40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible

by Robert Plummer

Overview

A vital Bible resource used in classrooms and churches worldwide now revised and updated.

40 Questions about Interpreting the Bible, now in a revised second edition, probes the most pressing problems encountered by churchgoers and beginning Bible students when they try to read and understand the Bible. Using feedback received from pastors, professors, and Bible teachers, New Testament professor Robert L. Plummer includes updated information about Bible translations, biblical interpretation, and Bible study technology and streamlines previous portions to make room for a handful of new issues.

This second edition, updated regarding Bible translations, biblical interpretation trends, and Bible-related technology, will continue to serve professors, pastors, and Bible study leaders as a go-to guide or textbook. New Testament scholar Robert L. Plummer covers historical, interpretive, practical, and theological matters such as:

• Were the ancient manuscripts of the Bible transmitted accurately?
• Why can't people agree on what the Bible means?
• How do we interpret the Psalms?
• How can I use the Bible in daily devotions?
• Does the Bible teach that God wants Christians to be healthy and wealthy?

40 Questions about Interpreting the Bible provides crucial assistance for students ready to engage with biblical scholarship and for teachers eager to lead Bible studies with confidence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825446665
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	05/25/2021
Series:	40 Questions Series
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	353,180
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Robert L. Plummer (PhD in New Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is currently the Collin and Evelyn Aikman Professor of Biblical Studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he has taught for over twenty years. Plummer is the author of numerous books in biblical studies, including The Story of Scripture and Understanding the Bible, and is founder and host of the New Testament Greek learning resource Daily Dose of Greek, DailyDoseofGreek.com.

Table of Contents

Foreword Andreas J. Köstenberger 9

Introduction to Second Edition 11

Introduction to First Edition 13

Abbreviations 15

Part 1 Getting Started: Text, Canon, and Translation

1 What Is the Bible? 19

2 How Is the Bible Organized? 27

3 Who Wrote the Bible-Humans or God? 35

4 Does the Bible Contain Error? 43

5 Were the Ancient Manuscripts of the Bible Transmitted Accurately? 55

6 Who Determined What Books Would Be Included in the Bible? 67

7 Which Is the Best English Bible Translation? 79

Part 2 Approaching the Bible Generally

Section A Questions Related to Interpretation

8 Why Is Biblical Interpretation Important? 89

9 How Has the Bible Been Interpreted throughout Church History? 95

10 What Are Some General Principles for Interpreting the Bible? (1) 107

11 What Are Some General Principles for interpreting the Bible? (2) 115

12 How Can I improve As an Interpreter of the Bible? 123

13 What Are Some Helpful Books or Tools for Interpreting the Bible? 131

Section B Questions Related to Meaning

14 Who Determines the Meaning of a Text? 141

15 Can a Text Have More Than One Meaning? 149

16 What Is the Role of the Holy Spirit in Determining Meaning? 157

17 What Is the Overarching Message of the Bible? 165

18 Is the Bible Really All about Jesus? 177

19 Do All the Commands of the Bible Apply Today? 185

20 Why Can't People Agree on What the Bible Means? 193

Part 3 Approaching Specific Texts

Section A Shared Genres (Questions Applying Equally to Old and New Testaments)

21 How Do We Identify Literary Genre-and Why Does It Matter? 203

22 How Do We Interpret Historical Narratives? 209

23 How Do We Interpret Prophecy? (General Guidelines) 215

24 How Do We Interpret Prophecy? (Typology) 223

25 How Do We Interpret Apocalyptic Literature? 231

26 How Do We Interpret Exaggerated or Hyperbolic Language? 237

27 How Do We Interpret Figures of Speech? 245

Section B Primarily Old Testament Genres

28 How Do We Interpret Proverbs? 253

29 How Do We Interpret Poetry? 261

30 How Do We Interpret the Psalms? (Classification of Psalms) 267

31 How Do We Interpret the Psalms? (Principles of Interpretation) 273

Section C Primarily New Testament Genres

32 How Do We Interpret Parables? (History of Interpretation) 283

33 How Do We Interpret Parables? (Principles of Interpretation) 289

34 How Do We Interpret Letters or Epistles? (Structure and Nature) 297

35 How Do We Interpret Letters or Epistles? (General Guidelines) 303

Part 4 Practical and Current Issues

36 What Does the Bible Tell Us about the Future? 311

37 How Can I Use the Bible in Daily Devotions? (Practical Steps for Studying the Bible) 317

38 How Can I Lead a Bible Study? 325

39 Does the Bible Teach That Christians Will Be Healthy and Wealthy? 331

40 What Are Some Modem-Day Trends in Biblical Interpretation? 337

Postscripts 345

Select Bibliography 347

List of Figures 349

Scripture Index 351

Ancient Sources Index 361

Editorial Reviews

"It is a wonderful thing to teach a person the Bible. It is even more wonderful to teach people how to study the Bible for themselves. Plummer has given us a helpful survey relative to how to understand the Bible. You will profit greatly from his insights."

First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL - Pastor Emeritus

"How approptiate that Plummer's 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible is itself eminently understandable, crystal clear, and thoroughly engaging. The organization and breadth of coverage make this book both a delight to read and highly instructive....I can't imagine a more helpful introduction to the subject of biblical interpretation."

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - Bruce A Ware

"Aristotle once said that those who wished to succeed must ask the right preliminary questions. Plummer asks forty of them. Even better: he answers them, providing beginning students with all they need to know about biblical interpretation in general and the specific kinds of texts found in the Old and New Testaments in particular."

Wheaton College - Kevin J Vanhoozer

"Read this excellent primer and read the Bible better as a result."

Dallas Theological Seminary - Darrell Bock