Digital Logos Edition
Whether one studies the Gospels, the Epistles, or even the Book of Revelation, several common exegetical steps are necessary. Introducing New Testament Interpretation outlines seven of these steps.
This manual constitutes the introductory volume in the Guides to New Testament Exegesis series. Each volume in this series, intended for those who have had some training in Greek, adapts different methods of exegesis to different types of genre in the New Testament.
This initial volume, however, delineates those aspects that are applicable to all genres: word studies, grammatical analysis, New Testament background, theological synthesis, use of the Old Testament in the New, textual criticism, and the social setting of the New Testament.
“One overarching fundamental guideline governs all other considerations: the variant most likely to be original is the one which best accounts for the existence of the others.” (Page 56)
“. The exegete must initially pursue the meaning intended by the author for his original audience.1” (Page 98)
“2. To establish the precise meaning of a word, one must recognize its possible range of meanings.” (Page 99)
“Semantics is the study of ‘signification’ or ‘meaning.’” (Page 100)
“The third element of a word is referent. The referent is the actual thing denoted by the term.” (Page 102)
. . . [Introducing New Testament Interpretation] serves as a good introduction or review of basic issues in New Testament interpretation from an evangelical perspective. Each reader will question some opinions, but such debate will be part of the value of the book.
—Robert Holst, Concordia Theological Quarterly