Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation [Paperback]

Henry A. Virkler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1996

Bible interpretation is simplified as five steps that most serious Bible readers can practice, with learning aids and clear explanation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In this accessible textbook, Henry Virkler and Karelynne Ayayo combine hermeneutical theory with practical steps for exegesis. The authors outline a five-step hermeneutical procedure that includes: (1) historical-cultural and contextual analysis, (2) lexical-syntactical analysis, (3) theological analysis, (4) genre identification and analysis, and (5) application. The key distinctive of the book is its emphasis on practical steps of Bible study. Instead of giving readers long lists of rules they need to memorize, this book walks them through a simple step-by-step process that they can integrate into all future study of the Bible.The popular first edition has been translated into eight languages and has been used in a variety of settings. The second edition adds co-author Karelynne Ayayo and includes updated material covering developments in hermeneutics over the past twenty years. In addition, an Instructor's Resource CD containing teaching suggestions, PowerPoint slides, suggested answers to exercises, and supplementary handouts is available to instructors.Praise for the first edition"A useful introduction to the field. . . . [The] emphasis on practical application is a noteworthy goal which the author consistently addresses throughout the book. . . . The author addresses the major topics which a textbook in a hermeneutics course must cover. . . . His sensitivity to the fundamental hermeneutical problems of continuity-discontinuity . . . and cultural dynamics . . . is especially noteworthy. The chosen format is well suited to classroom use. It offers explicit goals stated at the head of each chapter, clear definitions, 'brain teasers,' summaries, practical 'exercises' (questions for discussion), and resource lists."
--Timothy S. Laniak, Bulletin for Biblical Research"[A] helpful and accessible volume. . . . Virkler deals with most of the key issues in hermeneutics. . . . He does so in language that is understandable to non-specialists. . . . His explication of the various hermeneutical approaches is evenhanded and readable. This would be an excellent text to teach hermeneutics in a church setting. Its accessibility, fairmindedness, quality, and price make it a work with wide appeal. Recommended as an introduction to biblical study for any non-specialist."
--Steve W. Lemke, Southwestern Journal of Theology --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Henry A. Virkler (PhD, Georgia State University) is professor of psychology at Palm Beach Atlantic University. He has written five books, including A Christian's Guide to Critical Thinking. Karelynne Gerber Ayayo (ThD, Boston University) is assistant professor of New Testament at Palm Beach Atlantic University. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801020670
• ISBN-13: 978-0801020674
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,172,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clear and simple, January 15, 2000

By 

R. Leach "SailerDude" (Chicagoland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation (Paperback)

I teach Hermeneutics at Huntington College and have switched to Virkler's text for my class for a couple of reasons: 1) The text is clear, easy to understand and logical, 2) The methodology is simple, concise and easy to remember, 3) The chapter on application is especially helpful for students, and 4) Each chapter has Brain Teasers (BT) that challenge students to apply what they have learned.

This is great text for laypersons and undergraduate students because of it's readability and brevity. I would not recommend it for graduate study (or you could just suppliment it) becuase it lacks details on the history of Biblical interpretation and because it does not detail modern hermeneutical movements.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Hermeneutics!, May 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation (Paperback)

Virkler does a wonderful job of laying out hermeneutical principles in an orderly and logical way. He gives an overview in the beginning of each chapter and then he gives a summary at the end. This feature helps to summarize the material into understandable groupings. There are exercises at the end of most of the chapters allowing you to use the skills you attained by reading the previous chapter. Virkler gives an objective overview of this topic by presenting various views and then referring you to books from both sides that will further your study of the more specific topics. (i.e. dispensational & covenential theories.) If you are looking for a balanced and objective introduction to hermeneutics, this IS the book for you!

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great hermeneutics manual for the novice, June 27, 2003

By 

djdjdjdjdjdj9 "djdjdjdjdjdj9" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation (Paperback)

Virkler's work "Hermeneutics," is widely acknowledged in the Evangelical realm as THE guidebook for novice exegetes. The book makes very strong points and gives adequate guidelines to help laypersons and up and coming pastors/theologians make accurate exegesis in study and homily.

Virkler's step-by-step process for interpreting, as he puts it, the "original intent" of the author of a biblical passage, is very simple to follow and actually apply. For example, the book comes with several "case studies" which may aid the student in conducting proper exegesis of given passages. Virkler also draws upon the biblical text to illustrate his points, which helps the student conceptualize the intended principle.

Virkler's recommendations for additional books and study materials I found inestimable; he even devotes an entire appendix to further studies in "sensus plenior" (dual authorship/intent), which seems to be one of his pet topics.

I do have some reservations about the book, however. First, Virkler does not offer answers to his case study (this may be overlooked given the conditional nature of many of the questions). Furthermore, Virkler frequently interjects his own ideas about how theology or hermeneutics/exegesis should be, even though one can perceive that he's trying very hard to write an objective textbook. An objective text should remain objective in its entirety. Such comments can be easily spotted however, and thereby mentally "set aside." Additionally, I noticed several typos or printing mistakes, mostly in the form of erroneously spelled words or misplaced punctuation marks.

I recommend this book with 4 stars for those who know little to nothing about hermeneutical methods, but would also add that the student can find much more information from more advanced sources, specifically in the realm of the history of hermeneutics.