Investigating John 3:16

Dear Eddie,

well, again I am impressed with the theological vigour that you have shown here with John 3:16.
I love the format that you use by introducing the themes and them giving differnt translations and then the full context of the 3rd chapter of John. After that going to the wisdom of Matthew Henry and John Gill for their astute commentaries is also a great way to bring together the message that you put together here. You have certainly made a very thorough-going exposition of this verse and are to be commended for the deep insights that you have shown.
Well done and very inspiring, keep up the good work.

Kind regards, Steve

One of the perks of sending all the new folks a welcome message is that I'm often one of the first to check out a promising new book. I have always loved the words of John3:16 (we learned a song about it back in VBS but it sounded more like a funeral dirge). My current pastor often says to change "the world" to our own first names...For God so loved Eddie Madrigal, that if Eddie believes in him, he shall not perish but have eternal life.

Authonomy is giving me trouble at the moment so I may return to add to this review. Grrr...

~AudreyB
Forgiveness Fits

Rev. Madrigal,
Your book is certainly a theological study of John 3:16. I would be interested in taking your course (as I perceive the book to be) and learning from your teaching of it and from the other students as each chapter with lines for my own thoughts are studied. I enjoyed most chapter 3 with the list of interpretations of John 3:16. I carefully thought about each one and found my understanding of the verse expanding mightlly. God bless your efforts!
MaryBe

Awesome project! Wonderful study guide especially for a ministerial leader who is doing a Bible study of John 3:16! This will be immediately adopted by many, many church leaders who wish to do a group study on this particular, very important Scripture passage. Your ten steps are perfect to guide a person or a group into a full, insightful study of this verse.

As a writer of a workbook for use in the church myself, could I make a couple of suggestions as I review through the chapters?
Step 1: Excellent - thank you for writing out the various translations! No need for changes in this chapter.
Step 2: You know what would be really neat? If you would summarize, in chapter two, your own thoughts and interpretation of this verse as the "author" of this workbook.
Step 3: Your list of 100 brainstormed ideas is very insightful, delightful to read and, in a group setting, the additional 100 blanks might work but I think I'd only leave about 10 blanks for more observations.
Step 4: I'd break this chapter up into at least 10 chapters with each chapter covering one or two commentaries by date.
Step 5: List significant "Then and Now" (cultural, etc.) Differences - again, I'd shorten my number of blanks to 25 - 30 as 100 blanks are a bit overwhelming.
Step 6: Differences between Classical and Modern Commentaries - same, I'd shorten number of blanks to 25-30
as 100 may overwhelm the reader.
Step 7: Brainstorm the Meaning (again, shorten # of blanks)
Step 8: Brainstorm Application (same)
Step 9: Note Your Conclusions (same)
Step 10: Write Your own Commentary (excellent! leave as is!)

I wish there were many, many more Bible studies like this one on the market! (Perhaps you will write more?) I hope this is published soon and made available to churches, ministerial leaders, and individuals. I would certainly buy and recommend it if it were published. Prayers for your success with this awesome Bible study.