Product Description

This volume guides readers in understanding the literary dimensions of the Bible by incorporating techniques for interpreting Scripture, while it also maintains faithfulness to literary genres.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28333 in Books
• Published on: 2003-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From the Back Cover
The primary task of Bible study is to determine what the Scriptures meant at the time they were written and how that meaning applies to us today. This vital guide focuses on the historical contexts of the Bible and explains differences between the Old Testament narratives, the Epistles, Gospels, Parables, Psalms and more. It's a practical approach to Bible study -- one that makes good sense and is easy to understand. This new edition includes, among other changes, a new section on the Song of Songs and an updated list of recommended commentaries and resources.

About the Author
Gordon D. Fee (Ph.D., University of Southern California) is professor of New Testament at Regent College.;Douglas Stuart (Ph.D., Harvard University) is professor of Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Customer Reviews

Excellent, useful, evangelical approach to bible study
The title says it all; but I would stress that this is not a book to read cover-to-cover. I would suggest instead reading the chapter that is appropriate to the part of the Bible that you are now reading, or want to study; for example, is it a gospel, and epistle, a psalm, Revelation, or something else? Each chapter points out key characteristics of the different forms of literature in the Bible, and the authors highlight issues such as different translations, ideological bias in interpretation, and so on.

Thought-provoking and stuffed with useful information, ideas and advice, this is something well worth having on your bookshelf.

What sort of book is this?
If there is any book modern people need to be able to read intelligently, it is the Bible. It hads had more impact on the West, and the world, than any other work of literature.

The crucial question when you read a book is: what sort of book is this? What was the author actually trying to say?

McFee and Stuart help anyone (believer or not) reading the many books which make up the Bible to ask and answer this question. This helps the reader actually do justice to what the writers were saying to their original audience, and hence stand a chance of making sense of what (if anything) they have to say to us now.

The book is short, clear and practical. It helps someone reading the Bible to get away from the preconceptions and misconceptions which surround any "religious" book and reach a balanced conclusion as to how to respond to it.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone intending to read the Bible, whether or not you have read it before, regardless of whether you are a Christian, a Muslim or any other sort of religious believer, or an interested non-believer.

Excellent conservative introduction to biblical reading
Fee and Stuart do a fine job at introducing scripture's themes and genres for the lay person. Their approach to different passages is very readable and practically orientated. There is a useful appendix recommending good commentaries, also.