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Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation

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Most pastors may secretly be glad that they can leave the formal study of hermeneutics behind in seminary. "Hermeneutics," after all, is not a word that is especially useful to common pastoral discourse. Drop that one in a conversation or sermon and people are likely to respond, "Herman who?!" However, since one of the primary vocations of the pastor is to interpret and apply the Word of God to the People of God, hermeneutics is never really left behind. We all have presuppositions and ideas which control the way we read and understand Scripture. The question is, are these presuppositions derived from the Scriptures themselves and consistent with the Gospel, or are they derived from philosophical and cultural influences of which we may not even be aware?

Graeme Goldsworthy's new book, Gospel-centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles for Evangelical Biblical Interpretation, is a profound study of the ideas and issues involved in hermeneutics - and especially the importance of taking the Gospel of the Crucified, Risen, and Exalted Christ as our starting point for interpreting Scripture. The book is divided into three parts and nineteen chapters, followed by a bibliography, and Name and Scripture indices.

Part One: Evangelical Prolegomena to Hermeneutics

Part one contains four chapters dealing with concepts foundational to the task of hermeneutics and the remainder of the book. Those chapters are:
*The Necessity for Hermeneutics
*Presuppositions in Reading and Understanding
*Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics
*Towards a Biblical Theology of Interpretation
Goldsworthy states that "hermeneutics is about communication, meaning, and understanding" (24). These are the three dimensions involved in hermeneutics: the message/text, the sender/author, and the receiver/reader. Hermeneutics is about bridging the gaps (of language, culture, history, literature, etc.) that exist between the receiver/reader and the message/text and sender/author. When it comes to Scripture, God is the communicator, God's word is the message, and God's people are the receivers/readers.

The primary aim of this book is to show how all three of these dimensions in hermeneutics find their center in the person and work of Christ. "The gospel of Jesus Christ reveals him as the Word of God who is the truth. Jesus as the divine communicator, the saving message, and the human receiver demonstrates where the heart of true hermeneutics lies. The gospel is the power of God for salvation, which includes hermeneutical salvation" (53). Part one lays the groundwork for this kind of thinking and shows "from creation, through fall and redemptive history, to the new creation reveals a consistent approach to the basics of hermeneutics. In essence it shows that hermeneutic failure is due to human sin. The fact that we struggle for meaning and understanding as fallen creatures in a fallen world is ultimately problematic only if God has not acted to redeem the situation. But, because we believe he has acted redemptively in Christ, it is to this Christ that we must turn for hermeneutic salvation" (85).

Part Two: Challenges to Evangelical Hermeneutics

Part two is probably the most challenging section of the book, yet its value is great. The author shows how the Gospel has been "eclipsed" by the "invasion of non-biblical philosophical frameworks into the interpretive process" (91). What follows is both a survey of the history of hermeneutics and a biblically-faithful critique of the various schools of thought. In eight chapters Goldsworthy discusses The Eclipse of the Gospel in:
*The Early Church
*The Medieval Church
*Roman Catholicism
*Liberalism
*Philosophical Hermeneutics
*Historical Criticism
*Literary Criticism, and
*Evangelicalism.
The twelfth chapter on "The Eclipse of the Gospel in Evangelicalism" is especially insightful and relevant. This chapter is well worth reading, even if some readers preferred to skip over other parts. Goldsworthy deals with:
*Quietism: evangelical Docetism
*Literalism: evangelical Zionism
*Legalism: evangelical Judaism
*Decisionism: evangelical Bultmannism
*Subjectivism: evangelical Schleiermacherism
*`Jesus-in-my-heart-ism': evangelical Catholicism
*Evangelical pluralism, and
*Evangelical pragmatism
His summary of this chapter contends that "The irony of modern evangelicalism is that many of its aberrations have occurred because of a siege mentality and an attempt to ward off the effects of the enlightenment. When evangelicals become reactionary, they can often flee unwittingly into the arms of another enemy waiting in the wings . . . [The] matters raised in this chapter should move us to be more diligent in allowing the gospel to shape our hermeneutics, even if this means appearing to be somewhat tiresome in our questioning of some of the traditions of our evangelical culture" (180).

Part Three: Reconstructing Evangelical Hermeneutics

This final section contains the more positive and most valuable contributions Goldsworthy makes to the field of hermeneutics. In chapter thirteen, he begins by outlining several presuppositions for Gospel-centered interpretation:
*The sole content of Scripture is Christ (unity)
*Scripture is self-authenticating (authority)
*Scripture is clear and self-interpreting (meaning), and
*Christ is Lord of the Scripture

Chapters fourteen through eighteen take up the literary, historical, and theological dimensions of Scripture (chapters sixteen and seventeen respectively addressing "the two Testaments and typology" and "biblical and systematic theology") and contextualization. Chapter nineteen, "The Hermeneutics of Christ" is a summary of the main argument of the book, showing how interpretation of Scripture is shaped by the person of Christ, the work of Christ, the glorification of Christ, and the Spirit of Christ.

The following paragraph is an example of how Goldsworthy's Christ-centeredness works on a practical level: "The hermeneutics of the doing of Christ the fulfiller demand that we read carefully the Old Testament as a testimony to what he achieves in his life, death, and resurrection. The gospel is so dependent on its Old Testament antecedents that we can easily overlook some of its dimensions and texture if we do not carefully examine what it is that he fulfills. The Old Testament perspective on eschatology, with all the rich variety of its expectations of restoration, finds its resolution in the work of Christ. This includes the promises concerning the people, the place of God's kingdom, the temple, and redemption from sin. It also includes the promise of a new creation. Thus the hermeneutics of the cross of Christ must go beyond forgiveness of sin to the new creation. Jesus on the cross was putting the universe back together; he was restoring the true order of creation" (304).

Conclusion

This is not the easiest book I've read in recent months, but it is one of the most important. I found myself not just reading, but studying this book - rereading, highlighting, and taking notes. It is now on my mental list of books to read periodically. I would highly recommend this book to pastors and preachers who desire to be biblically-faithful and Christ-centered in their teaching and preaching of Scripture. For those who feel daunted by the length and weight of the book, I would suggest reading chapters one through four, nine, twelve, and sixteen through nineteen. But I think that pastors who will risk this book will find it compelling enough to return to again and again.

Seminary Hermeneutics courses lead the student to believe that discerning the meaning of a text is a relatively straight-forward procedure. All you do is determine the genre of the text, then decipher the various figures of speech. Application is merely taking the general principles of the text and placing them in the modern world. The seminary graduate quickly finds that bridging the gap between text and congregation is profoundly difficult! Philosophical conundrums abound, and he becomes awash in a sea of doubt concerning meaning. Goldsworthy to the rescue! He gives a very practical guide for using Biblical Theology through the lens of the gospel to arrive at the much yearned-for meaning of Scripture. This book is worth reading for anyone who desires to read his Bible with hope of understanding it.

The field of hermeneutics is laden with a voracity of perspectives from conservative to liberal. Each is represented throughout history and each possesses a place in the arena of thought today. Classically defined evangelicals have always been concerned with properly interpreting the text of Scripture. Graeme Goldsworthy is no acceptance to this, in his book, Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics he argues that the gospel should govern and direct biblical interpretations. He defines an evangelical understanding of hermeneutics as "a right understanding of what God says in his word."

Goldsworthy covers general principles, but stands out as he addresses Biblical Theology, presuppositions, historical hermeneutics and possessing a gospel centered hermeneutic. There is much to be appreciated regarding Goldsworthy and his emphasis on biblical theology and understanding that Christ is the center of all Scripture. Throughout Goldsworthy's text he focused on the Gospel. This was illustrated when he said, "Everyone needs the place to stand, a reference point for the understanding of anything. The gospel is the one true beacon, but like any beacon it must be directional if it is truly to guide." He further clarifies that Christ should be the center of hermeneutical interpretation, Christ holds all things together. He acknowledges that not every part of the biblical story "is the gospel," but points out that the gospel is the "centre." (63).

If you are new to the area of hermeneutics, you may want to begin with something a little lighter like Knowing Scripture by RC Sproul. This book is intended for the Bible college/seminary student and utilizes language that is applicable to the "field."

Rarely have I read a book that I so resonated with and enjoyed as Dr. Goldworthy's Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics. In this Biblical, clear, and systematized survey of hermeneutics, the author not only laid the Scriptural and presuppositional basis of thought, but also thoroughly addresses a myriad of topics in an extremely organized and lucid manner.

In the first part of his book, the evangelical prolegomena to hermeneutics, the author not only provides an impetus, motivation, and explanation of hermeneutics as well as laying down fundamental epistemic and Biblical presuppositions - that is most crucial (literally) in the interpretation of Holy Scripture. Unlike other uninspired texts, the Bible must be understood as God's revelation to his people for their salvation, showing the history of redemption, and explaining the gospel. Perhaps because both the author and I are reformed in doctrine and belong to the school of presuppositional apologetics, I find myself greatly edified by his initial comments about hermeneutics. The section on the biblical theology of interpretation provides an excellent survey through the different genres through a lens of different parts of scriptures. Although discussed later in the book, Goldworthy provides a complete understanding of hermeneutics as it embraces exegesis, biblical theology, and systematic theology - all three are indispensable in understanding a Scriptural text.

In the second part of the book, challenges to evangelical hermeneutics, Goldworthy walks the reader through church history from the early church until the rise of evangelicalism (which is most reminiscent of Frame's walk through the history of apologetics) with a fair description of each era of interpretation. The part I enjoyed the most was the assessment, as Christians strive to correctly divide the word of God, there are places where they do well and other they could improve upon. It is amazing that there are so many possible errors one can make in the interpretation of text and having these historical labels also help us as we observe possible errors in contemporary hermeneutics. I especially thought the section of the eclipse of the gospel in evangelicalism interesting as it puts current hermeuetic errors in light of historical errors.

In the last section, reconstructing evangelical hermeneutics, Goldsworthy provides readers with his layout for gospel-centered hermeneutics - and engaging many of the areas of historical hermeneutics that he critiqued earlier, but appropriating biblical principles for correct usage. I myself enjoyed most the exposition on the relationships of the two Testaments, including not only a detailed explanation of the unity and diversity, but also providing clear tables of typology and fulfillment. The section on contextualization was a surprised as most discussions on this matter explored how we engage culture. Goldworthy takes a well-applauded biblical perspective as he sees contextualization work through the history of redemption and outlines the general principles that is universal in all cultures. The discussion on the method of translation in terms of contextualization was also very edifying as new contemporary translations such as Message, Word on the Street, the New Living Translation, all seek to cross these linguistic boundaries. The emphasis on understanding original languages can be clearly seen in the midst cultural and the contextual changes. The final section on the hermeneutics of Christ provides the true lens which we see all of Scriptures, since the law, prophets all testify about Christ. Practical advice is given in clear formats in approaching texts.

It is clear that this work by Goldworthy is distilled from years of teaching and these notes show the structure of his classes. They provide a treasury of tools of biblical interpretation. I definitely will be recommending this book for avid students of the Bible.

Goldsworthy has set forth an overview of protestant hermeneutics using his biblical theological method. Much of the work is plowing through difficult areas of thought that are generally ignored in the discussion. Such works do not tend to be scintillating reading. So while other reviewers have marked this down because of this, I would remind the reader that books on hermeneutics as a general rule are not the most entertaining books.

If you are a Pastor, student of the Word, or somebody who takes their study of scripture seriously buy this book. Rich insights from 30 years of Study!

Great Resource for those studying Literature and Theology. A long time faculty member of Moore Theological College, Sydney, Graeme Goldsworthy is a biblical scholar of justifiable repute - his other books including "According to Plan" and "Gospel and Kingdom" explain biblical theology clearly and (as much as is possible) simply. Hermeneutics - an important sounding word for the ideas surrounding "interpretation" - is central to the study of literature also, and I have found this book a valuable resource to keep perspective when examining the more complex literary theories on hermeneutics, especially when exploring literary texts that cross the boundaries of literature and theology.

*** Although it is clearly stated that the gospel was ordained before the foundation of the world, many Christians tend to focus solely on the New Testament and give little regard to the Old. How different their attitude might be if they could do as the author of Hebrews advises, and see the entire Bible through the lens of the gospel. The author details the importance and propriety of approaching the Bible with this view in mind and with a mindset that is based in Reformed theology. He also goes through the variety of heresies as well as the alternate methods of hemeneutics, both good and bad, then gives a lesson in how to use the proper method. Though this is all sound advice and the book is well written, be advised that it is rather dry reading. ***

This book is incredibly dry. It is hard to read and boring. On the other hand the author is very smart.