An Invitation to Bible Teachers

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 2 Timothy 2:15

Alice C. Linsley

Do you teach Bible classes at your church or Christian school? Are you looking for helpful background information for your students? Are you willing to study to show yourself approved to teach the holy Scriptures? Or are you simply repeating what has been said in commentaries and other reference materials? Why not investigate for yourself?

Much of that information in Bible reference materials has been shown to be inaccurate or misleading. This is why Bible teachers must dig deep into the Bible itself. The Bible interprets itself accurately. You also need help in establishing the cultural context of the forty+ biblical populations (not including castes and clans). For that, I encourage you to draw on the findings of Biblical Anthropology. Helping your classes to identify the beliefs and practices of the distinct populations can bring the Scriptures alive.

Pastors and lay persons alike participate in the international Facebook forum The Bible and Anthropology. Here we learn together and are building a valuable body of information. You are welcome to join the group, although the number of members is capped at 1000.

Learn to read the Bible through the lens of cultural anthropology and you will never read it the same way again. Here we learn from one another and together are building a body of knowledge that many will find helpful. Our motto: "Upon this first...rule of reason, that in order to learn you must desire to learn, and in so desiring not be satisfied with what you already incline to believe, there follows one corollary which itself deserves to be inscribed upon every wall of the city of philosophy: Do not block the way of inquiry."--Charles Sanders Peirce, 1896

Reading Scripture through the lens of cultural anthropology is rigorous because no assumption can stand untested, and no assertion can be made without data. If we seek to understand the Bible rather than use the Bible to support an agenda, we will find the approach of Biblical Anthropology helpful.

Additionally, these INDICES have links to a wide range of topics and may be helpful in finding information that is not readily available elsewhere.

Biblical Anthropology INDEX

Just Genesis INDEX