Customer Reviews

Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

For a long time the only books available for those interested in Bible study methodology have fallen into two general categories. There were those written more at the popular level (ie. Kay Arthur's Inductive method, Tim LaHaye's How to Study the Bible, etc...); or those that were more technical (Osborne's Hermeneutical Spiral, Vanhoozer's Is There a Meaning in this Text, etc...). However, there has been no real attempt to weave these two types together; an easily readable text that doesn't betray the Spiritual aspect of Bible Study, while at the same time teaching the standard methods of interpretation. Fee and Stuart took a huge step that way with How to Read the Bible for All it's Worth; I submit that their intentions were perfected by Duvall and Hays in this book. Here is a book that can teach college students, seminarians, and even laypeople the correct methods of hermeneutics for every genre in the Bible. At the same time, it remains light and sometimes even funny. I can't imagine there being a more perfect book for those that are interested in truly Grasping God's Word.

This book was assigned reading for an introductory hermeneutics class. I found that the authors were able to strike a solid balance between readability and intellectual depth. While I felt sufficiently challenged to think as I read the book, I never felt like they were talking above my ability to understand.

To their credit, Hays and Duvall selected their particular analogy to describe the process of interpreting the Bible, and they constantly referred back to that approach throughout the text. Though somewhat repetitive, this writing style allowed their technique to really resonate with the reader. By the end of the text, I certainly wasn't struggling to remember their approach to hermeneutics, as it had become clear to me.

Hays and Duvall write from an unashamedly evangelical perspective, and they are willing to suggest that the biblical texts do not and cannot mean whatever the reader wants them to mean. Though more liberal interpretative approaches would be alarmed by the certainty of their proposition, I found it to be refreshing. Without ever reaching a point of arrogance (a problem of which some evangelicals are rightfully accused), Duvall and Hays suggest that the human authors had a particular meaning intended when they wrote the Bible, and God has given us the necessary tools to get at that meaning.

The reason I'm only giving this book four stars is because many of my seminary classmates were less enthusiastic about it. I have never read a hermeneutics book before, so I had no point of comparison. However, many of my better informed classmates referred to other hermeneutics texts that they liked much better.

In any case, I found this book to be challenging and accessible. I would recommend it for anyone interested in a thoughtful analysis of the process of interpreting the Bible.

Grasping God's Word has great structure with easy-to-follow, step-by-step outlines and repetitive themes to reinforce what is being taught, such as the four steps of interpretive journey (which become five steps to dealing with the Old Testament) referred to throughout the book. Grasping the text in their town, measuring the width of the river to cross, crossing the principlizing bridge and grasping the text in our town provide readers with excellent illustrations of steps for the interpretive journey. Numerous passages of Scripture are explored using these steps in various places in the book. The authors provide numerous Bible examples of these. The reader is given a review at the end of many of the chapters to further drive home the valuable concepts being taught.

Duvall and Hays offer good examples of how different episodes in the gospels connect with each other (p. 67-8) along with interpretive principles to determine what the smaller stories tell us about Jesus and what the authors of the individual gospels are saying by the way the shorter stories are put together (p. 239). Contrasting characters in the biblical text is another literary device that Duvall and Hays encourage readers to look for as they study the gospels. They illustrate this concept well with numerous biblical characters. Duvall and Hays give readers insight into how to make observations and pick up clues dropped by the writer of the biblical narrative (p. 302).

Duvall and Hays make the point that biblical interpretation needs to be approached within the framework of the Historical-Cultural context, because this is how God gave the Bible (p. 96). This is logical because if interpretation of a passage does not make sense in the context of the time of the writing, it is a misinterpretation.

Unfortunately, the authors' understanding of the Old Covenant is flawed. One of the ways this manifests itself is in their writing about the Old Covenant. Duvall and Hays believe the Old Testament saints main focus was the Law, whereas New Testament saints are saved by grace (p. 366). Scripture teaches, though, that God's people under the Old Covenant were saved by grace through faith (Gen. 15.6; Ex. 14.31; Jonah 3.5; Hab. 2.4), just like those under the New Covenant (Eph. 2.8).

Duvall and Hays have a flawed understanding of certain aspects of the New Covenant as well. They caution readers not to be Judaizers in the application of the Old Testament prophets. They believe that the message of judgment does not apply to Christians because they are under the New Covenant. They believe that when a Christian is unfaithful it hurts God emotionally, and it damages the relationship with Him, though judgment is only for unbelievers (p. 366). But according to the New Testament, judgment begins with believers (1 Peter 4.17), and God will chastise His people living in sin (1 Cor. 5.5, 11.29-31; Heb. 12.3-11).

Even though readers may disagree with Duvall & Hays' theological prospectives, particularly pertaining to the Old Covenant, Grasping God's Word is well written and provides a useful tool for interpreting Scripture. Readers might desire more information about certain topics but, for the most part, Grasping God's Word is quite extensive.

So far, this is the best book available on the subject of Biblical exegesis. We use this as a textbook in our hermeneutics class at Andrews Univ.

Unfortunately, we disagree with the theology of the old and new covenants being different. This theology is reflected throughout the book.

I happen to believe that people have always been saved by faith. The old covenant was anticipatory, a shadow of things to come. The new covenant is based on the historical reality of Christ, and writes God's laws on our hearts as a result.

Despite our theological differences, there is no better book that teaches proper exegesis in easy to understand language. My denomination has a "Handbook of Bible Study" but it is too technical for beginning students because it explores textual criticism and the original languages. "Grasping God's Word" is easy enough to be understood by lay people, though I wouldn't want to use it with new members who could be confused by different theology.

This is an excellent book to help the Bible student learn how to interpret the Scriptures after crossing the river of time, culture, language, situation, convenant, etc. It is practical and easy to read.

I used this book in college and have taught from it in the church. Duvall and Hays have given Bible students the Koine (common/every-man) version of a Biblical Interpretation textbook. I believe young and old alike will find this textbook to be most helpful in understanding the Bible as Holy Spirit inspired literature within the first-century historical-cultural context.

What did the original author mean? What study aids should I use in learning about the social, historical, political, economic, and religious aspects of the original author's day? What about the role of the Holy Spirit in Biblical Interpretation? This book will answer these questions and more. And there are even pictures to help!

This book can help you learn practical steps to unlocking ancient truths in the Scripture in the midst of our modern contemporary 21st century Western culture. There is a workbook that you may purchase also. It may be very helpful to the serious learner.

Don't rely on a pastor or Sunday School teacher for truth any longer. Learn to study the Bible for yourself!

I also suggest reading: "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" by Fee & Stuart and "How to Read the Bible as Literature" by Leland Ryken after you have gone through "Grasping God's Word."

Teachers: I use Dr. Bob Utley's "You Can Understand the Bible Seminar: Historical-Grammatical Method of Interpretation" (Bible Lessons International) lecture notes and notebook as the main teaching guide. I use "Grasping God's Word" as the text for the class.

I purchased this as a textbook for a seminary course I am taking. That being said, if I had known what a wonderful tool this would be in learning how to dig deeper into God's word, I would have bought it for personal enrichment alone. The authors do an admirable job of breaking down the elements of Hermeneutics in a way that can be understood and applied by anyone. Each chapter has multiple examples of how to apply the principle being taught and the practice exercises at the end of each chapter are enlightening and instructive. This tool works just like any other, the more often you pick it up, the deeper you can dig. If your goal is to wring out all the spiritual nourishment you can from the Bible, This is the proper tool for the job. As a side benefit, it also sharpens your critical reading skills as applied to other source material. By the way, this is now a permanent part of my library. I couldn't resell it if I wanted to due to the extensive highlighting on every page!

This is a outstanding book for those wanting to mine the Bible for truth and understanding.

The book helps the reader avoid misinterpretation and not "dividing the Word of God" with care and deliberation. It bridges the gap between devotional Bible study guides and graduate level books on Biblical Hermeneutics.

The book explores the the science of observation, determining the literary and cultural context of a passage to find its true meaning and appropriate application.

Grasping God's Word explores the "Interpretive Journey" of Bible study for both the Old and New Testaments.

I highly recommend this text.

This book is a giant leap forward in beginning exegesis. It opens a world of possibilities for the beginning student as well as serving as a great review for experienced interpreters. The book is delightfully written, and prayerfully organized. I can't imagine a better book to begin the interpretive journey. While written with college students in mind, anyone who is serious about grasping God's word will find it very helpful!

In a word I think this book is a phenomenal tool for those who truly hunger to know God's heart more deeply through serious study. This is also a great tool for anyone who teaches Bible Study or would like to be able to share or mentor someone.

We are using this book in my Biblical Interpretation class. Our teacher started us out with page 85 which is the story of a missionary in Ethiopia who witnesses a play by the locals about the birth of Christ. In their depiction, Joseph and Mary are accompanied by midwives which I initially had a negative reaction too but as I read it on, I discovered the authors brought out extremely valid points which enabled me to consider the possibilities of seeing the text differently.

I feel the authors have done a wonderful job with this book. The book is easy to read but still holds up to technical and academic integrity. The stories and narratives make reading absolutely enjoyable and break up the more technical aspects of the book. The examples are excellent and it is written simple yet eloquent. There are so many parts of the book that hit you such as "When you truly grasp God's word you will find God's word grasping you". My only complaint so far is that I wish they made the vocabulary words stand out more. They are italicized. I think for us as students, it would grab our attention more if it was bolded or in a different color. However, that is such a minor point and there are so many good things going on with this book. They have a listing in the back of what one should acquire for starting a personal library, scripture references, etc. They have done in my opinion a thorough job and for anyone purchasing this book, you will not regret it!

A great guide to leaning and applying the tools of Biblical Exegesis and interpretation.
The authors have written a book that speaks to the "everyday" person but is also for the serious student of Hermeneutics.
I'm using it in a class right now and it is an ecellent teacher and guide.