Saturday, April 19, 2014

Interpreting The Pauline Letters


Interpreting The Pauline Letters: An Exegetical Handbook by John D. Harvey
Published by Kregel Academic

One of my mentors Dr. Thomas F. Harrison made a profound statement concerning Hermeneutics and Exegesis. “He who seeks wisdom not just a knowledge of how to exegete but discovers how to make the text useful to others has discovered both the Art and Science of Exegesis.”

This book is a valuable demonstration of Dr. Harrison’s statement. Building on the foundation of the authority of God’s Word Dr. Harvey wisely explains and then uses the elements of exegesis, which are then demonstrated by useable examples.

I was delighted with his section, “The Great Transfer” in the chapter on the Theology of Paul’s letters. The transfer from the Sphere of Adam to that of ‘in Christ’ is the best I have seen in detailing what is meant and how it is realized starting with 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Colossians 1:13-14 and then throughout Paul’s letters.

As a semi-retired NT Greek, Hermeneutics and Homiletics teacher I highly recommend this excellent work to anyone seeking to understand and make the meat of the Word available to all who follow or seek Jesus the Messiah. I received a copy of this book from Kregel Academic for an honest review.


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