[Note] This review was transferred from our old online store which did not give ratings. But this new store requires ratings. So in order to transfer them we have tried to give a rating which reflects the content of the review. So you may prefer to ignore the rating and just read the review.
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My youngest son received a wonderful parcel in the mail this morning – four copies of Making the most of the Bible sent by its author, John Chapman. One for him, another for his sister, one for Fiona and I, and another to give away. Thanks so much Chappo!

This is a great little primer for getting the most out of reading the Scriptures. It's warm and engaging without wasting words. It's more about attitude to the Bible than any special approach to reading. It's only 66 pages short, I read it between breakfast and morning tea, and it's the first book I've been able to read all year without glasses (nice large print)!

Chappo begins with the importance of faith. Reading the Bible should be more than an academic pursuit. We read it to discover the joy of trusting God with our lives. The Gospels reveal Jesus to be someone who can be completely trusted. He is reliable and always keeps his promises. As we read the Bible we have two choices: (1) either we approach it with hard hearts, only accepting what fits with our own desires and dismissing what doesn't, or (2) we open our minds to discovering who God is, what he's like, with a willingness grow in trusting him. Our attitude will make all the difference.

Making the most of the Bible focuses upon Jesus understanding and use of the Scriptures. This is an excellent approach, because anyone claiming to follow Jesus will surely want to see how Jesus treated the Bible. If we're going to follow him with our lives, then we'll also want to follow his lead with the Bible.

What was Jesus' attitude to the Old Testament, what do we make of Jesus' own words, and what was Jesus' view of the New Testament?

The first thing we discover is that Jesus treated the Old Testament as having authority because he believed it to be God's own words. He submitted to these words and called others to do the same. Jesus resisted the ancient temptation to doubt God's truth and goodness, instead placing his full confidence in God's promises. Jesus also claimed a special relationship to these words. He declared that the whole Old Testament points to him, and finds its fulfilment in him. These are bold claims, and they offer us the key to understanding the whole message of the Bible. After his resurrection, Jesus explained his life and ministry to his followers in these words:

44 He said to them, 'This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.' 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:44-45)

It's common for people to grab hold of some of Jesus' teaching, without any intention of following him personally. Chappo reminds us that Jesus' person, works and words are all tied together. Jesus' life and teaching reveal who he is and his words calls us to follow him. Jesus claims to reveal God to us and backs this up with all he says and does. We might not appreciate this today, but at the time the religious authorities recognised the magnitude of his claim and they killed him for it. As Jesus reminded one of his followers at the last supper:

9 Jesus answered: 'Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. (John 14:9-10)

Jesus also explained why the New Testament should be accepted as God's word. The apostles are the key. Jesus had spent time teaching them before and after his resurrection. It was his plan that they would pass on his message, and do it with an inspired accuracy. He promised the apostles that God's Spirit would oversee this happening:

12 'I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.' (John 16:12-15)

Chappo takes us to the heart of the Bible's message, drawing us to God's awesome offer of forgiveness and life with him for eternity. These promises are rooted in the Old Testament and find their full expression in Jesus. My heart was warmed as I was reminded of some of the wonderful promises contained in the Bible:
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[Note] This review was transferred from our old online store which did not give ratings. But this new store requires ratings. So in order to transfer them we have tried to give a rating which reflects the content of the review. So you may prefer to ignore the rating and just read the review.
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Most of us have at least one or generally a pile of Bibles stuffed in bookcases, in cupboards, drawers, bedside tables. Yet how often are we making the most of the treasure that is just waiting to be discovered?

It is such an honour to review the late John Chapman's "Making the Most of the Bible" published by Matthias Media. We have a shared passion to see people come to genuine faith in the Lord Jesus, through reading and spending time in the Scriptures, the Word of God.

Such an easy read for a first timer or a seasoned Christian for refreshment. He begins with a concern for several people who appear to be Christians yet will only submit to the teaching that they agree with and dismiss the rest. An attitude all too familiar in the garden of Eden which lead to disastrous consequences. Therefore, the driving force behind this timeless book is to 'explore how we know what God has said, with a view to obeying him, and how to read the Bible so that we get the most from it'.

The first chapter opens in a friendly conversational style as if he were sitting right next to you guiding you through the Scriptures one to one, outlining what it means to have faith, a faith that is pleasing to God. The point he makes here is that faith does not depend on us and our power to believe in something. No the power rests with the object of our faith, and the promises on which our faith is based. He reminds us of the trusting faith of Abraham, who was "fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised" (Romans 4:21).

Chappo then moves on to considering Christ's view of the Old and New Testament.

Jesus believed the Old Testament were the words that God had spoken. We are urged not to dismiss the Old Testament but to see it as a pattern for Jesus's own ministry, completely trustworthy.

Chappo reminded me again that Jesus himself meditated on the words of the psalmist:

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart" (Psalm 119:1-2)

Chappo goes on to affirm through the testimony of Jesus that even though Jesus had already departed to Heaven before the writing of the New Testament, he would remind them after he was gone of his teachings through the power of the Holy Spirit.

"These things I have spoken to you while I am still here with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (John 14:25-26)

What a joy it is to be reminded by Chappo that we can place our trust in the Scriptures both the Old and New Testament as the complete word of God.

The final chapters deliver a faithful Gospel presentation and some simple advice of how to practically read the Bible daily in order to make the most of it and really hear God speak!

Chappo provides a strong Biblical foundation throughout the book, as evidence of why we should be 'making the most of the Bible', his thoughts affirm the wisdom of Christ.

Thank you Chappo for such faithful teaching and encouragement. I am spurred on once more to make the most of my Bible, to treasure every God breathed word, to be transformed by it and empowered for Christian living.

Thanks Chappo x