Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, authors of How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, have written an easy to read book for those who want to learn more about what the Bible has to offer. The authors present distinct principles for interpreting different genres found in the Bible. The book has sold over a half a million copies and is one of the most popular books regarding biblical interpretation.
Fee is a seminary professor of New Testament studies at Regent College. He has authored several New Testament commentaries and is the general editor of the New International Commentary series. Fee has also contributed significantly to the field of hermeneutics and NT textual criticism. The author is a well known teacher and conference speaker who has a burden to see the renewal of the church.
Stuart is a seminary professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where he teaches Old Testament studies. He also has expertise in biblical languages, exegesis, and interpretation. He serves as the senior pastor of Linebrook Church in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Stuart has authored commentaries and articles in journals and magazines.
The authors acknowledge that many books have been written on this topic. Their goal is to be unique by focusing on different types of literature (genres) so their readers will understand how to properly interpret them in the context they were written. This review will examine the principles the authors use to interpret the Bible. The review will summarize the book, followed by a critique, and a conclusion.
Summary
From the very beginning of the book, Fee and Stuart seek to explain the importance of proper biblical interpretation. The authors provide hermeneutical approaches for the study of the different ...
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...hey continue to explain that the prophecies do not need to be fulfilled in a specific way. For example, they explain the first four trumpet judgments in Revelation do not have to have a literal fulfillment. This is improper because it is the author’s opinion and that should not be reflected especially on a book dealing with hermeneutics. Aside from these weaknesses, the book has much to offer for the Bible student.
Conclusion
The Bible student, laymen, or pastor will find the principles presented by Fee and Stuart helpful despite the weaknesses presented. The author’s contribution on how to interpret each of the different genres is especially beneficial. The Bible Student will have more knowledge of how to interpret God’s Word when finished with the work. Fee and Stuart achieve their goal helping the reader not only with interpretation, but with application.
Carson, D. A. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
According to David M. Carr, the history of Scriptural interpretation indicates that religious texts are popular candidates for reinterpretation and, as such, are spaces wherein the personal identity of the reader frequently inscribes itself at length:
The Bible: The Old Testament. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Sarah Lawall et al. Vol 1. 7th ed. New York: Norton, 1999. 47-97.
N.T Wright (2008) stated that “When we read the scriptures as Christians, we read it precisely as people of the new covenant and of the new creation” (p.281). In this statement, the author reveals a paradigm of scriptural interpretation that exists for him as a Christian, theologian, and profession and Bishop. When one surveys the entirety of modern Christendom, one finds a variety of methods and perspectives on biblical interpretation, and indeed on the how one defines the meaning in the parables of Jesus. Capon (2002) and Snodgrass (2008) offer differing perspectives on how one should approach the scriptures and how the true sense of meaning should be extracted. This paper will serve as a brief examination of the methodologies presented by these two authors. Let us begin, with an
In the past few years, the older way of reading the Bible has become irrelevant and implausible for people. Therefore, a pressing need to find a new way of reading the Bible has arisen. In order to address this, many Christian religious groups have started looking for a contemporary way to read the Bible and appreciate its richness. In his book, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg gives people methods to encounter the Bible in a new way that breaks the boundaries of simple literalism, while respecting tradition, and also understand the Bible in a powerful and vibrant way. This has led to what he calls the historical-metaphorical way of reading the Bible, which means that the Bible be taken seriously, but not literally.
Harris, Stephen. Understanding The Bible. 6 ed. New York City: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages, 2002. Print.
The Interpreter's One Volume Commentary on the Bible. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1971). Lenski, R. C. H. Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing). House, 1961.
Authority of Scripture reconciles the community with God and can transform our lives. To participate in the fuller blessing of understanding, it is important to view Scripture with historical and literary sensitivity, interpret theocentrically, ecclesially, and contextually. I realize each of these can be overwhelming to the average person who is seeking direction for a specific concern in their life. Therefore, Migliore reminds us, interpreting Scripture is practical engagement in the living of Christian faith, love, and hope in a still redeemed world. When we listen carefully to the voices of the past, from a worldwide culture, and guided by the Holy Spirit, we will open ourselves to those transformational opportunities.
Thomas Hartwell Horne, in his work, Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, presents nine rules to guide in the interpretation of parables. An analysis of these rules can group Horne’s principles into three categories: 1) The purpose of parables; 2) the structure of parables; and 3) the careful interpreting of parables. According to Horne’s ninth rule, parables, and particularly those of Christ, are to “convey some important moral precepts, of which we should never lose sight in interpreting parables.” This shows that parables are, above all else, means by which moral truths are communicated, even in the case of those parables which point to some future event or state.
New Revised Standard Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1989. Print. The. Russell, Eddie.
The New Interpreter's Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha. Nashville: Abingdon Press, ©2003.
Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1995. Print. (BS195 .C66 1995)
Thus, an effort is made to highlight how Bible interpretation – through its publication – has developed in the history of Christianity.
In this paper I am trying to find out what true Biblical exegesis means. By finding that truth then I and the person reading this paper can leave with an understand-ing on how to comprehend the content of exegesis. Through out my paper you will see noted some of my sources. I have carefully read these books and have selected the best ones to fit the purpose of this document. I will be exploring many areas of exegesis and will be giving you a brief overview of these and then explaining different uses for exegesis.
Thiselton, A.C. (2005). Can the Bible mean whatever we want it to mean? Chester, U.K.: Chester Acadamic Press, 10-11.