NIV Cultural Background Study Bible: Why I Really Like It
TL;DR: Zondervan sent me a copy of the NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible to check out, and I liked it enough to write about it. =) You know what I think my biggest obstacle is when it comes to studying the Bible? It’s not the cryptic language in the prophets. It’s...
Galatians: our new freedom in Christ
Overview of the book of Galatians Paul is angry. Some false teacher has pressured the churches in Galatia (a region in the Roman Empire) to follow the Jewish Law. They're teaching that salvation comes through the Law of Moses, and not through Christ—the exact opposite...
Deuteronomy: love God, obey God
Finally: Israel is just across the Jordan River from the promised land of Canaan. Moses has led the young nation out of Egypt and on a 40-year journey through the wilderness, and they have just defeated several enemies before setting up camp here. Three of the 12...
Old Testament books
Here you can find quick, 3-minute guides to every book of the Old Testament. They're listed in the order they show up in Protestant Bibles. Just click any book's name, and get a high-level idea of what it's about. But don't stop at reading these guides. You'll miss...
Song of Solomon: delighting in love, sex, and marriage
About Song of Solomon In the book of Genesis, when God made Adam and Eve, He brought them together as husband and wife. Adam recognized Eve as bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to...
10 Intriguing Facts about Melchizedek from the Bible
Melchizedek is one of the most intriguing characters the Bible says almost nothing about. He's only mentioned in three books of the Bible, but that doesn't stop people from having lots to say about this character. Some people say Melchizedek is...
The Best Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias are my secret weapon when it comes to Bible study. They're my go-to resources for when I want to get a full view of how a person, place, thing, or idea is treated across Scripture. That makes Bible dictionaries instrumental...
12 interesting facts about the prophet Samuel
Samuel is one of the most intriguing Old Testament figures (to me, at least). He's a star player in the story of David and Saul: the first two God-anointed kings of Israel. We meet him as a baby. We see him as a national leader, intercessor, and even a...
Study Bibles: the epic list (and how to choose one)
Let’s face it, understanding the Bible isn’t always easy. It’s hard for 21st-century people to understand all the historical and contextual background—and then apply to modern life. Study Bibles provide readers the tools they need to make the Bible immediately...
20 Bible verses that mention all Trinity members
You won't find the word "trinity" in your Bible—so is the idea of a three-in-one God even biblical? I've been working through the Bible book by book, and every once in a while I'll come across a clause that mentions all three members of the Holy Trinity: God the...
