| Title: | Understanding God's Word |
| Subtitle: | An Introduction to Interpreting the Bible |
| Published: | February 11, 2025 |
| ISBN-10: | 1-4335-8743-2 |
| ISBN-13: | 978-1-4335-8743-6 |
| Category: |
Christian Living
Theology Bible Studies & Devotionals |
| Retail Price: | $17.99 |
| Binding: | Printed Caseside |
| Trim: | 5.5 in x 8.5 in |
| Page Count: | 144 |
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Press Materials:
An Accessible Guide to Biblical Interpretation by Pastor Jon Nielson
A faithful believer will spend their lifetime interpreting God’s word. But when confused by ancient and complex texts or led astray by small-group discussion, readers are at risk of making faulty conclusions and unbiblical applications. How can Christians correctly interpret and faithfully apply Scripture to their lives the way God intends?
This helpful guide presents 6 hermeneutical tools and demonstrates how to use them effectively in personal or small-group Bible studies. These tools are designed to help Christians read carefully and in context, identify core themes and main points, discover Christ in each passage, and respond faithfully within their own lives. Part of the Theology Basics series, this guide by author and pastor Jon Nielson makes biblical interpretation clear, meaningful, and practical for those looking for a highly accessible guide to studying God’s word.
- Clear Language and Easy-to-Follow Methods: Ideal for new Christians, students, homeschool groups, or anyone wanting a highly accessible guide to biblical interpretation; perfect for individual or group study
- Practical Tools: 6 hermeneutical tools to incorporate in personal or small-group Bible studies
- Part of the Theology Basics Series: A collection of books and study guides to introduce students to systematic theology, biblical theology, and biblical interpretation
- Companion Workbook and Video Series Sold Separately: Invites further interaction with the text to integrate study with application
Author:
Jon Nielson (DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) serves as the senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church of Wheaton in Wheaton, Illinois. He is coeditor of the book Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry and author of the Theology Basics series. He and his wife, Jeanne, have four children.
Product Details
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Basics of Bible Study
Chapter 2: The Context Tool
Chapter 3: The Courtroom Tool
Chapter 4: The Crux Tool
Chapter 5: The Construction Tool
Chapter 6: The Clarity Tool
Chapter 7: The Cross Tool
Conclusion
General Index
Scripture Index
Endorsements
“I’m so grateful to finally have a clear, informative, and helpful introductory resource to help God’s people faithfully interpret Scripture. In Understanding God’s Word, Jon Nielson provides six ‘tools’ that give contours to hermeneutical application for the pastor and layperson alike. This volume will undoubtedly be my go-to recommendation for anybody wanting to rightly and accurately interpret the Bible!”
Brian Cosby, Senior Pastor, Wayside Presbyterian Church, Signal Mountain, Tennessee; Adjunct Professor of Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Atlanta
“These principles have transformed the way I personally read, understand, and teach God’s word. I have been using them for over a decade and highly recommend them. Jon Nielson clearly explains each principle using language we can all understand, working through multiple examples so we can practice and develop our own interpretive muscles. At the end of each chapter, I find myself confident and excited to keep trying. I pray this book will encourage many to dig into God’s word, producing fruit and life transformation. I can’t wait to use this in our church. What a fantastic resource!”
Abi Byrd, Ministry Associate, McLean Bible Church, Arlington, Virginia; Women’s Instructor, The Charles Simeon Trust; author, You Stand in Grace: Devotions for Walking in Faith (forthcoming)
“What a clear and useful book! It will help anyone who reads the Bible. And for those who teach the Bible—study leaders, children’s class volunteers, parents training their kids—this book is a must-read. Give it to every teacher in your church. It’s easy to follow and full of wisdom.”
Jack Klumpenhower, author, Show Them Jesus
“This is the book I wish I’d had twenty years ago! Jon Nielson has written an accessible guidebook to learning how to soundly interpret the Bible. The six interpretation tools and the opportunities to practice using them are invaluable and set this book apart. As one who teaches others how to study and teach the Bible, I cannot wait to recommend this book and add it to my library.”
Colleen D. Searcy, Bible teacher; speaker; creator, Meet Me in the Bible resources
“The third volume in Jon Nielson’s excellent series Theology Basics lives up to the same standard set in the earlier books. This time Nielson aims to help the reader properly understand the Scriptures. What a vital subject for the church! Understanding God’s Word is a master class on how to make the complexity of proper biblical hermeneutics accessible to a wide readership. Here is a toolbox that serves to equip Christians to read and understand the Bible on its terms. Nielson takes up and explains the classic categories for proper biblical interpretation, such as identifying the passage’s context, its core emphasis, and its relation to Christ. This is a book suited both for individual and group study, with each section accompanied by suggested verses for memory and guides for praying. Like the first two volumes in this series, I will be enthusiastically commending Understanding God’s Word to the men and women I serve as pastor.”
Todd Pruitt, Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Harrisonburg, Virginia; Cohost, Mortification of Spin
“In Understanding God’s Word, Jon Nielson provides a thoughtful and practical introduction to rightly handling the Bible. Written with great clarity, each chapter introduces a tool that will stir up the reader to make progress in reading, understanding, and applying the Bible. This book gives needed training that will help Bible readers feast on God’s word for a lifetime.”
Ben Panner, Director of Workshops, The Charles Simeon Trust, Chicago