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Encountering God's Word

A job as an interpreter?

ENCOUNTERING GOD'S WORD
Edited by Philip Duce & Daniel Strange
Apollos. 219 pages
ISBN 0 85111 792 9

This is a book to help those considering studying the Bible in a formal, academic setting. It brings together several short papers by current evangelical scholars, who seek to assist the student face the challenge of getting as close as possible to the meaning of the text in Bible study, while at the same time dispelling any anxiety about engaging the mass of scholarly writings and studies from a non-evangelical viewpoint.

The book comprises 'four chapters' of varying lengths, which cover such topics as 'Beginning "Old" Testament Studies'. This deals with 'how' one should 'approach' reading the OT Scriptures; the historicity, authorship, reliability and moral value of such writings. With '"New" Testament studies', we find practical counsel relating to the importance of correct study of these writings and insight into Interpretation through various critical means. 'Encountering Biblical Interpretation' takes us into hermeneutics and seeks to find a framework for understanding the relationship between the writer, the original text and the reader, while 'The Function of Faith and Evidence in our trusting the Bible as God's Word' challenges us to consider the veracity of the Bible and the good reasons we have to trust it as the very Word of God.

The book deals with technical and academic issues. It is informative, in clearly setting out the right ways of approaching a thorough study of the Bible; challenging, as it holds forth the disciplines that need to be set in place; helpful, in its suggestions as to the best way to go about such a huge task; and, finally, it is practical, as the end of all study ought to be; an encounter with the God of the Word.

This will prove a helpful resource as an introduction to methods and practices for studying the Bible profitably, while at the same time steering through the minefield of issues and differences of opinion that face the student in the current academic climate.

A 'good buy' for all who are contemplating any kind of formal theological studies and leaves the reader with a sense of confidence in beginning the journey into the challenging world of interpretation of the Bible, while remaining true to one's evangelical moorings. Further follow-up for both books and internet (with a word of caution) sources are useful.

Brian Moody,
Minister, Dorking Road (Grace) Baptist Church, Epsom