When you read the Bible should you “take the Bible on its own terms”? How much should we import our own beliefs and experiences into the meaning of the text? Is it possible to read the Bible “on its own terms”? Detective Jimmy Wallace (J. Warner’s son) tackles these questions as part of his Incarnate Investigation Video Series.
To see more training videos with J. Warner and Jimmy Wallace, visit the YouTube playlist.
For more information about the reliability of the New Testament gospels and the case for Christianity, please read Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels. This book teaches readers ten principles of cold-case investigations and applies these strategies to investigate the claims of the gospel authors. The book is accompanied by an eight-session Cold-Case Christianity DVD Set (and Participant’s Guide) to help individuals or small groups examine the evidence and make the case.
Lynn Lusby Pratt
May 18, 2022 at 6:02 am
Thank you, Jimmy! I understand what you’re saying. Agree that it’s important to dig in to context, setting, history, etc., of Bible passages. At the same time, there’s a prong of thought out there today (not from you or your dad!) that implies that a person needs a PhD in order to “get” the Bible. That’s pretty intimidating and discouraging. But I know (and know of) people from all over the world who picked up the Bible for the first time and were drawn in by the power and authenticity of it. So perhaps we can think in terms of both: The Lord’s Word is alive and can speak to anyone, and also that our understanding, faith, and amazement grow as we invest in learning more and more.