How to Take the Bible Seriously and Interpret it Responsibly
Christians agree that the Bible has authority, but it can be difficult to identify where that authority resides in the text. Without a clear framework for reading Scripture faithfully, we risk weaponizing its authority, causing damage to our churches and the world. If our methods only reinforce our own ideas, we are at risk of following our own word rather than God's.
The Crisis of Biblical Authority is noted biblical scholar John H. Walton's response to one of Christianity's most pressing challenges: how sincere believers can read the same biblical text and reach completely different conclusions. This accessible exploration of biblical authority demonstrates that the Bible's authority isn't found in how we think it should work, but in the intent of those who wrote and compiled its text.
Walton shows the way forward in learning to read the Bible well and developing appropriate approaches to these issues vital to our faith. He presents a clear, step-by-step hermeneutical framework for interpreting Scripture that remains faithful to the text without overstepping its boundaries. Rather than imposing personal interpretations onto the text, he argues that interpretation should focus on the author's original intent. The result is a thoughtful approach to biblical interpretation that takes the Bible seriously without falling into rigid fundamentalism.
Walton explores four levels of understanding needed to read the Bible responsibly:
- Answering the question, "What is the Bible and how does it function?"
- Defining the scope of authority within the text
- Articulating a method to prioritize understanding the authors' intent
- Practical procedures that guide productive biblical interpretation
This book doesn't seek to establish the Bible's authority for its own sake, but for how it shapes the way Christians understand, interpret, and apply that authority in their lives. Walton offers a consistent way to appeal to the Bible's authority that moves beyond prooftexts to shape our thoughts, hearts, and lives responsibly.
This book is perfect for pastors, students, and informed lay readers seeking to understand the basics of hermeneutics, and it serves as an excellent introductory text for hermeneutics or biblical interpretation courses. Whether you're a longtime fan of Walton's acclaimed Lost World Series or new to studying biblical interpretation, this accessible book invites you to take seriously the words of the Bible and to be faithful to the intent of the authors that carries the authority of God.
