Listening to Scripture: An Introduction to Interpreting the Bible - Paperback

by Craig G. Bartholomew (Author)

Looking for a guide to interpreting the Bible that is accessible, up-to-date, and theologically grounded? A renowned Old Testament scholar and coauthor of the bestselling The Drama of Scripture introduces us to reading the Bible with an ear toward hearing God's address. "When we read the Bible, we need to take off our shoes, as it were, because we are on holy ground," says Bartholomew. "We take up the Bible to read it, only to find that through it God speaks to us. This is the awesome potential of Bible reading and interpretation."

Bartholomew begins with a theological orientation, including topics such as the relationship between prayer, analysis, and reading Scripture; the Bible as the true story of the whole world; and reading the text in light of its literary, historical, and kerygmatic (proclamation) dimensions. He then explores the history of interpretation before discussing how we receive the Bible liturgically, ethically, and missionally. Throughout the book, exercises in lectio divina invite readers to engage both the head and the heart as they learn to interpret the Bible.

Professors and students of the Bible will value this work. It will also appeal to church leaders and other serious students of the Bible.

Back Jacket

"An excellent primer for hearing the voice of our triune God in the text of Holy Scripture"

This accessible, up-to-date, and theologically grounded guide to interpreting the Bible helps us read Scripture with an ear toward hearing God's address.

"Bartholomew helps readers of the Bible to know what to listen for in Scripture and how to do so with attention and intelligence, in spirit and in truth. He uses both ears, the academic and the devotional, and three hermeneutics (liturgical, ethical, and missional) to listen especially to what is most important: God's address, words that guide and govern the church today."
--Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"Listening to Scripture is remarkably expansive and accessible in its vision and applicability as it guides Christians through an integrative journey of personal devotions, academic study, preaching and teaching, and missional outreach. It is the integrative vision that I have been hungering for and that my students and fellow congregants so desperately need."
--Megan C. Roberts, Prairie College

"Bartholomew continues his important project of relocating a post-Enlightenment scientific hermeneutical approach to Scripture within the broader framework of listening to God's address. His earlier book on the issue was outstanding, but its length and academic depth proved challenging to many. This book gives us a shorter and more accessible study that will be suitable for hermeneutics classes in seminaries. A delightful book."
--Michael W. Goheen, Missional Training Center, Phoenix, Arizona

"No one has taught me more about reading Scripture seriously as both an academic and a committed Christian than Bartholomew. While I--and you--may not agree with all of his methods or conclusions, this book is without a doubt an excellent primer for hearing the voice of our triune God in the text of Holy Scripture."
--Matthew Y. Emerson, Oklahoma Baptist University

"A must-read treatise on how to read the Scriptures. This is not just another classroom manual on hermeneutics. It's an exercise in hearing and joyfully obeying the voice of the living God."
--Benjamin T. Quinn, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and BibleMesh

Author Biography

Craig G. Bartholomew (PhD, University of Bristol) is director of the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology in Cambridge, England. He was formerly senior research fellow at the University of Gloucestershire and the H. Evan Runner Professor of Philosophy at Redeemer University College. He is the author or editor of many books, including a forthcoming four-volume project on God and the Old Testament and the bestselling The Drama of Scripture (coauthored with Michael W. Goheen).