What do you think?
Rate this book
Connected: How Scripture Guides the Study of Scripture
336 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
Gary Schnittjer’s book, Connected, is not your typical hermeneutical guide. Its uniqueness is found in the opening chapter as he starts not with methodology but with Jesus, the Connector of the Scriptures. This is no small point as Schnittjer seeks to help the reader understand what the Bible is (divine discourse) and how the Bible tells its own story. Connected introduces the Bible, its structure and purpose before addressing hermeneutical matters such as genres, historical settings, canonical location, and how these elements all function together within the larger purpose of the Bible. Throughout the book one encounters a repeated emphasis to read each part of the Bible within the larger storyline, with a careful eye to how the biblical authors use earlier biblical writings.
Schnittjer explains early on that having an open Bible (or your Bible app) next to you is critical for fully engaging this work. This proves true throughout. Readers are encouraged to look at the Bible for themselves—and stay there long enough before accessing other resources (which he also introduces).
One of the greatest strengths of the book is Schnittjer’s examples. Each chapter demonstrates the interpretive skills or issue under discussion by highlighting a particular passage that is presented with Schnittjer’s notes and highlights. What’s intriguing is how each passage also demonstrates the way the Bible interprets itself. Each chapter also ends with a series of questions to support understanding and promote group dialogue. And one of the jewels of the book (especially for pastors and churches) is a series of exercises at the end to support the development of the interpretive practices taught.
It is important to recognize that this is a textbook, an instructional manual on interpreting the Bible. It can serve as an excellent textbook on interpretation in a church just as well as in an undergraduate program, as it is eminently accessible and practical.
Gary Schnittjer’s book, Connected is a true gift to the church, making his years of teaching and writing about interpreting the Scriptures accessible for all. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to teach people how to read and study the Bible effectively.
Schnittjer explains early on that having an open Bible (or your Bible app) next to you is critical for fully engaging this work. This proves true throughout. Readers are encouraged to look at the Bible for themselves—and stay there long enough before accessing other resources (which he also introduces).
One of the greatest strengths of the book is Schnittjer’s examples. Each chapter demonstrates the interpretive skills or issue under discussion by highlighting a particular passage that is presented with Schnittjer’s notes and highlights. What’s intriguing is how each passage also demonstrates the way the Bible interprets itself. Each chapter also ends with a series of questions to support understanding and promote group dialogue. And one of the jewels of the book (especially for pastors and churches) is a series of exercises at the end to support the development of the interpretive practices taught.
It is important to recognize that this is a textbook, an instructional manual on interpreting the Bible. It can serve as an excellent textbook on interpretation in a church just as well as in an undergraduate program, as it is eminently accessible and practical.
Gary Schnittjer’s book, Connected is a true gift to the church, making his years of teaching and writing about interpreting the Scriptures accessible for all. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to teach people how to read and study the Bible effectively.
Displaying 1 of 1 review