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Understanding God's Word: An Apostolic Approach to Interpreting the Bible
Understanding God's An Apostolic Approach to Interpreting the Bible
- GenresTheologyChristianity
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
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220 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 24, 2019
Excellent!
February 3, 2018
This compact volume presents an introduction to the arcane subject of biblical hermeneutics. Its two main purposes are 1) to promote the importance of the grammatical-historical exegetical method and 2) to delineate distinctively Apostolic hermeneutical principles that guide our reading of Scripture (seen perhaps most clearly in our stances on our teachings on holiness of outward appearance).
The book succeeds admirably on both objectives. Bernard's strength as a scholar is his ability to find the most fundamental differences between theological/hermeneutical systems and then explicate those distinctions in simple terms that anyone can easily understand--even those without an extensive background in hermeneutical theory. However, I would caution both lay-reader and scholar alike to not be fooled by the simplicity of his analyses. For the lay-reader, there is a vast scholarly discussion that lies behind this book which you would do well to acquaint yourself with. For the scholar, though his critiques are brief and simply stated, they are nonetheless in many ways "dead on," as they say. Don't let the paucity of footnotes (probably the biggest surprise to me) fool you; Bernard has digested the vast literature on hermeneutics.
To me, the most valuable part of the book is his two chapters on the principles of an Apostolic hermeneutic, largely because this is the first articulation of Apostolic doctrine/practice as a hermeneutical approach. Bernard's explanation of the grammatico-historical method is quite good, but there are several introductions out there (e.g., Kaiser & Silva's "Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics") that also offer good overviews of that Evangelical interpretive method.
I was also impressed with the nuanced way in which Bernard dealt with postmodern reader-response hermeneutics. The Apostolic emphasis on the reality of the guidance of the Spirit as we read the text of Scripture puts us in an interesting and potentially paradoxical relationship with the contemporary insights on the role of the reader in the process of "constructing" meaning from texts. (I purposely use the term "constructing" rather than "creating," because the latter term implies that a text's meaning is the sole work of the reader; whereas, I firmly believe the text is still the primary force by providing the "materials" the reader must use.) This was one place where the book's brevity worked against it; Bernard makes some very significant claims about Apostolic hermeneutics' relationship to these newer interpretive theories, but the book's brevity in addition to Bernard's own succinct style means that these claims were not fully fleshed out (or, not as fleshed out as I would have preferred; other readers are probably fine with his brevity on these points.)
After reading this text (I know, I know; it's embarrassing that I've waited this long), I am even more disappointed by the review that the book received in Pneuma. Especially when you understand that a key purpose of Bernard's writing is theological exposition for trained ministry AND untrained laity, this book is a stunning success at explicating a naturally-difficult topic in a way that anyone could understand. Are there other books Apostolics should read on hermeneutics? Of course (and Bernard himself would probably say that!). Is this the "final say" on the nature of Apostolic hermeneutics? No, and I don't think it was intended to be that. But this IS the first book on hermeneutics that I would recommend as an introduction because it really does handle ALL the main issues...and does so with clarity and helpful examples/illustrations. Bernard has accomplished a rare feat--writing a work that is simultaneously, academic, practical, and enjoyable.
The book succeeds admirably on both objectives. Bernard's strength as a scholar is his ability to find the most fundamental differences between theological/hermeneutical systems and then explicate those distinctions in simple terms that anyone can easily understand--even those without an extensive background in hermeneutical theory. However, I would caution both lay-reader and scholar alike to not be fooled by the simplicity of his analyses. For the lay-reader, there is a vast scholarly discussion that lies behind this book which you would do well to acquaint yourself with. For the scholar, though his critiques are brief and simply stated, they are nonetheless in many ways "dead on," as they say. Don't let the paucity of footnotes (probably the biggest surprise to me) fool you; Bernard has digested the vast literature on hermeneutics.
To me, the most valuable part of the book is his two chapters on the principles of an Apostolic hermeneutic, largely because this is the first articulation of Apostolic doctrine/practice as a hermeneutical approach. Bernard's explanation of the grammatico-historical method is quite good, but there are several introductions out there (e.g., Kaiser & Silva's "Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics") that also offer good overviews of that Evangelical interpretive method.
I was also impressed with the nuanced way in which Bernard dealt with postmodern reader-response hermeneutics. The Apostolic emphasis on the reality of the guidance of the Spirit as we read the text of Scripture puts us in an interesting and potentially paradoxical relationship with the contemporary insights on the role of the reader in the process of "constructing" meaning from texts. (I purposely use the term "constructing" rather than "creating," because the latter term implies that a text's meaning is the sole work of the reader; whereas, I firmly believe the text is still the primary force by providing the "materials" the reader must use.) This was one place where the book's brevity worked against it; Bernard makes some very significant claims about Apostolic hermeneutics' relationship to these newer interpretive theories, but the book's brevity in addition to Bernard's own succinct style means that these claims were not fully fleshed out (or, not as fleshed out as I would have preferred; other readers are probably fine with his brevity on these points.)
After reading this text (I know, I know; it's embarrassing that I've waited this long), I am even more disappointed by the review that the book received in Pneuma. Especially when you understand that a key purpose of Bernard's writing is theological exposition for trained ministry AND untrained laity, this book is a stunning success at explicating a naturally-difficult topic in a way that anyone could understand. Are there other books Apostolics should read on hermeneutics? Of course (and Bernard himself would probably say that!). Is this the "final say" on the nature of Apostolic hermeneutics? No, and I don't think it was intended to be that. But this IS the first book on hermeneutics that I would recommend as an introduction because it really does handle ALL the main issues...and does so with clarity and helpful examples/illustrations. Bernard has accomplished a rare feat--writing a work that is simultaneously, academic, practical, and enjoyable.
December 15, 2025
Dr. Bernard offers a helpful summary of hermeneutics as a whole and an important summary of an apostolic pentecostal hermeneutic. The bibliography and compendium of suggested study resources was very helpful.
October 21, 2019
A fantastic book that explains there are different types of interpretation of the Bible thus explaining why certain people or churches interpret the Bible they way they do.
It's interesting to note that while reading and studying the Bible, we need to take into account the context, the cultural which had taken place, the original languages used in writing of the Bible: Hebrew and Aramaic for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament, and the real chronological of the Bible.
I'm reading this book as my additional read for the Purpose Institute course in Sabah, Malaysia.
It's interesting to note that while reading and studying the Bible, we need to take into account the context, the cultural which had taken place, the original languages used in writing of the Bible: Hebrew and Aramaic for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament, and the real chronological of the Bible.
I'm reading this book as my additional read for the Purpose Institute course in Sabah, Malaysia.
March 4, 2022
Fantastic Read. If you have wondered about the Approach we should take into the word then this is the book for you. Bernard does an expert Job of retailing the Apostolic approach to the scriptures and it will enlighten you and your studies in the Scriptures.
May 1, 2022
Very informative and straightforward.
January 2, 2024
A bit of a difficult read with how wordy and dense the material is but it has great information!
December 18, 2012
This religion was the most damaging and hypocritical groups I ever met.
This book was my first encounter with the pentecostal movement that destroyed my family.
The book makes it all sound good until you walk through the door, then your eyes will be opened to the hypocrisy.
This book was my first encounter with the pentecostal movement that destroyed my family.
The book makes it all sound good until you walk through the door, then your eyes will be opened to the hypocrisy.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews