To Understand the Bible Look for Jesus

by Norman Geisler

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 1979

Overview

Believing the fundamental Christian claim that the purpose of the Bible is to present the Savior, Geisler focuses on Christ as the unity and unfolding message of the whole of Scripture. Christ is the tie between the Testaments, the content of the canon, and the unifying theme within each book of the Bible.

This book is basic to both Bible study and preaching and serves as an excellent guide to the Bible's central theme. It encompasses far more than a study of types and the Old Testament prophecies. Each chapter takes seriously the affirmation of Jesus: “Everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44).

Related to Geisler's central thrust—that Christ is the clue to the whole Bible—is the clear assertion concerning the inspiration of Scripture and the deity of Christ. Chapter topics include:

• Christ Is the Key to the Bible
• Christ in the Old Testament
• Christ in Both Testaments
• Christ in Every Section of the Bible
• Christ in Each Book of the Bible
• The Word of God; Personal and Propositional

Also included are a bibliography, subject index, and Scripture index.

Product Details

• Title: To Understand the Bible Look for Jesus
• Author: Norman L. Geisler
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2002
• Pages: 128

About Norman L. Geisler

Norman L. Geisler has taught at university and graduate levels for nearly fifty years and has spoken, traveled, or debated in all fifty states and in twenty-six countries. He holds a B. A. and M. A. from Wheaton College, a Th. B. from William Tyndale College and a Ph. D. in Philosophy from Loyola University.

After his studies at Wheaton, he became the graduate assistant in the Bible-Philosophy department at the college. He has since taught Bible, Apologetics and Philosophy at Detroit Bible College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Dallas Theological Seminary, and was Dean of Liberty Center for Research and Scholarship in Lynchburg, VA. In 1992 he co-founded and served as President of Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, until 2006. Currently, he is professor of Theology and Apologetics at SES.

In addition to the books in this collection, Geisler is also the author of A General Introduction to the Bible and I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, as well as the books in The Norman L. Geisler Apologetics Library and Norman L. Geisler’s Systematic Theology (4 vols.).

Sample Pages from the Print Edition

Contents

Top Highlights

“Viewing the Old Testament Christocentrically is not an interpretive (hermeneutical) option; for the Christian it is a divine imperative. On five different occasions Jesus claimed to be the theme of the entire Old Testament: (1) Matthew 5:17; (2) Luke 24:27; (3) Luke 24:44; (4) John 5:39; (5) Hebrews 10:7.” (Page 31)

“It may be objected that in this broad sense of the word fulfill almost anything in the Old Testament could be applied to Christ. Indeed, it would appear that this is precisely the case. In fact, this illustrates perfectly what is implied in Jesus’ assertion that the whole Old Testament is ‘fulfilled’ in Him (Matt. 5:17).” (Pages 44–45)

“Now it is not always easy to determine what is predictive and what is not because there is no infallible way of determining the difference. A suggested rule is this: if the passage, in its Old Testament context, was divinely intended to give information in advance about the coming Christ, then it is Messianic in the predictive sense (whether it is cited by the New Testament or not). On the other hand, if the passage in its context refers primarily to the historical, personal and/or national situation of the prophet and is not directed to their future, then it is probably only Messianic in principle.” (Pages 63–64)

“It is contended here that the purpose of the propositional revelation of the Scripture is to present the person of the Saviour; the Bible is the instrument of God to convey the message of Christ and, therefore, the Bible should not be sought so much for its own sake, but should be searched for the purpose of finding Christ, for ‘to him all the prophets bear witness’ (Acts 10:43).” (Page 8)

Product Details

• Title: To Understand the Bible Look for Jesus: The Bible Student’s Guide to the Bible’s Central Theme
• Author: Norman Geisler
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 1979
• Logos Release Date: 2010
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible › Hermeneutics
• ISBNs: 9781592440450, 1592440452
• Resource ID: LLS:2UNDBBLJESUS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-28T20:08:08Z

About Norman Geisler

Norman L. Geisler (1932– 2019) has taught at the university and graduate level for over 50 years. He holds degrees from Wheaton College, William Tyndale College, and Loyola University, and is known for his scholarly contributions to the subjects of Christian apologetics, theology, and philosophy. 

After his studies, he became Wheaton's graduate assistant in the Bible-Philosophy department. He has since taught theology, apologetics, and philosophy at Detroit Bible College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Dallas Theological Seminary, and was dean of Liberty Center for Research and Scholarship in Lynchburg, VA.

In 1992, Geisler co-founded Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2007, he co-founded Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California, where he serves as chancellor and distinguished professor of Apologetics.

Geisler is the author or co-author of over 80 books, including the books in the Norman L. Geisler Collection, The Norman L. Geisler Apologetics Library, and his three-volume Systematic Theology.