Dr Paul Allen

Some Christians do not take for granted that everyone values biblical scholars’ works. For example; some ask “Are commentaries important, really?” There is a right way and a wrong way to use a commentary. Actually, there are two wrong ways. The first is to ignore completely the use of commentaries. Some people do not consult commentaries because they believe that, since all Christians are equal as they approach the Scriptures, scholars have no privileged insight into the biblical text.  The second error is to become overly dependent on commentaries. “These people have devoted their whole lives to the study of the Bible. How can my opinion measure up to theirs?” Those holding the first position are wrong because they forget that God gives different gifts to different people in the Church. Not all people are equally adept at understanding the Bible and teaching it to others (1 Cor 12:12–31). Those holding the second position err in the opposite direction. They for...

In Deuteronomy 6:5, Moses admonishes the Israelites to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (ESV). But how well does the English translation “soul” in this verse convey the meaning of the underlying Hebrew word? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary offers eight definitions for the word. Since we can be certain Moses did not have a copy of this dictionary in hand, we must delve into the Hebrew text in hope of gaining fresh insight into this ancient verse. We can do this in four easy steps. Step 1: Make the Switch to Hebrew and Establish a Preliminary Definition Locating the Hebrew word behind the English word “soul” is made easy with The ESV English-Hebrew Reverse Interlinear Old Testament . In this resource, each word of the English translation is aligned with its corresponding Hebrew word. When we look directly below “soul” in Deut 6:5 we see that nephesh is the Hebrew word behind the translation. Now that we have this Hebrew ...

Here are tips on how to get the most out of the study of this “divine handbook.” These pointers will help answer the most crucial question of all, “How can a young man cleanse his way?” The psalmist responds, “By taking heed according to Your Word” ( Ps. 119:9). Why is it Important to Study the Bible ? Why is God ’s Word so important? Because is contains God’s mind and will for your life ( 2 Tim. 3:16, 17). It is the only source of absolute divine authority for you as a servant of Jesus Christ . It is infallible in its totality: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps. 19:7). It is inerrant in its parts: “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” ( Prov. 30:5, 6). It is complete: “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these t...

The Best Bible Study? The same day Jesus was raised from the dead, just hours after showing himself to Mary ( John 20:14–16 ), he joined two disciples on the road to Emmaus . Without recognizing their own teacher, Jesus’s followers share the agonizing events of the last few days. The mighty prophet of God was killed by their religious and political leaders ( Luke 24:19–20 ). And not just a spokesman for God, another Isaiah or Elijah — they “had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel ” ( Luke 24:21 ). But apparently not — because he’s been dead for three days. And now on top of it all, his body’s missing. In response, Jesus says, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” . . . And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.( Luke 24:25 , 27 ) Can you imagine this? Jesus himself taught these disciples the Bible from front to back. How could anything ever come c...

“Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.” ( Psalm 119:33 )   This eight-verse section (vv. 33-40) closely parallels a similar passage in Proverbs 2:1-5. Both focus on being taught, gaining understanding, and keeping “the way” of God’s Word.   Certainly worth noting is the manner in which the psalmist asked to “go in the path of thy commandments” (v. 35). In every case, the request is for God’s hand to control the process. There is no indication that the psalmist assumed the capability of finding these truths on his own. “Teach me, O LORD” (v. 33). “Give me understanding” (v. 34). “Make me to go” (v. 35). “Incline my heart” (v. 36). “Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity” (v. 37). “Stablish thy word” (v. 38). “Turn away my reproach” (v. 39). “Quicken me in thy righteousness” (v. 40). However, having prayed for God’s intervention and oversight in his life, the psalmist promised to act on the given insight and order his ...

Scripture contains spiritual truth. According to 1 Corinthians 1:18–2:16, people need the help of the Holy Spirit to correctly understand spiritual truth. “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.… This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (NIV 1 Corinthians 2:11, 13–14). Consequently, it is important to prepare our hearts and to ask God for the Holy Spirit’s help so we can correctly understand God’s Word. Start by praising and worshiping God, confessing sin, asking for forgiveness for sin, and getting your heart right before God. It will be easier to understand and accept what ...

English: Readin the Bible. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) We assume every Christian has a Bible that looks like this one — worn down, marked up, and paired with a journal stuffed with multicolored spiritual reflections. But that’s often not true. Many Christians find it difficult to get into a daily habit of Bible reading . There are four common causes of Bible neglect in the Christian life , like: “I don’t read my Bible because . . . · . . . it seems so irrelevant to my life .” · . . . I don’t have time.” · . . . I go to church every Sunday.” · . . . I find it confusing.” What follows is a slightly edited (and abridged) transcript of his answers. Reason 1: “I don’t read my Bible because it seems irrelevant to my life.” This is a very common hang-up. Many Christians neglect the Bible because it doesn’t seem relevant in an average day of life and work. So why do I need to read my Bible every day? Pastor John’s response. One thing I know in response to this question, another thing I do...

English: Icon of Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) 12 different biblical virtues, and showing how the Gospel draws a straight line to each of them. Love for God And here am I referring to the love for God Himself in the person Christ that manifests in a compelling desire for communion with Him through prayer and Bible reading . 1 Peter 3:18 tells us that the purpose of Christ’s work in the Gospel was “so that He might bring us to God”—so that He might restore us to fellowship and communion with our Father . In the same way, 2 Corinthians 4:4–6 teaches that the Gospel opens our blind eyes to finally see “the glory of God in the face of Christ.” If, then, my eyes have been opened to see such beauty, how incongruous would it be for me to cut myself off from seeing Him revealed in His Word, and from proving Him to be sweet and mighty in my prayers? If the design of the Gospel was to bring me to God, how can I fail to seek His face in regular personal worship? Love for fellow...