How to Read the Bible
Intimidated by the Bible? This will help.
1 - What is the Bible?
The Bible Project
This is episode 1 of an ongoing series that explores the origins, content, and purpose of the Bible. Here you'll be introduced to a condensed history of how the Bible came into existence, and the different forms of the Bible in the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christian traditions. By the end of this series, you will be familiar with every part of the Bible and how it uses language to communicate who God is, who we are, and the big, redemptive story that we are all living. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
2 - Biblical Story
The Bible Project
Episode 2 summarizes the overall story of the Bible as a series of crossroad decisions. All humanity, followed by the Israelites, redefine good and evil and end up in Babylon. They are followed by Jesus, who takes a different path that opens up the way to a new creation. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
3 - Literary Styles
The Bible Project
Episode 3 shows how reading the Bible wisely requires that we learn about the ancient literary styles used by the biblical authors. These writers expressed their ideas and claims through a variety of different type of literature, and this video will explore why it's important to tell them apart so we can hear their message on their terms. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
4 - Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature
The Bible Project
Episode 4 explores the unique literary style of the Bible that is meant to draw its readers into a lifelong journey of reading and meditation. The Bible is designed as a multi-layered work, offering new levels of insight as you re-read it and allow each part to help you understanding every other part. The Bible is the original meditation literature. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
5 - Plot
The Bible Project
The Bible can be broken into several categories of writing. Approximately 43% of the Bible is made up of narrative, from historical narrative to parables. Roughly 33% of the Bible is poetry, including songs, reflective poetry, and the passionate, politically resistant poetry of the prophets. The remaining 24% of the Bible is prose discourse, including laws, sermons, letters, and even one essay. The Bible is an ancient collection of sacred literature made up of many different literary styles. Each biblical book uses, to a varying degree, a combination of all the literary styles to make its unique contribution to the story of the Bible. First, let's take a look at the narrative style of storytelling. An important part of reading biblical narratives is learning how to understand the nature of "the plot," how stories are arranged into a pattern of conflict and resolution. In this video we'll see how ignoring the sequence of the plot can lead to distorted interpretation of biblical stories. We'll also explore how grasping the multi-layered nature of the narrative can help you see the unified story that leads to Jesus. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
6 - Character
The Bible Project
Most of us think of characters in Bible as either sinners or saints, good or bad. At least that's how Bible stories are presented to children. In this video, we'll explore the ways biblical authors present characters as more complex and morally compromised than we usually imagine. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
7 - Setting
The Bible Project
Every story has to take place somewhere, and very often locations have a special meaning or significance evoked by events that already took place there. In this video, we explore how biblical authors use settings in the narrative to meet the reader's expectations or to mess with them. Paying attention to locations and timelines in biblical stories unlocks deeper layers of meaning. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
8 - Design Patterns
The Bible Project
Design patterns are one of the key ways the biblical authors have unified the storyline of the Bible. Individual stories across the Old and New Testaments have been coordinated through repeated words and parallel themes. These patterns highlight core themes of the biblical story and show how it all leads to Jesus! "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
9 - Poetry
The Bible Project
Did you know that a third of the Bible is ancient Israelite poetry? Poetry is a rich and artistic form of human communication, but often the most difficult to read. In this video we'll explore the unique characteristics of biblical poetry, so you can discover its beauty and power for yourself. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
10 - Metaphors in Biblical Poetry
The Bible Project
Understanding how metaphors are used in the Bible is an essential tool for reading biblical poetry. Anytime someone describes one thing to describe another thing, they are using metaphorical thinking whether they realize it or not. Metaphors are everywhere in the Bible and in our everyday speech. In this video, we'll explore this crucial aspect of biblical language. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
11 - The Book of Psalmss
The Bible Project
The book of Psalmss is the largest collection of poetry in the Bible. In this video we'll explore the design shape and main themes of this marvelous book, which was crafted to be read from beginning to end. The Psalmss are an invitation to a literary temple where you can meet with God and hear the entire biblical storyline retold in poetic form. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
12 - The Prophets
The Bible Project
The books of the Old Testament prophets are packed with dense poetry and wild imagery. If you've tried to read them, odds are you were both intrigued and confused. In this video, we'll learn how these books contribute to the storyline of the Bible and why it's worth learning how to read them more attentively. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
13 - The Law
The Bible Project
Have you ever wondered why there are so many ancient biblical laws in the first books of the Bible? What are modern readers supposed to do with them, and why are some of them so odd? In this video, we explore why the laws were given to ancient Israel and how they fit into the overall storyline of the Bible. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
14 - The Books of Solomon
The Bible Project
The wisest king of Israel, King Solomon, is associated with three books of the Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Each book offers a unique perspective on how humans can rule with wisdom and the fear of the Lord. In this video, we briefly explore how the message of each book fits into the overall story of the Bible. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"
15 - The Gospel
The Bible Project
The New Testament contains four ancient biographies of Jesus of Nazareth, and altogether they are called “the Gospel.” Each one tells the story as an announcement of good news that the crucified and risen Jesus is the true ruler of the nations. In this video we explore why these accounts were written and how you can read them with greater insight. "How to Read the Bible is copyright 2020 by BibleProject and are available for viewing at http://www.bibleproject.com"