Invitation to Biblical Interpretation provides seminarians and upper-level collegians a textbook utilizing the "hermeneutical triad" method. This approach to interpretation is based on giving due consideration to both the historical setting and the literary context, as well the theological message.
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"The great merit of Kostenberger's and Patterson's volume is its three-dimension account of biblical interpretation. The authors rightly focus on the history, literature, and theology of the Bible--what they call the hermeneutical triad. Call it hermeneutics in real 3-D. A three-stranded hermeneutical cord may not be easily broken, but it's easy to grasp by following this introductory textbook. Another plus is the authors' reminder that biblical interpretation is not only about method but about virtue: a heartfelt humility before the divine text is as important as any heady procedure." --Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Blanchard Professor of Theology, Wheaton College and Graduate School
"I am filled with admiration. I learned much from this vigorous book. It is a work of great clarity that summarizes the best principles of general hermeneutics with the best principles of biblical interpretation. Professor Kostenberger's students are lucky to have such a trenchant and learned guide--and so are the readers of this fine book." --E. D. Hirsch Jr., Professor Emeritus of Education and Humanities, University of Virginia, and Founder, Core Knowledge Foundation
"There are certain topics of must reading for serious Bible students--hermeneutics is at the top. There are certain books of must reading for a topic. Andreas Kostenberger's work on hermeneutics is one of them. It is clear, concise, and yet deep, and manages to cover most of the needed areas. Thus it becomes an invaluable guide for the student working through the labyrinth of issues that make up the task of biblical interpretation. It will enable the reader to bridge the gap from understanding biblical portions in their original cultural context and from showing their relevance to a modern audience. I recommend it very highly." --Grant Osborne, Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
"Invitation to Biblical Interpretation is destined to become the standard textbook for colleges and seminaries for the foreseeable future. It is simply the best work available in the field of biblical hermeneutics. It is comprehensive in its breadth and in depth at all the right places. And it is well written! I will be certain to make it my anchor text as I teach biblical hermeneutics." --Daniel L. Akin, President, Professor of Preaching and Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
"Andreas Kostenberger and Richard Patterson, two brilliant and experienced interpreters of Holy Scripture, have produced a first-rate volume on biblical hermeneutics. Distinctive in its approach, with a focus on the 'hermeneutical triad,' this monumental publication is encyclopedic in its thoroughness, masterful in its organizational design, and skillful in its pedagogical emphasis. The clear discussions in each chapter, followed by helpful and informative bibliographies, will make this book a rich resource for students, scholars, and pastors for years to come. I am truly excited about the publication of Invitation to Biblical Interpretation." --David S. Dockery, President, Professor of Christian Thought and Tradition, Union University
"I am truly impressed. This introduction to hermeneutics covers all the bases, and I mean all of them. Read this book and you will be well prepared for the task of serious interpretation." --Tremper Longman, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
"This introduction to hermeneutics is outstanding in several ways: It takes full account of the unique divine authorship of the Bible; it is clear, readable, and doctrinally sound; it attends to the spiritual state of the interpreter; it provides detailed guidance for understanding the historical background, literary and linguistic features, and theological significance of each text; it is coauthored by an Old Testament and a New Testament professor; and it insists that right interpretation must end in application to life. It is an excellent book that will be widely used as a standard textbook for years to come." --Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary
"This book on biblical interpretation combines training in exegesis with a basic knowledge of hermeneutics. It urges careful consideration of historical, literary, and theological issues. Thus, historically, it includes helpful chronological charts, and much on cultural history. Its literary focus includes canon, genre, and language. Its theological dimension includes application. Genre is crucial: thus narrative, poetry and wisdom are distinguished in the Old Testament; and parable, epistles, and apocalyptic, in the New. Why responsible interpretation requires toil and labor receives careful explanation. This book contains plenty of common sense, sanity, and love of Scripture. I commend it especially to students, teachers, and even pastors, as helping all of us to use the Bible responsibly and fruitfully." --Anthony C. Thiselton, Professor of Christian Theology, University of Nottingham
"A major task--perhaps the major task--of hermeneutics is to clarify the meaning of texts. This work by Kostenberger and Patterson not only succeeds brilliantly in elucidating the fundamental principles and processes of biblical hermeneutics but itself is a model of how a book ought to be written. Its conception, organization, systematic development, and applications--all work together to make this the finest contribution of its kind to biblical scholarship. There is no stodginess or impenetrable 'academese' here. Layman and scholar alike will find it to be a virtual treasure house of sane and sensible hermeneutical practice." --Eugene H. Merrill, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
"Don't be misled by the title; this is no typical hermeneutics primer. Here, in considerable detail, covering both introductory and more advanced topics, and interacting with the most current and classic scholarship, is a one-stop shopping resource for the entire exegetical process for the most capable seminary students, pastors, and teachers. Particularly distinctive and/or helpful are the discussions of Old Testament chronology, interpreting Revelation, discourse analysis, grammatical fallacies, biblical theology, and homiletical method. Warmly recommended." --Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary
"Invitation to Biblical Interpretation offers a thorough, scholarly, Scripture-honoring approach to biblical hermeneutics that lays the foundations for genuine expository preaching. Under its 'hermeneutical triad' of the preaching text's historical setting, literary dimensions, and theological message, the book provides a balanced approach even as it explores most of the topics discussed in contemporary biblical hermeneutics. It is well researched and documented and clearly written and illustrated. This student-friendly book is not only an excellent text for a seminary course in biblical hermeneutics but is equally useful for independent study. I highly recommend this book for all who desire to preach and teach the Word faithfully and accurately." --Sidney Greidanus, Professor of Preaching Emeritus, Calvin Theological Seminary
"This is a well-written, clear, and thorough book on the principles of biblical interpretation for the whole Bible. It would be an excellent book for an upper-level hermeneutics course at the college level or an introductory hermeneutics course at the seminary level. Pastors will also find this a useful book to get an overview of the interpretative principles for different parts of the Bible from which they are preparing to preach. Seminary students and pastors will also benefit from the concluding chapter that applies the interpretative approach of the book to the task of preaching. The authors rightly contend that hermeneutics is to be viewed through the triadic lens of history, literature, and theology. This is not so much a theoretical approach to hermeneutics but a competent hands-on guide for interpreting the different kinds of literature that one encounters in the Bible. In this respect, each chapter helpfully concludes with a sample passage in which the principles discussed in the chapter are applied and illustrated, followed by study questions for the student and important bibliographical resources pertaining to the chapter. This is one of the best general and most thorough introductions to interpreting the English Bible that I have read." --Gregory K. Beale, Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary
"Kostenberger's Invitation to Biblical Interpretation is just that, a rich invitation to engage Scripture as God's Word, making appropriate use of all available tools. His triadic approach is fresh and helpfully non-reductive. This work is wide-ranging and in touch with contemporary scholarly trends while written and produced in a thoroughly accessible way for student, pastor, and professor. Highly recommended." --Craig Bartholomew, Professor of Religion and Theology, Redeemer University College
"In this triad dance of history, literature, and theology, as they move across the floor of biblical interpretation, Kostenberger and Patterson excel at sorting through and clearly presenting massive amounts of material across a wide spectrum of cognate disciplines. Written in a down-to-earth style, the book is as accessible as it is broad, as practical as it is informed on contemporary discussions of these difficult matters. From the particulars of Greek grammar and discourse analysis to helpful introductions on canon, biblical theology, and appropriate application, here one again and again finds a welcome orientation to the bread-and-butter concepts, sound practices, and tools needed for handling the biblical text responsibly and the spiritual posture for approaching it reverently. I am impressed and looking forward to putting this book in the hands of my students, who will find here a rich, expansive resource from which to draw guidance for years to come." --George H. Guthrie, Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible, Union University
"This is indeed a warm invitation to interpret the Bible responsibly, passionately, and practically. Showing readers how to explore the context, literature, and theology of the biblical books, the authors provide a guide to all phases of interpretation. The work climaxes in particularly helpful instructions on how to move from study of the text to crafting of the sermon. Novices should not be put off by the size of the volume. Although comprehensive in scope and breadth, the style of writing and the practical helps at the end of each chapter ensure that the concepts conveyed will be readily grasped even by non-professionals. If students of Scripture are seeking a single volume to which they can turn for practical assistance in interpretation, this is the book to get. Thank you, Kregel Publishers, for making their work available to us." --Daniel I. Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College
"I am filled with admiration. I learned much from this vigorous book. It is a work of great clarity that summarizes the best principles of general hermeneutics with the best principles of biblical interpretation. Professor Kostenberger's students are lucky to have such a trenchant and learned guide--and so are the readers of this fine book." --E. D. Hirsch Jr., Professor Emeritus of Education and Humanities, University of Virginia, and Founder, Core Knowledge Foundation
"There are certain topics of must reading for serious Bible students--hermeneutics is at the top. There are certain books of must reading for a topic. Andreas Kostenberger's work on hermeneutics is one of them. It is clear, concise, and yet deep, and manages to cover most of the needed areas. Thus it becomes an invaluable guide for the student working through the labyrinth of issues that make up the task of biblical interpretation. It will enable the reader to bridge the gap from understanding biblical portions in their original cultural context and from showing their relevance to a modern audience. I recommend it very highly." --Grant Osborne, Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
"Invitation to Biblical Interpretation is destined to become the standard textbook for colleges and seminaries for the foreseeable future. It is simply the best work available in the field of biblical hermeneutics. It is comprehensive in its breadth and in depth at all the right places. And it is well written! I will be certain to make it my anchor text as I teach biblical hermeneutics." --Daniel L. Akin, President, Professor of Preaching and Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
"Andreas Kostenberger and Richard Patterson, two brilliant and experienced interpreters of Holy Scripture, have produced a first-rate volume on biblical hermeneutics. Distinctive in its approach, with a focus on the 'hermeneutical triad,' this monumental publication is encyclopedic in its thoroughness, masterful in its organizational design, and skillful in its pedagogical emphasis. The clear discussions in each chapter, followed by helpful and informative bibliographies, will make this book a rich resource for students, scholars, and pastors for years to come. I am truly excited about the publication of Invitation to Biblical Interpretation." --David S. Dockery, President, Professor of Christian Thought and Tradition, Union University
"I am truly impressed. This introduction to hermeneutics covers all the bases, and I mean all of them. Read this book and you will be well prepared for the task of serious interpretation." --Tremper Longman, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
"This introduction to hermeneutics is outstanding in several ways: It takes full account of the unique divine authorship of the Bible; it is clear, readable, and doctrinally sound; it attends to the spiritual state of the interpreter; it provides detailed guidance for understanding the historical background, literary and linguistic features, and theological significance of each text; it is coauthored by an Old Testament and a New Testament professor; and it insists that right interpretation must end in application to life. It is an excellent book that will be widely used as a standard textbook for years to come." --Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary
"This book on biblical interpretation combines training in exegesis with a basic knowledge of hermeneutics. It urges careful consideration of historical, literary, and theological issues. Thus, historically, it includes helpful chronological charts, and much on cultural history. Its literary focus includes canon, genre, and language. Its theological dimension includes application. Genre is crucial: thus narrative, poetry and wisdom are distinguished in the Old Testament; and parable, epistles, and apocalyptic, in the New. Why responsible interpretation requires toil and labor receives careful explanation. This book contains plenty of common sense, sanity, and love of Scripture. I commend it especially to students, teachers, and even pastors, as helping all of us to use the Bible responsibly and fruitfully." --Anthony C. Thiselton, Professor of Christian Theology, University of Nottingham
"A major task--perhaps the major task--of hermeneutics is to clarify the meaning of texts. This work by Kostenberger and Patterson not only succeeds brilliantly in elucidating the fundamental principles and processes of biblical hermeneutics but itself is a model of how a book ought to be written. Its conception, organization, systematic development, and applications--all work together to make this the finest contribution of its kind to biblical scholarship. There is no stodginess or impenetrable 'academese' here. Layman and scholar alike will find it to be a virtual treasure house of sane and sensible hermeneutical practice." --Eugene H. Merrill, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
"Don't be misled by the title; this is no typical hermeneutics primer. Here, in considerable detail, covering both introductory and more advanced topics, and interacting with the most current and classic scholarship, is a one-stop shopping resource for the entire exegetical process for the most capable seminary students, pastors, and teachers. Particularly distinctive and/or helpful are the discussions of Old Testament chronology, interpreting Revelation, discourse analysis, grammatical fallacies, biblical theology, and homiletical method. Warmly recommended." --Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary
"Invitation to Biblical Interpretation offers a thorough, scholarly, Scripture-honoring approach to biblical hermeneutics that lays the foundations for genuine expository preaching. Under its 'hermeneutical triad' of the preaching text's historical setting, literary dimensions, and theological message, the book provides a balanced approach even as it explores most of the topics discussed in contemporary biblical hermeneutics. It is well researched and documented and clearly written and illustrated. This student-friendly book is not only an excellent text for a seminary course in biblical hermeneutics but is equally useful for independent study. I highly recommend this book for all who desire to preach and teach the Word faithfully and accurately." --Sidney Greidanus, Professor of Preaching Emeritus, Calvin Theological Seminary
"This is a well-written, clear, and thorough book on the principles of biblical interpretation for the whole Bible. It would be an excellent book for an upper-level hermeneutics course at the college level or an introductory hermeneutics course at the seminary level. Pastors will also find this a useful book to get an overview of the interpretative principles for different parts of the Bible from which they are preparing to preach. Seminary students and pastors will also benefit from the concluding chapter that applies the interpretative approach of the book to the task of preaching. The authors rightly contend that hermeneutics is to be viewed through the triadic lens of history, literature, and theology. This is not so much a theoretical approach to hermeneutics but a competent hands-on guide for interpreting the different kinds of literature that one encounters in the Bible. In this respect, each chapter helpfully concludes with a sample passage in which the principles discussed in the chapter are applied and illustrated, followed by study questions for the student and important bibliographical resources pertaining to the chapter. This is one of the best general and most thorough introductions to interpreting the English Bible that I have read." --Gregory K. Beale, Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary
"Kostenberger's Invitation to Biblical Interpretation is just that, a rich invitation to engage Scripture as God's Word, making appropriate use of all available tools. His triadic approach is fresh and helpfully non-reductive. This work is wide-ranging and in touch with contemporary scholarly trends while written and produced in a thoroughly accessible way for student, pastor, and professor. Highly recommended." --Craig Bartholomew, Professor of Religion and Theology, Redeemer University College
"In this triad dance of history, literature, and theology, as they move across the floor of biblical interpretation, Kostenberger and Patterson excel at sorting through and clearly presenting massive amounts of material across a wide spectrum of cognate disciplines. Written in a down-to-earth style, the book is as accessible as it is broad, as practical as it is informed on contemporary discussions of these difficult matters. From the particulars of Greek grammar and discourse analysis to helpful introductions on canon, biblical theology, and appropriate application, here one again and again finds a welcome orientation to the bread-and-butter concepts, sound practices, and tools needed for handling the biblical text responsibly and the spiritual posture for approaching it reverently. I am impressed and looking forward to putting this book in the hands of my students, who will find here a rich, expansive resource from which to draw guidance for years to come." --George H. Guthrie, Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible, Union University
"This is indeed a warm invitation to interpret the Bible responsibly, passionately, and practically. Showing readers how to explore the context, literature, and theology of the biblical books, the authors provide a guide to all phases of interpretation. The work climaxes in particularly helpful instructions on how to move from study of the text to crafting of the sermon. Novices should not be put off by the size of the volume. Although comprehensive in scope and breadth, the style of writing and the practical helps at the end of each chapter ensure that the concepts conveyed will be readily grasped even by non-professionals. If students of Scripture are seeking a single volume to which they can turn for practical assistance in interpretation, this is the book to get. Thank you, Kregel Publishers, for making their work available to us." --Daniel I. Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College
About the Author
Andreas J. Kostenberger is director of doctoral studies and professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He translated Adolf Schlatter's two-volume theology of the New Testament into English and is editor of the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.
Richard D. Patterson (PhD, University of California, Los Angeles) is distinguished professor ermeritus at Liberty University. He has written well over 100 articles for major publishers and periodicals, including commentaries on Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (Moody) and Joel and Kings (with Hermann Austel) for the second edition of the Expositor's Bible Commentary Series.
Richard D. Patterson (PhD, University of California, Los Angeles) is distinguished professor ermeritus at Liberty University. He has written well over 100 articles for major publishers and periodicals, including commentaries on Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (Moody) and Joel and Kings (with Hermann Austel) for the second edition of the Expositor's Bible Commentary Series.
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More About the Author
Dr. Kostenberge is Senior Research Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He is also the founder of Biblical Foundations™. Dr. Kostenberger is the author of numerous books on a variety of biblical and theological topics. He also serves as the editor of the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society and as Director of Acquisitions for B&H Academic. Dr. Kostenberger and his wife Margaret have four children and live in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Andreas J. Köstenberger and Richard D. Patterson have a daunting task ahead of them, to engage me personally and bringing me to a conclusion that they have succeeded in creating a textbook for proper biblical interpretation which takes into account historical and literary contexts while understanding the role of Christian theology in examining these things.
In their note to teachers, students and readers, they write that the time for a new context has developed. They note that in the hermeneutical geometry, there is the circle, the spiral, and now the triangle. Of course, it is only the stylizing and codification of the new triad, represented by a triangle, which is new. They note that other scholars, such as Longman and Dillard, have used the three areas which they will seek to employ. Further, they are also not prepared to say that their method is exclusive, but instead, they leave insight for the other two shapes and even gives their importance. In my opinion, they are succeeding where others fail because they aren't arguing for exclusivity, but are urging that their new way is simply a different way. Their difference is pronounced. "(R)ather than moving from general to special hermeneutics, we move from special to general. In doing so, we are building on the enormous amount of recent scholarship on the importance of the canon, theology, metanarrative, and Scripture as "theodrama" (p25)." This idea of canon first may be putting off to some, myself included, but this is theology, and not biblical studies, so I can, and you should, allow some room for canonical criticism. Further, they are unabashedly conservative in their approach to Scripture as they almost immediately declare that they will consider Scripture as "inerrant."
The book is divided into three parts, with sixteen chapters amongst them. In the second part, Interpretation: The Hermeneutical Triad, the authors break this down further, and this is where the student's work begins. The text teaches students to focus their studies on three parts of the passage: canon, genre, and language. The overarching structure, however, looks like this:
Preparation
History
Canon
Genre
Language
Theology
Application and Proclamation
This is their goal, to engage students to study the biblical texts in a theological construct.
To review every chapter would be somewhat repetitive, so I've selected a few of them to examine. The first one which I want to look at is the one dealing with John's Revelation. This is a good one to start because of the various interpretations given to this book, and sometimes, the heated arguments over those interpretations. In my opinion, while the explanation of the futurist position seems a little biased (I note that unlike the other listed approaches there are not any negative or positive features highlighted), overall, the inclusion of modern scholarship, such as Bauckham, is a welcome sight. You'll find Aune, Beale, Evans, Longenecker and Hayes as well, who is extremely important in understanding Revelation, especially in regards to the use of the Old Testament in John's writings, something that they spend a considerable amount of time explaining. This portion of the book doesn't just skim Revelation, but tackles it from a literary background (note the use of Hayes) and then pushes the student to an exegesis. In this instance, it is Revelation 11.1-13. Their conclusion does not betray biases, but an actual conclusion based on the presented actualization of the evidence.
The second examination occurs in the final chapter of the book, after the ground work has been laid, in going "From Study to Sermon." We have to remember that theology is entangled with preaching, and preaching theology. To have theology without praxis, is to have a dead theology, so all of the wonderful theology books published which are not geared to praxis is a waste of time. Köstenberger and Patterson have written their book towards a praxis of preaching. I have often said to others, especially students, that the exegesises which many write in Seminary, should be the pattern of a sermon. So, how does this measure up? Very well, in my opinion. They start off by dismissing this entire business of having an outline first. Do you know what an outline does? It generally locks the exegete into a set conclusion. The authors note that the outline is to be discovered. Further, they note that not every passage in Scripture is of the same context. They note the common mistakes made, such as "being ignorant of its literary context," allegorization (of the Old Testament), and of course, imposition or inference into the text. They demand that preachers actually know what they are talking about before they start talking.
Why is this important? In the first portion of the book, there is a brief essay on the cost of failed biblical interpretation followed by Chapter 13 which contains a discussion on exegetical fallacies. In the essay, the authors note the fallacies which arise from "neglect of the context, prooftexting, eisegesis...., improper use of background information, and other similar shortcomings." They note that to limit some of this, one needs the community of believers, set against the individualistic enterprise we so often, unfortunately, see today. In the chapter, they note the several fallacies which we find common today, such as believing that a lexicon qualifies as the only interpretative tool. It seems that for our authors, most of the fallacies are based on ignorance of the wider field of biblical interpretation beginning with a faulty use of linguistics. To counter this, chapter 13 is written against pitfalls which individuals seem to make, such as root fallacy, misuse of meaning, appeal to unknown, and, among a few others, the favorite of too many (just as the use of a dictionary means someone knows what the word means), "improper appeal to alleged parallels." Each fallacy is fully explained and rebuffed while the student given a way to avoid the trap.
How would this book work for a student? Well, as a student, this book provides a clear methodology, from front to back, and it is followed by the authors well. Each chapter has outlines, objectives, assignments, questions, key words and a bibliography. Unlike some books, others scholars and their works are footnoted throughout the entire book. In my opinion, this is a measurable identification of intellectual integrity for the authors, not in footnoting other scholars in the usual sense, but in allowing students to find supporting evidences which may in fact lead to challenges to the personal doctrines of the authors. This is not a book to be the all in all, but a book to be the first in a long line of books for the student in learning biblical interpretation. Further, it is not something that can easily be skimmed over, but something to be digested. Equally, for the teacher, it is a book which will provide a firm basis for in class discussions (especially the scholarship provided) and help to establish real biblical interpreters. That is what we go to seminary for, right? To engage, in some form, of biblical interpretation. This should become a book which sets the course for a generation of students to come.
At the beginning of this review, I noted the task of Köstenberger and Patterson. I am rather harsh on such books. I find that the lackluster skills which many young pastors and seminary students have is a sure sign that the Western Church is going to fall shortly. I often rail, loudly, against the diaspora of intelligence which is fleeing our congregations while we turn to sermons on Sunday morning which are little more than motivational speeches. Why? Because they are often saddled with poor exegetical skills with no real evidence that they have ever attempted real biblical interpretation. They take one angle and attempt to interpret the Text through that lens, which defeats any attempt at sensibility. If students, and former students, will listen to our authors, they will get an education in actual biblical interpretation and thereby, be able to actually engage the biblical text. There are issues, personally, I have with the view of the authors regarding Scripture, but this book gets beyond that quickly. It gets to the point that there is an actual way to interpret Scripture, and it is not the way which is common, or plain. It is one which takes into account what the authors have appropriately name the Hermeneutical Triad. I fully recommend this book. It is a must for students, teachers, and pastors and those concerned with what students are learning, teachers are teaching, and pastors are preaching.
In their note to teachers, students and readers, they write that the time for a new context has developed. They note that in the hermeneutical geometry, there is the circle, the spiral, and now the triangle. Of course, it is only the stylizing and codification of the new triad, represented by a triangle, which is new. They note that other scholars, such as Longman and Dillard, have used the three areas which they will seek to employ. Further, they are also not prepared to say that their method is exclusive, but instead, they leave insight for the other two shapes and even gives their importance. In my opinion, they are succeeding where others fail because they aren't arguing for exclusivity, but are urging that their new way is simply a different way. Their difference is pronounced. "(R)ather than moving from general to special hermeneutics, we move from special to general. In doing so, we are building on the enormous amount of recent scholarship on the importance of the canon, theology, metanarrative, and Scripture as "theodrama" (p25)." This idea of canon first may be putting off to some, myself included, but this is theology, and not biblical studies, so I can, and you should, allow some room for canonical criticism. Further, they are unabashedly conservative in their approach to Scripture as they almost immediately declare that they will consider Scripture as "inerrant."
The book is divided into three parts, with sixteen chapters amongst them. In the second part, Interpretation: The Hermeneutical Triad, the authors break this down further, and this is where the student's work begins. The text teaches students to focus their studies on three parts of the passage: canon, genre, and language. The overarching structure, however, looks like this:
Preparation
History
Canon
Genre
Language
Theology
Application and Proclamation
This is their goal, to engage students to study the biblical texts in a theological construct.
To review every chapter would be somewhat repetitive, so I've selected a few of them to examine. The first one which I want to look at is the one dealing with John's Revelation. This is a good one to start because of the various interpretations given to this book, and sometimes, the heated arguments over those interpretations. In my opinion, while the explanation of the futurist position seems a little biased (I note that unlike the other listed approaches there are not any negative or positive features highlighted), overall, the inclusion of modern scholarship, such as Bauckham, is a welcome sight. You'll find Aune, Beale, Evans, Longenecker and Hayes as well, who is extremely important in understanding Revelation, especially in regards to the use of the Old Testament in John's writings, something that they spend a considerable amount of time explaining. This portion of the book doesn't just skim Revelation, but tackles it from a literary background (note the use of Hayes) and then pushes the student to an exegesis. In this instance, it is Revelation 11.1-13. Their conclusion does not betray biases, but an actual conclusion based on the presented actualization of the evidence.
The second examination occurs in the final chapter of the book, after the ground work has been laid, in going "From Study to Sermon." We have to remember that theology is entangled with preaching, and preaching theology. To have theology without praxis, is to have a dead theology, so all of the wonderful theology books published which are not geared to praxis is a waste of time. Köstenberger and Patterson have written their book towards a praxis of preaching. I have often said to others, especially students, that the exegesises which many write in Seminary, should be the pattern of a sermon. So, how does this measure up? Very well, in my opinion. They start off by dismissing this entire business of having an outline first. Do you know what an outline does? It generally locks the exegete into a set conclusion. The authors note that the outline is to be discovered. Further, they note that not every passage in Scripture is of the same context. They note the common mistakes made, such as "being ignorant of its literary context," allegorization (of the Old Testament), and of course, imposition or inference into the text. They demand that preachers actually know what they are talking about before they start talking.
Why is this important? In the first portion of the book, there is a brief essay on the cost of failed biblical interpretation followed by Chapter 13 which contains a discussion on exegetical fallacies. In the essay, the authors note the fallacies which arise from "neglect of the context, prooftexting, eisegesis...., improper use of background information, and other similar shortcomings." They note that to limit some of this, one needs the community of believers, set against the individualistic enterprise we so often, unfortunately, see today. In the chapter, they note the several fallacies which we find common today, such as believing that a lexicon qualifies as the only interpretative tool. It seems that for our authors, most of the fallacies are based on ignorance of the wider field of biblical interpretation beginning with a faulty use of linguistics. To counter this, chapter 13 is written against pitfalls which individuals seem to make, such as root fallacy, misuse of meaning, appeal to unknown, and, among a few others, the favorite of too many (just as the use of a dictionary means someone knows what the word means), "improper appeal to alleged parallels." Each fallacy is fully explained and rebuffed while the student given a way to avoid the trap.
How would this book work for a student? Well, as a student, this book provides a clear methodology, from front to back, and it is followed by the authors well. Each chapter has outlines, objectives, assignments, questions, key words and a bibliography. Unlike some books, others scholars and their works are footnoted throughout the entire book. In my opinion, this is a measurable identification of intellectual integrity for the authors, not in footnoting other scholars in the usual sense, but in allowing students to find supporting evidences which may in fact lead to challenges to the personal doctrines of the authors. This is not a book to be the all in all, but a book to be the first in a long line of books for the student in learning biblical interpretation. Further, it is not something that can easily be skimmed over, but something to be digested. Equally, for the teacher, it is a book which will provide a firm basis for in class discussions (especially the scholarship provided) and help to establish real biblical interpreters. That is what we go to seminary for, right? To engage, in some form, of biblical interpretation. This should become a book which sets the course for a generation of students to come.
At the beginning of this review, I noted the task of Köstenberger and Patterson. I am rather harsh on such books. I find that the lackluster skills which many young pastors and seminary students have is a sure sign that the Western Church is going to fall shortly. I often rail, loudly, against the diaspora of intelligence which is fleeing our congregations while we turn to sermons on Sunday morning which are little more than motivational speeches. Why? Because they are often saddled with poor exegetical skills with no real evidence that they have ever attempted real biblical interpretation. They take one angle and attempt to interpret the Text through that lens, which defeats any attempt at sensibility. If students, and former students, will listen to our authors, they will get an education in actual biblical interpretation and thereby, be able to actually engage the biblical text. There are issues, personally, I have with the view of the authors regarding Scripture, but this book gets beyond that quickly. It gets to the point that there is an actual way to interpret Scripture, and it is not the way which is common, or plain. It is one which takes into account what the authors have appropriately name the Hermeneutical Triad. I fully recommend this book. It is a must for students, teachers, and pastors and those concerned with what students are learning, teachers are teaching, and pastors are preaching.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I wish I had been assigned this book for Exegetical Methods.
I wish I had been assigned this book for Hermenuetics.
I wish I had been assigned this book for Systematic Theology.
I wish I had been assigned this book for Pentateuch.
I wish I had been assigned this book for Prophets.
I wish I had been assigned this book for Gospels.
I wish I had been assigned this book for all of my seminary classes!
And I wish I had had this book for all the small groups I've led over the years.
Over the past few weeks, I've been reading hermeneutics and loving it. My friends and family think I'm crazy, but this book is so well written, so interesting, so easy to understand that it's a pleasure to read it. This amazing book is Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology by Andreas J. Kostenberger and Richard D. Patterson.
Weighing in at almost 900 pages, this book is a seminary education in itself. Frankly, it's better than most of the books assigned in my Fuller classes. In addition to thoroughly discussing the grammatical-historical method, Kostenberger and Patterson provide an excellent, theologically based biblical overview. I seriously could use it for background for almost class or bible study.
Each chapter starts with objectives and an outline, and ends with summaries, key words, study questions, and assignments. The text is interesting and easy to read. And excellent footnotes offer further information, contrasting views, or textual issues. If I were looking for one reference work to help me lead a bible study, this would be it.
I wish I had been assigned this book for Hermenuetics.
I wish I had been assigned this book for Systematic Theology.
I wish I had been assigned this book for Pentateuch.
I wish I had been assigned this book for Prophets.
I wish I had been assigned this book for Gospels.
I wish I had been assigned this book for all of my seminary classes!
And I wish I had had this book for all the small groups I've led over the years.
Over the past few weeks, I've been reading hermeneutics and loving it. My friends and family think I'm crazy, but this book is so well written, so interesting, so easy to understand that it's a pleasure to read it. This amazing book is Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology by Andreas J. Kostenberger and Richard D. Patterson.
Weighing in at almost 900 pages, this book is a seminary education in itself. Frankly, it's better than most of the books assigned in my Fuller classes. In addition to thoroughly discussing the grammatical-historical method, Kostenberger and Patterson provide an excellent, theologically based biblical overview. I seriously could use it for background for almost class or bible study.
Each chapter starts with objectives and an outline, and ends with summaries, key words, study questions, and assignments. The text is interesting and easy to read. And excellent footnotes offer further information, contrasting views, or textual issues. If I were looking for one reference work to help me lead a bible study, this would be it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Wow! An awesome book! What a lot of useful things to begin working into my own interpretive practices!" Those were my first thoughts as finished reading Invitation to Biblical Interpretation, by Andreas Kostenberger and Richard D. Patterson. Their book is sub-titled Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature and Theology and they have put together a comprehensive guide to help navigate the path of Biblical interpretation, so that the person preparing to preach can do so thoroughly and for one overarching purpose: the faithful proclamation of God's word.
The authors' thesis is that proper study of a Biblical text in preparation for preaching involves studying the text from three different perspectives. They are the historical setting of the text, its individual literary characteristics, and the theology it expresses. In the first chapter they provide an overview of their thesis and an introduction to their method. This includes a comparative discussion of other models of exegesis, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of those models, as well as the historical settings that they arose in. Then they embark on a systematic discussion of their proposed method.
Part 1 explores the importance of the "context of scripture", i.e. history. In order to properly probe a Biblical text we need to understand and consider the historical-cultural setting in which it was written, so that we can accurately discern how an ancient text can speak vibrantly into our time and culture.
Part 2 deals with the "focus of scripture", i.e. scripture as literature. This part comprises the bulk of the book, being subdivided into units of canon, genre and language. They dig deeply into each of these literary units, exploring the differences between both parts of the canon, the importance of understanding the text as a type of literature (i.e. narrative, poetry, prophecy, et.al.), and then addressing matters of language (i.e. determining specific textual units, word studies, common fallacies, et.al.).
Part 3 considers the "goal of scripture", i.e. the theology it teaches. While this part of the book is only one chapter it is the first of two chapters that bring everything together. The authors have a strong belief that theology should be derived from the Bible, rather than imposed on it. They believe that pastors, preachers and professors need to dig into scripture and be willing to be taught by it, rather than boxing scripture into a pre-conceived framework. This does not mean that only theology which is explicitly taught is what the church should hold to, but that all of the doctrine and teaching of the church should be built on a Biblical foundation.
The book's final chapter addresses application and proclamation of what has been learned through conscientious study. The intent of our study is to bring God's word to life in the world and the authors discuss various ways in which this may be done.
This book has a number of strengths. The first is the logical and coherent way the authors have laid out what they intend to teach within the pages. As I read I felt that each chapter and each section fit within a whole. Second is that each chapter contains a summary, review questions and suggested assignments. While the book may have been written primarily as a classroom textbook those features make it easy to learn from in a situation as my own, where I am pursuing additional study independently.
The third strength is that each chapter in the Literature section includes a sample exegesis of what has been taught within the chapter. This did a lot for me to illuminate the chapter's teaching. Fourth is the extensive footnoting that the authors have included. While they have compiled a comprehensive way to approach the practice of hermeneutics, their footnotes make it easy to explore any particular subordinate aspect in greater depth.
And lastly, the appendix contains extensive suggestions for the biblical student in building their own library. This includes multiple suggestions for each category of general resource and reference work, as well as several suggestions of commentary for each book of the Bible.
My own seminary training in hermeneutics was a bit fragmented, coming through classes in language, theology and preaching. I liked the way in which the authors have chosen to teach hermeneutics as its own integrated discipline, and particularly their intent to make it not merely an academic subject but one that serves a greater purpose.
The last chapter closes saying "God's Word has real authority and power, but only to the extent that it is faithfully and properly interpreted and proclaimed. To this end, may this book make a small contribution, for the good of God's people and for God's greater glory" (800). To which I say "Amen!"
The authors' thesis is that proper study of a Biblical text in preparation for preaching involves studying the text from three different perspectives. They are the historical setting of the text, its individual literary characteristics, and the theology it expresses. In the first chapter they provide an overview of their thesis and an introduction to their method. This includes a comparative discussion of other models of exegesis, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of those models, as well as the historical settings that they arose in. Then they embark on a systematic discussion of their proposed method.
Part 1 explores the importance of the "context of scripture", i.e. history. In order to properly probe a Biblical text we need to understand and consider the historical-cultural setting in which it was written, so that we can accurately discern how an ancient text can speak vibrantly into our time and culture.
Part 2 deals with the "focus of scripture", i.e. scripture as literature. This part comprises the bulk of the book, being subdivided into units of canon, genre and language. They dig deeply into each of these literary units, exploring the differences between both parts of the canon, the importance of understanding the text as a type of literature (i.e. narrative, poetry, prophecy, et.al.), and then addressing matters of language (i.e. determining specific textual units, word studies, common fallacies, et.al.).
Part 3 considers the "goal of scripture", i.e. the theology it teaches. While this part of the book is only one chapter it is the first of two chapters that bring everything together. The authors have a strong belief that theology should be derived from the Bible, rather than imposed on it. They believe that pastors, preachers and professors need to dig into scripture and be willing to be taught by it, rather than boxing scripture into a pre-conceived framework. This does not mean that only theology which is explicitly taught is what the church should hold to, but that all of the doctrine and teaching of the church should be built on a Biblical foundation.
The book's final chapter addresses application and proclamation of what has been learned through conscientious study. The intent of our study is to bring God's word to life in the world and the authors discuss various ways in which this may be done.
This book has a number of strengths. The first is the logical and coherent way the authors have laid out what they intend to teach within the pages. As I read I felt that each chapter and each section fit within a whole. Second is that each chapter contains a summary, review questions and suggested assignments. While the book may have been written primarily as a classroom textbook those features make it easy to learn from in a situation as my own, where I am pursuing additional study independently.
The third strength is that each chapter in the Literature section includes a sample exegesis of what has been taught within the chapter. This did a lot for me to illuminate the chapter's teaching. Fourth is the extensive footnoting that the authors have included. While they have compiled a comprehensive way to approach the practice of hermeneutics, their footnotes make it easy to explore any particular subordinate aspect in greater depth.
And lastly, the appendix contains extensive suggestions for the biblical student in building their own library. This includes multiple suggestions for each category of general resource and reference work, as well as several suggestions of commentary for each book of the Bible.
My own seminary training in hermeneutics was a bit fragmented, coming through classes in language, theology and preaching. I liked the way in which the authors have chosen to teach hermeneutics as its own integrated discipline, and particularly their intent to make it not merely an academic subject but one that serves a greater purpose.
The last chapter closes saying "God's Word has real authority and power, but only to the extent that it is faithfully and properly interpreted and proclaimed. To this end, may this book make a small contribution, for the good of God's people and for God's greater glory" (800). To which I say "Amen!"
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing; Triad collapses to straight line
For those who are wedded to the presupposition that the human authorial intent is normative (rather than just normal), this book is great. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Brandon Richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!
Kostenberger did a excellent job in this book. It is well written and conservative. It is an excellent addition to the study of hermeneutics, in the class of the Hermeneutical... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dr. Don Shackelford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful
This is a helpful tool in better understanding how to accuratly interpret the Bible. I can happily recommend this book.
Published 3 months ago by Shawn White
5.0 out of 5 stars
Biblical hermeneutics is a topic that is frequently overlooked.
"Invitation to Biblical Interpretation" is a text that is readable and challenging to study that isn't written in microscopic print . Read more
Published 5 months ago by Robert
4.0 out of 5 stars
It was just what I was looking for.
I was looking for a book that spoke of theological principles yet was written using words and ideas that were understandable to the layman. Read more
Published 5 months ago by donna
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic resource
Being a seminary student of Divinity this book has helped me tremendously. Not only has it expanded my view in Historical-Grammatical method, but it has given me the principles... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Albsolano
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Seminary Education in One Book
This book is amazing, it contains much of what I was taught in Seminary, and a lot of information I wish I had been taught. Couldn't put it down.
Published 8 months ago by Doc
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent introduction to biblical hermeneutics
First there was the hermeneutical circle. Then there was the hermeneutical spiral. Now, in Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History,... Read more
Published 13 months ago by E. Ritzema
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wish I had something like this book in seminary
I am not one of those people who disparage seminaries, or my seminary education. I believe I learned a lot of helpful things in seminary, and probably forgot even more things that... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Clint Walker
4.0 out of 5 stars
Review: Invitation to Biblical Interpretation
Since beginning the journey that is biblical studies I have read several introductions to biblical hermeneutics, taken a bible college class in hermeneutics, a Sunday school class,... Read more
Published 14 months ago by D. Svihel
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