Six Ways to Study the Bible

“six ways to study the bible by trent butler is a wonderful compendium

of an enormous amount of material that will assist and increase one’s

understanding of the study of the Scriptures. Each of the six ways is

copiously supported by a detailed list of questions centered around four

biblical passages that are used to illustrate the methods taught. Whereas

one would ordinarily need to dig through scores of texts to get the

same material, here it is succinctly offered in very compact and pleasing

form.”

Walter C. Kaiser Jr., president emeritus, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

“based on years of work as a seminary professor, editor, bible teacher

in churches, and as a biblical scholar, Trent Butler leads beginning or

nonprofessional students through the intricacies of the serious study

of the Bible. The six ‘ways’ he discusses cover issues associated with

determining what the text actually said—surely the beginning point for

any serious study—as well as literary, exegetical, historical, theological,

and personal understandings of the text. He nevertheless treats biblical

study as an art, one any serious believer can practice.”

Paul Redditt, Georgetown College

“if you want to get serious about studying the bible, you must read this

book. It’s an excellent overview of the Bible study process, chock-full

of helpful illustrations. It dances to a different tune, I must warn you.

Not many books tell you what you need to know about the literary

quality of the Bible, but this one does. It will challenge you to come

up with a personalized plan of study that is both logical and practical.

Remember that the goal of all Bible study is to produce Christlike

change in our lives. If that’s your aim, this book will help you to lay a

firm foundation.”

David Alan Black, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“trent butler demonstrates that reverence for scripture need

not preclude asking probing questions about the texts’ origin,

transmission, and meaning. In an engaging style, Butler welcomes

readers into deeper dialogue with the Bible, uncovering the

mysteries of study Bible notes and commentators’ jargon. By

preceding the chapter on devotional study, ‘the queen of Bible

study,’ with guides to textual, literary, historical, exegetical,

and theological study, Butler shows how all of these enrich the

meaning of the text. Students of the Bible who want to go beyond

what other people tell them, but don’t know how to start, should

grab Butler’s book and dig in.”

Sandra Hack Polaski, author of A Feminist Introduction to Paul

“just as a master craftsman is one who is an expert in working

wit...

acknowledgments vi

Introduction 1

1. Finding the Text: Textual Study 5

2. Finding the Bible’s Narrative Genius: Literary Study 27

3. Finding the Detailed Meaning: Exegetical Study 41

4. Finding What Happened: Historical Study 51

5. Finding the Bible’s Teaching and Meaning: Theological Study 85

6. Finding the Personal Meaning of the Text: Devotional Study 101

Conclusion 111

Appendix 1: Bible Tools Worksheet 115

Appendix 2: The Nature of the New Testament 120

Appendix 3: A Brief History of English Bible Translations 122

Appendix 4: Critical Analysis of Some Recent Bible Translations 124

Appendix 5: Selection of Translation Problems 131

Appendix 6: Basic Bible Study Resources 142

Appendix 7: Glossary 150