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Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning
Since its publication in 1994, An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics has become a standard text for a generation of students, pastors, and serious lay readers. This second edition has been substantially updated and expanded, allowing the authors to fine-tune and enrich their discussions on fundamental interpretive topics. In addition, four new chapters have been included that address more recent controversial issues:• The role of biblical theology in interpretation• How to deal with contemporary questions not directly addressed in the Bible• The New Testament’s use of the Old Testament• The role of history in interpretationThe book retains the unique aspect of being written by two scholars who hold differing viewpoints on many issues, making for vibrant, thought-provoking dialogue. What they do agree on, however, is the authority of Scripture, the relevance of personal Bible study to life, and why these things matter.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 8, 1994
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About the author
Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
97 books53 followersWalter C. Kaiser Jr. (PhD, Brandeis University) is president emeritus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. He previously taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and at Wheaton College. Kaiser is active as a preacher, speaker, researcher, and writer and is the author of more than forty books, including Preaching and Teaching from the Old Testament and The Majesty of God in the Old Testament.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 10, 2020
I feel bad giving this book such a poor rating because there is some great material here and a lot one can learn from it. It's just that the parts I disagree with, I very strongly disagree with. It's like the book is 90% very good and tasty brownie and 10% sh.. I ain't eating that brownie and wouldn't recommend it to anyone else either.
One example: In chapter 4 the author is arguing against preaching Christ in every sermon.
"The key question, then, is this: Is it possible to teach or preach a Christian lesson or sermon without ever mentioning Jesus? Goldsworthy’s answer, in effect, is “Why would [anyone] even want to try to preach a Christian sermon without mentioning Jesus?” Our answer would be: Because not every passage in the Bible is a teaching passage on Christology, nor is Jesus the subject or object of every truth taught."
I'm sorry but Goldsworthy is right and Kaiser is most definitely wrong. Probably the greatest preacher of all time, Charles Spurgeon, said, "I take a text and make a beeline to the cross. The best children's Bible I've ever seen, The Jesus Storybook Bible is based on a Tim Keller phrase, "Every story whisper's His name." Any sermon that does not point someone to Christ is a waste of time. Granted, this is not the core of hermeneutics, but although a good sermon does require good exegesis, it is not exclusively an exercise in hermeneutics.
Speaking of good exegesis, in a chapter titled, "The Case for Calvinistic Hermeneutics" Kaiser says, "I suggest that exegesis stands to gain, rather than lose if it is consciously done within the framework of one’s theology." Really? Our theological presuppositions should determine our exegesis? That is not exegesis, it is eisegesis and it staggers the mind that a university-level book would endorse such a position.
There were a few other points where I was reading and just had to stop and say, "No, no, no." These were the only two I made a note of. Like I said, there is a lot of good here in this book, but there are other books out there with just as much good that are not also mixed with...
One example: In chapter 4 the author is arguing against preaching Christ in every sermon.
"The key question, then, is this: Is it possible to teach or preach a Christian lesson or sermon without ever mentioning Jesus? Goldsworthy’s answer, in effect, is “Why would [anyone] even want to try to preach a Christian sermon without mentioning Jesus?” Our answer would be: Because not every passage in the Bible is a teaching passage on Christology, nor is Jesus the subject or object of every truth taught."
I'm sorry but Goldsworthy is right and Kaiser is most definitely wrong. Probably the greatest preacher of all time, Charles Spurgeon, said, "I take a text and make a beeline to the cross. The best children's Bible I've ever seen, The Jesus Storybook Bible is based on a Tim Keller phrase, "Every story whisper's His name." Any sermon that does not point someone to Christ is a waste of time. Granted, this is not the core of hermeneutics, but although a good sermon does require good exegesis, it is not exclusively an exercise in hermeneutics.
Speaking of good exegesis, in a chapter titled, "The Case for Calvinistic Hermeneutics" Kaiser says, "I suggest that exegesis stands to gain, rather than lose if it is consciously done within the framework of one’s theology." Really? Our theological presuppositions should determine our exegesis? That is not exegesis, it is eisegesis and it staggers the mind that a university-level book would endorse such a position.
There were a few other points where I was reading and just had to stop and say, "No, no, no." These were the only two I made a note of. Like I said, there is a lot of good here in this book, but there are other books out there with just as much good that are not also mixed with...
January 19, 2025
This is my first academic attempt at Biblical hermeneutics and I’m excited to have more depth to add in my personal study. The points on the method were good and examples were given to help application. I felt it was leaning and I was reading with discretion which made the book not as impactful for me. I enjoyed the chapter on reading the epistles and the chapter on hermeneutics through church history. Overall it was okay, but there were some leanings that made it not what I was hoping it’d be.
February 1, 2021
Could have been better integrated: ðe endings of chapters often sound like ðey were afterþoughts trying to patch togeðer a collection of articles. Still a very good, academic yet accessible collaboration. Should be a worþy complement to Fee & Stuart‘ Reading ðe Bible for all its worþ, specially for readers who have already matured a few years after reading it
March 23, 2020
This book is a helpful tool in how to study the Bible. I appreciate how both authors desire to stay true to the word of God and the care they take in examining the varying ways of studying it.
March 11, 2021
Very average as an introduction, but Moises Silva's chapter, "The Case for Calvinistic Hermeneutics," is almost worth the price of the book.
March 22, 2017
Two veteran scholars, Walter Kaiser, Jr. and Moises Silva, team to provide us this introduction to the study of biblical hermeneutics. This is a revised and expanded second edition. It comes in a nice, attractive hardback edition as well. These authors don’t always agree with each other, but they are both committed to the authority of Scripture and are worth listening to. While this book is meant to be a first introduction to biblical hermeneutics, I think it better serves as a second text because of its length and style. That’s not a knock on this volume, but a complement on how well it teaches us to logically think through some of these issues. For example, it would make a great second text to go along with Introduction to Biblical Interpretation by Keil, Blomberg, Hubbard by the same publisher.
Its subtitle of “the search for meaning” describes well the approach taken here. As with most such volumes, the authors have their own approach and order of the things that must be studied in grasping the meaning of any biblical text. Part 1 looks at what the authors call “initial directions”. There they talk about why we need hermeneutics, what we mean by meaning, how language is used, how biblical theology fits in, the New Testament use of the Old Testament, and the role of history. In that section I thought the chapter “let’s be logical: using and abusing language” was one of the best.
In part 2, the authors seek to understand the text and try to help us make sense of literary genres. In that section, the unique features of the genres like poetry, the Gospels, the epistles, and prophecy are taken in turn. In part 3, they moved to meaning and application consider the devotional use of the Bible, our need to obey the word in cultural context, and how to move on to the theological use of the Bible. Part 4 is the collection of loose ends covering things like a history of interpretation and contemporary approaches to biblical interpretation. The final chapter on concluding observations attempts to tie it all together. There’s a fine glossary, an annotated bibliography, and indices at the end.
This is an outstanding volume to have on your shelves to complement your understanding of biblical hermeneutics. I highly recommend it.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Its subtitle of “the search for meaning” describes well the approach taken here. As with most such volumes, the authors have their own approach and order of the things that must be studied in grasping the meaning of any biblical text. Part 1 looks at what the authors call “initial directions”. There they talk about why we need hermeneutics, what we mean by meaning, how language is used, how biblical theology fits in, the New Testament use of the Old Testament, and the role of history. In that section I thought the chapter “let’s be logical: using and abusing language” was one of the best.
In part 2, the authors seek to understand the text and try to help us make sense of literary genres. In that section, the unique features of the genres like poetry, the Gospels, the epistles, and prophecy are taken in turn. In part 3, they moved to meaning and application consider the devotional use of the Bible, our need to obey the word in cultural context, and how to move on to the theological use of the Bible. Part 4 is the collection of loose ends covering things like a history of interpretation and contemporary approaches to biblical interpretation. The final chapter on concluding observations attempts to tie it all together. There’s a fine glossary, an annotated bibliography, and indices at the end.
This is an outstanding volume to have on your shelves to complement your understanding of biblical hermeneutics. I highly recommend it.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
July 10, 2023
Probably one of the most poorly written textbooks I’ve ever been forced to consume.
I’ve always thought that if someone were truly intelligent, they’d be able to put massive concepts into words that could be understood by the most uneducated person.
This textbook does the exact opposite. Take that as you will.
It sounds like someone was given a word count, couldn’t meet it, and then clicked the “thesaurus” button to add unnecessarily long words to fill space. Long complicated terms were given with no definition or explanation. Sentences were lengthy and complex for absolutely no reason. Trust me: if you are writing a textbook about biblical interpretation, I already know you’re a smart person. You don’t need to use filler words and flowery language to prove something. At a certain point, you just look silly and pretentious. And that’s what we’re dealing with here.
I will say: this book is thorough. I’m in seminary. I’ve read some watery books. This is a dense book. Dense to read, dense to comprehend. I’m not stupid, but this book had me thinking I am. This is a technical and difficult read. Like I said, I’m not stupid… But I should not have to read a paragraph four times to understand the material. The title says “introduction,” and that is simply false. This is no introduction. The material is complicated and worded in a way that would likely only make sense to a seasoned scholar. If you’re new to hermeneutics and you’re needing a TRUE INTRODUCTION to the subject, don’t bother.
If you’re looking for a well worded introduction to hermeneutics (the study of interpretation - you won’t get a clear definition like this in this book), this textbook isn’t it. Look elsewhere.
If you do try to read this, take copious amount of Tylenol. The headaches you’ll get from trying to understand this tangled mess of a text will have you wishing you never started.
I’ve always thought that if someone were truly intelligent, they’d be able to put massive concepts into words that could be understood by the most uneducated person.
This textbook does the exact opposite. Take that as you will.
It sounds like someone was given a word count, couldn’t meet it, and then clicked the “thesaurus” button to add unnecessarily long words to fill space. Long complicated terms were given with no definition or explanation. Sentences were lengthy and complex for absolutely no reason. Trust me: if you are writing a textbook about biblical interpretation, I already know you’re a smart person. You don’t need to use filler words and flowery language to prove something. At a certain point, you just look silly and pretentious. And that’s what we’re dealing with here.
I will say: this book is thorough. I’m in seminary. I’ve read some watery books. This is a dense book. Dense to read, dense to comprehend. I’m not stupid, but this book had me thinking I am. This is a technical and difficult read. Like I said, I’m not stupid… But I should not have to read a paragraph four times to understand the material. The title says “introduction,” and that is simply false. This is no introduction. The material is complicated and worded in a way that would likely only make sense to a seasoned scholar. If you’re new to hermeneutics and you’re needing a TRUE INTRODUCTION to the subject, don’t bother.
If you’re looking for a well worded introduction to hermeneutics (the study of interpretation - you won’t get a clear definition like this in this book), this textbook isn’t it. Look elsewhere.
If you do try to read this, take copious amount of Tylenol. The headaches you’ll get from trying to understand this tangled mess of a text will have you wishing you never started.
September 25, 2023
I'll be honest, I hovered between a 3 and 4-star rating before landing on a 3. This book is certainly an interesting read. For anyone interested in finding out more about the history of hermeneutics or just trying to understand how to employ a better exegetical reading of scripture, this book is great! It breaks down history well with a special emphasis on the development of hermeneutical methods over the 20th century. Where perhaps I struggled was with the author's presentation of their biblical beliefs mixed in with the hermeneutics. I didn't always agree with the conclusions and some of the advice for ways upon which to employ cultural lenses and scriptural familiarity when approaching scripture left more to be desired. As textbooks go though, it was a good introduction with some great historical information and pertinent tips, just not one of my favourites in how that information came together and was melded with some seemingly biblical perspectives presented as interpretive techniques.
November 8, 2023
Chapters 12, 13, and 14 were worth the price of the book, particularly Silva’s chapter on “The Case for Calvinist Hermeneutics.”
I also very much appreciated Silva’s comment that pushed back on the idea that the meaning of a text is exclusive to what the original author intended and his slight pushback on Kaiser’s view when he said that he did not deal sufficiently with how the New Testament declares Old Testament texts fulfilled. He didn’t clarify much on that point, but I do think that is a weakness of Kaiser’s position throughout the book.
I think the down side of this book is that it strips away some of the magic of reading the Scriptures until you get to chapter 14.
Christocentrism can be abused but you can and should preach Christ from every text. Regular communion paired with a Eucharist homily aids with this.
I also very much appreciated Silva’s comment that pushed back on the idea that the meaning of a text is exclusive to what the original author intended and his slight pushback on Kaiser’s view when he said that he did not deal sufficiently with how the New Testament declares Old Testament texts fulfilled. He didn’t clarify much on that point, but I do think that is a weakness of Kaiser’s position throughout the book.
I think the down side of this book is that it strips away some of the magic of reading the Scriptures until you get to chapter 14.
Christocentrism can be abused but you can and should preach Christ from every text. Regular communion paired with a Eucharist homily aids with this.
August 5, 2020
A book written by two authors with disparate views and practice, Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics by Walt Kaiser and Moises Silva is a helpful introduction to understanding scripture. Whether you are a pastor or layman, Sunday School teacher or armchair theologian, this book can be a great help to introduce important concepts about how to understand and apply the Bible in its various genres. Both authors do a wonderful job of making the text readable and understandable by the average reader and the content is not aimed at only the academically elite. There is a little bit to the book, but it can be read from start to finish or simply one section as needed to help with understanding a passage you are currently working on at the time.
December 10, 2022
This was a read for my Master’s Degree. I needed a structure to do Hermeneutics, and it provided a ‘good enough’ structure that I completed my Masters Degree. A lot of it was above my head and a level of detail about the Bible that I do not have. It discussed the different strains of the Christianity and how they have come to have different versions of the Bible. It is a reference book for biblical scholars at a level that is beyond me. I do intend to read the Bible again, cover to cover, next year. It got my Thesis accepted and helped me feel inadequate with my knowledge of both Hermeneutics and Mythology. I am an Amateur.
February 19, 2023
Boa leitura introdutória ao assunto, traz o suficiente para se entender a linha do tempo da hermenêutica bíblica, os principais movimentos de interpretação, seus representantes e pensamentos, sem abraçar extremos. Além disso, os autores trazem recomendações para ajudar no trabalho da interpretação.
O ponto negativo está na presença de muitas ideias apresentadas e que, muitas vezes, não são desenvolvidas. Levando em consideração que é uma obra introdutória, entendo que não há espaço - e não é o objetivo do autor - explicar extensivamente todos os conceitos apresentados, mas isso torna a leitura um pouco mais difícil.
O ponto negativo está na presença de muitas ideias apresentadas e que, muitas vezes, não são desenvolvidas. Levando em consideração que é uma obra introdutória, entendo que não há espaço - e não é o objetivo do autor - explicar extensivamente todos os conceitos apresentados, mas isso torna a leitura um pouco mais difícil.
March 12, 2019
Although the title says “Introduction”, this was both an intro and in-depth look into biblical interpretation. The first few chapters offered a good foundation to general bible study. The specific chapters on individual genres were great and will probably be referenced in future study and sermon prep. Sometimes they seemed to go on forever. I really enjoyed the chapter on Wisdom/Poetic literature.
January 24, 2020
What can I say, I sped read it for my class. Lots of good information, I'll likely reread it. The examples may be great a bit at a time but it feels like the text drags at times when I just want the information. So much I can say though. Well written in my humble opinion.
September 18, 2017
Great discussion on meaning and its relationship with significance/application.
February 12, 2018
Tough read but very useful
November 29, 2019
Great textbook for Hermeneutics
November 4, 2020
I prefer Gorman's book on Biblical Exegesis
March 22, 2021
Livro maravilhosos . Bem dividido e estruturado .
Conduz qualquer iniciante na interpretação a se localizar na matéria . Super indico.
Conduz qualquer iniciante na interpretação a se localizar na matéria . Super indico.
June 30, 2021
Helpful and thought-provoking.
November 11, 2021
For class. Great book for every Christian's personal library.
January 1, 2022
Excellent comprehensive discussion of different issues in hermeneutics
October 8, 2023
It’s a textbook.
helpful.
helpful.
April 12, 2025
It is difficult to rate this book because the sections by Silva are 5-star worthy, but I didn't enjoy the sections by Kaiser.
September 22, 2025
Done with required sections for class. I'll come back for the application and specific studies at some point
April 24, 2020
This is a very well balanced book on Biblical interpretation that is stripped of any denominational bias, yet is positioned towards deriving an edifying interpretation of the text. These principles will serve a minister well.
This book does not contain a detailed step by step method in performing a good exegetical analysis of a text not does it delve too deeply into the usual literary genre descriptor/ critical methods overviews.
There is an interesting overview on the history of interpretation of the Bible however, which is very interesting. Also, there is a section on “Biblical Theology” which i found very interesting as well as i’d never really done much research on that topic before
This work is more concerned with teaching a balanced overview on good interpretation. It is a great “textbook” to keep referring to and i am glad i bought it.
This book does not contain a detailed step by step method in performing a good exegetical analysis of a text not does it delve too deeply into the usual literary genre descriptor/ critical methods overviews.
There is an interesting overview on the history of interpretation of the Bible however, which is very interesting. Also, there is a section on “Biblical Theology” which i found very interesting as well as i’d never really done much research on that topic before
This work is more concerned with teaching a balanced overview on good interpretation. It is a great “textbook” to keep referring to and i am glad i bought it.
December 23, 2013
The book aims to address key issues related to modern theories, practices, and approaches to biblical hermeneutics such as, to name a few, authorial intent, the proper use of the original languages, how to move from meaning to application, New Testament use of the Old, and how biblical and systematic theology factor into the task of exegesis. Kaiser and Silva are not only brilliant and tenured scholars, they are fine writers. This is a textbook, but the authors evince warmth, clarity, and even humor, in sometimes surprising ways (for hardbacks). Silva's chapter on the use and abuse of biblical languages (a must for any who preach or teach) and Kaiser's handling of the devotional use of the Bible are alone worth the price of the book. The authors do not agree with one another on every issue, but even there, the volume proves helpful, interacting with each other, opening up relevant categories and questions. Not nearly as accessible as Duvall/Hays hermeneutics textbook. In terms of target audience, the greatest benefit of this work will come to readers who are fairly conversant with the issues that are raised.
November 22, 2012
This is a very god book if we really want to know how we should read the bible by staying on the right track. Interpretation is vey important and it will define our basis for our faith. We really need to understand that we just cannot read the bible just as any other books and interpret the text on the go..
November 4, 2016
Solid introduction to biblical Hermeneutics. Good layout and enjoyable to read (most of the time...a little long-winded at spots). I preferred Silva's contributions, though I appreciated both greatly.
The interaction with 20th century scholarship was quite good.
The interaction with 20th century scholarship was quite good.
December 13, 2011
I am on page 84 and these guys are Theologians on Steroids, this book is intense and technical and if I wasn't in Seminary probably would not read it. Having said that there are so good stuff in it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews