Opening Up The Bible

Author DAVID JACKMAN

Publisher SCRIPTURE UNION

ISBN 1-84427-224-9

David Jackman is president of the Proclamation Trust, an organization committed to the promotion of good, solid expository Bible Study and consistent Bible Ministry by ministers and leaders of churches.  It does a valuable and necessary work especially in the context of the casual attitude to the Bible evidenced in many churches today where it is regarded as outmoded and having little relevance.  This book is a reliable guide to the proper use of the Bible; it is practical and covers all the ground admirably.  The Bible’s story, reliability, self-testimony as to what it means, all this and more is discussed in a concise and readable manner.  “How do we unpack the Old Testament” and how does it relate to the New makes for good reading and there is a chapter on the New Testament and the various genre’s of literature found there.  In a helpful way this author strips away the common abuses to which the Bible is subject. The way God speaks through it and how we hear what He is saying is very relevant when some use it like a kind of horoscope.  The purpose of Jackman’s book is to encourage people to read the Bible for themselves and to make the riches of it accessible in its rich variety as God discloses Himself in its story.  In the Bible we encounter God in His Person and His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit is ever present to aid the enquiring and sincere reader.  It is dangerous to read the Bible though, it’s challenge is intrinsic yet the practicing of good principles of Bible reading, the relationships of its different types of literature and how God speaks through them can only lead to it witnessing its veracity to our hearts.  Because this particular book is written by a man passionate to honor God and the book He has given and is able to write in an uncomplicated way about the issues, everyone would benefit from reading it, even those who are familiar with the Bible already.  It can only serve to encourage further the seeking heart.  Perhaps there is only one downside and it is that each chapter starts with a kind of ‘hook’ to introduce its subject and the hooks used are fictitious conversations that take place between persons wrestling with the common responses to the Bible.  Some may find these a bit tedious whilst others might quite enjoy them!   So, all in all, a very good read for all and the recommended reading list that closes the book points to further helps.

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