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Understanding Scripture
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A One-Volume Commentary Written by 70 African Scholars
Published by: Zondervan
The Africa Bible Commentary is the first one-volume Bible commentary produced in Africa by African theologians to meet the needs of African pastors, students, and lay leaders. Interpreting and applying the Bible in the light of African culture and realities, it furnishes powerful and relevant insights into the biblical text that transcend Africa in their significance.
Also available in French, entitled Commentaire Biblique Contemporain. [more...]
Link: Publisher's website
Biblical Education & Leadership Training
Link: http://www.ywambelt.org
One of the primary benefits of BELT is that it provides an intensive experience in local language Scripture use, where reading, teaching and understanding the translated Scriptures is modeled and given high value.
The mission of BELT, a ministry of YWAM, is to partner with mission organizations (primarily Wycliffe Bible Translators) and indigenous churches to develop leaders through culturally relevant Bible training that teaches them to apply the Scriptures to every area of life and equips them to teach and influence others. [more...]
Authors: Krijn van der Jagt, Ray Pritz
Published by: United Bible Societies
The Bible Lands as Classroom series (eight 45 minute DVDs) is an excellent teaching tool for Bible translators, pastors, and people in general who would like to know more about biblical geography, history, and culture. The series was filmed in Israel and the Middle East, including many ancient sites. The DVDs include:
- Part One: Geography, Climate, Agriculture
- Part Two: From Abraham to Joshua
- Part Three: From Joshua to Hezekiah
- Part Four: From Hezekiah to Herod
- Part Five: New Testament: The Gospels
- Part Six: Spread of the Early Church in the Roman Empire
- Part Seven: The Religions of the Ancient Near East
- Part Eight: Bible Text and Canon
- Presenter’s Manual: Background readings and exercises
Historical and hermeneutical study of ordinary "readers" transactions with the Bible.
Author: Mote Paulo Magomba
Published by: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg - MTh thesis (2004)
Abstract:
This study falls within the area of the Bible in African Christianity, particularly ordinary readers' appropriation of and interpretation of the Bible. It seeks to explore, firstly, the processes of the encounter between the Bible and the indigenous people of Tanzania, specifically the Gogo in central region. Secondly, this thesis seeks to identify some interpretative resources and emerging interpretative practices that have continued into the present of ordinary readers of the Bible.
This exploration is done by tracing the mission activities of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) in Tanzania, which began in 1844. The work of the Universities Mission to Central Africa (UMCA) is also examined, particularly the role it has played in making the Book "open" to the indigenous, through translation.
Although there is continuity between past and present readings, this thesis demonstrates that ordinary readings are not static, they are dynamic; and over the years neo-indigenous interpretative moves have emerged which are a combination of both missionary and indigenous interpretative resources and methods. This reality is evident in the contemporary phenomenon of women and youths' songs in central Tanzania. These songs are creative interpretations of the Bible from an ordinary readers' perspective. [more...]
EasyEnglish is a form of simple English developed by Wycliffe Associates (UK).
This site contains Bible commentaries, Bible translations, Bible studies, and other materials that have been written in simple English. They are free to download and use.
The Bible commentaries are for pastors, elders and Bible Study leaders in the developing world or for people who speak English as a second language. They include a Bible translation in EasyEnglish (2800 word vocabulary). [more...]
Illustrated information books exploring the life and history of Bible times.
Authors: Tim Dowley, Robert Backhouse, Mary Evans, Stephen Motyer, Robert Bewley
Published by: Lion Hudson Plc
Lion Hudson has republished their set of 12 illustrated Bible information books. The series includes: People of the Bible, Life in Bible Times, Bible Facts and Figures, The Life of Jesus, The World of the Bible, Bible Atlas, The Jerusalem Temple, The Tabernacle, Old Testament Introduction, New Testament Introduction.
These books are really popular with translation teams. They would also be good in Bible schools and for those working with children and youth.
Special Offer: For those working with Bible agencies, get the complete set of 12 books for only £12 (British pounds), if you can arrange to collect them from the Wycliffe Bible Translators UK headquarters (Horsleys Green). Send your order to lionpublishing_uk
sil [dot] org with information on how you will pay and how you will get the books from Horsleys Green. [more...]
Author: Fergus Macdonald
Is the Bible too complicated for ordinary people to use as a handbook for living?
Not if you’re prepared to follow some basic guidelines which the Bible itself provides, as, for example, in the Letter to the Hebrews. The writer suggests six ways of engaging with the Scriptures. [more...]
Link: http://www.hplus.org.uk
h+ is a new 10-week course from the Bible Society in the UK to help believers make good sense of the Bible. It's an introduction to the 'how?' questions of interpreting Scripture - a course in Biblical hermeneutics for everyone.
h+ has been developed in response to an erosion of confidence in the Bible in British society and the need for Christians to understand how to interpret the Scriptures. It aims to give believers the tools to discover the meaning of the text and to make connections with our 21st century context, equipping workers who do not need to be ashamed but who correctly handle the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). The goal is to encourage a renewed passion for the Bible and a renewed confidence to share it in a hostile world.
A unique aspect of the course is its emphasis on 8 key Christian virtues we need to rediscover in order to make good sense of the Scriptures: perseverance, confidence, honesty, faithfulness, humility, courage, openness and community.
There is a Facilitator's guide, a Participant's handbook and a DVD of powerpoint presentations and videos. In order to run the course, facilitators need to attend a training workshop. More details are available on the Bible Society's h+ website. [more...]
Africa Bible Commentary Series
Published by: Hippo Books
"The Africa Bible Commentary Series builds on the vision of the acclaimed Africa Bible Commentary — to reach African pastors, students and lay leaders, with top notch biblical and theological scholarship, by Africans, for Africa, and the world."
The first in the series has been published, a commentary on "1 & 2 Timothy and Titus" by Samuel Ngewa (professor of New Testament Studies at the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology, NEGST).
[more...]"These commentaries are divided into preaching units that contain detailed exposition of each passage as well as contemporary applications. The unit is not intended to be preached as a sermon, but as a resource for sermon preparation. Each unit is followed by two or three questions that could be used for a small group or personal study. Academic issues relating to the Greek text and disputes about interpretation are dealt with in extensive end notes."
Link: HippoBooks website
Your Guide to Understanding the Bible
Authors: Gordon Fee, Douglas Stuart
Published by: Zondervan
Covering everything from translational concerns to different genres of biblical writing, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth is used all around the world. In clear, simple language, it helps you accurately understand the different parts of the Bible—their meaning for ancient audiences and their implications for you today—so you can uncover the inexhaustible worth that is in God’s Word. [more...]
Link: Buy at Amazon.com
