Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology by: Richard Patterson and Andreas J. Köstenberger
Reviews from Amazon
"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
