Read the Bible Better with Marina L. McClure

Marina L. McClure
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Host Marina L. McClure engages critical thinking and Biblical literacy to help you read the Bible better. In these episodes, she teaches simple skills, engaging exercises, and practical concepts that help all of us approach the Word in a fresh way. This is a book for us. And we - regular human people - can learn to read and love the Bible as our own as we learn to walk with Jesus in a hurting and wild world.

  1. 12/18/2020

    Genealogy in the Bible: A Bible Study Quick Tip from Marina L. McClure

    How to Learn Something Meaningful from Genealogy in the Bible Today, we’re exploring and growing in our understanding of genealogy in the Bible. We’ll be discussing: What to make of genealogy in the Bible – including what these passages are, and what they are not. The ways in which Genealogy in the Bible is both purposeful in its inclusion and meaningful for our study. How to Apply What You Learn At the end, we’ll talk about practical techniques and approaches you can use when studying a passage of genealogy in the Bible. You’ll also learn how to make sure you don’t miss the significance in genealogy passages you come across as you read. How This Helps You Read the Bible Better It is so easy to zone out while reading through a list of begats; I’ve done it many times! When we pause, zoom out, and really engage our thinking minds, we get to remember that this isn’t a LIST. It’s a passage of scripture, intentionally noted, intentionally crafted, intentionally placed. When we consider the things that these passages of genealogy in the Bible are and are NOT, we start looking at them differently. We start opening ourselves up to understanding what they were intended to be in the first place. That’s where the fun and the magic happen! Watch for my upcoming teaching on the Genealogy of Jesus that starts the book of Matthew. Let’s put this learning into use! Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it. Also, learn more about Genealogy in the Bible by following my Instagram page. I’ll be sharing Bible fun-facts throughout the surrounding weeks that connect with genealogy. Learn more at Marina's Website (www.MarinaLMcClure.com) Marina on Facebook Marina on Instagram Marina on Pinterest Marina on Twitter SIGN UP for my NEWSLETTER to get all the latest!

  2. 12/04/2020

    The Book of Matthew: Contextual Overview - Part 1

    How to Read the Book of Matthew from Matthew’s Perspective This is part 1 of 2 teachings. You are going to understand more about the authorship, background, audience, and overall context of the Book of Matthew. In part 1, you’ll learn: Who wrote the Book of Matthew, what we need to know about him, and what evidence leads us toward these conclusions. The time and place for the writing of this gospel, and For whom this gospel was written. What Context Can Do For You These contextual mile-markers set you up for diving into your own study of the Book of Matthew. They also equipped you with perspective and insight that opens up and informs new avenues of study. Exploratory engagement might be new for some of you, but I promise it’s lots of fun! If you have no idea how to do that or what that might look like, download my FREE resource: Five Practices for Engaging Bible Study. I’ll link to that below How to Apply What You Learn At the end, I’ll make sure the setting and scene surrounding the book of Matthew are clear for you; in part 2, we’ll study some of the significant ideas and themes in this book. And you’ll already be ready! More information is available at Marina's Website (www.MarinaLMcClure.com) Marina on Facebook Marina on Instagram Marina on Pinterest Marina on Twitter SIGN UP for my NEWSLETTER to get all the latest!

  3. 10/23/2020

    Body of Christ: Understanding the Metaphor – A Detail Deep Dive

    The Body of Christ: How to Mine the Metaphor for All Its Wealth Today, we’re going to look at the metaphor of the “Body of Christ” that is used many times in the New Testament. We’ll talk about: The different ways this metaphor gets used. What it means most frequently. Examples of how / when it’s used – and by whom. What we can learn by considering “The body of Christ” in various contexts as we study. And more! Eliminating Meaningless Lingo One Christian at a Time In Christianity, there can be a lot of “lingo.” Some of it is social, but a lot of it has Biblical roots. Digging deeper into these origins can help us make sure that 1) we don’t misuse them and 2) we really are able to connect in a deeper way with what it is that’s being communicated. At the end, I’ll walk you through some simple questions you can ask yourself when you come across “the body of Christ” metaphor both in the scriptures and in conversation or other reading. You’ll be able to make sure you’re honoring and digesting its full Biblical meaning whenever you encounter it. So, let’s jump in! The Big Ideas and Helpful Highlights Four Different Uses for The Body of Christ There are four main ways this metaphor gets used in the Bible. They’re all in the New Testament (which makes sense if you give it a second), and all but one (noted below) are attributed to Paul. The physical body of Christ, as in the human person, Jesus The bread at the Lord’s supper The temple of God (one reference in John 2:21) The community of Christian believers Being aware of these different uses is important when you encounter this phrase. That said, “the body of Christ” is most frequently used as a metaphor for the community of Christian believers. For that reason, most of the discussion in today’s teaching centers around that concept. A Common Contemporary Concept Paul did not come up with this metaphor on his own. In fact, there are many instances of philosophical writers of his day using the metaphor of the body to represent a group or gathered collection of people. Seneca, Philo, Aurelias, and other contemporaries of both Paul and Jesus used this metaphor. For the rest of this article, including examples from scripture, check out the full post on my website. Some things are too long for show-notes!

  4. 10/16/2020

    How to Use Bible Maps to Boost Your Study

    How to Add New Dimensions to Your Study with Bible Maps Today, we’re going to look at a familiar, but not often well-used tool: Bible Maps! We’ll dig into this coming resource, and look at: Why Bible maps can be a powerful tool for understanding more than just geography. How to utilize a map alongside other approaches to Bible study. Where and how to find good FREE Bible map resources. Making the Colorful Pages in Your Bible Useful By learning how to use Bible maps as a part of your approach to Bible study, you will definitely broaden and deepen the paths and approaches to exploring what you read. You’ll be able to connect more and more holistically to the passages AND begin to intuitively understand contextual ideas without even needing to dig for them. At the end, I’ll give you a bunch of FREE resources so that you can be equipped for studying with maps beyond whatever you may have in your printed Bible. So, let’s get started. The Big Ideas and Helpful Highlights Why Bible Maps? This parallel, from Wayne Stiles, is our starting point for understanding the usefulness of maps: When traveling, road maps give you insight into the distance between locations, which roads to take, and what points of interest to look for. Topographical maps use contour lines in which each line represents the same elevation. This representation gives you an understanding of the “lay of the land”—the topography of a given terrain. It’s much more informative to see a topographical map than a flat map with no contours and curves. A physical map reveals locations of rivers, mountains, lakes, seas—basically the physical features of an area. These same things have an impact on our understanding of what we read in the Bible. (These examples continue the parallel and are also from Wayne Stiles.) Highways—There was a major highway that ran the full length of Israel; this is the primary reason Israel had interactions with surrounding nations. HUGE importance. Topography—Jerusalem, Megiddo, and many other sites had a significant military advantage because of their topography. Physical Barriers—Rivers, seas, and lakes—and climate—all played a major role in shaping biblical events. Understanding their significance gives a greater understanding into the biblical narrative than you would have otherwise. [sic] --- The rest of this post (it was too long for show notes!), all the visuals, and oodles of links to free map resources are here on my website. Enjoy!

  5. 10/09/2020

    Colossians 1:9-12 - A Mini Bible Study

    Paul’s Highest Hopes for the Church in Colossians 1:9-12 Today, we’re going to study Colossians 1:9-12. As we study this passage, both verse-by-verse and as a whole, we’ll examine: How Paul prayed for when he prayed for a growing church in Colossae. Paul’s ideas about knowing God’s will What Paul has to say about how to be “fully pleasing” to God. And the rest of his hopes for this church and its people. What’s Good for Colossae is Good for You and Me We all care about understanding God’s will and living in a way that pleases God, right? In Colossians 1:9-12, Paul has some very clear, finite teaching he shares about what this looks like, how it happens, and how believers can understand – and as a result, grow in – these big fundamental spaces. At the end, we’ll zoom out and take away some clear directions on things we can pursue and pray for in our own lives to be able to live into the ideals and ideas Paul lays out for the church at Colossae. So, let’s get into it! The Big Ideas and Helpful Highlights First, let’s read the passage. Colossians 1:9–12 (NRSV) (Bold mine): 9For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. 11May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. How Studying Colossians 1:9-12 Helps You Read the Bible Better In this passage, Paul expresses his prayers and (presumably) highest hopes for the Colossians. His words reveal what Paul valued and emphasized in the pursuit of Christ in our lives. These verses show us the essence of (at least some) ideas that are key and central in our own lives of faith. This understanding helps us reflect upon our own lives and aims; it also frames the rest of what Paul wrote to the Colossians. When we remember to consider this initial framework for the book, we will read various passages with more clarity and better understanding. How to Learn Even More as You Read As you read more of Colossians, use my FREE Guide, “5 Practices for Engaging Bible Study.” These flexible and simple practices will teach you new ways to engage and study as you read and study on your own. Sign up to download this valuable FREE resource below! Watch for other exploration of the themes of Colossians in my Instagram and other social media feeds. I promise there’s more to learn!

  6. 10/02/2020

    Colossians - A Bible Overview

    Understanding Colossians Like Its First Audience Did Today, we’re going to dive into a Colossians Overview, so that when we study this book, we can better understand it. We’ll look at: Who wrote Colossians. Why it was written. What was going on in Colossae to prompt its writing. And some of the big ideas of this book, and how they can impact us today. Clarifying Context to Equip You for Curious Exploration As you grow your understanding in these areas, you are better able to read and filter through your own study of Colossians with an understanding of which things might be most important. This Colossians overview will better equip you to receive this epistle. You will be able to better read it in the way its original readers would have. So, let’s get started. The Big Ideas and Helpful Highlights in Understanding an Overview of Colossians Authorship Most likely, Paul wrote the book of Colossians. As is possible with other letters attributed to Paul, some argue it may have been written posthumously by followers of Paul’s teachings. It may also have been written by a scribe or one of Paul’s disciples writing with his permission. However, it is most likely that Paul wrote this letter himself. The text itself identifies Paul, along with Timothy, as the authors of the letter. For the purposes of this Colossians overview, we talk about the book as if it was – with certainty – written by Paul. As Michael F. Bird has highlighted in writing for Faithlife, Paul’s specific personal background uniquely equips him for his life’s work. He was an educated Jewish man, born in a Greek-speaking university town. He was also an educated Roman citizen. As such, he was uniquely equipped him to preach the news of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, to Greeks and Romans in the Eastern Mediterranean. His familiarity with their customs, languages, idioms, culture, and imagery powerfully enabled his ministry. Audience Paul sent this epistle (an epistle is a letter written for a wider audience, rather than an individual) to the Colossian church. Paul asks that the Colossians share this letter with surrounding churches as well. As you continue to explore both a Colossians overview of your own, and as you dig into its chapters, use my FREE Guide “5 Practices for Engaging Bible Study” to help guide and refresh your study. This flexible tool shares new study ideas for anyone reading the Bible. The practices are useful alongside any section of scripture. Click here to get your FREE download! ... Click here for the full text of this post.

  7. 09/25/2020

    Why Are There Differences in the Gospels?

    Understanding the Differences in the Gospels Like Their First Readers Did We’re finishing our series on The Gospels today with a look at a common – and commonly misunderstood – question: Why are there differences in the Gospels? This was SO much fun to research; you’re going to learn a lot today! We’re going to look at: The timeline of the writing of the Gospels What the individual authors of the gospels intended for their writings to be. How our own modern-day cultural context might lead us to misunderstand key truths about the gospels and their messages. And, we’ll look at some of the places where the gospels record events differently. Taking You Out of the Equation Just as we talk about needing to understand the cultural context of the events and people written about in the Bible, we need to understand our own cultural context. At the end, we’ll talk about how you can better neutralize your unconscious, culturally-skewed expectations about the gospels. As a result, you’ll be able to minimize their influence on the very question of differences in the gospels. How to Apply What You Learn As a result of learning to neutralize your cultural expectations, you will grow in your ability to read the Bible for what it intends to be – and understand what it has and hasn’t been for its readers in the thousands of years that have come before us. How to Learn Even More as You Read Explore the links below. There is a wealth of information about the nature of the gospels readily available for free online. And if you enjoy looking at some of the nuances in the Bible, you’ll love my FREE Guide, “11 Steps to Meaningful Word Study.” Don't miss this chance to get your FREE copy! Here are some great materials to further explore this subject: This article gives an answer to todays question about differences in the Gospels. Christianity Today reproduced an essay from the HCSB Study Bible written by Robert Stein. Its original title was “Differences in the Gospels, a Closer Look.” Some years ago, Frontline produced a documentary about Jesus. It spawned great discussion, including a later academic symposium on the subjects raised. PBS has links to the original information, plus a lot more on their site.

  8. 09/18/2020

    How to Use a Harmony of the Gospels

    In this episode, we'll look at: What a Harmony of the Gospels actually is and where to find one. The best ways to use this tool. And the different types since a “harmony of the gospels” can include more than one type. Choosing the Right Tool for Your Needs There are different types of Harmonies of the Gospel. Some emphasize finding unity between passages, and other place the highest value on tracking chronology. Make sure you understand the types as outlined in this teaching so that you can choose the one that’s right for you. How This Helps You Read the Bible Better Remember, the Gospels aren’t meant to be journalism or court testimony. Each is written with a specific intention by a unique individual, addressing an audience situated in a concrete time and place. By comparing and contrasting the details and stories included or omitted by the different gospel writers, you can not only get a more comprehensive understanding of the events described. But you can also start to identify some of the thematic differences between the Gospels themselves. Once you start to see the Gospels as unique piece in a collection, you’ll find more ways to investigate what they hold while also contextualizing the specific of what’s communicated within that framework. How to Learn Even More as You Read There are so many great tools inside a Study Bible. Many of them are never utilized to their full potential. Get a copy of my FREE resource, “A Guide to Your Study Bible” and start realizing the maximum potential of your Study Bible’s tools. Get your FREE download today! --- Check out these free Harmonies of the Gospel found online: Bible Hub’s parallel passages resource is formatted so that this Harmony of the Gospel is easy to follow. BlueLetterBible.org has a collection of very comprehensive resources. This article has EXCELLENT background information about harmonies of the Gospel, including information on the different types. I use Logos Bible software for the majority of my Bible study. Logos has some features that present harmonies and parallel passages any point in your study. Check out Logos for its huge variety of Bible study capabilities. It’s a game-changer.

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Host Marina L. McClure engages critical thinking and Biblical literacy to help you read the Bible better. In these episodes, she teaches simple skills, engaging exercises, and practical concepts that help all of us approach the Word in a fresh way. This is a book for us. And we - regular human people - can learn to read and love the Bible as our own as we learn to walk with Jesus in a hurting and wild world.

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