Have you ever felt like you can't make sense out of the Bible but wished you could? Then this book is for you.

Starting from scratch, Norton Sterrett presents the general rules for reading the Bible's ordinary language andmoves on to specific principles that apply to special types of language such as parables, figures of speech, Hebrew poetry and symbols.

Richard Schultz has updated T. Norton Sterrett's classic beginner's guide to understanding the Bible, making it clearer and more helpful than ever before. He suggests some more recent reference tools and offers more examples from contemporary English translations. In a new concluding chapter he helps you try out the principles on Psalm 51.

You maybegin as a beginner, but you will finish this book well equipped to understand the Bible and to experience its transforming power in your life.



T. Norton Sterrett served on the staff of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) in India for many years, training students in Bible study.







Richard L. Schultz is the Carl Armerding and Hudson T. Amerding Professor of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College. Over the past three decades, he and his wife, Carol, have taught many laypeople and students to study the Bible.



Preface to the Third Edition

Introduction



I Basic Considerations

1 Personal Bible Study Is a Must

2 Who Can Understand the Bible?

3 The Importance of Proper Understanding

4 The Point of Departure

5 Using the Right Tools

6 How to Proceed



II General Principles

7 Considering the Literary Context

8 Understanding the Words

9 Understanding the Grammar

10 Grasping the Author?s Intention

11 Studying the Background

12 Interpreting Scripture by Scripture



III Special Principles

13 Figures of Speech

14 Symbols

15 Types

16 Parables and Allegories

17 Hebrew Idioms

18 Hebrew Poetry



IV Application

19 The Relation of the Old and New Testaments

20 Doctrine

21 Responding to God?s Word

22 Trying It Out on Psalm 51