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Knowing Scripture
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$ 12.75
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$ 15.00 |
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391867 |
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Item Description...
The Bible is the written Word of God, and it is treasured by many. But it is also an ancient book about people and cultures very different than us. Thus, while we know we should read it, many of us have a hard time understanding the Bible.In this updated edition of Knowing Scripture, R. C. Sproul helps us dig out the meaning of Scripture for ourselves. The author says, "The theme of this book is not how to read the Bible but how to study the Bible." He presents in simple, basic terms a commonsense approach to studying Scripture and gives eleven practical guidelines for biblical interpretation and applying what we learn. With a minimum of technical jargon, Sproul tackles some of the knotty questions regarding differences of interpreting the Bible, includingdiscovering the meanings of biblical wordsunderstanding Hebrew poetry, proverbs and parablesapproaching historical and didactic passagesbeing careful with predictive prophecydiscerning how culture conditions the Biblechoosing and using Bible translations, commentaries, Bible software and other helpsKnowing Scripture is a basic book for both beginning Bible readers and experienced students of Scripture. |
Item Specifications...
Pages 152
Dimensions: Length: 0.5" Width: 5.5" Height: 8.25"
Weight: 0.5 lbs.
Binding Softcover
Release Date Mar 1, 2009
Publisher IVP Books
ISBN 083083723X
EAN 9780830837236
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Availability 15 units.
Availability accurate as of May 27, 2012 07:30.
Usually ships within one to two business days from Johnson City, TN.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | Great Book Jun 2, 2008 |
| R.C. Sproul does it again with an awesome book covering the basics of biblical Hermeneutics (The science of biblical interpretation). I would add the forgotten science of biblical interpretation. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in studying scripture. Though the book is not as in depth as what someone would get from seminary, this book covers the basic. How have we come up with so many different interpretations of scripture, such as the Health, wealth and prosperity gospel? Because not many seem to follow the ancient traditions of biblical interpretation. This includes, language, historical context, literary styles, etc. | | | | Good book on the Basics of Scripture and Hermeneutics Mar 6, 2007 |
If you're a pastor or seminary student who needs a good but basic book on Scripture and hermeneutics then this book is a great place to start. R. C. Sproul Sr. does a good job telling his readers the nature of Scripture and how to interpret it. The reason why Sproul insists that all Christians must have a good understanding of Scripture is because "No Christian can avoid theology. Every Christian is a theologian. Perhaps not a theologian in the technical or professional sense, but a theologian nevertheless. The issue for Christians is not whether we are going to be theologians but whether we are going to be good theologians or bad ones" (p. 22). What a statement! That statement should be imprinted in the minds of every born-again Christian. In this age where many professing Christians are seduced into false philosophies and depraved ideologies this statement should jolt them into shaking them out of their theological and exegetical complacency. In this book Sproul does a good job showing how we as Christians can have a proper understanding of Scripture.
The book consists of six chapters. The first chapter pretty much goes over the basics of Scripture and why we should study it. Here, Sproul gives us a good summary of how we are to apply Scripture in our personal Bible studies (those immersed in the prosperity or seeker-friendly movements should definitely read his section on "The Sensuous Christian").
The second chapter deals with personal Bible study and private interpretation. In this chapter Sproul helps us to see what kind of pitfalls to avoid when doing personal quiet time. Too often Christians read a particular passage in the Bible in the way THEY want to understand it. Sproul reminds us that such a narrow privatistic interpretation of biblical passages can lead to doctrinal subjectivism (this is a serious problem these days for many Christians).
The third chapter is a short lesson on the meaning of hermeneutics. Though it is not deep and comprehensive for those doing indepth biblical studies, it is still scholarly enough for laypeople to get their feet wet on the issue of biblical hermeneutics. Here, Sproul goes over the basic issues of hermeneutics like the analogy of faith, literal interpretation, the Medieval quadriga, the grammatico-historical method, source criticism, etc. Though the issues discussed in this chapter are topics that primarily biblical scholars are deeply involved with, Sproul writes in a matter so that the layperson can even understand what those issues mean.
The fourth chapter is basically the "meat" of the book. Sproul goes over every issue you can think of in regards to the practical rules of biblical interpretation. This chapter is a must read for seminary students or bible study leaders who want to get a good grasp of how one should read and apply the biblical text. Though it is not extensive and deep, readers will still find this chapter very helpful for their personal use (if one wants a more scholarly book on exegesis he or she should check out the works by Gordon Fee [NT] and Douglas Stuart [OT]).
The fifth chapter deals with the relationship between culture and the bible. Here, Sproul basically tells the reader the two pitfalls common to modern-day Christians: 1) reading the Bible totally outside of its original historical and cultural context, and 2) reading the Bible without any regard for how it can apply to the modern-day Christian. Both extremes are to be avoided if we are to properly interpret and apply Scripture.
The sixth chapter is basically a resource list of what tools (translations, concordances, commentaries, etc.) can aid in proper biblical interpretation. This is the only chapter I had a problem with. The main reason being is that this book was originally published in 1977 and, therefore, many resource suggestions by Sproul will be outdated. I also found it to be too shallow and unhelpful. (Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart do a much better job on exegetical resources in their respective works.)
Overall, I would highly recommend this book for pastors, seminary students, and even laypeople who want to get a good understanding of Scripture and hermeneutics. It is also easy to read and accessible. It will surely help you in your personal bible study and public ministry. | | |  | Needed resource for every Protestant Christian Oct 12, 2006 |
| A well-written and organized study of the historical-gramatical methodology in simple terms. Once again Dr. Sprould takes a somewhat difficult and complex topic and brings out the essential elements important to all Christians. A must have for understanding the common reformed protestant approach to interpretting scripture. Every bible teacher and preacher will find it useful in their ministry for digging deep into the text and brining it out for others. It is an immensely helpful work for everyday bible study as well. | | | | Excellent Introduction to Biblical Literature and Hermeneutics Dec 1, 2005 |
I actually listened to the audio version of this book on CD. RC Sproul is a very easy to listen to speaker and he has a gift of making difficult concepts seem easy.
Contrary to a few reviews here, Sproul is not advocating an elitist approach to Scripture where only the "pro" dare to wrestle with Scriptural interpretation and understanding. Quite the opposite. Sproul is seeking to put the tools into the hands of his listeners.
Over and over he provides general principles and approaches that should help to keep the reader from falling into common errors that have been present and prevalent within the Church for many years.
The one proviso that I picked up on, and it isn't so much a criticism as it is an observation is that Sproul is a reformed theologian and he is not afraid to select some passages for use as an example as to how it is possible to "get something wrong." Some of his choices are bravely chosen from those that are among the more controversial, such as women's role in the church and some on the charismatic gifts. Sproul gives a brave rendering as to why these should be understood as he understands them from the traditional reformed position. In doing so he fails to give all the information available from other positions that makes their positions equally viable. In fairness, that may be beyond the scope of his purpose, but in that event I still think it behooves the speaker to be a little more generous and less dogmatic where there are non-cardinal issues being addressed. Perhaps it is asking too much.
Nevertheless this is an excellent resource to get in good layman's terms the most important Biblical Study tools to navigate the Scripture and avoid many of the pitfalls experienced when common fallacies in logic and approach to a literary and historical document are violated, even by well-meaning Christians who hold the text's inspiration and relevance in highest regard.
A very worthwhile read or listen.
| | | | Anyone and everyone can read and Study Scripture Oct 14, 2005 |
I was shocked when I came to the review titled "Only the few know scripture" by "buttonguy". He couldn't have possibly read this book. Sproul is saying the complete opposite of what this reviewer posted.
Quote from the first chapter:
...If we can read the newspaper, we can read the Bible. In fact, I would venture to guess that more difficult words and concepts are expressed on the front page of a newspaper than on most pages of the Bible"
This book is awesome! | | | Write your own review about Knowing Scripture
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