I read this book last month (August) when I was getting ready for a camp. I had already read it in previous years, but after reading the chapter on the Gospel for references, I became completely engaged. I therefore began at the beginning and completed it on the flights, off days, and days in between during the camp. One of the passages that speaks to me is this: "Whether one likes it or not, every reader is at the same time an interpreter. That is, most of us assume as we read that we also understand what we read. We also tend to think that our understanding is the same thing as the Holy Spirit’s or human author’s intent. However, we invariably bring to the text all that we are, with all of our experiences, culture, and prior understandings of words and ideas. Sometimes what we bring to the text, unintentionally to be sure, leads us astray, or else causes us to read all kinds of foreign ideas into the text."
The question is, therefore, not whether we should interpret the Bible or not, but is our interpretation is faithful or not. The goal of the late Gordon D. Fee (1934-2022) and Stuart in this book is to arm us with the awareness, tools, and skills needed to properly interpret the Bible in light of its original intent, audience, and context. The writers urge us to consider the various literary genres (such as poetry, narrative, epistle, etc.) and how those subtle differences influence our understanding. They also teach us to do the works of interpretation based on the conviction that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, while still being honest enough to acknowledge that inspiration may have varied ramifications for the various books of the Bible. Dear students of the Word, buy and read this book!
#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #HowToReadTheBibleForAllItsWorth #GordonEFee #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain
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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.
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