In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the authors intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the authors rights.
Thank you for buying this ebook, published by Hachette Digital.
To receive special offers, bonus content, and news about our latest ebooks and apps, sign up for our newsletters.
Copyright 2015 by Mark M. Yarbrough
Cover design by Jody Waldrup
Cover photograph by Dreamstime
Cover copyright 2015 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the authors intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the authors rights.
FaithWords
Hachette Book Group
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
hachettebookgroup.com
twitter.com/faithwords
First ebook edition: March 2015
FaithWords is a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
The FaithWords name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
The Hachette Speakers Bureau provides a wide range of authors for speaking events. To find out more, go to www.hachettespeakersbureau.com or call (866) 376-6591.
The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scriptures noted ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scriptures noted KJV are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Scriptures noted 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.
Scriptures noted NET are from the NET Bible copyright 19962006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com. All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-1-4555-7886-3
E3
Praise for
HOW TO READ THE BIBLE LIKE A SEMINARY PROFESSOR
Following in the footsteps of Howard Hendricks, Mark Yarbroughs insightful, relevant, and many times humorous book is a Kingdom tool for comprehendingand applyingGods great Word. You will be challenged, and better equipped, to be a lifelong student of Scripture. I highly recommend this work for your church, school, ministry, or personal study.
Tony Evans, senior pastor of the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and president of The Urban Alternative
A MUST-READ book for this generation! Never before in the history of the church in America has the study of the Scriptures been so important. Mark has absolutely nailed a long-needed exhortation to dig into The Book, but also the tools for effective digging.
Dr. Dennis Rainey, CEO and president, FamilyLife
After forty years of teaching, I have now found the best introduction to the wide world of biblical interpretation. Mark Yarbrough has a gift for synthesis without sacrificing scope. HOW TO READ THE BIBLE LIKE A SEMINARY PROFESSOR will inform you and motivate you to want to study Gods Word at deeper levels than ever before. I love it!
Mark L. Bailey, president, Dallas Theological Seminary
This is the best book on understanding and interpreting the Bible Ive ever seen. Practical, easy to understand, scholarly but accessible, and filled with insights and tools for a lifetime of knowing God through His Word.
Chip Ingram, teaching pastor of Living on the Edge and author of Culture Shock: A Biblical Response to Todays Most Divisive Issues
Tragically, people in the church today do not know the Word of Godnor how to study it. We must reverse that trend. Dr. Mark Yarbrough provides us a needed model, and encouragement, for recapturing the lost virtue of effective Bible study. This book will not teach you to master Gods Word, but to be mastered by it. HOW TO READ THE BIBLE LIKE A SEMINARY PROFESSOR is a tool that every Christian should have in their library.
Will Graham, vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and executive director of the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove
L EE H OUGH
(19552013)
Im thankful I took a phone call in the fall of 2012because it was then that I met Lee Hough. Our first discussion was jovial and frivolous. After hanging up the phone I thought, What a great guy. I then did a web search and discovered that Lee was a high-profile literary agent. Little did I know that discussion would lead to this project, and little did I know that Lee would serve as my representative. I also didnt know that his excitement for this book would lead hima gifted writerto serve as its content editor at its commencement. And little did anyone know, other than the Lord, that Lee would go home to be with his Savior in September 2013. When he called to tell me his brain cancer had returned, he quietly commented, Mark, Im sorry I wont be there to help you finish the book. I really wanted to make the journey with you. That was Lee. Always thinking of others. The completion of this project is certainly bittersweet because of his absence, but his warmth is still felt from page to page and through the gentle direction of its content. Lee made the journey; he just did it from a much superior vantage point. Shalom, my brother. Cheer us on from the grandstands (Hebrews 12:13).
A project of this size is a community endeavor, and it is appropriate to pause, because I owe much to many. Some are unnamedlike my students. You have molded me. You are such a joy to teach. I appreciate every pointed question and classroom challenge. Each one of you is a blessing. My church family, Centerpoint Church, has always been a source of strength and encouragement. They have put up with my preaching and teaching for years (!), and have taught me the importance of authenticity. Thank you, especially, to John and Jan Finklea for reading some early chapters and providing excellent feedback. I also am deeply indebted to my fellow faculty members at Dallas Theological Seminary. You are brilliant men and women of faith, and your passion for students continues to motivate me. Thank you for tolerating my many ideas. I would also like to thank Dr. Mark Bailey, president of DTS. Thank you for the opportunity to serve alongside you for so many years. Your camaraderie is a treasure, and it is an honor to teach this discipline with you. My thoughts and teaching methodologies have been formed by both you and Prof (the late Howard Hendricks). I can truly say I do not know where your words end and mine begin.
To Joey Paul and my faithful publishing friends at FaithWords, thank you for believing in this project. Joeyyour prayers of encouragement propelled me on several occasions. To my agent, Bryan Norman, and the entire team at