Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics

 

It is hard to overestimate the importance of having a proper hermeneutic in studying the Bible. In fact, I contend that one's hermeneutic will have a greater impact on one's interpretations of Scripture than almost anything else. So I am always interested in reading books on hermeneutics and was delighted to receive a copy of Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation (which is now available in paperback)  from the kind folks at InterVarsity Press. I plan to provide further interaction with the book, but here is the publisher's description and table of contents.

Description:

While there are many books on hermeneutics, Graeme Goldsworthy's perception is that evangelical contributions often do not give sufficient attention to the vital relationship between hermeneutics and theology, both systematic and biblical.

In this new paperback edition of Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics, Goldsworthy moves beyond a reiteration of the usual arguments to concentrate on the theological questions of presuppositions, and the implications of the Christian gospel for hermeneutics. In doing so, he brings fresh perspectives on some well-worn pathways.

Part I examines the foundations and presuppositions of evangelical belief, particularly with regard to biblical interpretation.

Part II offers a selective overview of important hermeneutical developments from the sub-apostolic age to the present, as a means of identifying some significant influences that have been alien to the gospel.

Part III evaluates ways and means of reconstructing truly gospel-centered hermeneutics.

Goldsworthy's aim throughout is to commend the much-neglected role of biblical theology in hermeneutical practice, with pastoral concern for the people of God as they read, interpret and seek to live by his written Word.

Table of Contents:

Abbreviations
Preface
Introduction: Can hermeneutics be saved?

Part I - Evangelical Prolegomena to Hermeneutics

Introduction to Part I

1. The necessity for hermeneutics
2. Presuppositions in reading and understanding
3. Gospel-centred hermeneutics
4. Towards a biblical theology of interpretation

Part II - Challenges to Evangelical Hermeneutics

Introduction to Part II

5. The eclipse of the gospel in the early church
6. The eclipse of the gospel in the mediaeval church
7. The eclipse of the gospel in Roman Catholicism
8. The eclipse of the gospel in Liberalism
9. The eclipse of the gospel in philosophical hermeneutics
10. The eclipse of the gospel in historical criticism
11. The eclipse of the gospel in literary criticism
12. The eclipse of the gospel in Evangelicalism

Part III - Reconstructing Evangelical Hermeneutics

Introduction to Part III

13. Pre- and post-Enlightenment evangelical interpretation
14. The gospel and the literary dimension
15. The gospel and the historical dimension
16. The gospel and the theological dimension, I: the two Testaments and Typology
17. The gospel and the theological dimension, II: biblical and systematic theology
18. The gospel and contextualization
19. The hermeneutics of Christ

Epilogue

Bibliography