Knowing Scripture (R. C. Sproul)

Knowing Scripture

In this expanded edition of Knowing Scripture renowned Reformed theologian and pastor R.C. Sproul not only aids readers in unearthing the meaning of Scripture for themselves, but also explores why it is essential for every Christian to study it in the first place.

With his usual common sense and enthusiasm, Sproul both offers clear explanations of eleven basic steps of interpretation, as well as provides simple how-to’s for using them. Excellent for beginning Bible readers and experienced students of Scripture, this expanded edition includes a new preface.

Contents

Foreword by Dr. J. I. Packer

Preface to the Expanded Edition

1. Why Study the Bible?

• Two Myths
• The Clarity of Scripture
• The Problem of Motivation
• The Biblical Basis for Bible Study
• The Bible as Revelation
• Theory and Practice
• The Sensuous Christian
• A Matter of Duty

2. Personal Bible Study and Private Interpretation

• Martin Luther and Private Interpretation
• Objectivity and Subjectivity
• The Role of the Teacher

3. Hermeneutics: The Science of Interpretation

• The Analogy of Faith
• Interpreting the Bible Literally
• Literal Interpretation and Genre Analysis
• The Problem of Metaphor
• The Medieval Quadriga
• The Grammatical-Historical Method
• Source Criticism
• Authorship and Dating
• Grammatical Errors

4. Practical Rules for Biblical Interpretation

• Read the Bible Like Any Other Book
• Read the Bible Existentially
• Interpret the Historical Narratives by the Didactic
• Interpret the Implicit by the Explicit
• Determine Carefully the Meaning of Words
• Note the Presence of Parallelisms
• Note the Difference Between Proverb and Law
• Observe the Difference Between the Spirit and the Letter of the Law
• Be Careful with Parables
• Be Careful with Predictive Prophecy
• Interpret the Bible with a Spirit of Humility

5. Culture and the Bible

• Cultural Conditioning and the Bible
• Cultural Conditioning and the Reader
• Principle and Custom
• Practical Guidelines

6. Practical Tools for Bible Study

• Bible Translations
• Study Bibles
• The King James Version
• Commentaries
• Concordances, Bible Dictionaries, and Atlases
• Word Studies
• Foreign Translations
• What About Greek and Hebrew?
• Bible Software
• Bible Reading Program for Beginners
• Conclusion

About the Author

R. C. Sproul (1939-2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship ministry near Orlando, Florida. He served as co-pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of magazine. His radio program Renewing Your Mind is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online.

Sproul contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and schools around the world, and wrote over 100 books.