Do we really need to read and understand the Old Testament? Isn’t knowing Jesus in the New Testament enough? How do I even begin to study books like Leviticus, and why is it necessary?
In this episode of the Arise Ministries Collective Podcast, Lisa continues her discussion with Ellen Newman in an effort to understand how historical context changes the way we observe and interpret text. We suggest reading through the book of Esther before listening to Part 2 of “The Old Testament and Why We Need to Know it” to refresh your memory on this age old story. We hope you’ll see how a listing digging and knowledge of history helps us uncover truth and see the Bible as one seamless narrative of God’s redemption.
Noteworthy Quotes
“The Bible starts to interconnect when you fill in the background.”
“Remember in God’s economy nothing ‘just happens’.”
“See how a little digging can really flesh out a story!”
“Don’t be afraid to use outside resources! This kind of goes against common study methods but if you don’t understand history you need some help or you are just going to get bogged down.”
“Don’t be afraid to dive in deep into the Old Testament, within a short time you will begin to see how it all works together and it will lead to a great richness in your time with God.”
Ellen’s Recommended Resources
Click directly on the titles below to read about or purchase Ellen’s suggestions:
- “Chronicles of the Kings” by Lynn Austen is a five part series (historical fiction) about the kings of Judah starting with Hezekiah.
- “Restoration Chronicles” by Lynn Austen is three book series (historical fiction) that journeys through Ezra and Nehemiah.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: ESV Edition
About Our Guest: Ellen Newman was a registered nurse for 45 years and is living proof that you are never too old to go back to school. She returned to college at age 60 to get a degree in Biblical Foundations from Multinomah University, and has a passion for seeing people engaged in the Word of God. Ellen has worked as a Community Pastor for Women at Summit View Church in Vancouver, Washington, and is a seasoned Bible student/teacher. This picture was taken in Israel – A place she has visited multiple times and is dear to her heart.
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