Why is That in the Bible? ~ Review

Why is That in the Bible?

By Eric J. Bargerhuff

The most perplexing verses and stories--and what they teach us

The Bible often has passages that can leave a reader scratching their head and wondering what it was all about and even at times why it is in the Bible. But sometimes the meaning of the passage is twofold. It has bearing on the participants and the time in which they lived and it has an alluded to future bearing on the world that was and is still come.

This book is in no way an exhaustive overview of what one can find perplexing but rather it deals with some of the more well-known passages of both the Old and New Testaments. For instance, Abraham's sacrifice of Issac, who would willingly take a long-desired child and offer them as a sacrifice. Yet this is what Abraham did and he did it with a belief that he would still have a son afterward. This one of those instances of present and future meaning. And then there is the story of Jesus cursing the non-bearing fig tree. Reading passage one can be confused - why curse a tree that is not bearing fruit? But there is a deeper message that if directed at those who profess belief in Christ and His salvation - words are like the leaves of the fig tree and actions are like the fruit. Without actions behind our words, we are like a fruitless leafed-out tree. 

These various examples take the reader on a journey of discovery, one that can open the eyes, mind, and heart to the greater meaning found within the Bible. One just needs the means to see deeper and this book offers one help in doing so. This book as the author offers in his conclusion is to help combat the biblical illiteracy that is growing and to help "Christians to be known as people of the Book" for without this we will never God as He intended us to. Are you ready to understand God's story more fully?

This book is one that you will want to have on hand for looking back on what you read or even to reread sections when you come across these passages in your daily Bible readings. Would make an excellent gift for those with questions about why something is in the Bible.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

The Bible Passages You've Always Wondered about--Explained

What should we make of the Bible story about a talking donkey? What about the passage in Joshua where the sun and moon stood still? Should biblical practices like women wearing head coverings still be followed today? The Bible serves as the foundation for all of Christian life, crossing time and transcending cultures, yet many passages are perplexing.

Providing fascinating historical and scriptural insights, Eric J. Bargerhuff demystifies forty Bible verses and stories. Ranging from strange accounts, such as bears mauling forty-two boys (2 Kings 2), to hard-to-accept statements, such as Jesus saying we must hate our families in order to be his disciples (Luke 14), you will learn the context of each passage and how it applies to us today. Other fascinating accounts include

· The Finger on the Wall
· "Lead Us Not into Temptation"
· Jeremiah's Linen Underwear
· "No One Knows the Day or the Hour"
· The Battle for Moses' Body
· Death at Communion

In all, this book will help you be more confident about interpreting all of God's Word accurately.

Eric J. Bargerhuff, PhD, is a professor of Bible and theology and the associate dean of academic affairs at Trinity College of Florida. He served in pastoral ministry for more than twenty years in churches in Ohio, Illinois, and Florida. He received his doctorate in biblical and systematic theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Eric's passion is to write about the interpretation and application of biblical principles for the purposes of spiritual growth and reform in the church. He and his family live in Trinity, Florida.