Interpreting Puzzling Texts in the New Testament [Paperback]

Robert H. Stein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1997

Part 1 treats parallel Gospel accounts and Jesus's sayings and actions; part 2, exaggeration and hyperbole; part 3 presents guidelines for interpreting the Epistles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 396 pages
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801021022
• ISBN-13: 978-0801021022
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,058,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interpreting Puzzling Texts in the New Testament, March 22, 2009

By 

G. W. Rodgers (Fort Worth, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Interpreting Puzzling Texts in the New Testament (Paperback)

I have studied the Bible for many decades. I obtained an M.A. in Historical Theology in the early 80's, and have studied at Baptist, Presbyterian and Lutheran theological seminaries (and been members of those churches at different times). Like many, I have studied and wrestled with a number of difficult passages in the Bible.

One of my favorite books, and one that I believe should be required reading of all pastors, and all lay people who have a serious desire to understand the New Testament (and all should, but many don't) is: Interpreting Puzzling Texts in the New Testament, published by Baker Publishing Group, copyright 1997 (paperback, 396 pages). It was formerly entitled: Difficult Passages in the New Testament, and issued as a hardback under that title.

The author, Robert H. Stein, Ph.D., taught 28 years at Bethel Theological Seminary before going to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1997. I would have to rank him as one of the top five theologians of our lifetime. No one I am aware of has done more in-depth study on the synoptic gospels (i.e., Matthew, Mark & Luke) and resolving apparent discrepancies therein. Of the various commentaries and books I have read trying to reconcile these difficulties, no one succeeds near as well as Stein.

Too many of Jesus' statements that are hyperbole or metaphorical are misunderstood by evangelicals (and even liberals and Roman Catholics) and taken very literally, which causes all kinds of conflicts with many other Scriptures, and confusion on very important topics (e.g., divorce, self defense, the proper use of the Old Testament for Christians, etc.).

Professor Stein, in my opinion, does a better job of understanding and interpreting these difficult sayings, and of convincingly proving the superiority of his interpretations, than anyone else I've read. I wish I would have had the privilege of studying under this scholar.

Even though he is a Baptist (wink & smile!), I hold him in the highest regard of all theological writers I've read, and certainly on the subjects to which he has dedicated his life's work (i.e., explaining difficult passages in the New Testament, and reconciling parallel accounts that appear on their face to be contradictory).