Literary Forms: Reading the Bible as God Intended

A faithful reading of Scripture takes into account its genres and literary forms. We must interpret narrative, poetry, and prophecy differently if we are to understand God's intended meaning. Today, R.C. Sproul equips us to do that. With your donation of any amount, get a 12-month subscription to Tabletalk, the Bible study magazine of Ligonier Ministries. You'll also receive lifetime digital access to R.C. Sproul's video teaching series Knowing Scripture and the study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4518/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What does it mean to interpret the Bible literally? Today, R.C. Sproul communicates the importance of seeking after the plain meaning of God's Word. With your donation of any amount, get a 12-month subscription to Tabletalk, the Bible study magazine of Ligonier Ministries. You'll also receive lifetime digital access to R.C. Sproul's video teaching series Knowing Scripture and the study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4518/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In a world of distractions, Christians must fix their focus on knowing Christ and His Word. Today, hear about Sinclair Ferguson's daily devotional podcast and book, Things Unseen, created to help God's people look to the Lord and live by faith. Request Sinclair Ferguson's yearlong devotional book, Things Unseen, with your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4521/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the Things Unseen ebook with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Speakers:   Sinclair Ferguson is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow, vice-chairman of Ligonier Ministries, and Chancellor's Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary.   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

When John the Baptist was born, his father Zacharias praised God in song. From his sermon series in the gospel of Luke, today R.C. Sproul examines this song, the Benedictus, to consider what the birth of the forerunner to Jesus means for God's unfolding plan of redemption. Request R.C. Sproul's commentary on the gospel of Luke with your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4484/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the Luke commentary ebook with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians to expose false teaching, for he knew the gospel was at stake. Today, Derek Thomas reveals that the gospel is just as much at stake in our day as it was in the first century. Donate any amount to request R.C. Sproul's commentary on Galatians and Derek Thomas' video teaching series No Other Gospel on DVD. You'll also receive lifetime digital access to all 14 messages and the study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4510/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the Galatians commentary ebook, digital teaching series, and digital study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global    Meet Today's Teacher:   Derek Thomas is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and Chancellor's Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Messiah was laid in a manger in an unassuming town. Yet angelic hosts filled the skies to announce His arrival. Today, R.C. Sproul reflects on the overlap of humility and glory that characterized Jesus' birth. Request R.C. Sproul's devotional book The Advent of Glory, plus lifetime digital access to his teaching series Coming of the Messiah, with your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4514/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the digital teaching series with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Tune out the noise and tune in to RefNet, Ligonier's free 24/7 internet radio app. Download today and start listening: http://refnet.fm/app   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would be a King with a reign like no other. Today, R.C. Sproul considers what this prophecy teaches us about Christ and the kingdom He came to establish. Request R.C. Sproul's devotional book The Advent of Glory, plus lifetime digital access to his teaching series Coming of the Messiah, with your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4514/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the digital teaching series with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Merry Christmas from the Renewing Your Mind team. Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Was Jesus really born miraculously to a virgin? Today, R.C. Sproul explains that the virgin birth of Christ is far from a matter of debate or personal interpretation—it's an essential truth of Scripture and the Christian faith. Request R.C. Sproul's devotional book The Advent of Glory, plus lifetime digital access to his teaching series Coming of the Messiah, with your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4514/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the digital teaching series with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Renewing Your Mind has a YouTube channel. Subscribe now and receive each day's episode: https://www.youtube.com/@rymradio   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The birth of Jesus Christ was not first declared by angels near Bethlehem or prophets in ancient Israel. Today, R.C. Sproul shows that the Savior's arrival was originally promised by God in the garden of Eden. Request R.C. Sproul's devotional book The Advent of Glory, plus lifetime digital access to his teaching series Coming of the Messiah, with your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4514/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the digital teaching series with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Learn more about becoming a Ligonier Ministry Partner: https://renewingyourmind.org/partner   Tune out the noise and tune in to RefNet, Ligonier's free 24/7 internet radio app. Download today and start listening: http://refnet.fm/app   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

From ancient days, God promised to send His Messiah. This Savior would bring redemption from sin for all who trust in Him. Today, R.C. Sproul describes the world-changing significance of Christ's incarnation in history. Request R.C. Sproul's devotional book The Advent of Glory, plus lifetime digital access to his teaching series Coming of the Messiah, with your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4514/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the digital teaching series with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Listen to "The Word Became Flesh," a musical celebration of the incarnation of the Son of God, with narration by R.C. Sproul: https://store.ligonier.org/the-word-became-flesh-download   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts