No one area of Bible study has challenged the minds of people, whether a
plow boy in the field or an erudite scholar in his study, more than learning
how to understand Scripture. All such effort has brought the greatest
of delight as students plumbed the depths of Scripture, and the greatest of
controversy as men with diverse views contended over their conclusions.
After all is said, correctly interpreting of the biblical text can be easier than
we sometimes make it.
It is well that one learns how to study before plunging into the depths even
as one would do well to learn how to swim before plunging into deep water.
The difficulty lessens when we understand the diversity of language, of writing
styles, of cultural and historical contexts, of purposes, of the genre of the
materials, and of the place that each of the writings occupies in the canon
of the Bible. Interpretation becomes more difficult when people go to the
sacred texts with preconceived ideas or self-centered pride.
This study presents examples of Gerald Paden's exegetical efforts over the
years in his personal pursuit of the treasures to be found in Scripture. The
book should serve well in illustrating a sound approach to understanding
the Scriptures. It will also lead students into a study of some biblical themes
that may have previously been puzzling to many.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Creation in Travail (Romans 8)
II. Bread of Heaven (John 6)
III. Baptized for the Dead (1 Corinthians 15)
IV. Christ as LORD, Ourselves as Your Servants (2 Corinthians 4)
V. Fellow Heirs (Romans 8)
VI. Teaching on Forgiveness (Luke 7, 15; John 8)
VII. Marriage in the Bible (1 Corinthians 7)
VIII. Baptism (1 Peter 3)
IX. Where Then Is the Law? (Romans 4, 5, 7)
X. Upon This Rock (Matthew 16)
XI. The Whole Gospel to the Whole World
XII. Discipline in a Growing Church
XIII. Till Heaven and Earth Pass Away
XIV. Two Covenants
XV. Leaders in a Growing Church
XVI. The Destruction of Jerusalem
XVII. Equipping the Saints
XVIII. Gifts and Ministries
XIX. Abuse of the Lord's Supper
XX. There Is Now Therefore No Condemnation
XXI. God's Plan Before Time
XXII. Feeling or Fact?
XXIII. A New Heaven and a New Earth
XXIV. The Awesome Power of Intercessory Prayer
XXV. The Pageantry of the Parousia
