The New Testament Made Easier Part 1 (text only) 2nd(Second) edition by D. J. Ridges

by David J. Ridges

The New Testament Made Easier Part 1 (Gospel Series) [Paperback] David J. Ridges (Author)

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Lds, Church, Reference

Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

David J. Ridges taught for the Church Educational System for thirty-five years. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Brigham Young University and taught adult religion and Know Your Religion classes for BYU Continuing Education and spoke at BYU Campus Education Week for many years.

Ridges has served as a curriculum writer for Sunday School, seminary, and institute of religion manuals. His callings in the Church include Gospel Doctrine teacher, bishop, stake president, and patriarch. He and his wife, Janette, have served two full-time Church Educational System missions. They are the parents of six children and are enjoying a growing number of grandchildren. They reside in Springville, Utah.

Reviews

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always us David Ridges "Made Easier" books when I study the scriptures. Along with the text from the scriptures, he includes lots of other information that aids in my understanding. I finished just in time to start over in January.

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I use this along with our New Testament study, and it's been insightful.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of my come follow me study this year. It was very helpful. one thing i missed is he doesn't bold as many words in the scriptures as he does in his other books. I kindof got used to his style from his other books and the change disturbed me a bit. overall, though its a great book. I slotted it into my reading challenges under the htoopt flourish and blotts 2022 prompt read a book with page 394

[Terri Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Ridges is an excellent teacher and he clarifies and explains many things in the scriptures. This book has opened the scriptures to me and helped me understand the things I don't understand about the cultures of that day. (I have also read his Old Testament and Doctrine and Covenants study guides.) I'm so glad I found his works.

[Cassaronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for help with basic understanding and some definitions. Definitely didn’t agree with all of his “interpretations.” It’s good for a seminary-student-level of inquiry. I would recommend Skinner or Welch for deeper scholarship.

[Camilla Dennison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always feel like, in my busy life, I don't have the time or patience to use a study guide along with the scriptures. But this book includes the original KJV text along with the study content and makes learning new insights about the New Testament and the Gospel so much easier.

[Chappyfamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deepens your understanding of the Savior and his life.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many insights into the language and text of the New Testament.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing resource for personal scripture study.

[Trudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This trilogy was so helpful in studying the New Testament this year!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Ridges is amazing! He brings up so many things and explains them so well. It's a great addition to my study of the New Testament.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

David J. Ridges' explanations truly help me understand the Gospels better.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second David Ridges series. It really made my study of of the New Testament more meaningful.

[Jessica Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful context, modern English translations, references, etc.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! Immense help and inspiration.

[Kristy Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books have changed my reading of the Bible! I understand and now love to read about our past prophets and apostles. The life of Christ truly is remarkable.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books and the incite they provide. Reading about the Savior has been very peaceful. Great read.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful in understanding the KJV New Testament! I loved reading this alongside my Come Follow Me study and look forward to using the next two volumes as well.

[Sara Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such amazing insights—I loved listening to this along with the come follow me lessons. I will say I wish he would’ve narrated them, like he did the Book of Mormon books, but it was still great.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if you want to get more out of your study of the New Testament.

[Linda K · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s great as long as you have a study partner

[Gentry Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Ridges is the perfect companion to study of religious scripture. He provides so much context and important cross references. I prefer to study any scripture with his “Made Easier” books.

[LMoody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love David Ridges' study guides. He shares so many beautiful insights.

In John 7:37. Jesus is attending the Feast of the Tabernacles. In the Bible dictionary it says that at this Feast,"The sacrifices prescribed by the law were more numerous than for any other feast, and impressive ceremonies were added in later times; that is, (1) the drawing of water from Siloam and its libation (a drink poured out as an offering to a deity) on the altar (of this it was said that he who has not seen the joy of the drawing of water at the Feast of Tabernacles does not know what joy is)"

In John 7:37 it says,
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (JST) (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive, for the Holy Ghost was promised unto them who believe, after that Jesus was glorified.)

David Ridges explains, "Picture if you will, throngs of Jews crowding the grounds around the temple, watching in rapt attention as water from the stream of Siloam (symbolic of water drawn from the wells of salvation) was carried to the altar and then poured upon it, flowing down off it onto the ground, in a great ritual show symbolic of the living waters, including the Holy Ghost, which flow from the altar of God onto the earth to quench the spiritual thirst of the faithful. Perhaps at that very moment, Jesus stood, and with a loud voice, spoke to the onlookers saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." There could not have been a more dramatic setting. Jesus was openly claiming to be the Messiah who had promised to give 'living waters' to the faithful."

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this commentary at first. As I studied my way through Matthew I found all the gospel insights so meaningful, and appreciated the way the author made each verse so clearly understandable. But as I made my way through the other gospels I found that there was so much repetition. I realize that the synoptic gospels cover a lot of the same events, but the commentary seemed to be literally copied and pasted from the earlier section, sometimes 3 or 4 times. I also began to be weary of the modern English trans-literation in parenthesis that broke every single verse into pieces; what began as helpful ended up feeling tedious.

My complaints are splitting hairs, however, and wouldn't be noticed if one were just going to this commentary for help on a certain passage. It was studying it straight through that revealed the things I perceive as weaknesses. Overall the content is excellent. 4 solid stars.

[Beth Given · Rating 4 out of 5]

My father-in-law gave me this book for Christmas last year, and I was excited to use it. I have always wanted a study guide that goes verse-by-verse through the scriptures, and this series does just that. It read a little like a BYU religion professor's notebook or something (and since the author works for CES, maybe that's not too far off the truth). The first half was a little cumbersome (I didn't like all the bold type to show where to highlight -- it was just a little overzealous to me, to the point of being distracting even). But I found the second half (without the highlighting) a lot more readable. Not since reading Jesus the Christ have I learned more from the New Testament gospels; I'm glad I read this. And even if I don't read it again, I know this will be a good reference for our family.

[Ragan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished the Book of Mormon Made Easier series and I like this a lot. The format of this one is a little confusing because it will give a KJV of a verse and then repeat with JST of the same verse so it can sometimes be repetitive. But after awhile you learn to scan the page for the info you want. The author points out some obvious things and I have found many editing errors in the text. That being said, the author also has a lot of great and useful in sites. He gives quotes what General Authorities have said about specific verses and topics. I like that a lot. He also gives helpful cultural context to verses in the New Testament. Overall worth reading. This book makes me think while I read the scriptures instead of just going though on auto pilot.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year I had a goal to read the gospels before Christmas. Let's not mention how many years I have had this goal. This year I finally did it! I loved reading the gospels to usher in the Christmas holidays. And I learned so much. I am pretty sure I could repeat this ritual every year. This is a resource that I used that I found helpful. Sometimes the organization is a little hard to follow, but overall, the notes on translation issues, cultural elements, and comparisons between the books is helpful. I used this in conjunction with several other sources as well as the New Jerusalem bible (another translation). I read the KJV however.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved these books! I'm not only enjoying my study of the New Testament but I'm finally able to fully grasp the real meaning and intent of the passages. David J. Ridges has created a comprehensive work with the inclusion of many different sources. These "extras" add a richness and depth to each chapter that help me more fully appreciate the Savior, his apostles and the timeless truths these books contain.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are EXTREMELY rudimentary. Filled with translation and clarification, as opposed to doctrinal insights.

That being said, it's a great place to start if your biblical knowledge is weak. PLUS, he includes the verses within the book, so you could just read from this text if you need to simplify.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Ridges knows his scriptures and I am grateful he has written these books to share with us. I learn so much from his insights. I love that he helps the reader understand the symbolism that I sometimes miss. I got so much more out of the New Testament Gospels by reading this along side the actual scriptures.