How to Read the Bible

What is the Bible? (Episode 1)

6min

Unpack the history and origins of this extraordinary collection of writings to look closer at what you'll find in your Bible today.

The Story of the Bible (Episode 2)

6min

The Bible is a collection of writings that tells one unified story about God's plan to partner with humanity to rule a united Heaven and Earth.

Literary Styles (Episode 3)

5min

The books of the Bible are written in three main literary styles.

Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature (Episode 4)

4min

The Bible is a multi-layered work, offering levels of insight.

Plot (Episode 5)

5min

When we read Bible verses apart from the context of their overall plot, we can miss the intended meaning of the story.

Character (Episode 6)

5min

Biblical authors present characters as more complex and morally compromised than we usually imagine.

Setting (Episode 7)

6min

Stories take place in locations with special meaning. Biblical authors use these settings to meet or subvert reader expectations.

Design Patterns (Episode 8)

6min

The authors of the Bible used design patterns to unify it into one storyline so they ultimately point to Jesus.

Poetry (Episode 9)

5min

About a third of the Bible is ancient Israelite poetry—beautiful, artistic, and often hard to understand.

Poetic Metaphor (Episode 10)

5min

A third of the Bible is ancient Israelite poetry. Poetry is a rich and artistic form of human communication.

The Book of Psalms (Episode 11)

6min

The book of Psalms is the largest collection of poetry in the Bible.

The Prophets (Episode 12)

5min

The books of the Old Testament prophets are packed with dense poetry and wild imagery.

Biblical Law (Episode 13)

6min

The first few books of the Bible are filled with ancient laws that might seem strange to modern readers.

The Books of Solomon (Episode 14)

5min

The wisest king of Israel, King Solomon, is associated with three books of the Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs.

The Gospel (Episode 15)

5min

The New Testament contains four biographies of Jesus, called the Gospels, that each emphasize a particular aspect of one Truth - the good news that the crucified and risen Jesus is God and the Savior of humanity.

The Parables of Jesus (Episode 16)

5min

Jesus was a master storyteller, often using parables as a way to present a picture of the Kingdom of God.

New Testament Letters: Historical Context (Episode 17)

5min

Much of the New Testament consists of letters written by early church leaders to communities of Christians in ancient Rome.

New Testament Letters: Literary Context (Episode 18)

5min

The New Testament includes many letters written from early church leaders to Jesus’ followers in ancient Rome. Understanding the historical and cultural context behind them can help modern Christians understand the rich theology and guidance that the letters still offer today.

Apocalyptic Literature (Episode 19)

6min

The Bible is filled with dreams and visions about human history coming to a climax, and usually packed with intense imagery and strange symbols.