Against Nothingness

James C. Wilhoit, Leland Ryken. Effective Bible Teaching. 2nd Edition. Baker Academic, 2012. The bible is not an entirely easy book, to say the least. Much of it is odd, difficult, and strange. So, how does one go about effectively understanding and communicating Scripture? This is precisely what Wilhoit and Ryken seek to aid the reader in doing. They do this in three parts: what is effective teaching? How do we teach the bible? and how do we understand the bible we teach? In basic outline, this is a combination instruction manual which gives you the basics of inductive bible study as well as principles for biblical interpretation. What you will find here is a sound book. It is not presented in a particularly stirring way; much of it is quite dry. It is also quite true. It is a good place to start. I will still be recommending How to Read the Bible for All it's Worth to those who want to read scripture well. It's not that Effective Bible Teaching  is wrong, or even

I do not know where it is writ that I must bow to feeling, but often my own melancholy sends me off and reeling.  I start my day, or come to church, in no mood for joy or celebration And soon enough I find myself encased with irritation.  Yes, those dark clouds quite easily set the pace and smother out the light, But I thank the Lord that he has given me a tool to set me right.  David sat amidst the sheep, composing songs of glory And within them he placed all feelings, hope to pain to worry.  Now I find, to my delight, that upon their reading My feelings bow to His and my darkness starts receding.  Once again light sets the tone and I do remember That God is king and leads the way though my sins still linger.  Now the worship, or the day, can be a place of peace, As I seek out God Almighty and let my strivings cease.   I do not know where it is writ that I must bow to feeling, but the Psalms clearly declare the only way of healing: "O come , l