Read It Again by Ben Markel

By Ben Markel

Read It Again

A practical guide to reading the Bible with understanding and confidence.

Christians often disagree long before they reach doctrine. The disagreement begins with how they read. This book puts practical interpretive tools into the hands of ordinary readers.

What this book is—and is not

Read It Again is not a collection of secret meanings, denominational conclusions, or shortcuts that replace study. It is an accessible introduction to the work readers already do whenever they try to understand communication.

The book walks through authorial intent, original audience, context, genre, observation, interpretation, and application. It then puts those tools to work on familiar passages that are often quoted without their surrounding argument.

My goal isn't to give you conclusions to repeat. It is to place tools in your hands so you can examine Scripture for yourself.

Inside the book

Thirteen chapters, one method.

  1. The Question We Cannot Ignore
  2. If the Bible Can Be Understood, Why Do Christians Disagree?
  3. Learning to Listen
  4. Let's Read a Book
  5. Context
  6. Reading the Bible the Way It Was Written
  7. Learning to Notice
  8. Interpretation
  9. Application
  10. Have You Really Surrendered Everything?
  11. A Cheerful Giver
  12. Loving Your Enemies
  13. Taking the Tools with You