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April 4, 2025

Title: Background and Parallelism
Topic: How to Study the Bible

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 5

Why do we study the Bible? Mark says: “Spiritual desire isn’t just intellectual but as visceral and urgent as physical thirst. We study because our soul – who we are – needs God.”  Mark Lanier is doing a short lesson series on How to Study the Bible. This week, Mark focuses on knowing and discerning the background and different genres of writing found in the books of the Bible.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Over the past few days, Mark discussed and explained the various types of parallelism found in the Bible. BUT why is there so much repetition in the Bible?

Psalm 77:6 “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.”

Psalm 19:4 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord.”

Mark explains why it is so very important to take our time when reading the Bible and not rush through it.

POINTS FOR HOME:

Think about it. Pray about it. And feast on it! (Psalm 19


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

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April 3, 2025

Title: Background and Parallelism
Topic: How to Study the Bible

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 4

Why do we study the Bible? Mark says: “Spiritual desire isn’t just intellectual but as visceral and urgent as physical thirst. We study because our soul – who we are – needs God.”  Mark Lanier is doing a short lesson series on How to Study the Bible. This week, Mark focuses on knowing and discerning the background and different genres of writing found in the books of the Bible.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Yesterday, Mark explained that the major key to ancient Hebrew poetry is parallelism, discussing synonymous parallelism. (Psalm 19:1 and Isaiah 44:22) Click the above link and fast-forward to the 47-minute mark to view Mark’s illustration.

WAYS TO STUDY THE BIBLE:

What is antithetic parallelism? (Psalm 1:6; Proverbs 10:7)
What is synthetic parallelism? (Psalm 19:7)
What is emblematic parallelism? (Psalm 42:1)
What is chiastic parallelism? (Psalm 124:7)
What is staircase/climatic parallelism? (Psalm 29:1)


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

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April 2, 2025

Title: Background and Parallelism
Topic: How to Study the Bible

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 3

Why do we study the Bible? Mark says: “Spiritual desire isn’t just intellectual but as visceral and urgent as physical thirst. We study because our soul – who we are – needs God.”  Mark Lanier is doing a short lesson series on How to Study the Bible. This week, Mark focuses on knowing and discerning the background and different genres of writing found in the books of the Bible.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Yesterday, Mark explained why it’s important to study the Bible in different ways depending on the genre the book is written in.

WAYS TO STUDY THE BIBLE:

What is the major key to ancient Hebrew poetry? Mark discusses parallelism. Click the above link and fast-forward to the 47-minute mark to view Mark’s illustration.

What is “chiasm”?

What is synonymous parallelism? (Psalm 19:1 and Isaiah 44:22)

What is antithetic parallelism? (Psalm 1:6)


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

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April 1, 2025

Title: Background and Parallelism
Topic: How to Study the Bible

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 2

Why do we study the Bible? Mark says: “Spiritual desire isn’t just intellectual but as visceral and urgent as physical thirst. We study because our soul – who we are – needs God.”  Mark Lanier is doing a short lesson series on How to Study the Bible. This week, Mark focuses on knowing and discerning the background and different genres of writing found in the books of the Bible.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Yesterday, Mark discussed why the Bible was separated into the Old and New Testaments, what languages they were written in, and when people began speaking and writing in Latin.

BACKGROUND AND OTHER INFO:

Who was Tertullian? Why does Mark admire him so much? What kind of impact/influence did he have on people then and now? What does “covenant” mean? (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Is there a “Christian Bible” and a “Hebrew Bible”?

Why is the Bible comprised of 66 different books/scrolls with many different authors? Mark discusses the “hook” and the Bayeux Tapestry which was made to tell the story of the Norman invasion of England in the 11th century.

WAYS TO STUDY THE BIBLE:

Why are there different styles of writing in the Bible?

Why should we read the Bible in different ways depending on the genre the book was written in?

What is the major key to ancient Hebrew poetry? Mark begins to discuss and explain “parallelism”. He will complete his thoughts on this tomorrow.


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

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March 31, 2025

Title: Background and Parallelism
Topic: How to Study the Bible

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 1

Why do we study the Bible?  Mark says: “Spiritual desire isn’t just intellectual but as visceral and urgent as physical thirst. We study because our soul – who we are – needs God.”

Mark Lanier is doing a short lesson series on How to Study the Bible. This week, Mark focuses on knowing and discerning the background and different genres of writing found in the books of the Bible.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Why does Mark believe that we are spoiled to have a copy of the Bible?

BACKGROUND AND OTHER INFO:

Why is the Bible separated into the Old and New Testaments?

Why was the Old Testament written [mostly] in Hebrew? What other languages were used?

Why was the New Testament [all of it] written in Greek?

What languages did Jesus speak?

Who was the great empire after Alxander the Great and why does it matter when studying the Bible?

When did most people begin speaking and writing in Latin? Who translated the Bible into Latin?

Who was Tertullian? When did he live/die? Why does Mark admire him so much? More on Tertullian tomorrow.

What does “covenant” mean?


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

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March 28, 2025

Title: Introduction
Topic: How to Study the Bible

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 5

This week, Mark Lanier begins a new lesson series, teaching us how to study the Bible.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

PROBLEMS/MISTAKES TO AVOID:

What are some mistakes we should avoid when studying the Bible?

Are commentaries helpful or hurtful?

Is information found on the internet completely reliable?

Why is Mark always so adamant that the Biblical, immediate, and historical context behind Scripture are so very important? (John 9:31; Hebrews 11:31; 1 Corinthians 11:2-16)

Why should we avoid “word substitutions”? (Proverbs 1:7; I John 4:18)

POINTS FOR HOME:

Explore the riches of God’s Word. (Romans 11:33; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Walk with confidence. (Psalm 119:105)


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

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March 27, 2025

Title: Introduction
Topic: How to Study the Bible

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 4

This week, Mark Lanier begins a new lesson series, teaching us how to study the Bible.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Yesterday, Mark began teaching about “lower criticism” Bible study methods and completes his thoughts on that before moving on to “higher criticism” Bible study.

WHAT ARE WE DOING WHEN WE STUDY THE BIBLE?

How is the Holy Spirit relevant to studying the Bible? Is the Holy Spirit key to the inspired Word of God? (John 14:26; John 15:26-27)

How is the Old Testament different than the New Testament? Who wrote the books of the Old Testament? Who wrote the books of the New Testament? Mark uses the very words of Jesus (Mark 7:9-10; Mark 12:36) and Peter’s sermon in Acts 1:16 to explain. He also references Hebrew 3:7-8, 2 Peter 1:21, 1 Kings 16:43, and Joshua 6:26.

What was the purpose of Church Councils? What kinds of questions did they ponder about God and the universe?

How did Peter guide the Apostles and the members of the Church Council? (Acts 15)


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

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March 26, 2025

Title: Introduction
Topic: How to Study the Bible

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 3

This week, Mark Lanier begins a new lesson series, teaching us how to study the Bible.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Yesterday, Mark explained how we know that Scripture is both God-breathed and written by man. (Romans 3:1-2)

Today, he begins by explaining why he was asked to analyze Greek manuscripts by Tyndale House in Cambridge. Click on the link above and fast-forward to the 38-minute mark to view Mark’s illustration.

WHAT ARE WE DOING WHEN WE STUDY THE BIBLE?

How do Biblical Scholars study and explain the Bible? Mark completes his explanation of “lower criticism” and moves on to “higher criticism”: text dating (Mark 16), who/why/when/how, source identification, genres/purposes, and cultural/literary context.

How is the Holy Spirit relevant to studying the Bible? Is the Holy Spirit key to the inspired Word of God? (John 14:26)


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

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March 25, 2025

Title: Introduction
Topic: How to Study the Bible

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 2

This week, Mark Lanier begins a new lesson series, teaching us how to study the Bible.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Yesterday, Mark explained why we should read the Bible and shared some interesting facts about the Bible that you may not know.

WHAT ARE WE DOING WHEN WE STUDY THE BIBLE?

How do we know if Scripture is from God or man? Is it both? (Romans 3:1-2)

How do Biblical Scholars study and explain the Bible? Mark discusses “lower criticism”: copy errors, comparing traditions, and the importance of analyzing physical texts.

Why was Mark asked to analyze Greek manuscripts by Tyndale House in Cambridge? Tune in tomorrow to find out what Mark’s answer was!


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

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March 24, 2025

Title: Introduction
Topic: How to Study the Bible

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 1

This week, Mark Lanier begins a new lesson series, teaching us how to study the Bible.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Why should we study the Bible? Mark shares his favorite story from the Bible about the Sadducees found in the Gospel of Matthew.

WHAT ARE WE DOING WHEN WE STUDY THE BIBLE?
Is the Bible really God’s Word?
Why do we call it the Holy Bible?
Why do we call the Bible “Scripture”? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
What does “God-breathed” mean?
How do we know if Scripture is from God or man? Is it both? (Romans 3:1-2)


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

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