Is anyone aware of a resource that lays out the Hebrew scriptures in this way that is translated into English? Do any of our modern translations organize the Hebrew Bible in this way, or is there any conversations among translators of recovering the form and structure? If the form and structure are as integral to understanding as Dr. Mackie argues (which I agree that it is), then it seems that we need our Bibles arranged in this way so that the seams actually link together. 

In Genesis 4:11-17 Cain is banished from his land and tells God that if he wanders outside of those lands, anyone who finds him will kill him. God agrees and protects him. So, who are those other people? So far, we only had Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel, all in the same land…

In the same token, where did Cain’s wife come from? One could thinks it’s a sister, but usually familial relationships tend to be stated. 

So, who are all these other people and where did they come from?

Is the garden still being guarded by cherubim? Is Eden still around or did it "vanish"? I believe that things can go extinct (like animals) so why couldn't God remove the garden from the earth? But then also, why would he? And, if he was going to remove it from the earth why not just do it? Why guard it? Did it get destroyed in the flood? Yet we still have the rivers on earth flowing from "it", and then Jacob enters into it again?!?! Is it just invisible to us on existing on a different realm? Ahhhhh!! So many questions...thoughts??? :))). Thanks!

I kept wondering that this whole unit. Learning the history of the Bible in this course illuminates so much to me! It is bound to transform how I hear and receive sermons. I understand even more the scripture that says “not many of you should be teachers” —it really is a heavy responsibility to truly preach the word of God as intended. Unfortunately, everyone on YouTube feels they are a teacher.  I am wondering what preaching you choose to sit under with your deep contextual understanding that i would dare say a lot of preachers these days either don’t know or don’t stay true to. (I say that with fear and compassion not judgement) it makes me wonder what church you currently attend Tim (not the one you used to pastor)

Hello. My question is, to what extent did the OT authors know that a savior was coming to forgive the sins of the world and save them from eternal damnation so that they could have a relationship with God? Did Simeon know this from reading all his scriptures well, as it seems to indicate in Luke 2:30-32? Was this all supposed to be a complete surprise to everyone? And did the NT authors give any, what I call "creative interpretation" (or to give new meaning) to passages in the OT that the authors of the OT didn't intend to mean?

How can I live more in the "not yet" and less in the "now"?