From Reformation to Reformation
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Introduction to this Course on Ruth
The Book of Ruth is one of the under-studied and underappreciated books of the Canon. Admittedly, there are good reasons for Christians to focus most on books such as the Gospel of John and the Epistle to the Romans, the Book of Genesis and the Prophecy of Isaiah. However, recognizing that the Canon as a whole is part of our inheritance as God's people and profitable for spiritual development (2 Timothy 3:16, 17), I find myself curious about and captivated by those less-familiar portions of God's Word, Ecclesiastes and Zechariah, Jude and Revelation, etc. Our journey into the Book of Ruth is certainly along a path less-traveled.
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And I hope that your heart yearns and burns for what Christ might have to tell us in these ancient and precious pages...especially about Himself!
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A word about the structure of the lessons: Each link below will take you to an individual lesson. I hope that each lesson will be profitable and worthwhile in its own right. However, when followed in their sequence, they will take you in an orderly course through the Book of Ruth.
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Our principal guide will be Matthew Poole. For the first time, Matthew Poole's Latin Synopsis, a verse-by-verse history of interpretation, is being rendered into English. The translation of the Poole's Synopsis forms the main body of the lesson. However, in the "Comments" section, exegetical, theological, and practical (especially) comments are provided from some of the greatest teachers in the history of Christianity. Feel free to add your own comments...to interact with the material, and with one another.
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Lessons are already beginning to appear below, and new material will be added almost daily. By the time that we are finished (by God's blessing and power), it will probably be the largest study of its kind available online.
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Trusting in Christ, our Great Teacher, let's get started...
Introductory Material
1. Reading and Discussion: "Reading Difficult Books: A Personal Reminiscence"
2. Reading and Discussion: "Directions for Getting the Most out of Poole's Synopsis"
3. Reading and Discussion: "Preface to Poole's Synopsis: The Need for a Synopsis of Interpreters"
4. Reading and Discussion: "Preface to Poole's Synopsis: Poole's Plan to Meet the Need for a Synopsis of Interpreters"
5. Reading and Discussion: "Preface to Poole's Synopsis: Biblical Interpreters" (a history of Biblical Interpretation--very important)
6: Reading and Discussion: "Preface to Poole's Synopsis: Translations of the Bible, Ancient and Modern"
7. Reading and Discussion: "Preface to Poole's Synopsis: Poole's Method in Compiling the Synopsis"
8. Reading and Discussion: "Preface to Poole's Synopsis: Poole's Patrons"
9. Reading and Discussion: "Preface to Poole's Annotations: History of the English Bible"
10: Reading and Discussion: "Preface to Poole's Annotations: History of Bible Annotations"
Introduction to the Book of Ruth
1. Reading and Discussion: "Canonical Placement and Authorship"
2. Reading and Discussion: "Genealogical and Chronological Difficulties"
3. Reading and Discussion: "Heidegger's Introduction to the Book of Ruth"