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 and moves 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 may begin 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