In Paul's Epistle to the Churches of Galatia he defends the truth of the gospel of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. In addition, he reveals how to live an authentically moral life by the Spirit through love rather than by human effort. The importance of this epistle cannot be overestimated. This epistle enables us to make sure that we have truly embraced the truth of the gospel and that we are authentically living the Christian life. In The Truth of the Gospel I share the results of my efforts to hear God speak through this important epistle.
Christians often struggle to hear God speak through the Bible. Even Christian ministers sometimes do not understand the message of the Bible. The problem in part is that sound principles and methods for interpreting the Bible are not known or practiced. Instead, everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
In Ears to Hear: A Guide for the Interpretation of the Bible I provide principles, methods, and procedures for Christians and ministers as they seek to hear God speak through the Bible and communicate the message of the Bible to those who need a word from God. This guide supplements Ears to Hear by illustrating the principles, methods, and procedures introduced in that guide through practicing them on Paul's Epistle to the Churches of Galatia. This guide is not intended to be a commentary on Paul's Epistle to the Churches of Galatia. Instead, it contains the results of my personal struggle to hear God speak through Paul's Epistle to the Churches of Galatia and determine the best way to communicate its message. Therefore, its value is primarily as an example for you as you undertake a similar struggle. Other volumes are also available that illustrate these principles, methods, and procedures on other biblical books including Obedient unto Death: A Guide for the Interpretation of Paul's Epistle to the Philippians and The Lion Roars: A Guide for the Interpretation of the Book of Amos.
The first chapter contains my introductory study of Paul's Epistle to the Churches of Galatia and illustrates the method and procedures introduced in unit 2 of Ears to Hear. Chapters 2 through 18 contain my interpretations of the individual passages in Paul's Epistle to the Churches of Galatia and illustrate the method and procedures introduced in units 3 through 6 of Ears to Hear.
It is my earnest desire that you would not only benefit from my study of Paul's Epistle to the Churches of Galatia but that you would also use the methodologies illustrated within this book in your interpretation of the Bible.
