Introduction to Biblical Interpretation

Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, now in its third edition, is a bestselling hermeneutics textbook that sets forth concise, logical, and practical guidelines for discovering the truth in God’s Word.With updates and revisions throughout that keep pace with current scholarship, this book offers students the best and most up-to-date information needed to interpret Scripture.Introduction to Biblical Interpretation:Defines and describes hermeneutics, the science of biblical interpretationSuggests effective methods to understand the meaning of the biblical textSurveys the literary, cultural, social, and historical issues that impact any textEvaluates both traditional and modern approaches to Bible interpretationExamines the reader’s role as an interpreter of the text and helps identify what the reader brings to the text that could distort its messageTackles the problem of how to apply the Bible in valid and significant ways todayProvides an extensive and revised annotated list of books that readers will find helpful in the practice of biblical interpretationUsed in college and seminary classrooms around the world, this textbook is a trusted and valuable tool for students and other readers who desire to understand and apply the Bible. 

“The appearance of the third edition of Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (much more than a mere introduction!) stands as testimony to the book’s lasting influence and significance. The authors engage ongoing scholarship in biblical studies as they provide readers necessary principles and guidelines that impact the discipline of hermeneutics. Importantly, they also point readers to the fact that we must not be content merely to “master” the biblical text; rather, we must strive to let it master us. The book will greatly benefit those willing to invest the time to wrestle with its insights.”, “Long a foundational resource for the study of the Scriptures, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation now appears in a third edition. With updated discussions, footnotes, and bibliographies this work constructively engages developments in areas treated in previous editions and interacts with more recent approaches that bring fresh questions to the text. Deeply committed to the Bible as holy writ, the authors present guidelines for its careful study and application to life. Detailed yet practical, this valuable tool proves its worth for a new audience.”, “With this new edition, Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard demonstrate the excellence of their previous editions while bringing their discussion up to date in light of contemporary hermeneutical theory. Clearly defending the appropriateness of author-centered interpretation, they provide students with a comprehensive set of tools for understanding the Bible in its ancient context and also the means for contextualizing its message today. Written with clarity and an awareness of the needs of students, this will remain an essential work for many years to come. It deserves to have pride of place in courses on hermeneutics, but ought also to be on the shelves of those who faithfully seek to interpret the Bible in a range of settings today.”, “I heartily welcome the third edition of a textbook I have used for more than twenty years as the primary text in an introductory seminary course on hermeneutics. This new, updated edition retains the breadth of topics, the well-conceived practical approach to interpretation, and the clarity of presentation of its two predecessors. Its discussion of literary genres and crucial theological and philosophical concepts that affect interpretation is first-rate and up-to-date. The volume is a treasury of interpretive methods that equip students with the key skills for discovering the riches in a biblical text; this is especially important given the vast array of genres found in both testaments. The joy students experience from a thorough study of a particular text gives them confidence to preach and teach God’s Word enthusiastically. The volume includes a thorough discussion of approaches for moving from the discovery of the message of a text to making it relevant to the current culture.”, “Retaining the best of the previous two editions, this classic textbook is updated with new material relevant to the interpretive issues of our day. No other work has surpassed the comprehensive study of biblical interpretation Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard have produced. Tested by time, this new edition deserves a place in the library of every serious student of the Bible.”

William W. Klein (PhD, Aberdeen) is professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He is author of The New Chosen People: A Corporate View of Election and a commentary on Ephesians in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Revised Edition and serves as both editor and co-author of Introduction to Biblical Interpretationwith Craig Blomberg and Robert Hubbard. Bill and his wife have two daughters and reside in Littleton, Colorado.  X Craig L. Blomberg (PhD, Aberdeen) is distinguished professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of 26 books and more than 150 articles in journals or multi-author works. A recurring topic of interest in his writings is the historical reliability of the Scriptures. Craig and his wife Fran have two daughters and three grandchildren, and reside in Centennial, Colorado.  Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. (PhD, Claremont Graduate School) is emeritus professor of biblical literature at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. He is author of several books, including The Book of Ruth: New International Commentary on the Old Testament and Joshua in the NIV Application Commentary series and co-author of Introduction to Biblical Interpretation with William Klein and Craig Blomberg. He and his wife Pam reside in Denver, CO.