by D.
Adams
November 10, 2006
Robert Stein (professor of NT at Bethel Theological
Seminary) explains the importance of playing by the rules of Bible
interpretation to grasp the author’s original intent.
One point the author makes is to establish the
Rules of Interpretation. Stein breaks this into a four part teaching consisting
of Hermeneutics, Vocabulary, Spiritual and Biblical, and the different Forms of
Scripture. Stein lays out the roles of the Author, the Text, and the Reader.
The second main point in the book is the specific rules of the individual games
such as; Wisdom, Prediction, Poetry, Idioms, Hyperbole, Parables, Biblical
Narrative, Epistles and Treaties, Laws, and Songs.
Another concept is the literary genre (literary
form) being used by the author that governs that form. An example is the author
had previously struggled with the correct meaning of the Beatitudes. Stein
realizes that the Beatitudes were not addressed as “conditions for membership”
rather, as blessing addressed to “as blessings pronounced upon those already
within the kingdom” The author gives very convincing details as to why we
should believe this interpretation.
A final important point is the Sensus Penior
(fuller meaning) of the text in chapter six. And the difficulties when this
speaks about when the author willed to convey one truth, God had a different
truth he willed to convey by the same vocabulary and grammar. An example of
this is addressed in Isaiah 7:14 and Hosea 11:1 (Isaiah’s day) which would mean
a maiden (described as a virgin in the NT) would give birth to a son named
Immanuel.
In conclusion, "A Basic Guide to Interpreting
the BIBLE" by Robert H. Stein discusses a myriad of scriptures, putting
them in the proper literary form to discover the original intention of the
author. The author has presented the necessary steps needed to put the
scriptures in proper context as the Biblical authors intended.
My opinion of the book is that the author has spent
a great deal of time in his research, and he has a vast knowledge of scripture.
Many valuable resources are utilized within the book, and the book is very well
outlined from start to finish. I found the book challenging and difficult to
read at times, yet it heightened my awareness to the importance of proper
hermeneutics. If you are countering struggles in understanding scriptures, I
highly recommend adding this book to your shelf as a valuable reference tool
whether you are an apologist or lay Christian. Each chapter ends with a
questionnaire to get you engaged with the concepts.
