We often hear Christians quote a Bible verse to support a religious or political belief. This is not the best approach to understanding the Word of God, says Margaret Nutting Ralph. "Instead of asking, 'Do these words support what I already think?' we need to ask, 'What is this passage trying to teach me?' When we recognize what the inspired biblical authors intend to teach we are opening our minds and hearts to the revelation of Scripture." This Scripture From Scratch explores the impact of culture and literary forms on the words of the Bible. Ralph reminds us that the Scriptures do not necessarily hold the same meaning we may want to attach to the words. The biblical authors intended to say and teach certain truths and we need to root our understanding of Scripture first and foremost in the intent of the authors.