Understanding the Foundations

A First Century Guide to Studying the New Testament

By: Richard Arendt

Narrated by: Richard A. Arendt

How did the first believers in Jesus know that the Gospel was true? Acts 17:11 says, "The Bereans…received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

But which “Scriptures” were they examining? Paul was teaching at a Jewish synagogue, so the scriptures were the Tanakh, which we call the Old Testament. Thus, to be "true", everything Paul said had to agree with the Old Testament!

Understanding the Foundations is a 15-part Bible study that examines the New Testament as the first believers in Jesus would have. When we recognize that the Old Testament is the foundation of the New Testament, the "confusing passages" become clear and seeming contradictions vanish. We can then see the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation as a single, uninterrupted story of God’s plan for mankind with no contradictions, no changes of plan, and nothing is obsolete. Every chapter is inspired of God and directly relevant to our lives. As Paul said, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

We examine the Sabbath, clean and unclean food, judging others, covenants, the Father Heart of God and why it is difficult for Jewish people to recognize Jesus as their messiah, Yeshua. There are also chapters on the Feasts of The Lord, or Moedim, including Passover, First Fruits, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, the Day of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and Tabernacles. Far from being merely, "interesting Jewish stuff", you will discover that God's entire prophetic plan is revealed in the calendar that He gave His people…both past and future!

Like the scriptures, this book may be convicting but never condemning. Our goal is encouragement. In a world that rejects all absolutes and says we must not question or “judge”, God says, “Test everything…hold fast what is good!”

©2019 Richard A Arendt (P)2019 Richard A Arendt

Excellent.

This is a beautiful book and a compelling listen. Written by a regular guy (an engineer) for regular folks, it is clear and down-to-earth, and at the same time comprehensive and logical.

Understanding the Foundations is the culmination of a lifetime of study and prayer. The author seeks to bring his readers back to the ground of their faith, the scriptures. By offering compelling quotations from the Bible that make his guiding principles easily understandable, Richard Arendt skillfully cuts through centuries of harmful, manmade religiosity.

Unlike many “lay” people (people not formally trained in either writing or a subject area) who write books, Arendt avoids meandering around in his feelings, and instead anchors his ideas in a close reading of the Bible.

As a narrator, the author strikes a conversational tone. His voice is clear and engaging, and warm and kind. Wholeheartedly recommend.

Our foundation is everything

Calming and reflective. If you miss someone who taught you as a child, who made the Bible and learning interesting and helpful this is perfect. When I listened to this book it brought back many moments of my childhood and foundational time in my faith. My father wanted so much to impart what he had learned to me but also wanted me to fully understand it. This book brings those quiet nights back to me, sitting with him and listening to him read the Word and helping me to understand it. If you never had that experience or did but feel lost without that person this book will bring it all back. May the Lord bless you and keep you always, remember He wants you to come Home to Him and everything you need to do to ensure that is written here. Thank you Abba for this. I love you.