James L. Nicodem - Context: How to Understand the Bible

Context

How to Understand the Bible

James L. Nicodem

MOODY PUBLISHERS
CHICAGO

2013 by
JAMES L. NICODEM

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

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

Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from The Amplified Bible. Copyright 1965, 1987 by The Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright 1958, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Published in association with the literary agency of Wolgemuth & Associates, Inc.

Edited by Jim Vincent
Interior design: Ragont Design
Cover design: Smartt Guys design
Cover image: Thomas Northcut

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Nicodem, James L., 1956
Context : how to understand the Bible / James L. Nicodem.
pages cm. (The Bible savvy series)
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-8024-0635-4
1. BibleIntroductions. I. Title.
BS475.3.N53 2013
220.61dc23

2012047218

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Too many of us, regardless of our familiarity with the stories of the Bible, are blind to the story of the Bible. We miss the forest for the trees. We fail to recognize how the Bibles many individual stories fit together to tell one mega-story. The macro-story. The story of God and us.

Phil Vischer

Creator of Veggie Tales and Whats in the Bible? video series

As a university professor on a Christian college campus, I can tell you that biblical illiteracy is on the rise. Thats why the Bible Savvy series should be a prerequisite reading for everyone. Jim Nicodem puts the cookies on the bottom shelf by making the epic story of the biblical narrative understandable and accessible. The Bible Savvy series lays out the foundation and context for Gods Word and then shows us in plain language how to apply the Bibles teachings to our lives step-by-step. Its phenomenal.

Les Parrott, PhD

Seattle Pacific University

Author of Youre Stronger Than You Think

The compelling reality about the Bible is that it is full of fascinating details about God and His wise and redemptive oversight of the history of mankind. Unfortunately, the larger, more profound story often gets lost in the details. Like a master storyteller, Jim Nicodem takes us beyond the details and exposes the grand plot of Scripture. Jims work in the Bible Savvy series will amaze many of us who have lived to master the details and will motivate all of us to stand in greater awe of the One who is navigating history to a good and glorious end.

Joseph M. Stowell

President, Cornerstone University

The Bible is one of the most precious possessions to a believer living in a restricted nation. I am constantly amazed by the hunger for biblical teaching expressed by those who face persecution daily. Their sacrificial passion should inspire us to rekindle our quest for biblical understanding. Jim Nicodems Bible Savvy series is the kind of resource needed to reengage our hearts and minds with Gods Word, and renew a hunger for Gods truth on par with our persecuted brother and sisters.

James E. Dau

President, The Voice of the Martyrs

Jim has done a masterful job in the Bible Savvy series! In these four concise books, Jim marches with clarity and skill into topics that would be difficult to tackle in a seminary classroom, much less in an American living room. And rather than a monologue, these books create a dialog among the author, the reader, their small group, and the living Word of God. These practical, approachable resources provide foundational training that is greatly needed by nearly every small group and leader I encounter.

Greg Bowman

Coauthor of Coaching Life-Changing Small Group Leaders

Past executive director of the Willow Creek Association

Reading the four books in the Bible Savvy series is like getting a Bible college education in a box! The Lord is calling our nation to a Bible reading revolution, and these books are an invitation to be part of it.

Hal Seed

Author of The Bible Questions and The God Questions

Lead Pastor, New Song Community Church, Oceanside, California

Living in the land of the Bible is considered a privilege by many, but the real privilege is to let the Bible become alive through us, in whatever land we may live. In the Bible Savvy series, Jim Nicodem not only helps us to understand Gods plan to save us, but also His desire to change and shape us through His Word and Spirit in order to be a light in this dark world.

Rev. Azar Ajaj

Vice President and lecturer, Nazareth Evangelical Theological Seminary

To ignite a love for the Gods Word in others is the goal of any spiritual leader. Communicating Gods Word is the most important of all. Pastor Jims Bible Savvy series is the tool, the guide, and the process for worship leaders to go into deep spiritual places. His biblical scholarship, communicated with such creativity, is exactly what is needed in worship ministry today.

Stan Endicott

Slingshot group coach/mentor

Worship Leader, Mariners Church, Irvine, California

Jim Nicodem leads one of Americas finest churches. Jim knows how to communicate the truth of the Bible that brings historical knowledge with incredible practical application. The Bible Savvy series is the best I have ever seen. Your life and faith will be enhanced as you use and apply this material to your life.

Jim Burns, PhD

President, HomeWord

Author of Creating an Intimate Marriage and Confident Parenting

Pastor Nicodem is like a championship caliber coach: he loves to teach, and he stresses that success comes from mastering the basics. The Bible Savvy series will help you correctly interpret the best Playbook ever written: the Bible. Understanding and applying its fundamentals (with the help of the Bible Savvy series) will lead one to the Ultimate Victory eternity with Jesus.

James Brown

Host of The NFL Today on the CBS television network

I MET THE REAL ESTATE AGENT at my front door and invited him in. My wife and I were about to put our home on the market and I had called Jeff as a potential representative. As he sat down at our dining room table and opened his briefcase, I noticed a Bible perched on top of other papers. I asked Jeff if he was a Bible reader and he replied that he was just getting started. What had prompted his interest? Hed recently come across a list in Success, Inc. magazine of the most influential books recommended by business leaders. The Bible had been the most frequently mentioned book on the list. So, Jeff was going to give it a try.