Posts tagged interpreting the bible

I’m teaching hermeneutics at the undergraduate level this fall. I have taught the course once before, two years ago, and have decided to change the textbook.

I inherited the textbook from the previous teacher and it is a decent textbook, but I wanted to change it up a little bit. Previously we had used Grasping God’s Word.

One of the reasons I’ve thought it necessary to change is because I’ve decided to integrate Logos bible software into the course. Students will be required to have Logos and we’ll be working with it pretty quite a bit.

I originally thought I would go with the recently released All Roads Leads to the Text. I was excited when I read about the book and saw the TOC, but in reviewing it more thoroughly I’ve realized that this is a book more for graduate level, and knowledge of the languages is necessary. So I went on the hunt for something else and have found it. It is called Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation. There are several reasons I really like this textbook:

• It is non-technical (you don’t need to know the languages) while still pushing the reader to learn new concepts and vocabulary
• It is a tidy 8 chapters (previous textbook was 22). As we meet only once a week (12 classes total) I prefer less chapters.
• It begins with a nice introductory chapter and a history of interpretation chapter
• The final 8 chapters have study/exercise questions at the end of each chapter, as well as some exercise questions within the chapters as well
• It is available in Logos if students prefer that
• The questions are very practical and ministry focused

If you notice my title, I said “textbooks”. The other reason I like the above textbook is because it gives me time not only to do Logos work with the students, but also to review a great little book by Scot McKnight called The Blue Parakeet. I’ll have the last few classes dedicated to discussing this book, and incorporate part of it in the take-home exam. It will provide for some great classroom discussion.

As always, I’m looking forward to teaching with a great textbook.