Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation (Hardcover)

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Product Description

While there are many books on hermeneutics, Graeme Goldsworthy's perception is that evangelical contributions often do not give sufficient attention to the vital relationship between hermeneutics and theology, both systematic and biblical.

In Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics, Goldsworthy moves beyond a reiteration of the usual arguments to concentrate on the theological questions of presuppositions, and the implications of the Christian gospel for hermeneutics. In doing so, he brings fresh perspectives on some well-worn pathways.

Part I examines the foundations and presuppositions of evangelical belief, particularly with regard to biblical interpretation.

Part II offers a selective overview of important hermeneutical developments from the sub-apostolic age to the present, as a means of identifying some significant influences that have been alien to the gospel.

Part III evaluates ways and means of reconstructing truly gospel-centered hermeneutics.

Goldsworthy's aim throughout is to commend the much-neglected role of biblical theology in hermeneutical practice, with pastoral concern for the people of God as they read, interpret and seek to live by his written Word.

About the Author

Now retired, Goldsworthy was formerly lecturer in Old Testament, biblical theology and hermeneutics at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia. He still teaches there part-time. His other books include According to Plan, Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture, Gospel & Kingdom, The Gospel in Revelation and The Gospel and Wisdom.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 341 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (March 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830828397
• ISBN-13: 978-0830828395
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #263,639 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scratching your itchy yearn for meaning, May 25, 2007

By	Nathan Ketchen (Franklin Square, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Seminary Hermeneutics courses lead the student to believe that discerning the meaning of a text is a relatively straight-forward procedure. All you do is determine the genre of the text, then decipher the various figures of speech. Application is merely taking the general principles of the text and placing them in the modern world. The seminary graduate quickly finds that bridging the gap between text and congregation is profoundly difficult! Philosophical conundrums abound, and he becomes awash in a sea of doubt concerning meaning. Goldsworthy to the rescue! He gives a very practical guide for using Biblical Theology through the lens of the gospel to arrive at the much yearned-for meaning of Scripture. This book is worth reading for anyone who desires to read his Bible with hope of understanding it.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Biblical Resource, November 15, 2007

By	Jesus Follower - See all my reviews

Rarely have I read a book that I so resonated with and enjoyed as Dr. Goldworthy's Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics. In this Biblical, clear, and systematized survey of hermeneutics, the author not only laid the Scriptural and presuppositional basis of thought, but also thoroughly addresses a myriad of topics in an extremely organized and lucid manner.

In the first part of his book, the evangelical prolegomena to hermeneutics, the author not only provides an impetus, motivation, and explanation of hermeneutics as well as laying down fundamental epistemic and Biblical presuppositions - that is most crucial (literally) in the interpretation of Holy Scripture. Unlike other uninspired texts, the Bible must be understood as God's revelation to his people for their salvation, showing the history of redemption, and explaining the gospel. Perhaps because both the author and I are reformed in doctrine and belong to the school of presuppositional apologetics, I find myself greatly edified by his initial comments about hermeneutics. The section on the biblical theology of interpretation provides an excellent survey through the different genres through a lens of different parts of scriptures. Although discussed later in the book, Goldworthy provides a complete understanding of hermeneutics as it embraces exegesis, biblical theology, and systematic theology - all three are indispensable in understanding a Scriptural text.

In the second part of the book, challenges to evangelical hermeneutics, Goldworthy walks the reader through church history from the early church until the rise of evangelicalism (which is most reminiscent of Frame's walk through the history of apologetics) with a fair description of each era of interpretation. The part I enjoyed the most was the assessment, as Christians strive to correctly divide the word of God, there are places where they do well and other they could improve upon. It is amazing that there are so many possible errors one can make in the interpretation of text and having these historical labels also help us as we observe possible errors in contemporary hermeneutics. I especially thought the section of the eclipse of the gospel in evangelicalism interesting as it puts current hermeuetic errors in light of historical errors.

In the last section, reconstructing evangelical hermeneutics, Goldsworthy provides readers with his layout for gospel-centered hermeneutics - and engaging many of the areas of historical hermeneutics that he critiqued earlier, but appropriating biblical principles for correct usage. I myself enjoyed most the exposition on the relationships of the two Testaments, including not only a detailed explanation of the unity and diversity, but also providing clear tables of typology and fulfillment. The section on contextualization was a surprised as most discussions on this matter explored how we engage culture. Goldworthy takes a well-applauded biblical perspective as he sees contextualization work through the history of redemption and outlines the general principles that is universal in all cultures. The discussion on the method of translation in terms of contextualization was also very edifying as new contemporary translations such as Message, Word on the Street, the New Living Translation, all seek to cross these linguistic boundaries. The emphasis on understanding original languages can be clearly seen in the midst cultural and the contextual changes. The final section on the hermeneutics of Christ provides the true lens which we see all of Scriptures, since the law, prophets all testify about Christ. Practical advice is given in clear formats in approaching texts.

It is clear that this work by Goldworthy is distilled from years of teaching and these notes show the structure of his classes. They provide a treasury of tools of biblical interpretation. I definitely will be recommending this book for avid students of the Bible.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource for Literature and Theology, May 27, 2008

By	A. Blanch (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great Resource for those studying Literature and Theology. A long time faculty member of Moore Theological College, Sydney, Graeme Goldsworthy is a biblical scholar of justifiable repute - his other books including "According to Plan" and "Gospel and Kingdom" explain biblical theology clearly and (as much as is possible) simply. Hermeneutics - an important sounding word for the ideas surrounding "interpretation" - is central to the study of literature also, and I have found this book a valuable resource to keep perspective when examining the more complex literary theories on hermeneutics, especially when exploring literary texts that cross the boundaries of literature and theology.