Understanding Scripture: How to Read and Study the Bible

"For a Christian believer living in today's fast-changing world, knowledge of the Bible is important. Knowing how to apply the Bible to present-day situations is equally important. This book will help the lay person experience what the Psalmist wrote: 'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.' (Psalm 119:105)."
—Millard J. Erickson

Without question, studying the Bible can be one of the most rewarding experiences of the Christian life. Unfortunately, if you are ill-equipped, studying the Bible can also be intensely frustrating. For example, how do we know when the Bible is being literal and when it's being figurative—and how can we tell the difference without a degree in theology? What do history and culture have to do with studying the Bible? Are there principles for interpreting parables, allegories, prophecies? Is Revelation different? Because questions like these are inescapable, Understinding Scripture: How to read and Study the Bible is a must for the individual interested in maximizing his or her time in Bible study.

This book arose out of Alvera and Berkeley Mickelsen's life-long passion for helping people understand the Bible and its significance for their lives. Now in a thorough revision of the 1978 edition co-authored with her husband, Alvera Mickelsen once again shows how principles of interpreting God's word can make Scripture come alive in an unprecedented way.

A. Berkeley Mickelsen† was Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was the author of Interpreting the Bible.

Alvera M. Mickelsen was formerly an Assistant Professor of Journalism at Bethel College before retiring. She received her M.S.J. from Northewestern University in Illinois.