God-Centered Biblical Interpretation

by Vern Sheridan Poythress

Theologically and pastorally profound, this study of biblical hermeneutics builds on Trinitarian presuppositions, while exposing the idols that lead interpretation astray. Poythress emphasizes the interpreter's spiritual qualifications along with linguistic principles.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875523765
• ISBN13: 9780875523767
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: P & R Publishing
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Trinitarian!

Poythress tackles the issue of Biblical hermeneutics in this book. He seeks to introduce the reader to a Trinitarian approach to interpreting the Bible. He comes up with a whole bunch of triads, which are very similar to Frame's triad in the _Doctrine of the Knowledge of God_. With the triads of purpose, imaging, etc. Poythress shows the analogical nature of human knowledge and language. Of course, the human body and psyche, I believe, are also analogically related to the Trinitarian God. Also, Poythress gets much from Kenneth L. Pikes work (and triangles).Overall, I think it is very much worthwhile. I was surprised at how *Biblical* Poythress was. He recognized equally and fairly the dangers of both postmodenrism and modernism. This is a good read if you want to know more about the Trinity. If you want a more detailed, longer, and more technical form of this, there is Poythress' *The Supremcy of God in Interpretation* (available, I think, from WTS [215-886-099]).The reason that I only give it 4 stars is because I found the discussions among Dottie Doctrinalist, Amy Affermationist, Oliver Objectivist, etc. very annoying. They were unnecessary, I think. But, you may find them helpfull. Yet another reason that I didn't quite enjoy the book was that *every* diagram in it was 2D. Squares, triangles, circles, they are all 2D. The world, God's creation, is always 3 dimentional! 2D objects feel unreal and less personal. Well, if these type of things don't bother you, you may find it to be a five star book.

Multi-perspectivally enjoyable

Poythress attempts to develop a hermeneutic of Scripture that is radically God-centered--and in this book he surely succeeds. He argues convincingly that communication, meaning, language, and interpretation all involve triadic perspectives which image the Trinitarian God, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This was a refreshing and incredibly informative book. Although Poythress shows hints of reader-friendliness by employing imaginary dialogues (e.g., with Herman Hermeneutic and Dottie Doctrinalist), his thinking and writing are complex enough to cause the reader to go through the arguments a couple of times. Many times the readers is left wanting further elaboration, as the material provides so much potential for deeper study. In other words, each chapter could easily be turned into a book (something Poythress himself recognizes). In conclusion, I highly recommend the work and encourage others to adopt Poythress' (along with Frame's) multi-perspectival approach to theology and other disciplines and write the other books this one begs for!