PREFACE: SOME EXPLANATIONS
What is the Bible?
Some years ago I was teaching a weekly Bible class at an international school in Pretoria. I put this question to my Grade 9 class, and got more answers than the number of students! And when they started asking questions, it was time for serious research!
I knew the traditional "Christianese" answers and explanations, but that didn't mean anything to kids with no (or very limited) previous exposure to the Bible and Christianity. At the same time, there were some Christians in the class, and they surprised me with their knowledge of the Bible and their convictions about the basics of their faith.
This study attempts to take a good look at the Bible, from four overlapping but different angles:
¤ what the Bible is, how it came about, and how it came to us in the form we have today;
¤ its content, obviously not in detail, but a sort of flying survey, to give an idea of the basic history it contains;
¤ its central message: its inception, development through human history, major inflection points, where it stands today, and how it will come to its final fulfillment;
¤ how to read, understand and interpret the Bible for daily life: this is a major study by itself, here we will only explore the basic principles, to help you get into the Book, and "understand what you are reading" (Acts 8:30).
DRILLING DOWN?
A difficult decision coming up again and again was how deep to go in explanations. Here's an example: do we just take a quick overview of the history of Israel's exodus from Egypt, or do we "drill down" to the precise timeline and places?
I have tried to straddle the fence here: keep the basics in the Unit text, but supply links to an "expanded section" for those who want to know a little bit more. It makes it easier to stick to the general flow of the material without getting lost in the details, while still having the details available.
The choice is yours: you could read the text and ignore the "click here for more" links, and come back later to the expanded section; or you could read, follow the link to the expanded section, and go back to where you were in the basic text. Every expanded section has a link back to where you were, or you could just use the "Back" button on your browser.
All the expanded sections are in a separate file ("Expanded Sections" in the "BIBLE 101 MAIN MENU" at the top of the page). Either read the various sections as you go through the text, or read the sections for every Unit after finishing the Unit. I wouldn't advise you to read the whole "Expanded Sections" file on its own before finishing the whole study course – it might be confusing to read extended discussions on stuff you haven't yet read about!
WHICH BIBLE TRANSLATION?
Which Bible translation should you use with this study?Most quotations in the study comes from the New International Version (NIV) unless indicated otherwise, but you are welcome to use any translation you prefer. With the study in English, it might be better to use an English translation, but please feel free to go back and check for clarity using a translation in your preferred language.
If you're new to the Bible, or if the NIV's language is too "formal" for you, you might consider the New Living Translation (NLT) – it uses more everyday language.
(Read online at https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-Living-Translation-NLT-Bible/#booklist. Or download NLT apps from your Android/Apple webstore.)
If you are not a native English speaker, you may consider the Ease English Bible. It is exactly what the title says: the Bible in easy to understand English. It uses a limited English vocabulary (only 1200 words) and shorter sentences, based on a meaning-for-meaning translation; in other words, the concern is to make sure the reader gets the meaning of the text. You can download it, free of charge (and with no advertising!), from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.missionassist.eebib.bible
(I would advise you not to use the King James Version, for two reasons:
¤It uses archaic English (even in the New King James Version), which leads to a lot of head-scratching, even for English readers. Don't confuse yourself.
¤ It did not make use of the early manuscripts discovered after its completion and other archaeological discoveries – after all, it was done in the 1600's.)
(For more information, have a look at the table of the "Historical Development of English Bible Translations" on the "Lists & Tables" page.)
COURSE STRUCTURE
This is a work in progress. Below is the basic structure of the course, with links to completed Units. Where there are no links, it's still in progress!PART ONE: WHAT IS THE BIBLE?
Unit 1: What is the Bible
A basic introduction, including the central themes of the Bible, and a definition that will be our roadmap for the rest of this study.
Unit 2: A Record
Focuses on the Bible as a record, what a record is, and some characteristics of the Biblical record.
Unit 3: How to Write a Record
Looks at the Bible as a written record, exploring the history of writing, the alphabet, writing materials, and formats of written material, and the role God's people played in these developments.
Unit 4: A Complete Written Record
Explores the Bible as a complete written record, looking at the original writings and how it all came together in one book, and investigating the basic stucture, authorship, and translations of the Bible.
Unit 5: A Selective Record
Focuses on the Bible as a selective record, investigating the selection of what was included in the Bible: first we look at the question of Biblical inspiration, and then study how and by whom it was decided what books to include in the Bible (the formation of the canon), and what material to include in the individual books.
PART TWO: BIBLICAL HISTORY
Unit 6: A Historical Record Part 1
Starts our review of the Biblical historical narrative, from creation to the time of the Judges in Israel.
Unit 7: A Historical Record Part Two
Part two of our review of the Biblical narrative, from the establishment of Israel's monarchy up to the time of Jesus.
Unit 8: A Historical Record Part Three
New Testament history: the life, death, resurrection and ascencion of Jesus, as well as the history of the early church up until the writing of the book of Revelation.
PART THREE: THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE
Unit 9: The Relationship Between God and Humanity
The heart of the Bible: the relationship between God and humanity. Explanation, overview, origin, development, and final goal.
Unit 10: God's "Last Will and Testament"
Testament and covenant: explanation, differences, key facts.
Unit 11: Centerpoint - The Significance of the Cross
The significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus, its effect on the relationship between God and humanity, it's place within the Biblical narrative.
Unit 12: Endgame - Whereto Next?
God's endgame in human history, where we are in its progression, what's next?
PART FOUR: UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING THE BIBLE
Unit 13: Long, Long Ago and Far, Far Away
The need for interpreting the Bible; geography, cultures, languages and history.
Unit 14: There and Then
Principles for understanding the message within its contemporary setting.
Unit 15: Here and Now
Principles for interpreting understanding the message within the current reader's contemporary setting.
MORE HELP
At the end of the study you will find
¤ a Resources page, with suggested resources for further reading and study,
¤ a Definitions page, to help with terminology and strange concepts. (If you're looking for a definition and it's not here, please let us know by sending an e-mail to )
¤ If you are new to the Bible, we also have a basic introduction to the Bible, just to help you find your way around.