Why Is That in the Bible?: The Most Perplexing Verses and Stories--and What They Teach Us

by Eric J. Bargerhuff

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764233999
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/18/2020
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Eric J. Bargerhuff, PhD, is a professor of Bible and theology and the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Trinity College, as well as a Professor of Bible and Theology and the Director of the Honors Program. 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.

Table of Contents

Introduction 7

1 Abraham and Isaac: The Sacrifice 11

2 Hate Your Family? 17

3 An Annoyed Apostle Takes Action 23

4 Balaam and the Talking Donkey 28

5 "Emasculate Themselves!" 33

6 Justification by Faith Alone? 38

7 "Lead Us Not into Temptation" 44

8 Foreskins and Foolishness 49

9 The Finger on the Wall 56

10 Jesus and an Unfortunate Fig Tree 61

11 A Message from God 66

12 An Ear Is Cut Off 70

13 Jeremiah's Linen Underwear 75

14 The Nephilim: Who Were They? 79

15 "No One Knows the Day or the Hour" 84

16 A Nose Full of Quail 89

17 Solomon's Many Wives 94

18 Destroying the Soul and Body in Hell 99

19 Herod Eaten by Worms 104

20 Send the Choir into Battle First 108

21 Death at Communion 116

22 A Youth Group Is Killed by Bears 121

23 Not Peace but Division 126

24 Absalom's Head Stuck in a Tree 130

25 The Sun and Moon Stand Still 136

26 "Neither Jew nor Gentile… Male nor Female" 142

27 Ananias and Sapphira 148

28 Handling Snakes and Drinking Poison 154

29 The Battle for Moses' Body 159

30 Angel Armies 164

31 Bodily Discharges 170

32 Resurrections at Christ's Death 176

33 Dismemberment of a Concubine 181

34 Head Coverings 185

35 "Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood" 191

36 Saul, a Medium-Spiritist, and the Spirit of Samuel 196

37 Sweat Like Drops of Blood 202

38 A Footrace to the Tomb 207

39 The Romantic Wording in Song of Songs 211

40 Child Sacrifice 216

Conclusion 223

Notes 225