David Whitehead - Making Sense of the Bible: How to Connect with God Through His Word

2014 by David Whitehead

Published by Bethany House Publishers

11400 Hampshire Avenue South

Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of

Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan

www . bakerpublishinggroup . com

Ebook edition created 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-6402-2

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007

Scripture quotations marked NIV1984 are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968,1971, 1972, 1973,1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked THE MESSAGE are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Cover design by LOOK Design Studio

Author is represented by Foundry Literary & Media.

This book is absolutely terrific! For anyone wanting a bright and clear primer on the Bible, this is what youve been waiting for. I unreservedly recommend it to anyone with questions about the most important book in history. Im deeply grateful to my friend David Whitehead for this excellent work.

Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

As a previously cynical, biblically illiterate new follower of Jesus I needed Making Sense of the Bible to take me by the hand and lead me through the path of the elaborate complexity and rich coherence of the Christian Scriptures. As a church planter and pastor I am always eager for a well-informed, relevant, and comprehensible resource that I can use to help the unchurched and initiate Christians to make sense of the Bible. As if having a conversation over brunch with a friend, David Whitehead accomplishes this while addressing the common questions and concerns many people have when engaging the Bible.

Robert Guerrero, New York City church-planting catalyst, Redeemer City to City

This is a book that will renew your faith in the God of the Bible. I recommend it for every person who would say that they are on a spiritual journey toward Christ.

Jon Tyson, church planter in New York City, catalytic leader of the City Collective, author of Rumors of God and Sacred Roots

Making Sense of the Bible will help elevate the relevance of God and show how people can grasp the big concepts of Scripture.

Dimas Salaberrios, president of Concerts of Prayer Greater New York

To my wife, Kathleen,

who has remained my inspiration and friend through the seasons of life .
I could not have done this without you .

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God
(Matthew 5:8).