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Interpreting the Truth: Changing the Paradigm of Biblical Studies

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Interpreting the Truth gives us an overview of many of the issues of modern biblical interpretation. In this sense it may be a necessary read for a believer who wants to be aware of the contemporary quasi-Christian mindset/s.

The New Testament is given a fuller treatment than the Old, with Jude, James and Romans given full (sample) chapters.

However...

Let's start with the "Abbreviations" page at the start of the book. The RSV and NRSV will be used, we can see, as their names and abbreviations are provided for our convenience and recognition. Wait... can it be? The NIV doesn't get a mention in the abbreviations page at all! So, a book about "interpretation" isn't even going to mention or make use of the NIV once? It is one of the most popular translations of the Scriptures of our time. It was translated by a huge team from just about every denomination. Surely this is a lack! Or a bias of some kind?

Check out the index. There are 23 references to homosexuality and only 3 to Protestantism. Alarm bells are ringing.

Take a look at the bibliography. None of the great evangelical names are given even a cursory mention, like D.A. Carson, Blomberg or Bock. Instead we have the standard Yale and Harvard fare.

Do we approach the Bible with reverence and awe towards a holy God? Or are we in the business of interpretation? I'd rather keep my naivety and choose the former.

It's a shame that so much material by theologians and academics today is neither edifying nor God-glorifying. Instead we have justifications of depraved lustful desires.