Hidden Meanings Buried in the Bible by Dave Miller

 

Hidden Meanings Buried in the Bible

by Dave Miller

The subtitle of this book is Achieving a Better Understanding of the Bible via Its Cultures and Languages. This is a newer work from the pen of Dave Miller who serves as the Executive Director at Apologetics Press. The vast range of history covered in the pages of our Bibles presents a thrilling challenge to study and contextualize.

The book is designed for class study or personal study. There are about 450 review or discussion questions in the book and an answer key is provided. The book is indexed by Scripture references and over 300 endnotes. Dr. Miller has presented a study that will help all who may not be as familiar with what some may classify as “oddities” of the Bible; although these are not really “oddities” but matters that some are just not familiar with. I have not sat down and read those book cover to cover, but instead I have found portions of it interesting to sit and read at various intervals.

For example, what is the meaning of the term tetragrammaton (four letters), and why is it rendered Jehovah or Yahweh in various translations or commentaries? How did these two names come from the same four letters (YHWH)? Or why do some translations use the word “hell” but other translations sometimes use the word “hades”? There are other matters that may escape one’s notice. For example, why do some translations italicize certain words in our printed Bibles? There are cultural matters that brother Miller explains, such as why did Boaz received a sandal from his relative in relation to marrying Ruth? Or why did people tear their clothes in the Bible? There are several questions answered in this book that I am sometimes asked by those curious about the Bible but are sometimes reluctant to ask. Occasionally I am asked about foot washing as a religious ritual today, and why we do not practice that in our services. The book addresses this matter too. There are important matters pointed out that some often overlook. For example, some claim that the food provided during the exodus was a natural substance in the wilderness; however, the word manna means “what,” as in “What is this?” Obviously, if the Israelites did not recognize the substance in their natural world, then the modernist’s attempt to deny the miraculous provision of God falls as flat as a pancake. Words such as “messenger” and “angel” which come from the same Greek word (angelos) are explained so readers can recognize that such words have different meanings and the context of the passage helps determine the better English word to convey the original meaning.

Several of these matters I have learned over the years from Apologetics Press, the Christian Courier, or other writings. Still, there are those who are not familiar with these resources, and this book may serve as their introduction to further study.

Originally printed in the West Virginia Christian, Vol. 30, No. 8, August 2023, p. 8. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Questions and Answers by Cecil R. May, Jr.

 

Bible Questions and Answers

by Cecil R. May, Jr.

I have been a reader of The Magnolia Messenger for several years. I have enjoyed the paper while it was edited by the late Al Franks, and I continue to enjoy it under the editorship of Dennis Doughty. I was blessed to know both of these men. Through the pages of The Magnolia Messenger, I came to know and respect Cecil May, Jr. I cut out and saved some of his columns of “Bible Questions Answered” until I could save them in PDF format. Now, these have been collected in a single volume published by Faulkner University. Since that time, I have been blessed to attend Faulkner’s Bible Lectureship and meet brother May and hear him lecture. He and his wife were a delight to meet, and I am confident if you had the same opportunity your experience would be similar.

Some preachers have been using a Q&A format for some of their services. Some lectureships have Q & A formats as well. I have seen some men do this extemporaneously with questions from the floor, such as Alan Highers. Having been on an Q&A program, I can attest that the stress level for prepared questions before an audience is daunting enough. I also appreciate Robert Veil, Jr.’s column in The West Virginia Christian on Bible questions too. Columns and books like these can be a great reference for querists and answerers. Brother May does not shy away from questions that the answers may make some uncomfortable in their seats. For example, here is a statement he makes about proms: “I have known of too many high school girls and boys from good families, active in church, youth groups, seemingly dedicated to the Lord, who unexpectedly became unwed mothers or fathers after attending their high school proms” (320).

As with any answer to a Bible question, the knowledge of the one providing the answer is important. May served as the Dean of the V. P. Black College of Biblical Studies at Faulkner University earlier as President of Magnolia Bible College. He holds a B.A., M.A., and M. Div. from Harding University, and was awarded the L.L.D. from Freed-Hardeman University. He has spent many years in the classroom both as student and teacher, so Bible questions and Bible answers is an arena in which he is well qualified to operate. Some questions deal with controversial subjects, so the answers may seem controversial to some readers. I am confident brother May would encourage you to “Fact Check” his remarks in accordance with the Scriptures. The book is organized by questions around a given subject, e.g., salvation, role of women, church leadership, bible passages, etc. The book also provides a helpful Scripture Index, so the material is more accessible. Brother May provides answer to over 160 Bible questions. Brother May has been writing this column since 1980, and he continues to do so. Perhaps there will be a follow-up volume, but until then I recommend getting on the mailing list of The Magnolia Messenger and adding this book to the church library.

Originally printed in the West Virginia Christian, Vol. 30, No. 7, July 2023, p. 8. Reprinted by permission.