Read the Bible as it Was Meant to Be Read

We should read a poem very differently than we read a history book, and we read both of them differently than we'd read a novel. The same is true when it comes to our approach to Scripture.

The Bible is not a single book, but a library containing history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom, and more. The How to Read series guides you through the diverse literary landscapes of Scripture, providing the tools you need to read each genre as it was meant to be read.

Bible scholar Tremper Longman III examines the books of Exodus, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Daniel to help you read and understand these biblical books.

In this series, you'll find:

• Background knowledge on the book of the Bible
• Literary analysis of the text and genre
• Theological insight to aid in understanding

The How to Read series is for anyone seeking to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and cultivate a richer, clearer understanding of God’s word. Embark on a journey to read Scripture as it was meant to be read!

Praise for Books in the Series

"Tremper Longman III provides the ideal companion for reading the book of Daniel. He helps us understand the relationship between the cheering stories of the first half and the weird visions of the second half, by showing how both were intended to encourage God's people in the midst of suffering and persecution. He helps us avoid simplistic messages from the stories and fanciful messages from the visions. Balanced, informative, and readable, this is a great tool for any preacher or Bible study leader."

—Christopher J. H. Wright

"The authors of [How to Read Job] know the real Job, and they address several of the main issues of the book that bears his name. Besides the book's literary composition and rhetorical function, these issues include: the characterization of God portrayed in the book; the identity and function of Satan; the question of retribution; the visitors and their advice; theodicy or the justice of God; the possibility of an afterlife; and the perception of the cosmos. These profound questions are treated in a very readable fashion. Questions at the end of each chapter suggest that the book can be used for group study. It is highly recommended for the non-scholarly reader."

—The Bible Today, March 2016

"The Psalms have long been thought of as the great prayer book of the Bible, but that has often been a distinction more noted than lived. No more. Tremper Longman III has given us a guide for not only reading and understanding these classic expressions of the soul-at-depth but also allowing them to form our lives."

—John Ortberg