ST-102 The Bible and Its Interpretation

The Bible is the book Christians read most, and misread most often. Learn to read it with understanding and care, so that you can teach and preach it well.

This course follows the WWES textbook The Bible and Its Interpretation. It begins with the story the Bible tells from beginning to end, how the church recognised its books, and what manuscripts and archaeology can and cannot show. Then it turns to how God makes himself known, what the book teaches on inspiration and authority, and how the Holy Spirit helps us understand. It ends with a method for reading a passage and what the book asks of preaching.

What you will study

• The Bible's grand story in five phases
• The canon: how the church recognised its books
• Ancient manuscripts, the Dead Sea Scrolls and archaeology
• One Bible, many voices: kinds of writing and choices in translation
• What creation and conscience show of God, and why they cannot save
• Special revelation, inspiration and the authority of Scripture
• The Spirit's help, and a method for reading a passage
• Preaching the Word

Course materials

• The Bible and Its Interpretation, a WWES textbook
• The Bible