Opening Scripture: A Hermeneutical Manual

by Patrick Fairbairn

Patrick Fairbairn (1805-1874) was a gifted and faithful servant of Christ best known for his commentaries and works on Prophecy and Typology. This lesser known work deserves a plave alongside those other great works. Roger Nicole contends: "It is high time that in the midst of controversies in which all kinds of accusations are leveled against the use of the Old Testament by New Testament authors the painstaking work of Patrick Fairbairn and his monumental scholarship be once again taken into consideration." Sinclair Ferguson says, "I have a copy of Fairbairn and often wondered why it hasn't been reprinted . . . I suspect the title has put publishers off (hermeneutical plus manual being a bit much for today's readers!). I think Fairbairn was really an extraordinarily able man and a great servant of the church . . . so I'm enthusiastic about this reprint!"

Genres: Theology

496 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Rev. Patrick Fairbairn, D.D. (University of Edinburgh, 1826) was a minister and theologian of the Free Church of Scotland. He was Principal and Professor of Church History and Exegesis for the Free Church College from its 1856 founding until his death, and was Professor of Theology at the Free Church Theological College in Aberdeen from 1853.

Reviews

[Benjamin Glaser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have often the number one thing I missed from not attending a confessionally Reformed seminary was being inculcated with a "Reformed Hermeneutic" from the get go. It is something I have kind of had to "learn on the go". Well after having finally read this book from Free Church theologian Patrick Fairbairn I can say I really and truly have a much, much better handle on how to read the Scriptures and how to apply them. Fairbairn's work while dense and certainly requires some prerequisite understanding of the Reformed faith is eminently readable.

Highly Recommend, especially for those who want to understand the Reformed hermeneutic.

[Vaclav · Rating 4 out of 5]

as i said before, i so misunderstood the Scriptures when i first became a believer that's not even funny...just ask me how off i went. but this book again was very helpful in giving me some great principles in approaching the word of God. the use of the Old Testament in the New testament, and etc. it was a long and difficult, but rewarding read. i could not put it down. i was learning so much! and, he's a Scottish author from 1800s, my favorite theologians from the favorite time period!

[Todd Ruddell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read. Fairbairn's treatment of the two genealogies is worth the price of admission.