Six Ways to Study the Bible - by Trent C Butler (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A superb introduction to six different lenses to use in approaching scripture by an expert biblical scholar. Trent Butler has extensive education and experience in biblical studies, having taught at Atlanta Baptist College, Southern Baptist Seminary, and International Baptist Theological Seminary in Rüschlikon, Switzerland. He is the author of Joshua and Judges in the Word Biblical Commentary Series.

Review Quotes

"Six Ways to Study the Bible by Trent Butler is a wonderful compendium
of an enormous amount of material that will assist and increase one's
understanding of the study of the Scriptures. Each of the six ways is
copiously supported by a detailed list of questions centered around four
biblical passages that are used to illustrate the methods taught. Whereas
one would ordinarily need to dig through scores of texts to get the
same material, here it is succinctly offered in very compact and pleasing
form."
Walter C. Kaiser Jr., president emeritus, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

"Based on years of work as a seminary professor, editor, Bible teacher
in churches, and as a biblical scholar, Trent Butler leads beginning or
nonprofessional students through the intricacies of the serious study
of the Bible. The six 'ways' he discusses cover issues associated with
determining what the text actually said--surely the beginning point for
any serious study--as well as literary, exegetical, historical, theological,
and personal understandings of the text. He nevertheless treats biblical
study as an art, one any serious believer can practice."
Paul Redditt, Georgetown College

"If you want to get serious about studying the Bible, you must read this
book. It's an excellent overview of the Bible study process, chock-full
of helpful illustrations. It dances to a different tune, I must warn you.
Not many books tell you what you need to know about the literary
quality of the Bible, but this one does. It will challenge you to come
up with a personalized plan of study that is both logical and practical.
Remember that the goal of all Bible study is to produce Christlike
change in our lives. If that's your aim, this book will help you to lay a
firm foundation."
David Alan Black, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Trent Butler demonstrates that reverence for Scripture need
not preclude asking probing questions about the texts' origin,
transmission, and meaning. In an engaging style, Butler welcomes
readers into deeper dialogue with the Bible, uncovering the
mysteries of study Bible notes and commentators' jargon. By
preceding the chapter on devotional study, 'the queen of Bible
study, ' with guides to textual, literary, historical, exegetical,
and theological study, Butler shows how all of these enrich the
meaning of the text. Students of the Bible who want to go beyond
what other people tell them, but don't know how to start, should
grab Butler's book and dig in."
Sandra Hack Polaski, author of A Feminist Introduction to Paul

"Just as a master craftsman is one who is an expert in working
with the tools of his craft, so an educated Bible reader is one who is
trained in using the tools of biblical study. In Six Ways to Study the
Bible, Trent Butler introduces readers to six of the most important
tools they should have in their tool belts in order to study the Bible
effectively. This slim volume, written by a veteran Bible scholar
with the heart of a pastor, would make an excellent preparatory
text for church Bible study groups and introductory level college
classes."
Ralph K. Hawkins, Kentucky Christian University

"A good resource for highly motivated laypeople, this book takes
readers on an in-depth journey through six different ways of
reading the Bible. It will repay its readers with helpful suggestions
about these different approaches."
David M. Howard, Jr., Bethel Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota