An introduction to every book of the Bible, in the order the books stand in it. Each one links back to the passages it works from.

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Showing 66 of 66 articles

• An Introduction to Genesis: The Book of Beginnings Genesis means beginnings — of creation, humanity, sin, and the promise of a redeemer. Its authorship, its narratives, and why the rest of Scripture assumes it.
• An Introduction to Exodus: Redemption and Covenant Bondage, plagues, Passover, the Red Sea and Sinai: how deliverance from Egypt and the covenant given at the mountain are one movement rather than two stories.
• Understanding Leviticus: A Guide to Holiness Holiness is the whole subject: the offerings, the priesthood, the purity laws and the feasts, and how the atonement provisions anticipate what Christ finished.
• An Introduction to Numbers: Journey in the Wilderness Bemidbar, in the wilderness: the census and the camp order, the rebellion that cost a generation, and thirty-eight years between Sinai and the plains of Moab.
• An Introduction to Deuteronomy: A Renewal of the Covenant Deuteronomion means second law, which understates it — Moses' farewell addresses on the plains of Moab, renewing the covenant with a generation that missed Sinai.
• An Introduction to Joshua: Conquest and Inheritance Moses is dead and the land is promised: Joshua commissioned to be strong and of good courage, the conquest of Canaan, and the inheritance divided out by tribe.
• An Introduction to Judges: The Cycle of Sin and Deliverance After Joshua a cycle repeats — apostasy, oppression, a cry, a deliverer, peace until he dies. The judges who illustrate it, and what the pattern is meant to prove.
• An Introduction to Ruth: A Story of Redemption Set when every man did that which was right in his own eyes: famine, a widow's return, the kinsman-redeemer at the threshing floor, and a Moabitess in David's line.
• An Introduction to 1 Samuel: The Rise of the Monarchy Israel asks for a king like all the nations, and the request is a rejection of God's rule: Samuel, Saul's anointing and unravelling, and the shepherd chosen instead.
• An Introduction to 2 Samuel: The Reign of David David reigns over all Israel and receives an everlasting covenant, then sins in a way the rest of the book pays for: consequence, restoration, and the Messianic line.
• An Introduction to 1 Kings: From Solomon's Glory to a Divided Kingdom Roughly 120 years, from Solomon's temple to Elijah on Carmel: wisdom and glory, the decline behind them, and a kingdom torn in two by Rehoboam's answer.
• An Introduction to 2 Kings: The Fall of Israel and Judah Three centuries ending in two deportations: Elisha's ministry, Samaria falling to Assyria, Jerusalem to Babylon, and the covenant warnings that had named both.
• An Introduction to 1 Chronicles: A Priestly History of David Nine chapters of genealogy open 1 Chronicles, written for a people back from exile: then David as the architect of temple worship rather than as a warrior king.
• An Introduction to 2 Chronicles: A Priestly History of Judah The same post-exilic lens turned on Judah alone: the temple and the Levites at the centre, kings measured by covenant faithfulness, and repeated seasons of revival.
• An Introduction to Ezra: Return and Rebuilding Seventy years of captivity end by a Persian king's decree: the first return under Zerubbabel, the altar and temple rebuilt, and Ezra arriving later to reform worship.
• An Introduction to Nehemiah: Leadership and Restoration A cupbearer in Susa hears that Jerusalem's wall lies broken: the burden, the prayer, the fifty-two days of building, and the spiritual reform that followed the stones.
• An Introduction to Esther: God's Providence in Persia Esther names God nowhere — no prayer, no temple, no covenant. Ahasuerus, Mordecai, Haman and a Jewish orphan made queen, with providence working unseen in Persia.
• An Introduction to Job: The Problem of Suffering Why do the righteous suffer? A heavenly council the sufferer never hears about, three friends with a tidy theology, and God's answer, which is not an explanation.
• Understanding the Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible The Psalms are 150 songs and prayers in five books, giving voice to lament, praise, confession and trust, and teaching how a whole life is brought before God.
• An Introduction to Proverbs: The Wisdom of God The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the book builds on it: wisdom personified calling in the street, folly answering, and two roads set side by side.
• An Introduction to Ecclesiastes: The Search for Meaning Vanity of vanities: the Preacher tests pleasure, labour, wisdom and wealth under the sun, finds each a vapour, and ends where it was always going — fear God.
• An Introduction to the Song of Solomon: A Celebration of Love The Song of Solomon is poetry frank enough to unsettle its readers, and canonical all the same: authorship and form, its readings, and what it holds about fidelity.
• An Introduction to Isaiah: The Gospel in the Old Testament Sixty-six chapters, sometimes called the fifth Gospel: Isaiah's eighth-century setting, the division at chapter 40, and the Servant passages that name the Messiah.
• An Introduction to Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophet Jeremiah was called as a youth and told the message would be refused: from the late seventh century to Jerusalem's fall, and why the weeping is part of the prophecy.
• An Introduction to Lamentations: Sorrow over Jerusalem Five poems over Jerusalem's destruction in 586 B.C., most of them acrostic — grief given a strict form, and mercies new every morning set at the exact centre.
• An Introduction to Ezekiel: The Watchman for God's Glory A priest exiled to Babylon is made a watchman: visions of the glory departing the temple, the judgment that follows, and the glory returning to a restored house.
• An Introduction to Daniel: God's Sovereignty Over History Daniel and three friends in Nebuchadnezzar's court, and a book about who actually rules: God's sovereignty over individuals, over empires in succession, and over time.
• An Introduction to Hosea: A Picture of Unfailing Love A prophet commanded to marry an unfaithful wife, so the marriage becomes the sermon: hesed toward Israel, judgment announced, and restoration promised regardless.
• An Introduction to Joel: The Day of the Lord A locust plague read as a foretaste: rend the heart and not the garments, the Spirit poured out that Peter quotes at Pentecost, and the greater day still coming.
• An Introduction to Amos: Let Judgment Run Down as Waters Amos, a herdsman of Tekoa, was sent north to prosperous Israel under Jeroboam II: worship kept up while the poor were sold for a pair of shoes, and judgment on both.
• An Introduction to Obadiah: Judgment on Edom Twenty-one verses, the shortest book in the Old Testament, aimed at Edom: Esau's descendants standing by while Jacob's city fell, and the pride that sealed the sentence.
• An Introduction to Jonah: God's Mercy for All Nations Jonah runs because he fears God will forgive: the storm, the fish, Nineveh's repentance, and the argument God has with him afterward under a withered gourd.
• An Introduction to Micah: Justice, Mercy, and Humility Micah of Moresheth-Gath prophesied alongside Isaiah under Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah: iniquity exposed, mercy promised, and the requirement stated in one verse.
• An Introduction to Nahum: Judgment on Nineveh Nineveh repented under Jonah and did not stay repentant. Nahum's name means comfort, and the comfort here is Assyria's fall, described before it happened.
• An Introduction to Habakkuk: From Doubt to Faith The prophet complains and God answers with something worse — the Chaldeans. A second complaint, a watchtower, and the line that the just shall live by his faith.
• An Introduction to Zephaniah: The Coming Day of the Lord Zephaniah prophesied under Josiah, tracing his line four generations to Hezekiah. His book runs from the Day of the LORD as terror to a remnant left singing.
• An Introduction to Haggai: A Call to Rebuild Haggai spoke in 520 B.C. with the temple foundation untouched and panelled houses going up: consider your ways, the latter house's glory, and Zerubbabel as a signet.
• An Introduction to Zechariah: Visions of Hope for God's People Jehovah remembers, and the book argues it: eight night visions given in a single night, the King coming lowly upon a colt, and Jerusalem's future among the nations.
• An Introduction to Malachi: A Message for a Disheartened People The last prophetic voice before four centuries of silence, addressed to people whose zeal had cooled: God accusing, and the people answering back question for question.
• An Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew: Jesus the King Matthew writes to a Jewish readership and opens with a genealogy through David to Abraham, presenting Jesus as the promised King with prophecy fulfilled throughout.
• An Introduction to the Gospel of Mark: Jesus the Servant The shortest Gospel and the quickest: Mark shows Jesus as the Servant through deeds rather than discourses, moving straightway from one act of power to the next.
• An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke: Jesus the Son of Man A Gentile physician writing an orderly account: Jesus as the Son of Man, His humanity and compassion, and a Gospel that keeps widening to take in everyone.
• An Introduction to the Gospel of John: Jesus the Son of God John's Gospel argues one case: the Word made flesh. Its architecture is seven signs and seven “I AM” sayings, built toward the stated purpose of John 20:31.
• An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles: The Birth of the Church Acts carries the gospel from Jerusalem to the uttermost part of the earth — Pentecost, the Gentile question, and Paul's journeys, as Luke set it down.
• An Introduction to Romans: The Power of the Gospel Romans 1:16 names the subject, the power of God unto salvation, then argues it: universal guilt, righteousness by faith, life in the Spirit, and Israel's place.
• An Introduction to 1 Corinthians: A Divided Church Called to Holiness Corinth's church took its city's habits indoors — factions, lawsuits, immorality, disorder at the Lord's table — and Paul answers each with a principle.
• An Introduction to 2 Corinthians: The Nature of Apostolic Ministry Paul's most personal letter defends his apostleship against rivals: comfort drawn out of affliction, treasure in earthen vessels, strength perfected in weakness.
• An Introduction to Galatians: Freedom in Christ Galatians 5:1 states the stake — stand fast in liberty. Paul defends his commission, then argues justification by faith against the yoke of circumcision.
• An Introduction to Ephesians: The Church, the Body of Christ From God's purpose before the foundation of the world to the whole armour of God: Ephesians presents Jew and Gentile made one new man, the body of Christ.
• An Introduction to Philippians: Joy in the Midst of Suffering Written from a Roman prison and full of rejoicing: the descent and exaltation of Philippians 2, and the secret of contentment Paul says he had to learn.
• An Introduction to Colossians: The Supremacy of Christ Epaphras brought Paul word of false teaching at Colossae. The answer sets Christ over creation, church and reconciliation — Christ is all, and in all.
• An Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Hope in the Lord's Return A young church born in tribulation and grieving its dead: 1 Thessalonians answers what becomes of those asleep in Jesus before the Lord returns.
• An Introduction to 2 Thessalonians: A Clarification on the End Times The Thessalonians had been told the Day of the Lord was already past. Paul's correction names what must come first: the falling away and the man of sin.
• An Introduction to 1 Timothy: A Guide for Church Leadership Timothy was left at Ephesus to stop false doctrine. The letter sets out public worship, widows, elders, and the qualifications for bishops and deacons.
• An Introduction to 2 Timothy: Paul's Final Words Paul's last letter, four chapters from a Roman cell with execution near: keep the deposit, preach the word in season and out, commit it to faithful men.
• An Introduction to Titus: Instructions for the Church in Crete Titus was left in Crete to ordain elders city by city, and the letter binds sound doctrine to conduct — grace itself teaching men to live soberly and godly.
• An Introduction to Philemon: A Lesson in Forgiveness Onesimus ran from his master and met Paul in prison. The shortest of Paul's letters asks Philemon to receive him back, no longer a servant but a brother.
• An Introduction to Hebrews: Christ is Better Addressed to Jewish believers tempted back to the temple, Hebrews argues one word: better. Christ above angels, Moses, Aaron's priesthood and its sacrifices.
• An Introduction to James: Faith that Works James, the Lord's brother, writes the Proverbs of the New Testament — the tongue, partiality, riches, patience — with faith tested by what it produces.
• An Introduction to 1 Peter: Hope in the Midst of Persecution Peter writes to strangers scattered through Asia Minor under persecution: a living hope by the resurrection, and suffering as the ordinary Christian shape.
• An Introduction to 2 Peter: A Warning Against False Teachers Knowing his death was near, 2 Peter 1:14, Peter warns of teachers rising inside the church and answers the scoffers who ask where the promise of his coming is.
• An Introduction to 1 John: Assurance of Eternal Life 1 John was written so that believers may know they have eternal life, and gives the marks of it: fellowship, obedience, love, and Christ come in the flesh.
• An Introduction to 2 John: A Warning Against Deceivers Thirteen verses to the elect lady: walk in truth, love one another, and receive into your house no one who brings not the doctrine of Christ.
• An Introduction to 3 John: A Commendation of Faithfulness The shortest book in the New Testament turns on three men — Gaius the hospitable, Diotrephes who loved pre-eminence, and Demetrius of good report.
• An Introduction to Jude: Contending for the Faith Jude, the brother of James, set aside the letter he meant to write in order to urge that believers contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
• An Introduction to Revelation: The Victory of the Lamb Its Greek title means unveiling, not doom: Revelation shows Jesus Christ to seven churches in Asia and traces the Lamb's victory through to the end.

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