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Handle with Care! A Guide to using the Bible
The Why should we believe–as Jesus did–that it is ‘the mouth of God’?When did it come into existence?Is it inerrant?What do we need to learn in order to understand it better?How does its teaching change our lives?In "From the Mouth of God," Sinclair B Ferguson answers these and other important questions about trusting, reading, and applying the Bible.
125 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
17 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Sinclair B. Ferguson
217 books541 followersSinclair B. Ferguson is Associate Preacher at St Peter's Free Church in Dundee and also Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina and prior to that, he was minister of St. George's-Tron Church in Glasgow.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 7, 2022
Ferguson in one book gives an incredible argument and reason on why the Bible is finished, able to understand, and necessary for the Christian and the non-Christian. He also explains how to the read the Bible well for true understanding. I think the best part of the book is his defense of the canon. It perfectly articulate and wonderfully full of understanding.
June 8, 2017
Really interesting and helpful book exploring the nature and application of the Bible. The first part, Trusting the Bible, explains clearly how we can know the Bible is the Word of God. I liked what Ferguson said about the relationship between the Bible's divine and human authorship:
"In one and the same event God is active in a 'God way' while we are active in a 'human way'. We cannot collapse these two dimensions into one and apportion, say, fifty per cent of the action to God and fifty per cent to man." (p11)
The second part, Reading the Bible, breaks down different styles and genres and gives practical help for daily devotion. Then the final section, Applying the Bible, explains the use of God's Word in our day to day lives.
"We do not grow as Christians merely by taking our spiritual temperature. Scripture teaches us that maturity comes from the life-transforming renewal of our minds. That in turn comes from actually understanding and learning to apply God's word to our lives." (p69)
All in all a very encouraging book, both interesting from a historical, scholarly point of view, and convicting as it shows that the Word of the Lord is "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4v12)
"In one and the same event God is active in a 'God way' while we are active in a 'human way'. We cannot collapse these two dimensions into one and apportion, say, fifty per cent of the action to God and fifty per cent to man." (p11)
The second part, Reading the Bible, breaks down different styles and genres and gives practical help for daily devotion. Then the final section, Applying the Bible, explains the use of God's Word in our day to day lives.
"We do not grow as Christians merely by taking our spiritual temperature. Scripture teaches us that maturity comes from the life-transforming renewal of our minds. That in turn comes from actually understanding and learning to apply God's word to our lives." (p69)
All in all a very encouraging book, both interesting from a historical, scholarly point of view, and convicting as it shows that the Word of the Lord is "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4v12)
October 31, 2018
I'm glad I read this book. It was a valuable reminder to me of the importance of taking heed to God's Word.
What I Liked: This author made several very valid points on WHY we can trust the Bible as God's infallible Word, long with giving some practical advise on growing in our own spiritual walks with God through our in-depth study of the Bible. I so appreciated this author's helpful hints and helpful suggestions on how to better cling to the Word of God. I think this book would also be an excellent resource for new believers, as well! In a world where God's Word is constantly being undermined and questioned, this book was a breath of fresh air as my resolve was strengthened that I CAN trust God's Word.
What I Didn't Like: While I don't think that there was anything I didn't like about this book, the writing style was such that it was difficult to keep my attention with this book. But that, of course, is just my personal opinion and other people might find that this book kept them quite interested all the way through.
I give this book 3/5 stars for a very helpful, encouraging book.
What I Liked: This author made several very valid points on WHY we can trust the Bible as God's infallible Word, long with giving some practical advise on growing in our own spiritual walks with God through our in-depth study of the Bible. I so appreciated this author's helpful hints and helpful suggestions on how to better cling to the Word of God. I think this book would also be an excellent resource for new believers, as well! In a world where God's Word is constantly being undermined and questioned, this book was a breath of fresh air as my resolve was strengthened that I CAN trust God's Word.
What I Didn't Like: While I don't think that there was anything I didn't like about this book, the writing style was such that it was difficult to keep my attention with this book. But that, of course, is just my personal opinion and other people might find that this book kept them quite interested all the way through.
I give this book 3/5 stars for a very helpful, encouraging book.
November 14, 2017
This is an excellent beginner to intermediate level look at how to study the Word of God. I utilized it in an online Bible study and appreciated the breakdown of “Trusting the Bible,” “Reading the Bible,” and “Applying the Bible.” Sinclair Ferguson is an excellent & deep theologian, and yet he finds a way with his pastoral heart to write a book that is accessible to all. I’d hand this book in a heartbeat to a new Christian or someone who has a been a follower of Christ for decades.
March 17, 2017
Read this in 10 min slots as a supplement to my main quiet time.
Comprehensive and helpful overview of why the Bible is worth studying and how to approach it:
There must be discipline. Otherwise our study of God's word will be crowded out of our lives, and become an 'extra' rather than a necessity.
Make it a priority- Eph 5:16 - KJV - redeem the time includes a powerful theological motivation- even our Bible study is influenced by the cross. We must use time as those who present themselves as living sacrifices to the Lord. Rom 12:1-2
Read the whole Bible - you will be struck by the way the various tributaries of Scripture run together in a massive river of truth and grace.
Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Comprehensive and helpful overview of why the Bible is worth studying and how to approach it:
There must be discipline. Otherwise our study of God's word will be crowded out of our lives, and become an 'extra' rather than a necessity.
Make it a priority- Eph 5:16 - KJV - redeem the time includes a powerful theological motivation- even our Bible study is influenced by the cross. We must use time as those who present themselves as living sacrifices to the Lord. Rom 12:1-2
Read the whole Bible - you will be struck by the way the various tributaries of Scripture run together in a massive river of truth and grace.
Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
January 22, 2015
Sinclair B. Ferguson presents a concise, but well-thought out and surprisingly comprehensive book on approaching the Scriptures. Though there might be a minute point here and there I would take issue with (he spends a far too long arguing a semantic issue between "inerrancy" and "infallibility" for example), Ferguson presents his perspectives in a logical and clear fashion that often proves quite illuminating. His discussion of why the Scriptures can be trusted as the word of God is incredibly helpful, never sinking to mere apologetics, but instead hinging on the thematic continuity and spiritual conviction of faith. His discussion of how the Holy Spirit works, through the conviction of God's primary revelation in His word is also helpful.
His methodology lays out clearly and helpfully the urgent need to take the Bible first as what the Bible meant to its original readers. Context is vital to study, for these works were written by men for men, and in order to fully grasp what God is speaking to us in the present, we must understand the authorial intent in the past. Ferguson rightly critiques the modern-day Protestant tendency to immediately interpret Scripture through the lens of "what I see in it". Keeping the Grand Narrative of Scripture in mind is vital to Ferguson, and his later application chapters illuminate not only methods of reading Scripture, but reveals significant truths about how Christians ought to approach their walks in Christ, in perseverance, reflection and constant openness to the conviction of the Spirit through Scripture.
Ferguson's work is surprisingly in depth for its length and breadth of subject, and I found it immensely thought-provoking and helpful in thinking through how I approach Scripture. I definitely recommend this for anyone who wishes to gain some insight into how to read what has become a sadly misunderstood and often maligned text.
His methodology lays out clearly and helpfully the urgent need to take the Bible first as what the Bible meant to its original readers. Context is vital to study, for these works were written by men for men, and in order to fully grasp what God is speaking to us in the present, we must understand the authorial intent in the past. Ferguson rightly critiques the modern-day Protestant tendency to immediately interpret Scripture through the lens of "what I see in it". Keeping the Grand Narrative of Scripture in mind is vital to Ferguson, and his later application chapters illuminate not only methods of reading Scripture, but reveals significant truths about how Christians ought to approach their walks in Christ, in perseverance, reflection and constant openness to the conviction of the Spirit through Scripture.
Ferguson's work is surprisingly in depth for its length and breadth of subject, and I found it immensely thought-provoking and helpful in thinking through how I approach Scripture. I definitely recommend this for anyone who wishes to gain some insight into how to read what has become a sadly misunderstood and often maligned text.
June 26, 2022
In this book, Sinclair Ferguson tackles the important questions in regards to trusting, how to read the Bible, and applying the Bible to your life. I appreciate this work by Sinclair, he makes things so simple to understand and it doesn’t hurt that I read his books in his voice haha. If you want to know the basics of the Bible, this book is for you.
July 18, 2024
"The Bible.
Why should we believe -- as Jesus did - that it is 'the mouth of God'?
When did it come into existence?
Is it inerrant?
What do we need to learn in order to understand it better?
How does its teaching change our lives?"
This book is broken into 3 parts plus a couple of good appendices.
Part One: Trusting the Bible
Part Two: Reading the Bible
Part Three: Applying the Bible
Why should we believe -- as Jesus did - that it is 'the mouth of God'?
When did it come into existence?
Is it inerrant?
What do we need to learn in order to understand it better?
How does its teaching change our lives?"
This book is broken into 3 parts plus a couple of good appendices.
Part One: Trusting the Bible
Part Two: Reading the Bible
Part Three: Applying the Bible
September 15, 2022
Ferguson's love for God and Scripture are palpable. The two appendixes with short essays/letters by John Murray and John Newton on the sufficiency of Scripture to guide the Christian's life are well worth reading too.
January 23, 2018
A must-read book for every Christian.
May 26, 2018
An excellent introduction to the doctrine of Scripture and to the discipline of Bible study. This is a great book for beginners and a great reminder for scholars.
July 9, 2025
A great reminder that God has given us His truth so that we can live in faithful obedience.
November 13, 2015
This is a theologically reliable, insightful yet practical, basic book on the Doctrine of Scripture. Dr Ferguson explains what the Bible is, how we got it, why we should trust it, how we should study it, and how we should be guided by it in our lives. This edition includes excellent appendices by John Murray and John Newton on the do's and don'ts of getting divine guidance. While this is a basic book it is one which we should read and refer to throughout the seasons of life, because the Bible is our light and our spiritual food which we need until we reach glory.
October 2, 2014
Ferguson explains the reliability and relevance of the Bible in this worthwhile study of the Scripture. (Note: This is a significantly expanded and revised version of Ferguson’s “Handle with Care!” from 1982.) He takes readers on a three-pronged journey that offers instruction in how to trust, read, and apply the Bible. Writing as one who has studied, preached, and lived the Scriptures faithfully gives weight to his words, and his pastoral heart provides a steady voice.
February 18, 2021
Excellent aid to help you understand the Bible and it's context and how you might best learn from it.
December 31, 2022
This is a good reminder on how to read scripture and why we need to read scripture.
April 11, 2017
Great introduction to the doctrine of Scripture.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews