Bibles
Why
We Recommend the Narrated Bible?
We recommend using The
Narrated Bible in the Heart of Wisdom Unit Study lessons for several reasons.
The central text is composed entirely of
Scripture.
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The narrative commentary is written in such
a way as to be part of an unfolding story.
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This chronological arrangement will help
readers see how various Scriptures fit with
each other and with their historical settings.
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Modern English is familiar and easy to understand.
Many have remarked how easy it is to read
through several books of the Bible in one
sitting with this story format.
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The text in the Narrated Bible can be used
for dictation and copying lessons, (teaching
handwriting, grammar, capitalization, and
punctuation) because it is written in everyday
English.
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The layout of the book is ideal for teaching
students how to outline. Each section includes
excellent titles and subtitles that give a
concise overview of the theme.
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Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon
are divided thematically. Topic examples:
Discipline, Temper, Patience, Greed, Flattery,
Controlled Speech, Wealth, Poverty, etc. We
have created a Cause
and Effect worksheet to use with these
readings.
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Helpful background information is included--narrative
commentary -- in a separate and distinct typeface
and color.
The Narrated Bible rearranges the Scripture chronologically
in the order in which the biblical events occurred,
and the text is tied together with narrative commentary.
It is neither a re-translation nor a paraphrase.
The central text is composed entirely of Scripture
using the New International Version. Narrative
commentary has been set out in a distinctive type
but is written to integrate with most Scriptures
in such a way that it is part of an unfolding
story. For the most part, the narration is written
in the present tense in order to heighten the
reader’s sense of involvement in the lives
of those who sought to know God.
Consistent with the events recorded in Genesis
and the first part of Exodus, the text flows rather
naturally through the period of early mankind
and the patriarchs and on down to the establishment
of Israel as a nation in the wilderness. At that
point, the events recorded in Ecclesiastes, Leviticus,
Numbers, and Deuteronomy are consistently rearranged.
The historical text is given first, without the
inclusion of the Law of Moses. The laws are then
presented in the form of a unified legal code
by subject matter. Thereafter, the text once again
flows naturally through the conquest of Canaan
in the period of the Judges.
The historical record leads on to King David,
at which point 112 Psalms are presented in five
dramatic groupings within the historical record
of King Solomon. The Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,
and Song of Solomon are set forth in the appropriate
context. The Proverbs are rearranged by topic,
and Ecclesiastes is presented in an order suggested
by logical thought progression.
The events of the divided Kingdom are presented
chronologically with alternating references to
events in both Israel and Judea. To prevent confusion,
the repetitive verses in Samuel, the Kings, and
the Chronicles are consolidated. Throughout the
rearranged text, various Prophets are inserted
where they come on the scene. The writings of
the Prophets who ministered over long periods
of time, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel,
are broken up according to textual or other compelling
indications.
When the Scriptures record the events and prophecies
of the period of exile, the Book of Job is set
forth as a study in the problem of suffering,
as are ten Psalms expressing the despair of this
period. During the restoration period of Ezra
and Nehemiah, the final eleven Psalms are included
along with the remaining Prophets. The section
concludes with some of the official records of
Israel.
The next section covers the intertestamental
period. Here a brief summary of events in the
Old Testament is given, followed by a summary
of the writings of the Apocrypha. Also included
are historical sketches of the dispersion and
the influence of Hellenism and Roman rule on the
Jews and their evolving religious practices.
In the New Testament, the four gospels are integrated
into one
chronologically arranged presentation; repetitive
passages have been
harmonized in such a way to preserve the overall
readability of the
material. The book of Acts is then set forth,
with Paul’s epistles inserted
at such places as judged to be the appropriate
context. The remaining epistles and the Book of
Revelation follow in logical order.
Throughout the presentation of scripture, chapter
and verse designations are placed in the margin
for easy reference. Boldface references indicate
passages that are actually shown in the text.
Lightface references indicate parallel passages
that were duplications of the text presented.
Where repetitive text is mixed together, every
scriptural thought is preserved in at least one
of the practices actually shown. In addition,
by the use of the elevated book abbreviations,
the text itself will indicate which book is being
presented at the time. Where the verses are rearranged
in chronological order, the punctuation format
of the New International Version has been left
unaltered.
Kregel Pictorial Guide to the Story of the Bible
by Tim Dowley
Packed with information and interesting facts and explanations, this full-color guide introduces the story of how the Bible came to be. The perfect introduction for anyone who wants to know more about the history of the Bible. Dr. Tim Dowley answers questions such as Why are there two testaments? What language was the Bible written in? Who translate the Bible? Included are biographies of prominent writers of the Bible, illustrated descriptions of how papyrus was made, facts on the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls, notes on how the Bible spread around the world, a brief summary of every book of the Bible, and key characters in early Bible translations.
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