Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible

by Kevin J. Vanhoozer

For the pastor or serious layperson, the realm of biblical interpretation can be a confusing maze of personalities, communities, methods, and theories. This maze can often result in obscuring the main goal of interpreting hearing and knowing God better.

The Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible is a groundbreaking reference tool that introduces readers to key names, theories, and concepts in the field of biblical interpretation. It discusses these approaches and evaluates their helpfulness in enabling Christians to hear what God is saying to the church through Scripture. The contributors come from a variety of backgrounds, and the dictionary covers a broad range of topics with both clarity and depth.

Genres: Theology, Reference, Christian, Christianity, Religion, Biblical Studies, Dictionaries

896 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2005

About the author

Kevin J. Vanhoozer is currently Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. From 1990-98 he was Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at New College, University of Edinburgh. Vanhoozer received a BA from Westmont College, an M.Div from Westminster Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Cambridge University, England having studied under Nicholas Lash.

Reviews

[Craig Toth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book may cause you to think it is just another "dry" reference book. Nothing could be further from the truth! Vanhoozer--and many other well-respected scholars--have assembled the finest one-stop resource for learning about the interpretation of scripture and related subjects such as "narrative theology". I recommend this book for all serious students of the Bible.

[Matt Quintana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinarily useful. Every pastor, student, and scholar should have a copy of this work on their shelf!

[Stanislava Tran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually i love reading Christian book, a great useful tool (Dictionary For Theological Interpretation Of The Bible)

[Mu-tien Chiou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is certainly a highly recommended referenece work for students of the Bible.
I can confirm that most articles are not dry. They explore the development of a given issue with style by always presenting more than one views, so the student thinks along the topic rather than being fed up with the writer's biases.

However, it is also true that the hundreds of contributors are all great writers/storytellers. They right in different styles with different levels of readability.
But this minor quibble (which is also applicable to many multi-author dictionaries and encyclopedias) should not blur that fact this book stands by far as the best in this category and the overall quality is very high.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't try to read this bad boy in on sitting!

This work is a compilation and the writing styles vary considerably. Certain authors I had to read, think, re-read, think, read again and I still am not sure I understood what they meant. Others authors just seemed to flow.

On the whole, this work is an excellent introduction to the subject of Theological Interpretation as well as the major scholars in the field (who all contributed to the volume) and their most significant works.