From Study Bible Magazine Dec. 2020 (here available for free until January 31, 2021)
1. What is your role with "Study Bible"?
Since 2002, I have been final editor of the twelve-volume Old Testament explanation series. As the book series also became available digitally, I have been active in recent years to update the explanations of the first volumes and give more extensive attention to the meaning for us. On the Internet, we are no longer bound by the limitations of the number of pages! Meanwhile, the explanations of the four books of the Bible have been updated and I am working on the book of Deuteronomy. I also try to answer questions from readers about the explanations given.
2. What encourages you most to examine the Bible?
The Bible is the word of God. He speaks to us in it. Many limit themselves to the familiar passages, but it is important and enriching to carefully examine all the books of the Bible.
3. If you could speak to one Biblical character, who would you choose? Why?
It's hard to make a choice. I'm doing a lot with the first books of the Bible and it strikes me how succinctly all kinds of things are mentioned. The book of Genesis covers a period over 2,000 years and only 11 chapters describe the period up to Abraham. I would like to talk to Moses about the significance of those chapters, about God's early revelation to mankind.
4. What is your motivation for working at "Study Bible"?
It is a wonderful project to bring the interpretation of the Bible as close as possible to contemporary Christians, including those who do not know Hebrew and Greek and do not consult scholarly professional literature.
5. What do you do besides your work for "Study Bible"?
I have been a church pastor, but still preside in church services weekly. Because of my age, I am winding down the work at the Christelijke Hogeschool Ede. With the work at the Evangelical Theological Faculty in Leuven (professor of Old Testament) I hope to continue for some more years.
6. What touches you most when you think about the kingdom of God?
Many Christians have a vague idea about the future. It is wonderful to see in what concrete images the prophets speak about it. It touches me to see how the book of Revelation connects to the first chapters in Genesis. The Bible is not only about the very important personal salvation of people, but also about restoration of God's creation.
7. What discovery did you make that changed your view of something?
My view of the covenants in the Bible and the meaning of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31, including for Israel, has become much more concrete.
8. In what do you see God's Spirit at work most in your environment in recent months?
There are all kinds of things that are worrisome in this time of the coronavirus. Yet we may know that God's Kingdom will dawn in all glory. Experiences of people coming to faith in Jesus Christ and therefore not being afraid to die are very encouraging.
Out: Study Bible Magazine December 2020 (Year 14-no.2)
Order here your free introductory magazine
You might also like to know a little more about the other staff and editors at the BoE. Each month we will introduce one of them to you. Last time:
- Jan Kranendonk - Financial manager
- Gijs van den Brink - Editor-in-chief and writer
- Hermien Henning - Content import employee
- Marijke Diepeveen - Administration & support at the BoE
- Raymond R. Hausoul - Editor and writer
- Marianne Marchal- Administrative assistant/support workerr
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