Read the Bible for Life

by George Guthrie

Publisher:

B&H Books

, 2011

The Bible may be the most-purchased book in the world, but it is often the least read and least applied due to a basic lack of understanding and motivation on the part of readers. Read the Bible for Life aims to improve biblical literacy in the culture and the church by simultaneously moving readers toward greater skill in reading the Bible well and toward a deeper commitment to applying Scripture to everyday life.

Through a series of down-to-earth conversations with some of today’s brightest scholars, author George Guthrie discusses the basic tools and attitudes needed to read the Bible more effectively. Chapters focus on the various types of literature in Scripture and how to read them well. For instance, how should we read a psalm differently than we read a parable?

How should we read a story of the Old Testament differently than we read a letter from Paul? How can we engage these various parts of Scripture in a way that is truly life-changing? The book also discusses issues such as reading the Bible in context, choosing and reading a Bible translation, reading in times of sorrow or suffering, and reading the Bible with your family. As we better understand how to read the Bible skillfully, we begin to see how every person of the Bible, every psalm, and every teaching fits into the Bible’s powerful, overarching story, and we begin to realize our place in the story God is still writing in the world.

Endorsements

"In the church's dry desert of biblical illiteracy, this book is a drink of cold, refreshing water. With pastoral sensitivity and practical skill, George Guthrie is equipping us to know, understand, and apply the treasures of God's Word in a way that will transform our lives and our communities for the glory of our God. I wholeheartedly recommend Read the Bible For Life for every Christian and every leader in the church." 

—David Platt, New York Times best-selling author of Radical 

"In a culture where biblical illiteracy continues to spread like the proverbial plague, George Guthrie has introduced a healing medicine in the form of Read the Bible for Life. This overview of the Bible's nature and content will be welcomed in churches intent on developing biblically grounded followers of Christ. The book's conversational approach provides an easy entry for a generation that tends to read only headlines. With fresh insights for the long time student of God's Word and accessible material for the new student, it is a resource I recommend for all believers."

—Ed Stetzer, coauthor, Transformational Church 

"The genuine give and take of conversation is key to the Christian community's deeper grasp of the Scriptures. Read the Bible for Life is a celebration of biblical conversation between friends who really love the Word. Hopefully, lots of people will join in." 

—Michael Card, award-winning musician and author

Contents

Top Highlights

“we must develop a habit of reading the Bible on a regular basis, reading it with an openness to what God would say to us” (source)

“there are more than thirteen hundred documented quotations and allusions to the Bible in the writings of Shakespeare” (source)

“This big picture keeps us from lifting passages out of context or reading something into the Bible that is not there."” (source)

“As you read, ask questions. What do I see? What should I learn? What is God telling me? What does God want me to do?” (source)

“Bible is "indispensable" and "absolutely crucial" for a person who wishes to be considered well educated.” (source)

Product Details

• Title : Read the Bible for Life
• Author: Guthrie, George H.
• Publisher: B&H Books
• Publication Date: 2011
• ISBN: 9781433673313

About George Guthrie

Dr. George Guthrie serves as the Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. A specialist in New Testament and Koine Greek, he’s authored numerous articles and has written 11 books, including the NIV Application Commentary: Hebrews.

Dr. Guthrie has participated in translation projects, such as the revision of The New Living Translation, and has served as a consultant on the Holman Christian Standard Bible, the New Century Version, and the English Standard Version. He also served for five years as a cochair of the “Biblical Greek Language and Linguistics” section of SBL, has served on the executive committee of the Institute for Biblical Research, and has served on the editorial board for Sheffield’s JSNTS monograph series. At Union University, he has led in the establishment of, and serves as senior fellow in, the Ryan Center for Biblical Studies, which is committed to promoting sound Bible reading, study, and interpretation at the grassroots level of the church. Dr. Guthrie holds both PhD and MDiv degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a ThM from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.