Read The Bible For A Change,
by Ray Lubeck
Every once in a while I read a book that is so much on target that I want
others to read it too. This is the way I feel about Ray Lubeck’s enlightening
book, “Read the Bible For A Change: Understanding and responding to
God’s Word,” published in 2005 by Authentic Media in partnership with
World Vision Press.
Ray Lubeck is Professor of Bible and Theology at Multnomah Bible College
and adjunct professor at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He earned
his Th.D. at the University of South Africa. Lubeck is recognized by his
students as an engaging teacher and an expert in biblical interpretation and
application to contemporary culture.
Lubeck’s book is more than an “how to” study the Bible. He approaches the
Bible as literature and presents a logical and systematic method of
analyzing, interpreting and applying the biblical text.
The first step in this method is called “Seeing.” Seeing asks the question,
“What does the text say?” His first question in this regard is, “What is the
literary type, genre and form. Here he introduces the various literary types
used in Scripture. He has an excellent chapter on Hebrew narrative and
another on Hebrew poetry. Here he explains that poetry is a form of writing
which is designed to “intensify” the impact of the words.
The second step is called “Understanding.” Here he emphasizes the need to
discover the author’s intended meaning. The third step is “Sharing.” The
sharing question asks, “What truths is it teaching?” This step explores the
ideas and content the author intends his readers to understand and
embrace. This question focuses on the point and purpose of the passage
and how it fits into the larger message of the Bible.
The fourth and last step is “Responding.” Responding asks the question,
“So what?” “How does the author intend the reader to respond?” “ What are
the implications of this truth for my personal, daily life?”
Lubeck’s approach to interpreting and applying the text is illustrated from the
book of Ruth, the song of Hannah, and 3rd John. Here he offers keen insight
into these sections of Scripture as he leads the reader on a study of these
texts. He points out that the book of Ruth might be better named “The book
of Naomi,” since she is the central figure at the beginning and end of the
book. He highlights the messianic hope reflected in Hannah’s song as she
exalts the “horn of His anointed [messiah].” In 3rd John he shows how the
repetition of the term “beloved” is the key to the structure of the text.
There were many places that I resonated with Lubeck’s comments and
explanations. He encourages readers to recapture, cultivate and embrace a
sense of “childlike wonder of the world around us, including the world of the
Bible.” His illustrations and short stories are used effectively throughout the
book to reinforce the points being emphasized. The closing illustration (p.
196-197) rekindled my personal desire to know and value the words of the
world’s most remarkable book.
J. Carl Laney
by Ray Lubeck
Every once in a while I read a book that is so much on target that I want
others to read it too. This is the way I feel about Ray Lubeck’s enlightening
book, “Read the Bible For A Change: Understanding and responding to
God’s Word,” published in 2005 by Authentic Media in partnership with
World Vision Press.
Ray Lubeck is Professor of Bible and Theology at Multnomah Bible College
and adjunct professor at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He earned
his Th.D. at the University of South Africa. Lubeck is recognized by his
students as an engaging teacher and an expert in biblical interpretation and
application to contemporary culture.
Lubeck’s book is more than an “how to” study the Bible. He approaches the
Bible as literature and presents a logical and systematic method of
analyzing, interpreting and applying the biblical text.
The first step in this method is called “Seeing.” Seeing asks the question,
“What does the text say?” His first question in this regard is, “What is the
literary type, genre and form. Here he introduces the various literary types
used in Scripture. He has an excellent chapter on Hebrew narrative and
another on Hebrew poetry. Here he explains that poetry is a form of writing
which is designed to “intensify” the impact of the words.
The second step is called “Understanding.” Here he emphasizes the need to
discover the author’s intended meaning. The third step is “Sharing.” The
sharing question asks, “What truths is it teaching?” This step explores the
ideas and content the author intends his readers to understand and
embrace. This question focuses on the point and purpose of the passage
and how it fits into the larger message of the Bible.
The fourth and last step is “Responding.” Responding asks the question,
“So what?” “How does the author intend the reader to respond?” “ What are
the implications of this truth for my personal, daily life?”
Lubeck’s approach to interpreting and applying the text is illustrated from the
book of Ruth, the song of Hannah, and 3rd John. Here he offers keen insight
into these sections of Scripture as he leads the reader on a study of these
texts. He points out that the book of Ruth might be better named “The book
of Naomi,” since she is the central figure at the beginning and end of the
book. He highlights the messianic hope reflected in Hannah’s song as she
exalts the “horn of His anointed [messiah].” In 3rd John he shows how the
repetition of the term “beloved” is the key to the structure of the text.
There were many places that I resonated with Lubeck’s comments and
explanations. He encourages readers to recapture, cultivate and embrace a
sense of “childlike wonder of the world around us, including the world of the
Bible.” His illustrations and short stories are used effectively throughout the
book to reinforce the points being emphasized. The closing illustration (p.
196-197) rekindled my personal desire to know and value the words of the
world’s most remarkable book.
J. Carl Laney
