Bible Study | Golden Apples

Bold vector-style cartoon illustration of a compass rose with alternating purple and gold points. Around the compass are small icons: (clockwise starting at the top) target, brick, magnifying glass, scroll, book pile, globe, clock, tornado, line graph, speech graphic, chain links, and DNA strand. Outlined in thick black lines with flat gold, purple, pink, and teal colors in a clean sticker-like style.

Article

The Context Compass

Interpreting Scripture can feel like wandering in the wilderness—every verse pulling a different way. The Context Compass (C12) offers bearings: twelve “directions” of context that orient us to author, history, genre, and theology. Not a rigid map, but a compass—guiding readers toward clarity without losing the text’s voice.

Vector-style cartoon illustration of four people standing in a police lineup, each holding a numbered placard. From left to right: a man in a headwrap with the number 1, a woman in a headscarf with the number 2, a man in a jacket with the number 3, and a woman with short dark hair wearing a pink shirt with the number 4. Behind them are lineup height lines. Outlined in thick black lines with bold flat colors, the design has a clean, sticker-like style on a transparent background.

Article

Who Said That?

The Bible is God’s Word for us—but not every line was written to us. Confusing the author, recipient, speaker, and audience can twist meaning and create contradictions. Learning to track these “four parties of Scripture” clears the noise and lets us hear God’s Word as it was meant.

Vector-style cartoon illustration of two birds butting heads in confrontation. On the left, a purple pigeon with a neutral expression; on the right, a yellow parrot with magenta accents and an angry expression. Small orange lines above their heads emphasize tension. Outlined in thick black lines with bold flat colors, the design has a playful sticker-like style on a transparent background.

Article

Pigeons and Parrots

When reading Scripture, the plain sense is usually the safest ground. Yet too often we chase exotic interpretations—“parrots” instead of “pigeons.” Occam’s Razor reminds us: avoid stacking assumptions. God’s Word transforms us best when we let context, not speculation, guide its meaning.

Vector-style cartoon illustration of a man in the foreground crying with tears streaming down his face, clutching his cheeks in anguish. Behind him sits Jesus in a green robe, wearing a crown of thorns, with hands bound by golden chains. Both figures are outlined in thick black lines with bold magenta, purple, gold, and green tones, rendered in a clean sticker-like style on a transparent background.

Article

The Hell Awaiting Christians? (Pt. 2)

The Bible warns that some believers will face Christ not with boldness, but with shame. John’s words in 1 John 2:28 point to a sobering reality: unfaithfulness may leave us overwhelmed by regret in His presence—not condemned, but painfully aware of wasted opportunities when He returns.

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Essay

Light rocks, sharp point

Words rarely carry just one meaning. “Save” in Scripture can mean heal, rescue, preserve—or eternal salvation—depending on context. Misreading lexical range leads to confusion, as even Jesus’ disciples discovered. Letting context guide us protects the author’s intent and opens us to God’s transforming word.

Article

The Problems of Allegorical Interpretation

When allegorical interpretation ignores grammar, history, and authorial intent, it breeds chaos—overloading words, merging unrelated contexts, and inventing hidden codes. The result is subjective “truth” that weakens Scripture’s authority. Here’s how these errors work—and what to do instead.

Article

The Seven Subtypes of Allegorical Interpretation

Allegory in biblical interpretation assigns symbolic or hidden meanings to Scripture—sometimes beyond the author’s intent. While some are biblically sanctioned, others risk replacing God’s message with our own ideas. Here are seven common subtypes you might encounter.

Bold Grace Podcast

Galatians and Inclusivity & Legalism

In this episode of BGP, Thani and Grant continue their New Testament overview, diving into the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians. This powerful epistle, often described as Paul’s “angry letter,” addresses the Galatian church’s struggle with legalism, exclusion, and the challenge of walking in the freedom of the gospel. Grant breaks down key themes, including justification before men, the purpose of the law, and the unifying power of love in Christ. They also touch on Paul’s confrontation with Peter and its implications for the early church.

Everything we've ever posted about Bible study:

The Context Compass

Who Said That?

Pigeons and Parrots

The Hell Awaiting Christians? (Pt. 2)

Light rocks, sharp point

The Problems of Allegorical Interpretation

The Seven Subtypes of Allegorical Interpretation

Galatians and Inclusivity & Legalism

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