Studies)

Flavius Josephus (ca. 37–100 AD), a Jewish historian who worked for Rome, wrote some of the most important sources for contextualizing the New Testament. Anyone who wants to understand the New Testament on its own terms cannot afford to ignore his writings.

Josephus has been my friend since I was a teenager. (Yep, I toted Josephus around in high school.) You have likely heard the name, but what did this Josephus guy really say? We don’t want to trust source like the (ah hum) History Channel on Josephus. I’ve watched more than one show that tries to make him look like an inept historian. It’s far better to look at what he says on your own. For example, when we read his Antiquities (Books 18–20), we gain critical context for interpreting Jesus’ dialogues, as well as the cultural and political norms of the period. … Here are the three steps for getting into Josephus’ works.

Cutting Edge : Away in a Manger, but Not in a Barn : An Archaeologist Examines the Nativity Scene

Gary A. Byers, Archaeologist of Ancient Near Eastern Sites (MA from Baltimore Hebrew University)

We all know how a nativity scene should look. … We’ve become quite familiar with this scene, but is it accurate? A close reading of the biblical text informed by the archaeological evidence suggests some adjustments are needed.

Contents

Letter from the Editor : Questions Matter More than Answers

John D. Barry,Editor-in-Chief, Minister and Bible Scholar (MA in Biblical Studies)

The question I hear most: “What’s the number one thing I can do to better understand the Bible?” Answer: “Ask Questions.”

In the News

Fragment of Ancient Bible Discovered in Book Binding

2010: The US Year of the Bible?

Podcast Bible Study Fields Questions from around the Globe

Mary Hollaway, News Journalist

Moment with God : Remembering to Remember the Goodness of God

Christy Tennant, Columnist and Devotional Conference Speaker

I must confess that sometimes I read about the forgetfulness of Bible characters and chide them in my mind. I think, “If God showed me a burning bush, I would never doubt Him again.” But I would. And so would you.

Not Your Average Bible Study : Facing Today with the Book of Hebrews : 8 Weeks in Chapter 11

John D. Barry,Editor-in-Chief, Minister and Bible Scholar (MA in Biblical Studies)

When we feel that we can’t see God at work, the author of Hebrews tells us to look to followers of God from times past as an example. If we look hard enough, God will eventually surface. Hebrews 11 produces a plethora of real-life examples that address the book’s most pressing question, “How can we have faith in the midst of pain and suffering?” In this eight-week study, we will examine what the author of Hebrews said to a community that was struggling to have faith. We will learn what faith is, how to have, and where to place it.

Biblical Humor : Hyperbole in Jonah (Biblical Humor Part 2 of 4)

Eli T. Evans, Columnist and Lifelong Student of the Bible

Hyperbole is the literary way to dial the contrast setting to maximum. Subtlety is traded for impact, and what remains is a story that evokes strong feelings. When events and characters are larger-than-life, our reaction to them are similarly oversized. The Bible is well-suited for hyperbole because its main object is incomparable: No Exaggeration imaginable could ever do justice to God’s attributes. Whenever God acts, the scale is necessarily extreme.

Shelf Life : 4 New Books Reviewed

Beginning from Jerusalem by James D. G. Dunn (Eerdmans, 2009)

James R. Hamrick, MA in Biblical Studies Candidate

Beginning from Jerusalem is an invaluable resource for any serious student of the history of early Christianity, the book of Acts, or the life and letters of Paul.

Ezekiel (NIBC 15; Hendrickson, 2009) by Steven Tuell

James R. Hamrick, MA in Biblical Studies Candidate

Ezekiel is an excellent treatment of a challenging biblical book and an ideal resource for individuals, small groups, or Sunday school classes studying this important prophet and his words.

Jesus, the Middle Eastern Storyteller (Ancient Context, Ancient Faith Series; Zondervan, 2009) by Gary M. Burge

Heather M. Brooks, Professional Book Reviewer (MA in Writing)

Did Christ’s storytelling ability set Him apart from other rabbis? How did He become such an effective speaker without formal training? Which elements of persuasive speech did He use to keep His listeners’ attention? Dr. Gary M. Burge’s Bible study guide … poses these questions and provides fascinating answers.

Learn to Study the Bible: 40 Different Step-by-Step Methods to Help You Discover, Apply, and Enjoy God’s Word (Xulon Press, 2009) by Robert A. Traina

Heather M. Brooks, Professional Book Reviewer (MA in Writing)

Even for the most avid Bible reader, studying the Book can become dry and repetitive. That’s why Pastor Andy Deane wrote Learn to Study the Bible—a guide that offers 40 Bible study methods—more than any book of its kind.

© 2008-2009 by Logos Research Systems

www.BibleStudyMagazine.com