Table of Contents
Preface to the Second Edition vii
Introduction 1
Part 1 Principles of Interpretation 5
Chapter 1 Pay Attention to the Context 7
Chapter 2 Stick with the Plain and Obvious Meaning of a Text 17
Chapter 3 Scripture Interprets Scripture 25
Chapter 4 Interpret Scripture in Light of the Rule of Faith 31
Chapter 5 Interpret Scripture in View of Christ 41
Chapter 6 Distinguish Law and Gospel, Sin and Grace 47
Chapter 7 The "Then and There" Meaning and the "Here and Now" Meaning 53
Part 2 Interpreting Different Kinds of Scripture 63
Chapter 8 Poetry in the Bible 65
Chapter 9 Prophecy in the Bible 71
Chapter 10 Parables in the Bible 79
Chapter 11 Apocalyptic Writings 89
Chapter 12 Bible Tools for Better Bible Study 95
Part 3 How We Got the Bible 103
Chapter 13 The Old Testament 105
Chapter 14 The New Testament 111
Chapter 15 English Translations and Paraphrases 117
Chapter 16 Ancient Books and Writings Outside the Bible 127
Part 4 Putting It All to Work 135
Chapter 17 Sensitive to a Different Culture: "The Friend at Midnight" (Luke 11:5-8) 137
Chapter 18 So You're Going to Teach a Bible Study 141
Chapter 19 Lifting the Veil: A Look at the End Times or Eschatology 153
Chapter 20 Following Your Nose 165
Chapter 21 Learning from the History of Interpretation 173
Appendix 1 A Checklist for Bible Study Preparation 187
Appendix 2 A Biblical Chronology 191
Subject Index 213
Scripture Index 225
