What Is the Bible and How Do We Understand It?

by Dennis R. Edwards

Reading the Bible is one thing. Understanding how the Bible came to be and how it can guide our faith and life? That's quite another. Dennis R. Edwards offers a succinct and profound investigation of Scripture. By holding up Jesus as the interpretive key and inviting us to read the Bible with the marginalized, Edwards challenges us to a Christ-centered approach to hermeneutics. What does it mean to read the Bible with Jesus at the center? How does Scripture illuminate the work of God in the world? Edwards shines light on contemporary debates about the Bible and calls us to faithful, loving interpretations and applications of the Word of God. The Jesus Way series delves into big questions about God's work in the world. These concise, practical books are deeply rooted in Anabaptist theology. Crafted by a diverse community of internationally renowned scholars, pastors, and practitioners, The Jesus Way series helps readers deepen their faith in Christ and enliven their witness.

Genres: School, Christian

96 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2019

About the author

Dennis R. Edwards is associate professor of New Testament at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. An author and sought-after speaker at conferences and universities, Edwards has served as a church planter in Brooklyn and Washington, DC. He has worked in urban ministry for nearly three decades. Edwards holds degrees from Cornell University (BS, chemical engineering), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (MDiv, Urban Ministry), and Catholic University of America (MA & PhD, Biblical Studies), and is ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Reviews

[Simon Wiebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gefühlt kann alles, was darin steht, schon in zig tausend anderen Büchern über die Bibel gelesen werden. Der Mehrwert sollte in der Jesus-Reihe aber eigentlich darin bestehen, dass die Bibel aus Sicht täuferischer Tradition erklärt wird. Diese Tradition wurde zwar manchmal leicht angeschnitten, aber da ist noch mehr rauszuholen. Aspekte wie Auslegungsgemeinschaft, die Verbindung von Nachfolge und Epistemologie und vieles mehr müssten mE stärker big gemacht werden. Auch seine afroamerikanisches Erbe hätte er stärker in den Fokus rücken können. Bibel und schwarze Erfahrung ist ja auch sehr spannend! Davon liest man aber nur wenig.

[Matthew McBirth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read on fundamental Christian doctrine pertaining to the nature and purpose of Scripture. A good book for a study group.

[Deryn Tang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dennis Edwards has cleared up a lot of my understanding of the Bible and the Apocrypha, how it was written, who it was written by, and the purpose of the different genres in the Bible. Growing up in a fundamentalist church, a lot of things I was taught ceased to make sense to me as I grew older and had more experience in and of the world. His approach to interpreting the text, meaning, and modern-day application makes a lot of sense with a Christocentric viewpoint. I would recommend this book to anyone who struggles with understanding the Bible. I believe this book will make a real difference to how you think about the Bible and the practice of Christianity and community living if interpreted through the lens of Christ.

[Rick Mcgarry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful book for someone who is thinking about reading the Bible for the first time. This book contains an overview and useful information to make for a more productive reading experience. User friendly and accessible.

[Ryan and Sara Wendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer on understanding the basics of the Bible and how to read it well! I loved this short little book and recommend it to anyone who is curious about learning how to understand the Bible better!

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super quick and basic crash course of context around the Bible, its origins, and its purpose in today’s modern church.

[Angie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goid teaching of how to read and study the Bible!

[nicolette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for class, good quick read on the basics