Come and See: The Journey of Knowing God through Scripture

by Jonathan T. Pennington

3 Effective Ways to Study Scripture for an Essential Understanding of Who God Is

The Bible invites us to know God and have eternal life. That makes reading, understanding, and applying Scripture the most important journey we will ever take, but it can be difficult without a guide to provide direction.

In Come and See, Jonathan Pennington helps readers understand what it means to know God from the Bible and details 3 effective approaches to interpreting Scripture. Using the engaging analogy of a road trip, he introduces 3 friends who each have distinct, clear ways of navigating the informational (understanding genres in Scripture and avoiding exegetical mistakes); theological (reading canonically, traditionally, and creedally); and transformational (focusing on the goal of reading Scripture, our posture as readers, and the role of the Holy Spirit). Pennington gives detailed advice for employing all 3 reading modes, equipping readers to gain wisdom and know God better.

 Explores 3 approaches to studying Scripture—informational, theological, and transformational—and includes exercises to practice each Enhances Personal or Group Bible  Helps readers engage in deeper communion with God by purposefully journeying through his word Ideal for Pastors, Seminary Students, and  With an engaging, conversational style, Pennington teaches deep truths about knowing God and interpreting Scripture

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, Biblical Studies, Christian Living

169 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2023

About the author

Jonathan T. Pennington (PhD, University of St. Andrews) is associate professor of New Testament interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew and has published a number of tools for learning biblical languages, including New Testament Greek Vocabulary and Old Testament Hebrew Vocabulary.

Reviews

[Barnabas Piper · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book generally disorienting. It presents itself as a simple book for laypeople to help with biblical interpretation. But then it’s littered with rather advanced theological/historical references that assume a level of knowledge lay people generally lack. It follows a metaphor throughout that felt forced rather than helpful. I wish it had been either more academic or less, but to be academic in the guise of accessible was unhelpful. I gave it two stars rather than one because Pennington loves scripture and writes truth about it.

[Matthew A LaPine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really useful book. It will inform the backbone of one of our homework tracks for our Christian Formation class.

[Dashawn Cousins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for not only the how to of Bible reading but also the why. The book is well written and uses a helpful story telling device to move you through the book. This quote alone makes the book worth reading “Tradition is not the worship of ashes but the preservation of fire.” - Gustav Mahler -

[Jessica Ponder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful book on scriptural interpretation. It is rich and well-researched while still remaining accessible to the average Christian reader (read: me! 😅). This book explains how informational reading, theological reading and transformational reading work together to provide a complete, robust and life changing reading of the Bible. It took me awhile to read this book, because I kept putting it down to read my Bible more, which is perhaps the highest review I could give to a book on biblical interpretation!

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid book. I liked the different words that he used. It is a different take on the Observe, Interpret and Apply. His is Informational, Theological and Transformational. I like this as a change up from the tried (and for some tired) version of OIA. A little change up might make people sit up and take notice! A good book!

[Jonathan Ginn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an accessible, popular-level book that would be great for college (and possibly high school) students who are looking for a concise introductory work on biblical hermeneutics. Pennington writes with lucidity and brevity, offering up a holistic, multi-layered way to read, interpret, and apply the Scriptures that draws upon the strengths of several different approaches.

For those who may have struggled with or been challenged by the "Reading Holy Scripture Well" chapters from Pennington's other book, Reading the Gospels Wisely, I think Come and See helps provide a clearer, simpler, and more organized presentation of that same discussion.

[Joel King · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book on studying the Bible better. I would recommend it to anyone looking to be a better student of the Word. Pennington presents his method in a winsome and easy-to-understand manner.

[Jonah Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that balances faithful, rigorous methods of studying the Bible with language that is very accessible. It encompasses an overview of important aspects of "knowing God through Scripture" (information, theology, and transformation). I plan to use it in a church context for training teachers who are teaching Christian education classes, but it would be applicable for a variety of circumstances, including personal study as well.

[Malachi Huffaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book about how to faithfully dive into Scripture, given through the lens of three friends on a road trip. Pennington introduces three ways to read Scripture: informational, theological, and transformational. Each of these are needed for proper exegesis. Overall, pretty helpful but I recommend reading it in a few sittings. I read it over the course of a month and a half and I forgot half the book by the end, haha.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: If you have ever made a road trip down the center of Tennessee on Interstate 24 toward Chattanooga, you probably recall seeing sign after sign encouraging you to "See Ruby Falls."

Jonathan Pennington uses a metaphorical framework--a road trip with three friends, Ingrid, Tom, and Taylor--to present to readers three different (but complementary) ways to read the Holy Bible. Ingrid represents "Informational Reading;" Tom represents "Theological Reading;" and finally Taylor represents "Transformational Reading." Each chapter of the book features--to stay on theme--a "You Are Here" organizational system. Each chapter (that really feels like a section with chapters) features mini-chapters (sub-chapters) and asides ('side trips').

I liked this one okay. I had never really thought about their being three different/separate ways to read Scripture. I think on paper the mechanics of it make sense. I think in real life there's less distinction and a more natural flow. (Like when you try to over-think something you know how to do--say walking--and break it down right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot. Sometimes the more you think, or over-think, about how your body is doing something--the less natural, flow-y, it is.) That being said, I can't find flaws with the practical mechanics of what is being presented.

I personally felt the metaphor of a road trip was a little superfluous. It wasn't a deal breaker by any means. But I don't know that it added anything to make up three fictional characters, name them, and have them "teach" us how to read the Bible. But then again, maybe other readers will relate more to Ingrid, Tom, and Taylor.

[Matthew Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you struggle with the idea of reading Scripture? For a lot of people, it is a daunting challenge to open their Bible and read the words on the page and make sense of the journey. While Scripture is best read in community where we can glean from one another, this is an ample book to help supplement groups.

Though Pennington lays out a path and a logical methodology for people to read Scripture, it is not overbearing. There is nothing saying that the journey cannot be a bit different and things may change. The chapters are laid out in a succinct manner and we are taken through three topics. The truth of reading Scripture for as information, theological, and transformational are the backbone of this book.

Each of the ways that Pennington lays out is an appropriate way to read Scripture; however, they should be combined and not segregated. In order to fully glean all that God has for us from his words we need to utilize all three ways and seek to not stray from this combination. I, myself, am often swayed into viewing passages as one or the other and Pennington has encouraged me to try and find the three views in every passage even if I do not see them at the outset.

Overall this is a handy book and is one that many followers of Christ could benefit from. Rather than trying to make one person in the car (buy the book, it'll make sense) be the bad person, we should strive to use the gifts of all passengers as we seek to apply Scripture to our lives.

This book was sent to me for review and my words are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.

[Erica Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers informational, theological, and transformational ways to study the Bible through the metaphor of three friends traveling on a road trip. It's a nice introductory book for people easing their way into theology, and I would recommend it to people who are just starting our on their 'theology journey'. The only themes I'd dive deeper into, which you'd catch in the theological category, would be Christological and Covenantal reading, which trace the themes of Jesus and God's promises in the Old Testament.

P.S. Here is a quick little breakdown of the three approaches below:

Informational Approach (historical) = reading with an understanding of historical setting, time, and place of the text
Theological Approach (holistic lens) = reading passages of Scripture in light of themes from the 'bigger story', or the canon, of the Bible
Transformational Approach (application-based) =how the text may apply to your life

[Nathan Brewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could likely recommend a dozen books I would have chosen before this one on this topic. The journey/road-trip metaphor was highly uninteresting to me. That isn’t to say there were no helpful aspects nor a lack of value this perspective brings. I think what the author attempts to develop could be very helpful and is highly relevant to a solid hermeneutic, but I am afraid for the serious student of God’s Word this approach detracts from what they may need to be thinking about when opening the Scriptures.

[Josh Loomis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come and See is a well thought out guide for how to read the Scriptures. I think Pennington does an admirable job weaving his analogy of the road trip throughout the book and provides accessible information that would help someone less familiar with the Bible as well as more academic material that can be refreshing for a seasoned Bible reader. I also appreciated that Pennington provides opportunities for the reader to practice the exercises in different Scripture texts than the ones included in the material. I would recommend this book!

[Anna Joy Baxley · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Exegesis is an act of love. It loves the one who
speaks the words enough to want to get the words right. It respects the words enough to use every means we have to get the words right. Exegesis is loving God enough to stop and listen carefully to what he says." (12) God reveals who He is through the written word, and we should approach it informationally, theologically, and transformationally in order to avoid misinterpretation and thus know Him for the reality of who He is.
A good intro into hermeneutics.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you study the Bible? The answer to that question may depend largely on *why* you study the Bible and what you understand its purpose to be.

Pennington discusses three distinct (yet interconnected) approaches to Scripture: informational, theological, and transformational. All three are necessary for a holistic and proper engagement with God’s Word.

Not only is this book important for its content, it is written in a particularly helpful and intuitive manner that will serve readers well. Highly recommended.

[Jake Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pennington takes the reader on a Bible reading road trip. He presents and explains three methods of reading Scripture: informational, theological, and transformational. This book is accessible, concise, and well organized. I especially appreciated the balance struck between the importance 0f honoring tradition and the need to remain open to the Spirit in contextualizing Scripture's application for today. Overall, an excellent introduction for how to read Scripture effectively.

[Samuel Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pennington writes a clear introduction of hermeneutics explaining the three aspects of reading the Bible: Informational, Theological, and Transformational. It does a good job of emphasizing the reason for reading the Bible, which is to encounter God. Pennington also loves cognitive linguistics and explains it in a way that gives confidence to the reader in Scripture and allows them to be shaped more to it and to God.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very basic introduction to Bible reading and study methods. Pennington introduces the motif of Bible reading as a road trip, with three different methods corresponding to three different drivers and analyzing the distinctives and advantages of each approach and how the approaches should complement one another. I prefer Grasping God's Word or How to Read the Bible for All it's Worth as introductory texts, but this one is short, and easy to read.

[Whitney Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pennington’s book explains three effective approaches to reading and interpreting Scripture. He uses an example of three different friends who have three different approaches and explains the importance of all three. This book is a great primer for explaining the three approaches with the ultimate goal of knowing and loving God well.

[Annie Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Our goal in reading Scripture must be so much more than an accurate, intellectual interpretation. We cook with these skills so that we can have an intimate meal with God himself, feasting our souls on all God is for us in Christ Jesus."

teared up a few times and probably underlined every third sentence - this book was balm for the weary seminary student's heart.

[Vianny D'Souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best theological books I’ve read this year - maybe only the second best after Knowing God. Very little that I could disagree with and so much to learn. It explores how to study the Bible from three main perspectives- informational, theological and finally experiential reading. I found it very well written and extremely practical.

[Leroy Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good introduction to hermeneutics for the everyday Christian. Pennington introduces the reader to key skills and insights on how to read the Bible as it was meant to be read. His summary and distillation of complex hermeneutical techniques into 3 key forms helps to make it accessible for lay readers and christians who are seeking to read the Bible more effectively.

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource for how to approach reading the Bible. There were three main sections. Reading informationally, theologically, and transformationally. Very helpful to me personally because I tend to hyper focus mainly on the theological, so this book was a good wake up call to further see the beauty of God’s Word.

[Will Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I will likely use to teach young people how to become students of the Bible. It is simple enough that most people could read it but it contains insight that has clearly come from intense scholarship.

[Claire Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pennington writes to guide Scripture reading through informative, theological, and transformative eyes. His title - “Come and see” - explains we don’t simply understand and then follow, rather, we come to understand as we follow. Liked how he connected Romans 11 & 12 at the end

[Shelby J Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone who wants to gain understanding on how to read the Bible. If someone is new to reading the Bible, this is a great book.

Dr Pennington always reminds me how posture matters when approaching the Scriptures.

[Jed Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid, basic introduction to reading the Bible well. I felt like the traveling metaphor grew a little stale.

[Aaron Frasier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but it would have been fine as a long article.

[Tim Franks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful parts of this book looking at different approaches to study the Bible. Some of it was a bit repetitive and basic. Good introductory looks at these different approaches.