Commonly Misunderstood Verses of the Bible: What They Really Mean

by Robert E. Van Voorst

Overview

Do you believe that God wants you to be financially prosperous (Joshua 1:8)?  Do you think that Christians must "forgive and forget" (Jeremiah 31:34)? Do you suppose that everything will work for your good (Romans 8:28), or wonder if God will ever give you more than you can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13)? If you do, best-selling author Robert Van Voorst will help you to reexamine these verses, and many others, to see what they really mean. This book treats twenty-four of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible.  Each is given concise but careful treatment, including an explanation of how they are misunderstood, what their meaning is, and what this meaning says to us today. Each chapter has questions for reflection and discussion. Written especially for use in church classes and Bible study groups, but also suitable for individual reading, this book will stimulate your growth in the Christian faith and give you more confidence in understanding the Bible and applying it to your life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781532610288
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	07/31/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	162
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Robert E. Van Voorst served for twelve years as a parish pastor in New York, and then as a professor of religion in Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He is now a professor of New Testament at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, and he teaches the Bible regularly in churches. He is the author of eleven books, including six widely used textbooks on the New Testament, Christian history, and world religions.    

Robert E. Van Voorst served for twelve years as a parish pastor in New York, and then as a professor of religion in Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He is now a professor of New Testament at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, and he teaches the Bible regularly in churches. He is the author of eleven books, including six widely used textbooks on the New Testament, Christian history, and world religions.    

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

1 What Is the Mark of Cain? 11

"And the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him" (Genesis 4:15)

2 Is "Mizpah" a Benediction? 17

"Therefore the name of it was called …Mizpah; for Laban said, "The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another" (Genesis 31:48-49, KJV).

3 What Killing Does God Forbid? 22

"You shall not kill" (Exodus 20:13).

4 Is "An Eye for an Eye" Vengeance? 29

"If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe" (Exodus 21:23-25).

5 How Prosperous Does God Want Us to Be? 34

"Then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success" (Joshua 1:8).

6 How Do We Hide God's Word in Our Hearts? 40

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11, NIV).

7 Is "Train up a Child" a Promise? 45

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

8 The End of the World or the Beginning of a New World? 51

"For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth" (Isaiah 65:17).

9 What Plans Does God Have for Us? 58

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

10 Should Christians Forgive and Forget? 63

"I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more" (Jeremiah 31:34).

11 Was Jesus Born in a Manger? 69

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 27).

12 Don't Judge at All? 75

"Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1).

13 If We Ask, Will We Really Receive? 81

"Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you" (Matthew 7:7).

14 Who Are "the Least of These"? 87

"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40).

15 What Cross Must We Bear? 93

"If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

16 Is "The Poor You Have with You Always" a Directive? 98

"The poor you have with you always" (Mark 14:7).

17 Who Is a Good Samaritan? 103

"But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds, and bandaged them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him" (Luke 10:33-34).

18 How Did God Give His Only Son? 108

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16).

19 Should We Have All Possessions in Common? 113

"All who believed were together and had all things in common" (Acts 2:44).

20 How Do All Things Work Together for Good? 119

"We know that all things work together for good for those who love God" (Romans 8:28).

21 Will God Give Us More than We Can Bear? 125

"God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

22 What Things Can I Do in Christ? 131

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

23 What Is the Root of All Evil? 136

"For the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10).

24 Why Is Jesus Knocking at the Door? 141

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).

Bibliography 147