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Wisdom for Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation
The church has too often lost its way in reading the Old Testament for lack of sound principles of interpretation. When careless habits get us off track, we can lose sight of what the Bible is really saying, derailing our own spiritual growth and even risking discredit to God’s word. We need a consistent approach to give us confidence as faithful interpreters. In Wisdom for Faithful Reading , the trusted Old Testament scholar John Walton lays out his tried-and-true best practices developed over four decades in the classroom. His principles are memorable, practical, and enlightening, Along with identifying common missteps, Walton's insights point the way to stay focused on what the Old Testament text communicated to its original audience―and what it has to say for us today. When we submit ourselves to be accountable to the authors' intentions we experience the true authority of Scripture, and faithful reading fuels a faithful life. Using numerous examples across the breadth of the Old Testament and its genres, Walton equips thoughtful Christians to read more knowledgeably, to pay attention to God’s plans and purposes, to recognize good interpretations, and to truly live in light of Scripture. You may never read the Old Testament the same way again.
248 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2023
27 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
John H. Walton
117 books326 followersJohn H. Walton (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including Chronological and Background Charts of the Old Testament; Ancient Israelite Literature in Its Cultural Context; Covenant: God’s Purpose, God’s Plan; The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament; and A Survey of the Old Testament.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See:
John H. Walton, Agriculture
John H. Walton, ceramics.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See:
John H. Walton, Agriculture
John H. Walton, ceramics.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 7, 2024
Walton is a favorite OT scholar of mine because he's extremely attentive to both text and context -- and because he's willing to go out on a limb. Even though I frequently disagree with him, I find that he's worth reading. So a book where he lays out principles of OT exegesis sounds great! And, as is often the case, I found I couldn't always agree with Walton here. At times, I nodded my head in firm agreement, while at others I shook my head in frustration. I don't have the time or inclination for a detailed survey of what I thought was good and bad, so I'll just name what I think are the root pros and cons.
The root pro is that Walton is very serious about prioritizing the literary sense of the Scriptures. This is absolutely right. God inspired these words; we have to start here.
The root cons, I think, are these: First, Walton limits the meaning of a text to what the human author could have consciously intended. While I think the human authors intentions ought to be the first thing we look for, because they give us the parameters within which we may attempt to dig deeper, it is also vital that we recognize God as the divine author, and he may have literary intentions that exceed (but don't contradict) those of the human author. Seeking those additional, divine intentions is not a slippery slope into flights of fancy; it's done by attentiveness to the canon as a unified whole -- a whole which few (if any) of the human authors could have anticipated.
Second, I think Walton arbitrarily limits the propositional truths contained in any passage to those that are explicitly stated. In his mind, nothing implicit in the text can be held forward as something to be believed. This leads to his pessimism about building systematic theology or ethics on the sole foundation of the text. This also leads him to drive a wedge between the text's meaning and it's application, which he seems to think of as loosely connected subjective musings on the text rather than implications drawn from the meaning.
I think this book can be read with profit. I profited, for sure. But I think Walton's theological method just doesn't go far enough.
[I received a free copy from IVP through NetGalley.]
The root pro is that Walton is very serious about prioritizing the literary sense of the Scriptures. This is absolutely right. God inspired these words; we have to start here.
The root cons, I think, are these: First, Walton limits the meaning of a text to what the human author could have consciously intended. While I think the human authors intentions ought to be the first thing we look for, because they give us the parameters within which we may attempt to dig deeper, it is also vital that we recognize God as the divine author, and he may have literary intentions that exceed (but don't contradict) those of the human author. Seeking those additional, divine intentions is not a slippery slope into flights of fancy; it's done by attentiveness to the canon as a unified whole -- a whole which few (if any) of the human authors could have anticipated.
Second, I think Walton arbitrarily limits the propositional truths contained in any passage to those that are explicitly stated. In his mind, nothing implicit in the text can be held forward as something to be believed. This leads to his pessimism about building systematic theology or ethics on the sole foundation of the text. This also leads him to drive a wedge between the text's meaning and it's application, which he seems to think of as loosely connected subjective musings on the text rather than implications drawn from the meaning.
I think this book can be read with profit. I profited, for sure. But I think Walton's theological method just doesn't go far enough.
[I received a free copy from IVP through NetGalley.]
February 25, 2025
In this book, Walton lays out some “methodological sound bites” for interpreting the text of Scripture. While I have some complaints, the book delivers on that promise, and it is definitely a fruitful contribution to my understanding of how to read the Bible in its context.
Pros:
- The wisdom Walton has from years of teaching are evident, and there are abounding insights on how to read each genre of the OT
- Excellent survey of “red flags” that we should be aware of when reading and applying the OT
- Well organized with example texts that illustrate points
- Careful attention to the author’s intentions and original meaning
- Encourages hard work and serious study over intuitive reading based on feelings
Cons:
- The book obviously is a primer on some best practices, and Walton is clear about that, but sometimes he makes an interesting (and sometimes controversial) point that he just doesn’t have time to go into. He does a great job of citing his more in depth treatments and other literature, but it was unsatisfactory at times.
- I have trouble putting it into words, but Walton’s interpretive framework is just difficult to accept sometimes. I agree with all of his points along the way (intention of the author, reference vs. affirmation, etc.), but sometimes when he draws conclusions, I’m a bit confused or even frustrated. I am left with some deep questions about how to apply the Bible to my daily life and reading. I appreciate the caution—it is much needed in our time—but I wanted more green flags, and I was left with a lot of red flags. Useful, but the application and takeaways just did not hit home like I wanted.
Questions:
- How can we consistently tell what is an affirmation vs. a reference? What are the controls?
- Is it okay to appropriate Scripture instead of interpreting it if we are honest about what we are doing?
- If the Bible does not affirm a moral or ethical system, but God is the source of order, how do we come to understand what is good and moral?
Pros:
- The wisdom Walton has from years of teaching are evident, and there are abounding insights on how to read each genre of the OT
- Excellent survey of “red flags” that we should be aware of when reading and applying the OT
- Well organized with example texts that illustrate points
- Careful attention to the author’s intentions and original meaning
- Encourages hard work and serious study over intuitive reading based on feelings
Cons:
- The book obviously is a primer on some best practices, and Walton is clear about that, but sometimes he makes an interesting (and sometimes controversial) point that he just doesn’t have time to go into. He does a great job of citing his more in depth treatments and other literature, but it was unsatisfactory at times.
- I have trouble putting it into words, but Walton’s interpretive framework is just difficult to accept sometimes. I agree with all of his points along the way (intention of the author, reference vs. affirmation, etc.), but sometimes when he draws conclusions, I’m a bit confused or even frustrated. I am left with some deep questions about how to apply the Bible to my daily life and reading. I appreciate the caution—it is much needed in our time—but I wanted more green flags, and I was left with a lot of red flags. Useful, but the application and takeaways just did not hit home like I wanted.
Questions:
- How can we consistently tell what is an affirmation vs. a reference? What are the controls?
- Is it okay to appropriate Scripture instead of interpreting it if we are honest about what we are doing?
- If the Bible does not affirm a moral or ethical system, but God is the source of order, how do we come to understand what is good and moral?
September 6, 2023
In Wisdom for Faithful Reading, Walton offers his methodology for Old Testament interpretation from his long career in teaching and writing. I was familiar with his work, especially The Bible Story Handbook, and found that this book explained the methods used there, and in his academic writing.
How do we understand New Testament interpretations of prophecies that were fulfilled in the prophet's own world? How do we discuss personal interpretations in Bible study that supposedly came from the Holy Spirit? What does it really mean to interpret Scripture literally? Walton answers all of these questions, and many more, in ways that might make you grimace at popular uses of Bible verses to prop up our personal agendas.
I appreciated seeing how collaborative this book is, though it is a monograph. He refers to conversations with colleagues, a memorable sermon, and academic literature that spurred him on. I don't recall him tearing down another interpreter. While he does mention examples that counter his method, he never ridicules. I found that quite refreshing and encouraging. Walton could easily have written a long diatribe against poor examples of interpretation-that's-actually-appropriation, snarked his way out of sincerity, and become a bestseller. Yet, he performs the difficult labor of helping earnest readers do better, which has more long-term value.
The organization was interesting, and helpful overall. Rather than traditional chapters, Wisdom for Faithful Reading is organized into sections and sub-sections that make for easy reference. Some helpful tables and figures provide snapshot references for key points. And in good old IVP tradition, an index of biblical references helps the reader find that part where he discussed a particular passage.
Highly recommended for teachers, preachers, and other folks who seek to understand the Old Testament on its own terms. Unfortunately, it is a little too dry and academic for the average layperson. I could tell that Walton tried very, very hard to keep things on a lay level, but that doesn't mean the subject matter is not arcane--it concerns ancient literature, after all. I would recommend The Bible Story Handbook to any reader, and the Lost World series for special interest, and then Wisdom for Faithful Reading. However, for those who are versed in the field, whether through formal education or personal reading, this is a good starting point.
How do we understand New Testament interpretations of prophecies that were fulfilled in the prophet's own world? How do we discuss personal interpretations in Bible study that supposedly came from the Holy Spirit? What does it really mean to interpret Scripture literally? Walton answers all of these questions, and many more, in ways that might make you grimace at popular uses of Bible verses to prop up our personal agendas.
I appreciated seeing how collaborative this book is, though it is a monograph. He refers to conversations with colleagues, a memorable sermon, and academic literature that spurred him on. I don't recall him tearing down another interpreter. While he does mention examples that counter his method, he never ridicules. I found that quite refreshing and encouraging. Walton could easily have written a long diatribe against poor examples of interpretation-that's-actually-appropriation, snarked his way out of sincerity, and become a bestseller. Yet, he performs the difficult labor of helping earnest readers do better, which has more long-term value.
The organization was interesting, and helpful overall. Rather than traditional chapters, Wisdom for Faithful Reading is organized into sections and sub-sections that make for easy reference. Some helpful tables and figures provide snapshot references for key points. And in good old IVP tradition, an index of biblical references helps the reader find that part where he discussed a particular passage.
Highly recommended for teachers, preachers, and other folks who seek to understand the Old Testament on its own terms. Unfortunately, it is a little too dry and academic for the average layperson. I could tell that Walton tried very, very hard to keep things on a lay level, but that doesn't mean the subject matter is not arcane--it concerns ancient literature, after all. I would recommend The Bible Story Handbook to any reader, and the Lost World series for special interest, and then Wisdom for Faithful Reading. However, for those who are versed in the field, whether through formal education or personal reading, this is a good starting point.
December 27, 2023
It can be tempting to read the Old Testament either as providing a moral set of rules and regulations by which to live by or through the lens of Jesus, trying to "find him" in every passage. Walton cautions against this approach and helps the reader read the Old Testament in line with its purpose, to tell the story of a God who desires to be present with his people by way of covenant and to rule his world by way of kingship.
Using a plethora of examples divided between each section of the Old Testament, Walton corrects misunderstandings of well-known passages and points the reader back to the author's original intent as the guiding question in the work of interpretation. He also helps the reader distinguish the difference between interpretation (what a passage means to its original audience) and appropriation (what the New Testament writers did when applying Old Testament prophecies to Jesus). While both are vital, most of us tend to focus primarily on appropriation.
While at times it felt academic and laborious, this is a helpful book for the church to avoid opposing temptations: to discard the Old Testament altogether in light of Jesus or to read it in a way the original authors did not intend.
Using a plethora of examples divided between each section of the Old Testament, Walton corrects misunderstandings of well-known passages and points the reader back to the author's original intent as the guiding question in the work of interpretation. He also helps the reader distinguish the difference between interpretation (what a passage means to its original audience) and appropriation (what the New Testament writers did when applying Old Testament prophecies to Jesus). While both are vital, most of us tend to focus primarily on appropriation.
While at times it felt academic and laborious, this is a helpful book for the church to avoid opposing temptations: to discard the Old Testament altogether in light of Jesus or to read it in a way the original authors did not intend.
September 10, 2023
4.5 stars. This is not a book that I would recommend to everybody (and definitely not as a first book on how to read the Bible), but rather to someone who has already read books on hermeneutics and is able to think critically. With that said, this is a great book if you’re “deconstructing” out of fundamentalism and striving to read Scripture more faithfully.
March 25, 2024
Excellent suggestions for how to keep God's story at the center of Scripture.
February 10, 2025
Every time I read a Walton book I feel more equipped to read Scripture. This book is a fabulous overview of how to read the Old Testament. His main point is that the OT reveals God’s plans and purposes. I highly recommend this book.
May 2, 2023
Wise reading requires patient and careful study! John Walton has provided an excellent companion for Bible readers in this work. Readers will learn why context is key in reading the Bible, and ancient perspective taking is the first step in any careful reading of scripture. The book is guided by a number of general principles that Walton has found helpful for interpreting the Bible, and each principle is paired with thoughtful examples. Walton works carefully through his thoughts and guides the reader as the experienced teacher he is. The book is easy to follow, well structured, and would be useful for a lay person study, or even for more advanced readers. I'll be referring back to this one in the future!
May 24, 2023
The Bible is not simply a book of good advice. Neither is it just a book of archaeology, cultural, or historical discourse. It is the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, recorded for the world through many human authors, and fully revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, the Bible has consistently been a bestseller. With modern electronic Bibles, the Word of God has also gone digital. Whatever the medium or the language used, we need wisdom in order to read, interpret, and understand the Word. With genres ranging from apologetics to history; narratives to proverbs; genealogies to parables; prose to poetry; etc, the Old Testament alone can prove challenging to interpret. We need not mere techniques or methods of interpretation. We need wisdom even to read the Old Testament properly. What better way than to learn from one whose life's work is all about learning from the Old Testament, and teaching us from the fruit of his labor. Professor Walton begins with a general overview of the interpretive process, giving us one quest, two caveats, three essential commitments, four fundamental concepts, and five principles for faithful interpretation. The "quest" is about "faithful" interpretation. The caveat explains the need for faithful rather than "absolutely right" interpretation, simply because imperfect persons cannot claim to be absolutely right. The commitment is toward basic accountability, consistency, and controls. The four concepts are about the need to recognize the four basic contexts (linguistic, literary, cultural, and theological); the need for interpretation; the awareness of gaps; and while acknowledging the complicated nature of interpretation, one also needs to see the clear big picture of the Bible. The five principles revolve around the authors' audience, background, contexts, intent, and how to find our place in God's story.
Part One is a crucial read as Walton presents 11 general tips to help us manage our interpretive tasks. Some of these include the need to avoid "instinctive reading" which places subjectivity before objectivity; meaning behind literal interpretation; the relationship between authority and genre discussion; hearing-dominant culture vs reading-dominant culture; and so on. Part Two is about Genre Guidelines. Moving both chronologically and by genre, Walton guides us through the Pentateuch, the Narratives, the Wisdom books, the prophetic books, and finally in Part Three, we learn of some helpful tips about the way forward.
My Thoughts
==============
Many people find reading the Old Testament difficult. Compared to the New Testament, there are passages about ancient laws, strange rituals, and portrayals of God that seem so unlike the God of love as modern people would prefer to see. While this book does not necessarily make it easier to understand the Old Testament, it equips us with useful paradigms on how to approach the texts. Let me give three thoughts about this book.
First, the book is a valuable guide to help us with reading the Old Testament. I am not talking about interpretation. I am talking strictly about "reading" per se. This is important because we often jump the gun to interpret the texts before actually reading it. This guide gives us the reading tools to read properly before interpretation. This is similar to the first step behind the popular Inductive Bible Studies: Observe the text. For a largely reading audience today, this is an even more important reminder. Of course, it is best to do both hearing the text followed by reading the text. In hearing the texts, we put ourselves into the shoes of the original hearers where the Word was read to them. In subsequent reading, we will observe the texts as best as we can. That way, we can gain the best of the hearing as well as the reading benefits. Learninng how to read well is crucial as far as genre understanding is concerned. If we could be patient to read before any premature intepretation, we will be better interpreters. Part One essentially gives us these reading tips, and I recommend that if pressed for time, readers should put Part One as their priority for reading this book.
Second, Part Two gives us not only tools for reading but also interpretation tips. For each genre, Walton gives us many good overviews to help us appreciate the big picture. It is also the most challenging part of the book as it can get quite technical and difficult for the lay reader. If we have not properly read the texts, interpretation would prove difficult, if not impossible. For instance, when Walton talks about the Torah being more about instruction rather than legislation, if we have read the texts properly, we will not be easily swayed by popular opinion in modern culture. In fact, many erroneous interpretation of the Bible stems from erroneous assumptions that the surrounding culture have placed upon us. These easily results in heresy. One such heresy is when people assume that the Old Testament is all about law while the New Testament all about grace. Walton's approach debunks such heresies and reminds us that the Old Testament is more instruction rather than law. Throughout the book, Walton compares and contrasts what is modern and what is biblical.
Finally, I like the way Walton maps out a way forward. Like the Inductive Bible Study's three-step process, if Part One is about Reading and Part Two is about Intepretation, then Part Three is about Application. In other words, he poses to us the basic question: What do we do with what we have learned? He reiterates the need for faithful reading amid an impatient culture that insists on absolute right from wrong. Humanly speaking, it is impossible to even claim to have absolute truth. Only God has absolute Truth. We can only understand as much as the Spirit reveals. Practice makes perfect. Mere reading of this book also requires us to practice the concepts taught in this book.
How do we read and understand the Old Testament? Let this book lead the way to remove the fear of the Old Testament toward faithful reading. This is a book for all readers. I highly recommend this for anyone desiring to improve their reading and interpretation of the Old Testament. Every page is filled with important tips to read the Old Testament well. For a modern culture filled with enlightenment paradigms, this book challenges our modern culture that blurs our faith. We need books like this to take us back to good-old down to earth appreciation of the ancient texts, without modernistic preconceptions that builds on doubts and suspicions. May this book be a necessary corrective against such negative mindsets.
John H. Walton (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College and Graduate School. Previously he was professor of Old Testament at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago for twenty years.
Rating: 5 stars of 5
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
Part One is a crucial read as Walton presents 11 general tips to help us manage our interpretive tasks. Some of these include the need to avoid "instinctive reading" which places subjectivity before objectivity; meaning behind literal interpretation; the relationship between authority and genre discussion; hearing-dominant culture vs reading-dominant culture; and so on. Part Two is about Genre Guidelines. Moving both chronologically and by genre, Walton guides us through the Pentateuch, the Narratives, the Wisdom books, the prophetic books, and finally in Part Three, we learn of some helpful tips about the way forward.
My Thoughts
==============
Many people find reading the Old Testament difficult. Compared to the New Testament, there are passages about ancient laws, strange rituals, and portrayals of God that seem so unlike the God of love as modern people would prefer to see. While this book does not necessarily make it easier to understand the Old Testament, it equips us with useful paradigms on how to approach the texts. Let me give three thoughts about this book.
First, the book is a valuable guide to help us with reading the Old Testament. I am not talking about interpretation. I am talking strictly about "reading" per se. This is important because we often jump the gun to interpret the texts before actually reading it. This guide gives us the reading tools to read properly before interpretation. This is similar to the first step behind the popular Inductive Bible Studies: Observe the text. For a largely reading audience today, this is an even more important reminder. Of course, it is best to do both hearing the text followed by reading the text. In hearing the texts, we put ourselves into the shoes of the original hearers where the Word was read to them. In subsequent reading, we will observe the texts as best as we can. That way, we can gain the best of the hearing as well as the reading benefits. Learninng how to read well is crucial as far as genre understanding is concerned. If we could be patient to read before any premature intepretation, we will be better interpreters. Part One essentially gives us these reading tips, and I recommend that if pressed for time, readers should put Part One as their priority for reading this book.
Second, Part Two gives us not only tools for reading but also interpretation tips. For each genre, Walton gives us many good overviews to help us appreciate the big picture. It is also the most challenging part of the book as it can get quite technical and difficult for the lay reader. If we have not properly read the texts, interpretation would prove difficult, if not impossible. For instance, when Walton talks about the Torah being more about instruction rather than legislation, if we have read the texts properly, we will not be easily swayed by popular opinion in modern culture. In fact, many erroneous interpretation of the Bible stems from erroneous assumptions that the surrounding culture have placed upon us. These easily results in heresy. One such heresy is when people assume that the Old Testament is all about law while the New Testament all about grace. Walton's approach debunks such heresies and reminds us that the Old Testament is more instruction rather than law. Throughout the book, Walton compares and contrasts what is modern and what is biblical.
Finally, I like the way Walton maps out a way forward. Like the Inductive Bible Study's three-step process, if Part One is about Reading and Part Two is about Intepretation, then Part Three is about Application. In other words, he poses to us the basic question: What do we do with what we have learned? He reiterates the need for faithful reading amid an impatient culture that insists on absolute right from wrong. Humanly speaking, it is impossible to even claim to have absolute truth. Only God has absolute Truth. We can only understand as much as the Spirit reveals. Practice makes perfect. Mere reading of this book also requires us to practice the concepts taught in this book.
How do we read and understand the Old Testament? Let this book lead the way to remove the fear of the Old Testament toward faithful reading. This is a book for all readers. I highly recommend this for anyone desiring to improve their reading and interpretation of the Old Testament. Every page is filled with important tips to read the Old Testament well. For a modern culture filled with enlightenment paradigms, this book challenges our modern culture that blurs our faith. We need books like this to take us back to good-old down to earth appreciation of the ancient texts, without modernistic preconceptions that builds on doubts and suspicions. May this book be a necessary corrective against such negative mindsets.
John H. Walton (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College and Graduate School. Previously he was professor of Old Testament at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago for twenty years.
Rating: 5 stars of 5
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
February 27, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I have a considerable interest in reading the Bible as literature and since I also teach, “Wisdom for Faithful Reading” was a perfect fit for me.
Walton’s book is nothing if not profoundly practical. Not only is the text itself compelling, but he has an appendix of “What to do with the Old Testament” featuring a graph of frequent mistakes and what to do instead; as well as FAQs. These final pages may be the most useful in the entire book, but they build on what Walton has set up in the preceding chapters.
While he certainly offers many worthwhile admonishments, the overall tone is gracious. Walton approaches with the perspective of one who wants to see his fellow Christians view God rightly and use His word properly.
One note: some with a fondness for typology might be troubled by Walton’s particular interpretation of the Old Testament. However, even if you find yourself disagreeing, I hope you can view it as a challenge rather than an offense.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Walton’s book is nothing if not profoundly practical. Not only is the text itself compelling, but he has an appendix of “What to do with the Old Testament” featuring a graph of frequent mistakes and what to do instead; as well as FAQs. These final pages may be the most useful in the entire book, but they build on what Walton has set up in the preceding chapters.
While he certainly offers many worthwhile admonishments, the overall tone is gracious. Walton approaches with the perspective of one who wants to see his fellow Christians view God rightly and use His word properly.
One note: some with a fondness for typology might be troubled by Walton’s particular interpretation of the Old Testament. However, even if you find yourself disagreeing, I hope you can view it as a challenge rather than an offense.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 10, 2023
Interpreting the Old Testament can be a tricky business. What do we do with all those laws in Leviticus? Do the promises to Israel apply to us or the church, or neither? And those prophecies in Daniel—they are pretty weird. The author of Ecclesiastes also seems kind of depressed. Does he need cheering up?
In Wisdom for Faithful Reading, John Walton (author of the stellar volume The Lost World of Genesis One) offers much helpful advice on how to keep going off the rails into fanciful interpretations of prophecy and unwarranted applications of narratives. His valuable principles include:
♦ Stay close to the biblical author’s intentions and purposes
♦ Consider closely the linguistic, literary, cultural, and theological context of each passage
♦ Don’t impose our modern ideas, context, or worldview on a text
♦ Remember that genre (whether poetry, prophecy, genealogies, narrative, wisdom literature) is key to understanding
♦ Avoid reading the Bible as a how-to book or an instruction manual
♦ Keep asking this main question about each passage: “What can we learn about God, his plans, and his purposes?”
At each point, Walton offers many concrete examples from all over the Old Testament that illustrate and illuminate each point.
His examples of correct interpretation, however, may reveal a problem for many readers. While his analysis in each sample text is insightful and helpful, he gives the impression that if you don’t know Greek and Hebrew as well as he does, and if you aren’t thoroughly trained in ancient Middle Eastern culture and customs as he is, you can’t possibly understand the Bible. Though he tries to address that, overall it can be discouraging for ordinary readers.
Sometimes he also seems to strip the Bible of its authority rather than highlight it. For example, according to Walton, anything that is common knowledge in the ancient world (like it is bad to steal or murder) would not count as revelation. Only why the author included the Ten Commandments is revelation (pp. 40-47 and 115-16).
I also have questions about the primary mantra he keeps repeating throughout the book: “Only the author’s intentions carry authority.” That is, if the original biblical author never consciously intended a certain meaning, then that cannot possibly be normative for us today. I see at least three problems.
First, for centuries the primary (not the only) way in which the early church fathers interpreted the Old Testament, was to see Christ in every page. And if Jesus is the same as the God of the Old Testament, then there is merit in that approach. Walton would seem to dismiss this out of hand because the ancient writers couldn’t possibly know anything about Jesus, and so he couldn’t be part of their literary intent. Though it is true we must also view the Old Testament on its own terms, I think we dare not shed the perspective of our early Christian heritage lightly.
Second, all authors (biblical or not) communicate things that were not part of their original, conscious message. Yet these are every bit as much a part of the actual communication as that which was consciously intended. The Old Testament authors were thoroughly immersed in the ancient writings that had come before them. The prophets and psalmists knew the Torah deeply. Were they always conscious of when and how it was influencing them? No, but it did. Likewise, are we conscious how assumptions about democracy, individual freedom, capitalism, and (even) Shakespeare are influencing us when we write? No. But these are deep and real influences that emerge in our writing all the time, even when we do not consciously intend them to come out.
Third, I wonder if Walton’s laser-like focus on author intent doesn’t contradict one of his own principles—don’t impose “a foreign perspective on the text.” Isn’t the principle of author intent a modern construct which might get in the way of our encounter with Scripture? Until the last century or so, has anyone in the history of interpretation had such a single-minded obsession with this principle? Doesn’t it largely come out of modern literary theory rather than from the world of the Bible itself?
In this book Walton is legitimately reacting to the many abuses of interpretation that have sadly wracked the church, especially in modern times. The guards he offers to protect against these missteps have much to commend them. But I fear that instead of just reacting to these problems, that he is overreacting.
Having said that, his very last chapter, “Living Life in Light of Scripture,” is a wonderful, clear-headed, positive statement of what we should be looking for from God and his Word. We would all do well to follow Walton’s encouragement to focus on the message of the Bible to trust God, love God, and love others regardless of what life may bring.
__
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
In Wisdom for Faithful Reading, John Walton (author of the stellar volume The Lost World of Genesis One) offers much helpful advice on how to keep going off the rails into fanciful interpretations of prophecy and unwarranted applications of narratives. His valuable principles include:
♦ Stay close to the biblical author’s intentions and purposes
♦ Consider closely the linguistic, literary, cultural, and theological context of each passage
♦ Don’t impose our modern ideas, context, or worldview on a text
♦ Remember that genre (whether poetry, prophecy, genealogies, narrative, wisdom literature) is key to understanding
♦ Avoid reading the Bible as a how-to book or an instruction manual
♦ Keep asking this main question about each passage: “What can we learn about God, his plans, and his purposes?”
At each point, Walton offers many concrete examples from all over the Old Testament that illustrate and illuminate each point.
His examples of correct interpretation, however, may reveal a problem for many readers. While his analysis in each sample text is insightful and helpful, he gives the impression that if you don’t know Greek and Hebrew as well as he does, and if you aren’t thoroughly trained in ancient Middle Eastern culture and customs as he is, you can’t possibly understand the Bible. Though he tries to address that, overall it can be discouraging for ordinary readers.
Sometimes he also seems to strip the Bible of its authority rather than highlight it. For example, according to Walton, anything that is common knowledge in the ancient world (like it is bad to steal or murder) would not count as revelation. Only why the author included the Ten Commandments is revelation (pp. 40-47 and 115-16).
I also have questions about the primary mantra he keeps repeating throughout the book: “Only the author’s intentions carry authority.” That is, if the original biblical author never consciously intended a certain meaning, then that cannot possibly be normative for us today. I see at least three problems.
First, for centuries the primary (not the only) way in which the early church fathers interpreted the Old Testament, was to see Christ in every page. And if Jesus is the same as the God of the Old Testament, then there is merit in that approach. Walton would seem to dismiss this out of hand because the ancient writers couldn’t possibly know anything about Jesus, and so he couldn’t be part of their literary intent. Though it is true we must also view the Old Testament on its own terms, I think we dare not shed the perspective of our early Christian heritage lightly.
Second, all authors (biblical or not) communicate things that were not part of their original, conscious message. Yet these are every bit as much a part of the actual communication as that which was consciously intended. The Old Testament authors were thoroughly immersed in the ancient writings that had come before them. The prophets and psalmists knew the Torah deeply. Were they always conscious of when and how it was influencing them? No, but it did. Likewise, are we conscious how assumptions about democracy, individual freedom, capitalism, and (even) Shakespeare are influencing us when we write? No. But these are deep and real influences that emerge in our writing all the time, even when we do not consciously intend them to come out.
Third, I wonder if Walton’s laser-like focus on author intent doesn’t contradict one of his own principles—don’t impose “a foreign perspective on the text.” Isn’t the principle of author intent a modern construct which might get in the way of our encounter with Scripture? Until the last century or so, has anyone in the history of interpretation had such a single-minded obsession with this principle? Doesn’t it largely come out of modern literary theory rather than from the world of the Bible itself?
In this book Walton is legitimately reacting to the many abuses of interpretation that have sadly wracked the church, especially in modern times. The guards he offers to protect against these missteps have much to commend them. But I fear that instead of just reacting to these problems, that he is overreacting.
Having said that, his very last chapter, “Living Life in Light of Scripture,” is a wonderful, clear-headed, positive statement of what we should be looking for from God and his Word. We would all do well to follow Walton’s encouragement to focus on the message of the Bible to trust God, love God, and love others regardless of what life may bring.
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Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
February 22, 2024
Highlights from the book:
We ought to be in a frame of mind where we welcome being surprised by the text, willingness to see new evidence.
The Torah given at Sinai can be characterized as a body of divine instruction that cultivates wisdom. It’s the pathway to order. (Deut. 4:6)
We are looking for what the Bible is telling us that we did not already know. And it’s original audience what they didn’t already know. God was trying to tell people something they did not already know, something that was important enough to be worth taking the trouble to say. It’s valuable to try to figure that out.
The strongest interpretation is the one with the strongest evidence.
Daniel’s commitment is not to health and nutrition but to identify with the exiled community and not the royal house. No Daniel diet is promoted by the Bible. The OT does not endorse a particular diet.
God rests not in a bed, but on a throne. This indicates that when God rests, he rules. He has established order and can settle into ruling. Not leisure, naps, but security, stability, order.
Adam & Eve: To seek their own pathway to order, which would make themselves as the center of order. They chose to seek order for their own benefits and purposes, rather than to bring order alongside God, pursuing god’s plans and purpose as his image, the covenant was God’s plan to restore order through a relationship he forged with Abraham and his family, and took up his residence among them.
The purpose of the book plays into its message. The kingship of Yahweh is the main theme of the book of Psalms, especially in the lives and struggles in the prayers. Praise and sorrows, Lord of our lives, comfort, and his plans and purposes being worked out. We can pray them, but better to understand how they show us something about the kingship of God. They are not model prayers we are commanded to pray. Respect the genre.
The messages of the prophets fall into 4 categories: Indictment, identify what the people did wrong. Judgment, indicating what God was doing to remediate or punish the deviant behavior. Instruction, directing the people to a particular response, e.g. repentance, return to the Lord, do justice. Aftermath, confirming and describing God’s continuing relationship with Israel that will result in return or restoration.
Prophecy: Plan. The syllabus is not to tell the future, but to tell the student how they can successfully participate in the course. They are informed of the teacher’s objectives and their requirements. What it is says about the future is not unimportant, but is subject to variation. Questions, difficulties, may lead to an extra class, helping with student needs and responses. The objective remain the same.
Prophecy is not prediction, but is about God revealing various aspects of God’s plans and purposes to generate a response regarding what Israelites are doing wrong. The message comes through the spokesperson/prophet.
Apocalyptic is not prophecy. Prophecy is direct divine revelation, thus says the Lord. A: mediated through visions, heavenly beings. P: word from God to be proclaimed, A: vision from God to be understood. P: speaks oracles. A: visionary records vision and interpretation, P: speak God’s word directly. A: visions that reveal mysteries about past, present, future. P: projects plan for Israel’s history. A: projects pattern of universal history. P: driven by indictment, to restoration. A: driven by pattern, leading to kingdom of God. P: rooted in time and history. A: Transcends time and history. Apocalyptic is about staying faithful, steady on! A: projects a kind of future rooted in patterns of past to reorient the reader’s thinking about the present. Focuses on God’s rule over kingdoms of world. Apocalyptic literature: It’s not to foretell to the future, but to communicate God’s plans and purposes.
The message is the word given to the prophet and proclaimed to their audience. The fulfillment is how the prophetic message might unfold in history, usually in events or in a person. The message is the authoritative word from God and the fulfillment is the unfolding of God’s plan to which the message can be connected.
If we want to grasp the depth of God’s story, we cannot be content with just seeing Jesus. We need the OT because the more completely we can understand God’s story and see how he’s worked out his plans and purposes, the better we will be able to see how we can participate in them and how they come to fruition in Jesus. It’s not just about me, but about us: the corporate church. We each need to play our part.
We ought to be in a frame of mind where we welcome being surprised by the text, willingness to see new evidence.
The Torah given at Sinai can be characterized as a body of divine instruction that cultivates wisdom. It’s the pathway to order. (Deut. 4:6)
We are looking for what the Bible is telling us that we did not already know. And it’s original audience what they didn’t already know. God was trying to tell people something they did not already know, something that was important enough to be worth taking the trouble to say. It’s valuable to try to figure that out.
The strongest interpretation is the one with the strongest evidence.
Daniel’s commitment is not to health and nutrition but to identify with the exiled community and not the royal house. No Daniel diet is promoted by the Bible. The OT does not endorse a particular diet.
God rests not in a bed, but on a throne. This indicates that when God rests, he rules. He has established order and can settle into ruling. Not leisure, naps, but security, stability, order.
Adam & Eve: To seek their own pathway to order, which would make themselves as the center of order. They chose to seek order for their own benefits and purposes, rather than to bring order alongside God, pursuing god’s plans and purpose as his image, the covenant was God’s plan to restore order through a relationship he forged with Abraham and his family, and took up his residence among them.
The purpose of the book plays into its message. The kingship of Yahweh is the main theme of the book of Psalms, especially in the lives and struggles in the prayers. Praise and sorrows, Lord of our lives, comfort, and his plans and purposes being worked out. We can pray them, but better to understand how they show us something about the kingship of God. They are not model prayers we are commanded to pray. Respect the genre.
The messages of the prophets fall into 4 categories: Indictment, identify what the people did wrong. Judgment, indicating what God was doing to remediate or punish the deviant behavior. Instruction, directing the people to a particular response, e.g. repentance, return to the Lord, do justice. Aftermath, confirming and describing God’s continuing relationship with Israel that will result in return or restoration.
Prophecy: Plan. The syllabus is not to tell the future, but to tell the student how they can successfully participate in the course. They are informed of the teacher’s objectives and their requirements. What it is says about the future is not unimportant, but is subject to variation. Questions, difficulties, may lead to an extra class, helping with student needs and responses. The objective remain the same.
Prophecy is not prediction, but is about God revealing various aspects of God’s plans and purposes to generate a response regarding what Israelites are doing wrong. The message comes through the spokesperson/prophet.
Apocalyptic is not prophecy. Prophecy is direct divine revelation, thus says the Lord. A: mediated through visions, heavenly beings. P: word from God to be proclaimed, A: vision from God to be understood. P: speaks oracles. A: visionary records vision and interpretation, P: speak God’s word directly. A: visions that reveal mysteries about past, present, future. P: projects plan for Israel’s history. A: projects pattern of universal history. P: driven by indictment, to restoration. A: driven by pattern, leading to kingdom of God. P: rooted in time and history. A: Transcends time and history. Apocalyptic is about staying faithful, steady on! A: projects a kind of future rooted in patterns of past to reorient the reader’s thinking about the present. Focuses on God’s rule over kingdoms of world. Apocalyptic literature: It’s not to foretell to the future, but to communicate God’s plans and purposes.
The message is the word given to the prophet and proclaimed to their audience. The fulfillment is how the prophetic message might unfold in history, usually in events or in a person. The message is the authoritative word from God and the fulfillment is the unfolding of God’s plan to which the message can be connected.
If we want to grasp the depth of God’s story, we cannot be content with just seeing Jesus. We need the OT because the more completely we can understand God’s story and see how he’s worked out his plans and purposes, the better we will be able to see how we can participate in them and how they come to fruition in Jesus. It’s not just about me, but about us: the corporate church. We each need to play our part.
December 31, 2023
This book is an incredible overview of the sadly popular, though highly misguided ways of interpreting and applying the Old Testament. I wish I had taken notes, there are just so many insights on what not to do, which would be great to include when lecturing on books in the Old Testament.
Walton provides an excellent look and application of the historical-grammatical hermeneutic. These principles, however, do make scripture extremely restricted in its meaning and set in its time; it is not a timeless "biblical" encyclopedic rulebook and guidebook for every aspect of life. That said, as an evangelical, Walton does see the infallible Biblical authority as tied in with what the text communicates about God--his character and ways and actions in history. So as far as its history and laws, it is time-bound and by no means binding on our behavior, but in whatever it says about God, this is not culturally conditioned--but a clear depiction of the divine and his purposes in history.
The problem is I do not feel Walton has sufficient grounding for his assertion here. Seriously considering the text's context, time, and intended meaning is an acid that eats through most pious readings of scripture (which is why seminary is often called a cemetery), but Walton doesn't apply the critique to the one way he decided scripture is timeless and perfect in its message.
I can agree with Walton on the broad, though not on the specific. There do seem to be consistent themes of God's plans and purposes throughout the Old Testament, Walton and the Bible Project videos capture these so well. As someone, who based on Jesus' authority, affirms scripture has some sort of authority, I can place this authority in this overall story, in which Jesus is the fulfillment, but I cannot just assert that every individual expression of God in the Old Testament is accurate or in accordance with the revelation of Jesus. It would seem God revealed himself, but let his people write the story. God allowed himself to be misunderstood and viewed as a violent tribal warrior deity and allowed those who were created in his image, to create YHWH in their image. Despite this, with the plumbline of Christ, we see some details are aligned and yet a lot of other depictions of God in the Old Testament are crooked. In this way, I would agree with Greg Boyd who points to several passages in the New Testament, that indicate that Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Father and that the writers of the Old Testament often had a very limited or distorted understanding of God.
Walton provides an excellent look and application of the historical-grammatical hermeneutic. These principles, however, do make scripture extremely restricted in its meaning and set in its time; it is not a timeless "biblical" encyclopedic rulebook and guidebook for every aspect of life. That said, as an evangelical, Walton does see the infallible Biblical authority as tied in with what the text communicates about God--his character and ways and actions in history. So as far as its history and laws, it is time-bound and by no means binding on our behavior, but in whatever it says about God, this is not culturally conditioned--but a clear depiction of the divine and his purposes in history.
The problem is I do not feel Walton has sufficient grounding for his assertion here. Seriously considering the text's context, time, and intended meaning is an acid that eats through most pious readings of scripture (which is why seminary is often called a cemetery), but Walton doesn't apply the critique to the one way he decided scripture is timeless and perfect in its message.
I can agree with Walton on the broad, though not on the specific. There do seem to be consistent themes of God's plans and purposes throughout the Old Testament, Walton and the Bible Project videos capture these so well. As someone, who based on Jesus' authority, affirms scripture has some sort of authority, I can place this authority in this overall story, in which Jesus is the fulfillment, but I cannot just assert that every individual expression of God in the Old Testament is accurate or in accordance with the revelation of Jesus. It would seem God revealed himself, but let his people write the story. God allowed himself to be misunderstood and viewed as a violent tribal warrior deity and allowed those who were created in his image, to create YHWH in their image. Despite this, with the plumbline of Christ, we see some details are aligned and yet a lot of other depictions of God in the Old Testament are crooked. In this way, I would agree with Greg Boyd who points to several passages in the New Testament, that indicate that Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Father and that the writers of the Old Testament often had a very limited or distorted understanding of God.
September 5, 2024
Sometimes you come across a book that puts into words concepts and idea that your have known but only in a fog. To use Paul’s metaphor, there are somethings that we see only as in a mirror dimly lit. I am using the metaphor here not the passage. For me, Dr Walton put many things I have been pondering about interpretation into words. It was as if I could see it and he cleaned much of the mirror. It is not all that complicated. The primary question is, “What was the original author trying to communicate to the original audience?” This is a simple question, but the path to an answer is often very complicated. Dr. Walton does a great job of explaining his assumptions, principles and goals. Then he goes on to use many examples to illustrate how cultural context, genre, structure, and many other factors impact meaning. He seeks to have a faithful interpretation, recognizing that it may not be perfect, but is as faithful as the gifts giving to the interpreter can produce. These are further refined by the gifts found in a community. Early in the book he says, “If we neglect giving attention to the author’s intentions and seek application only based on our intuitive reading of our translations, we risk running off the tracks to wander in the beautiful meadows of our own imaginations.” (18). You may not agree with all of his conclusions (I certainly didn’t) but I could not help but appreciate and respect the nuance and winsomeness with which he explained his hermeneutic. The writing is clear and attainable. This is a multi-reader and will be a reference in my library.
August 11, 2024
Walton ist für das AT ähnlich ernüchternd wie Kant für die Metaphysik. Die Grenze sicherer Erkenntnis verläuft dort, wo der Autor bzw. der redaktionelle Bearbeiter eines AT-Buches eine bewusste Intention verfolgt. Darüber hinaus ist alles bloße Spekulation. Obwohl ich oft anderer Meinung war, konnte ich das Buch mit Gewinn lesen.
Pro: Für Walton ist literarischer und historischer Kontext extrem wichtig. Die autoritative Message eines Texts liegt in den Worten des Autors. Wir müssen den Text mit seinen Augen lesen. Gott hat diese Worte inspiriert. Nebenbei ist Walton durch seine leicht provokative Art sehr spannend zu lesen. Auch den Abschluss fand ich stark: Wir sollten die Bibel nicht egozentrisch lesen (meine Fragen, meine Theologie, meine pers. Entfaltung, mein Plan), sondern um uns besser in Gottes Plan einzufügen.
Contra: Walton schließt aus, dass Gott eine Botschaft ohne Bewusstsein des menschl. Autors einbauen kann. M.E. ist es kein slippery slope, hier anders zu denken. Das große Metanarrativ der Bibel ist, so meine ich, nicht immer absichtlich von Menschen intendiert gewesen. Da Walton nur explizit im Text geäußerte Wahrheitsaussagen gelten lassen will, ist er im Bezug auf systematische Theologie und Ethik sehr pessimistisch. Implizite Aussagen sind Spekulation. Dies führt auch dazu, dass er eine scharfe Distinktion zwischen Bedeutung und Anwendung zieht. Die Bedeutung ist objektiv, die Anwendung rein subjektiv.
Pro: Für Walton ist literarischer und historischer Kontext extrem wichtig. Die autoritative Message eines Texts liegt in den Worten des Autors. Wir müssen den Text mit seinen Augen lesen. Gott hat diese Worte inspiriert. Nebenbei ist Walton durch seine leicht provokative Art sehr spannend zu lesen. Auch den Abschluss fand ich stark: Wir sollten die Bibel nicht egozentrisch lesen (meine Fragen, meine Theologie, meine pers. Entfaltung, mein Plan), sondern um uns besser in Gottes Plan einzufügen.
Contra: Walton schließt aus, dass Gott eine Botschaft ohne Bewusstsein des menschl. Autors einbauen kann. M.E. ist es kein slippery slope, hier anders zu denken. Das große Metanarrativ der Bibel ist, so meine ich, nicht immer absichtlich von Menschen intendiert gewesen. Da Walton nur explizit im Text geäußerte Wahrheitsaussagen gelten lassen will, ist er im Bezug auf systematische Theologie und Ethik sehr pessimistisch. Implizite Aussagen sind Spekulation. Dies führt auch dazu, dass er eine scharfe Distinktion zwischen Bedeutung und Anwendung zieht. Die Bedeutung ist objektiv, die Anwendung rein subjektiv.
January 22, 2025
I’d rate Wisdom for Faithful Reading at about 3.5 ⭐️. I listened to it on Hoopla.
I’m grateful for Walton’s contribution and for the scholars and resources that have pointed me to his work and others like it. Years ago, I would have probably been resistant to these ideas, but this book has been helpful in giving me a solid foundation for understanding how biblical interpretation works.
While parts of the book felt a bit dry or difficult to follow, the overall message was good. Walton is meticulous in distinguishing “interpretation” from “application” or “appropriation” of the text. He emphasizes the importance of first understanding biblical passages within their original context before applying them to our lives.
This distinction was pretty new for me, for the most part, I’ve often seen interpretation and application as inseparable, or at least extremely close in nature. Walton’s perspective is something I’ll carry forward as I continue to grow in my faith. It’s making me think and be more mindful before making judgments about the meaning of Bible verses and what my responses should be to them.
I’m grateful for Walton’s contribution and for the scholars and resources that have pointed me to his work and others like it. Years ago, I would have probably been resistant to these ideas, but this book has been helpful in giving me a solid foundation for understanding how biblical interpretation works.
While parts of the book felt a bit dry or difficult to follow, the overall message was good. Walton is meticulous in distinguishing “interpretation” from “application” or “appropriation” of the text. He emphasizes the importance of first understanding biblical passages within their original context before applying them to our lives.
This distinction was pretty new for me, for the most part, I’ve often seen interpretation and application as inseparable, or at least extremely close in nature. Walton’s perspective is something I’ll carry forward as I continue to grow in my faith. It’s making me think and be more mindful before making judgments about the meaning of Bible verses and what my responses should be to them.
January 16, 2023
As a foremost authority on the Old Testament in context and application, John H. Walton brings us a wonderful discourse on the most important aspect of success in studying the Old Testament, “faithful interpretation”. He begins by highlighting the principles and concepts that he has found to be most effective in achieving faithful interpretation and then breaks down the Old Testament by genre and finishes with avoiding pitfalls in your studies and how to apply what your learn to your life. Everything was in a digestible format that doesn’t overwhelm or confuse. An excellent book for everyone from a high schooler in a Bible study to the most proficient scholar at Seminary.
Thank you, NetGalley!
Thank you, NetGalley!
July 18, 2025
A remarkably readable, well-written, and well-organized book. The short chapters are a great strength. Each one clearly presents a central point and then argues for it, often persuasively.
While I disagree with some of Walton’s interpretations and his conclusions on certain interpretive issues, I appreciated his central thesis, the unifying thread that runs throughout the book: we must seek the author’s intent. What was the original author communicating to the original audience within their specific cultural context? Application comes only after we understand that intent. His consistent emphasis on this foundational principle was refreshing . . . and much needed in our churches.
I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to read the Bible more faithfully.
While I disagree with some of Walton’s interpretations and his conclusions on certain interpretive issues, I appreciated his central thesis, the unifying thread that runs throughout the book: we must seek the author’s intent. What was the original author communicating to the original audience within their specific cultural context? Application comes only after we understand that intent. His consistent emphasis on this foundational principle was refreshing . . . and much needed in our churches.
I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to read the Bible more faithfully.
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June 27, 2023Walton represents an extreme case of historical-grammatical exactitude within evangelical circles: there is no interpretation that is not based on authorial intent, which aligns with the ancient cultural context of the writer. Attempts to read alternatively are "red flag" interpretations that do not track with the author, thus having no authority and thus being not from God. The work as a whole is closer to John Collins than your average Old Testament prof at a Christian college.
October 16, 2023
This is an excellent book by a highly esteemed teacher and author. In fact, this is my favorite biblical studies book for the year 2023. It is composed of many rather brief, but very clear and helpful chapters. The totality of the book is a tremendous said to biblical interpretation with a particular focus on the Old Testament. Highly recommended for evangelicals that think they understand what the Bible “clearly“ says.
October 25, 2024
I have added this to my "arsenal" of tools to use for other people, as well as myself. Good study and reference tools are a must for effective Bible study. This is well written, easy to follow and understand. I believe that it would be useful to even the newest Christian to the faith - and that is saying a lot since many theologians and Bible Scholars speak miles above the average person.
December 21, 2024
This is one of the most helpful and accessible books on Old Testament interpretation I have read. Walton has applied his years of research and teaching in communicating his knowledge to students of all levels. I would highly recommend this to any church member who wanted to better understand the Old Testament.
March 3, 2024
Outstanding!!! This will forever change how I read the Old Testament.
October 1, 2024
Read again!
December 8, 2024
I appreciate Walton’s scholarship. That being said I think his reading is overly restrictive and his reading should be balanced with writers like James Kugel
December 25, 2024
One of the best books I've read in a long time. Changed the way I approach the Old Testament.
October 26, 2025
A helpful and thought provoking exploration of the challenges of interpretation faithfully to the nature and Scripture and that which isn’t. Lots to think on and over, which is a good thing.
May 8, 2023
Some of Dr. Walton’s best
Even if you’ve read all of Dr. Walton’s books, and are familiar with the methodology, the last section of this book is worth the price alone for me. I’m thankful for his work and dedication to the Scriptures.
Even if you’ve read all of Dr. Walton’s books, and are familiar with the methodology, the last section of this book is worth the price alone for me. I’m thankful for his work and dedication to the Scriptures.
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