You Can Understand the Bible : A Practical Guide to Each Book in the Bible

by Kreeft, Peter

• ISBN13: 9781586170455
• ISBN10: 1586170457
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-01
• Publisher: Ignatius Press

Summary

Christians are often intimidated or overwhelmed by the sheer size and complexity of the Bible. But now, popular author and teacher Peter Kreeft has written a clear road map of the Bible, focusing his keen insight and engaging wit on the core message of each book. Sparkling with intelligence and Kreeft's trademark humor, You Can Understand the Bible will transform dry study into spiritually satisfying adventures in God's Word.

Author Biography

Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, is one of the most respected Christian authors of our time. His many bestselling books cover a vast array of topics in spirituality, theology, and philosophy. They include How to Be Holy, Practical Theology, Back to Virtue, Because God Is Real, You Can Understand the Bible, Angels and Demons, Heaven: The Heart's Deepest Longing, and A Summa of the Summa.

Table of Contents

Author's Note	ix
General Introduction to the Bible	xi
Part One: The Old Testament
1 Introduction to the Old Testament	3	(3)
2 Begin at the Beginning: Genesis 1-2	6	(6)
3 Our Free Fall into Sin: Genesis 3	12	(7)
4 The Divine Rescue Operation: Genesis Continued	19	(6)
5 God's "Liberation Theology": Exodus	25	(8)
6 God's Law, Israel's Wanderings, and Moses' Farewell: Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy	33	(6)
7 From Conquest to Chaos: Joshua and Judges	39	(8)
8 National Happiness from Personal Holiness: First and Second Samuel	47	(7)
9 From Israel's Golden Age to Decline and Fall: First and Second Kings	54	(6)
10 A Different Perspective on History: First and Second Chronicles	60	(7)
11 God Brings His People Back to the Promised Land: Ezra and Nehemiah	67	(6)
12 Biblical Heroines of Friendship and Courage: Ruth and Esther	73	(6)
13 Job Confronts Life's Darkest Problem and Encounters God Himself	79	(7)
14 Our Primary Prayer Book: The Psalms	86	(6)
15 Our Road Map to Practical Wisdom: Proverbs	92	(6)
16 The Question the Rest of the Bible Answers: Ecclesiastes	98	(6)
17 The Great Love Story between God and the Soul: Song of Songs	104	(6)
18 God's Big Mouths: The Prophets	110	(7)
19 The Shakespeare of Prophecy Thunders with the Message of Salvation: Isaiah	117	(7)
20 The Only Alternative to Disaster: Jeremiah and Lamentations	124	(6)
21 Two Supernatural Visionaries: Ezekiel and Daniel	130	(6)
22 More Mouths of God: The Rest of the Prophets	136	(26)
23 History, Wisdom, and Apocalyptic Visions: The Deuterocanonical Books and the Apocrypha	162	(15)
Part Two: The New Testament
1 The Good News of Jesus Christ: Introduction to the Gospels	177	(5)
2 The Gospel of the Kingdom: Matthew's Gospel	182	(7)
3 Just the Facts: Mark's Gospel	189	(3)
4 The Great Physician: Luke's Gospel	192	(6)
5 The I AM Reveals Himself: John's Gospel	198	(7)
6 The Gospel of the Holy Spirit: Acts	205	(20)
7 The Church in Acts and the Church Today	225	(4)
8 The Church's Treasure Trove of Wisdom: Introduction to the Epistles	229	(4)
9 The First Systematic Christian Theology: Romans	233	(6)
10 How a Christian Is Different: First Corinthians	239	(7)
11 A Different Christ Means No Christ: Second Corinthians	246	(2)
12 Back to Basics: Galatians	248	(7)
13 We Are Christ's Mystical Body: Ephesians	255	(6)
14 Christ-Mindedness: Philippians	261	(6)
15 Christ, the Fullness of God: Colossians	267	(4)
16 How to Misunderstand the Second Coming: First and Second Thessalonians	271	(5)
17 Letters to Paul's Helpers: First Timothy, Second Timothy, and Titus	276	(6)
18 A Personal and Tender Letter to a Friend: Philemon	282	(2)
19 Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King: Hebrews	284	(6)
20 Doers of the Word: James	290	(3)
21 Standing Fast in Christ: Letters of Peter	293	(8)
22 A Spiritual Father Writes to His Children: Letters of John	301	(3)
23 Warning against False Teaching: Jude	304	(2)
24 The Most Difficult Book in the Bible: Revelation	306