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Quick Synopsis: Biblical interpretation for both beginning and experienced Bible readers. The primary task of Bible study is to determine what the Scriptures meant at the time they were written and how that meaning applies to us today. This vital guide focuses on the historical contexts of the Bible and explains differences between the Old Testament narratives, the Epistles, Gospels, Parables, Psalms and more. It’s a practical approach to Bible study — one that makes good sense and is easy to understand. This new edition includes, among other changes, a new section on the Song of Songs and an updated list of recommended commentaries and resources.
My Thoughts: I am starting a class on Bible Interpretation next week and this is one of the textbooks. When I received it in the mail it looked interesting and so I started thumbing through it and ended up reading the whole thing, it was too interesting to put down.
It’s not a book that interprets the Bible for you, it more just tells you how to read the Bible so you can do a better job of interpreting it yourself. It’s not uncommon for people to read the Bible and interpret it the way they want to, this book helps to ensure you don’t do that.
One of the authors is a New Testament Scholar, the other an Old Testament Scholar and the book spends a lot of time on both; it is split up into sections of the Bible: there is a chapter on the Epistles, the Gospels, the Old Testament Laws, Narratives and Prophecies and even a chapter on Revelation.
I could go on and explain a few different rules they explain and what not, but that isn’t my point by posting an entry on the book. I mainly wanted to point out the book as a very interesting read and if you want to get a better understanding of how to interpret the Bible, or read it for all it’s worth, then I would definitely check this book out. It opened my eyes to a lot of interesting things.
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© 2008 Lee Hoover. 
I find the whole conversation around Biblical interpretation really confusing and I would think unneccesary too if you treat it like most classical works of human literature.
But, what I find confusing is that Christians believe that people misinterpret the Bible all the time, but if they just find the right way of interpreting it they won’t have any more problems reading and misusing it. You’ve got to wonder, how could you ever interpret the Bible the right way and if so many people have so poorly interpreted the Bible and done horrible things as a result, where’s God been to clear things up and direct those who use it improperly? Secondly, what makes the author of this book an authority on the subject? Does he believe to have some direct connection with God or has he studied the Bible more than most people?
It feels to me like the Christian community will be continually reinterpretting parts of the Bible depending on the immeadiate culture they are in. Surely the way people read and interpret the Bible has changed over the centuries as other secular political ideas have advanced in society. So what then does it mean to be a Christian? We’re people more truly christian back when the Bible was first written or are people more truly christian today in the sense that after all this time they are finally realizing what God “really meant?”
I think its important as it says in the book to relate the Bible to its historical context. In other words to see how it was relevant when it was originally written versus now.
Dive in with all your heart, mind, body and soul. Rely on the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart. Believe it is the inspired word of the GOD of all creation. The truth never changes. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. We’re praying for you.