God Centered Biblical Interpretation

My first purchase of the new year.

God Centered Biblical Interpretation [this month only - Logos digital $3.99] [Amazon pb $19.99]
by Vern Poythress
1999. 227 pp

Dr. Poythress introduces us to a number of common people using diverse interpretational methods.
You've even read posts from some of them here on the BaptistBoard.

Libbie Liberal
Natalie Naturalist
Roland Relativist
Norma Narratologist
Carol Critical-Method
Danny Demythologizer
Theo Therapist
Newton New-Ager
Dick Deconstructionist
Marvin Marxist
Susan Sociologist
Chris Christian
Peter Pietist
Dottie Doctrinalist
Curt Cultural-Transformationist
Laura Liturgist
Missy Missiologist
Fatima Factualist
Amy Affirmationist
Oliver Objectivist
Herman Hermeneut

"This study of biblical hermeneutics builds on Trinitarian presuppositions, while exposing the idols that lead interpretation astray."

Rob

 

"The path that avoids that deep pitfall of our arbitrary ideas, lies alongside our familiarity with Scripture. (There can be none of this picking and choosing of verses without our awareness of their context.) To walk that path requires discipline. Step by step, we must regularly read God’s word and study it with the diligence of true disciples."
Of Ponds and Pitfalls

Good advise!

When I was just a baby Christian, a friend (presently resting comfortably with the Lord) had knee surgery and claimed a promise of healing from a passage in Psalms.

Psalm 6:2 (AV 1873)
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.​

Even back then I recognized a mistaken interpretation, one not intended by the passage.

I find that even today, particularly in the pages of Systematic Theology texts, well known passages are taken out of context and used as a proof text for a doctrine that perhaps it was not originally intended to support.

One way to insure an appropriate interpretation is to be humble and diligent students of the word, always examining our faith and remaining humble in our conclusions.

Rob