THE BIBLE'S MESSAGE TO MODERN LIFE

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

The Rediscovery of the Bible.
The Object of These Studies.
The Plan of Work.
Books of Reference.

STUDY I. MAN'S PLACE IN THE WORLD. The Story of Creation, Gen. 1,
2

1. The Different Theories of Creation.
2. The Priestly Story of Creation.
3. The Early Prophetic Story of Creation.
4. A Comparison of the Two Accounts of Creation.
5. Man's Conquest and Rulership of the World.
6. Man's Responsibility as the Ruler of the World.

STUDY II. MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS ACTS. The Story of the
Garden of Eden, Gen. 3

1. The Nature of Sin.
2. The Origin of Sin According to the Story in Genesis 3.
3. The Different Theories Regarding the Origin of Sin.
4. The Effects of Sin upon the Wrong-doer.
5. God's Attitude toward the Sinner.
6. The Effect of Sin upon Society.

STUDY III. THE CRIMINAL, AND HIS RELATION TO SOCIETY. The Story
of Cain, Gen. 4:1-16

1. The Meaning of the Story of Cain.
2. The Making of a Criminal.
3. The Criminal's Attitude toward Society.
4. The Ways in which Society Deals with the Criminal.
5. How to Deal with Criminals.
6. The Prevention of Crime.

STUDY IV. THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. The Story of the Great
Flood, Gen. 6-9

1. The Two Biblical Accounts of the Flood.
2. The Corresponding Babylonian Flood Stories.
3. History of the Biblical Flood Stories.
4. Aim of the Biblical Writers in Recounting the Flood Stories.
5. The Survival of the "Fittest" in the Natural World.
6. In Social and Political Life.

STUDY V. THE PIONEER'S INFLUENCE UPON A NATION'S IDEAL. Abraham,
the Traditional Father of the Race, Gen. 12:1-8; 13:1-13; 16; 18;
19; 21:1-7; 22:1-19

1. The Reasons for Migration.
2. The Prophetic Stories about Abraham.
3. The Meaning of the Early Prophetic Stories about Abraham.
4. The Prophetic Portrait of Abraham.
5. The Tendency to Idealize National Heroes.
6. The Permanent Value and Influence of the Abraham Narratives.

STUDY VI. THE POWER OF AMBITION. Jacob the Persistent, Gen.
25:10-33:20

1. The Two Brothers, Jacob and Esau.
2. The Man with a Wrong Ambition.
3. Jacob's Training in the School of Experience.
4. The Invincible Power of Ambition and Perseverance.
5. The Different Types of Ambition.
6. The Development of Right Ambitions.

STUDY VII. A SUCCESSFUL MAN OF AFFAIRS. Joseph's Achievements,
Gen. 37; 39-48; 50

1. The Qualities Essential to Success.
2. The Limitations and Temptations of Joseph's Early Life.
3. The Call of a Great Opportunity.
4. The Temptations of Success.
5. The Standards of Real Success.
6. The Methods of Success.

STUDY VIII. THE TRAINING OF A STATESMAN. Moses in Egypt and the
Wilderness, Ex. 1:1-7:5

1. The Egyptian Background.
2. The Making of a Loyal Patriot.
3. The School of the Wilderness.
4. Moses' Call to Public Service.
5. The Education of Public Opinion.
6. The Training of Modern Statesmen.

STUDY IX. THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF LAW. Moses' Work as Judge and
Prophet, Ex. 18:5-27; 33:5-11

1. The Needs that Give Rise to Law.
2. The Growth of Customary Law.
3. The Authority Underlying all Law.
4. Moses' Relations to the Old Testament Laws.
5. The Development of Modern Law.
6. The Attitude of Citizens toward the Law.

STUDY X. THE FOUNDATIONS OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP. The Ten
Commandments, Ex. 20:1-17

1. The History of the Prophetic Decalogue.
2. Obligations of the Individual to God.
3. The Social and Ethical Basis of the Sabbath Law.
4. The Importance of Children's Loyalty to Parents.
5. Primary Obligations of Man to Man.
6. The Present-day Authority of the Ten Commandments.

STUDY XI. THE EARLY TRAINING OF A RACE. Israel's Experience in
the Wilderness and East of the Jordan, Num. 11-14; 21:21-31;
32:39-42

1. The Wilderness Environment.
2. Influence of the Nomadic Life upon Israel's Character and Ideals.
3. The Influence of the Wilderness Life Upon Israel's faith.
4. The Significance of the East-Jordan Conquests.
5. The Significance of Moses' Work.
6. The Early Stages in the Training of the Human Race.

STUDY XII. A NATION'S STRUGGLE FOR A HOME AND FREEDOM, Israel's
Victories over the Canaanites, Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5.

1. The Crossing of the Jordan.
2. The Canaanite Civilization.
3. The Capture of the Outposts of Palestine.
4. Ways by which the Hebrews Won Their Homes.
5. Deborah's Rally of the Hebrews.
6. The Final Stage in the Making of the Hebrew Nation.

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THE BIBLE'S MESSAGE TO MODERN LIFE