After two decades of teaching the subject, this distinguished Old Testament scholar compiles a synthesis that takes into account and organizes the factors that are at work in the act of understanding and interpreting literary texts: producer, receiver, text, subject matter, language. Two chapters deal with normative interpretation and the sociology of interpretation. The author, who was a learned and independent thinker, in bondage to no theory, said of this work that it aimed at density without obscurity, order without showiness.

This book presents proponents of five approaches to biblical hermeneutics and allows them to respond to each other. The five approaches are the historical-critical/grammatical (Craig Blomberg), redemptive-historical (Richard Gaffin), literary/postmodern (Scott Spencer), canonical (Robert Wall) and philosophical/theological (Merold Westphal) views.

Dr. S. Franklin Logsdon, Bible teacher and evangelist, says of this book: "These principles of Bible study by Dr. J. Edwin Hartill have been tested and proved in his own personal teaching for many years. They are succinct, pointed, practical, original, understandable -- simple keys to unlock the storehouse of Scripture to things both old and new. This publication makes a distinct contribution to Bible lovers in their search for increased knowledge of divine truth. It is a privilege and an honor to commend it to God's people." Using a graphic combination of text, charts, and outlines, Dr. Hartill states, "I trust that as you study these principles, your understanding of the Word and your love for its truth may deepen, so that you may more ably pass it on to others."

Since its publication in 1950, Protestant Biblical Interpretation has been a standard introduction to hermeneutics in evangelical colleges and seminaries. Twice revised, this textbook has sold well over 100,000 copies. Now this venerable resource is available in a paperback edition. "Hermeneutics," writes the author, "is the science and art of Biblical interpretation. . . . As such it forms one of the most important members of the theological sciences. This is especially true for conservative Protestantism, which looks on the Bible as . . . the only authoritative voice of God to man." After surveying the history of biblical interpretation, the author devotes seventy pages to explicating "the Protestant system of hermeneutics." He then discusses the doctrinal, devotional, and practical uses of the Bible. Following a chapter on the hermeneutical dimension of the problem of biblical inerrancy and secular science, he concludes with chapters on the interpretation of types, prophecy, and parables.

After two decades of teaching the subject, this distinguished Old Testament scholar compiles a synthesis that takes into account and organizes the factors that are at work in the act of understanding and interpreting literary texts: producer, receiver, text, subject matter, language. Two chapters deal with normative interpretation and the sociology of interpretation. The author, who was a learned and independent thinker, in bondage to no theory, said of this work that it aimed at density without obscurity, order without showiness.