BRIEF SUGGESTIONS ON BIBLE STUDY Books The position is taken in this work that the literary study of the Bible is an independent study, and should, while in process, be kept distinct from distracting questions that belong to studies of a different type. (Compare the Preface, page vii; and pages 1367–9.) Two other works of the editor offer assistance in this department. The Literary Study of the Bible (D. C. Heath & Co., Boston: London, Isbister & Co.) for professed students of literature discusses the morphology of Sacred Literature, while for the general reader is designed the Short Introduction to the Literature of the Bible (D. C. Heath & Co., Boston and London). The essential matter of these two books is contained in the Introductions and Notes of the present work. When we pass to other kinds of Bible study, we pass into a region of controversy, and students will do best to seek advice from those with whose views they are in general sympathy. A few suggestions are here made for those who have no other advisers. In the opinion of the editor the late Dean Stanley's History of the Jewish Church (Murray: Scribner), though necessarily not reflecting the most modern historical views, remains the most important presentation of the Bible in its literary and historical aspects. The editor desires to express his great personal obligation to this work, from which he has received more inspiration for Bible study than from any other source. This may be supplemented by such as the following: GEORGE ADAM SMITH'S Historical Geography of the Holy Land (Hodder & Stoughton). TOWNSEND MACCOUN'S Holy Land in Geography and History (Revell). The Oxford University Press (Oxford and New York) has put forward Helps to the Study of the Bible, bound up with one of its editions of the Revised Version, which may be obtained separately. These are a copious collection of all kinds of information, including maps, concordance, chronological tables, etc., and will largely supersede other works for one who desires general information as to what may be called "ordinarily received views" on all sides of Bible study. For the results of modern historical scholarship the following are recommended: S. R. DRIVER's Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament (T. T. Clark: B. W. BACON'S Introduction to the Books of the New Testament (Macmillan). The Polychrome Bible (Dodd, Mead & Co.) conveys results of historical analysis to the eye by variations of colour. C. F. KENT'S Student's Old Testament (six volumes: Scribner) conveys such results by a logical and historical arrangement. A Bible Dictionary of some kind for reference is indispensable. A single volume edition of the Hastings Bible Dictionary is announced; a "Standard" single volume dictionary is announced by the Funk and Wagnalls Company. Commentaries on the Bible are innumerable, and represent the most varied views. Some of those intended for popular use are vitiated by their adoption of the Authorised Version text; which necessitates a large part of the comment being taken up with correction of the text. A commentary is in preparation under the editorship of PROFESSOR SHAI: MATHEWS (Macmillan), founded on the Revised Version, with the more im marginal corrections. Progressive Bible Study From the literary standpoint a few suggestions are here offered for those who have the responsibility of directing progressive Bible Study. 1. The first stage in the study of the Bible, especially where the students are young people, should be strictly limited to the Stories of the Bible. These should be taken purely as stories: other aspects of the matter being left for later treatment. Two volumes of the Modern Reader's Bible (Bible Stories: Old Testament — Bible Stories: New Testament) may be put into the hands of the class; but the arrangement of matter in the present edition makes the teacher independent of these. oratory, 2. The second stage should train in familiarity with other literary forms wisdom, lyrics, drama or rhapsody - by means of a few illustrations of each, thoroughly mastered. A volume of the Modern Reader's Bible (Select Master pieces of Biblical Literature) contains suggestions, and illustrations printed in their proper literary structure. The present edition however contains all that is required. 3. The third stage is based on the important principle of the 'book' as the literary unit. It matters little what books of Scripture are selected. The teacher should in a single lesson give the class their first impressions of a book. Then it should be studied in detail, with the help of the introductions and notes of the present volume, or whatever other aids may be desired. But before passing from the book the teacher should again present the whole at a single view. No principle of literary study is more important than that of grasping clearly a literary work as a single whole. 4. The fourth stage should be devoted to a higher literary unit, the grasp of the great divisions of Scripture History, Prophecy, Poetry, Wisdom- each as a whole. The arrangement of the present edition is especially designed to assist this. [Further assistance may be obtained from the editor's Short Introduction to the Literature of the Bible (D. C. Heath & Co.).] 5. The final stage is to realise the unity of all Scripture: the conception of the Bible as a whole. Compare the Preface to this work, pages viii-ix. [A somewhat fuller discussion of this matter is given in Appendix II of the Short Introduction mentioned above.] Story of the Temptation in the Garden of Eden Genealogy: The Generations of Adam Story of the Flood Genealogy: Generations of the Sons of Noah. Book II. - The Chosen People as a Patriarchal Family Story of the Call of Abraham Story of Sarai and Pharaoh Abraham and Lot; Story of the Raid on Sodom. Story of Sarai, Hagar, and the Promised Seed Story of the Judgement on Sodom Story of Abimelech and Sarah Story of the Birth of Isaac and Casting off of Ishmael Genealogy: The Kindred of Abraham Story of the Burial of Sarah Story of the Wooing of Rebekah Genealogy: Descendants of Abraham by Keturah Story of the Stolen Blessing Story of the Flight of Jacob Story of Jacob serving under Laban Story of the Meeting of Jacob and Esau Genealogy: The Sons of Jacob Genealogy: The Generations of Esau (or Edom) Story of Joseph and his Brethren The Children of Israel which came into Egypi 44 Book IV. Appendix Q. Census and Service of the Levites. Appendix R. Oblations at the Dedication of the Tabernacle Appendix B. - Judgement of the Sabbath Breaker Appendix C. Appendix D. Appendix E. The Story of Balaam The Law of Fringes Judgement of Korah and Law of Priests and Levites Census of the People of Israel Law of the Inheritance of Daughters A Calendar of Sacred Rites Law of Vows Law of Spoils PACE 100 116 117 IIQ 122 124 120 127 125 135 135 135 138 141 140 148 149 151 151 353 156 157 DEUTERONOMY Allotment of Tribes on the East of Jordan The Farewell of Moses to Israel Oration I. Moses' Announcement of his Deposition Oration II. - The Delivery of the Covenant to the Levites and Elders The Book of the Covenant Oration III. At the Rehearsal of the Blessing and the Curse Oration IV. - The Covenant in the Land of Moab The Song of Moses The Last Words of Moses THE JUDGES 158 164 171 182 186 188 192 Book VII. - The Establishment of Kings and Rise of the Prophetic Order PAGE Story of the Birth of Samuel (with Hannah's Thanksgiving) Story of the Ark and the Philistines Story: The Anointing of Saul and the Retirement of Samuel Family of Saul Officers of David Story of Nathan, David, and Bath-sheba Story of the Feud between David's Sons and the Revolt of Absalom Officers of David David's Song of Victory The Last Words of David Book IX. The Schism and the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel side by side I. The Revolution of Jeroboam Story of the Man of God and the Old Prophet of Beth-el II. From the Revolution of Omri to the Revolution of Jehu The Story of Elijah the Tishbite Story of Ben-hadad, Ahab, and the Prophets Story of Micaiah and the Battle of Ramoth-Gilead III. Fall of Israel and Partial Restoration of Judah Book X.- The Kingdom of Judah to its Captivity The Story of Tobit The Story of Esther THE CHRONICLES 248 248 250 253 255 260 262 262 264 264 277 281 282 282 283 286 289 290 292 303 304 306 307 307 309 313 315 324 324 325 327 330 331 334 337 341, 354 351 359 369 369 378 Chronicle I.- Genealogy of the Families of Israel before and after the Captivity. Chronicle III. — The Kingdom of Judah to the Captivity Chronicle IV. - The Return under Zerubbabel and the Building of the Temple 387 395 395 396 399 400 403 406 414 420 445 446 |