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Rating:  Summary: A Classic Work on Hermeneutics Review: Bernard Ramm has done an exemplary job of painting the broad strokes of protestant hermeneutics. He does work quite a lot with the history of interpretation, and less with the technical aspects of it but that is not only to be expected with a book on hermeneutics (rather than exegesis), it is essential to the understanding of how doctrine developed. When we see the hermeneutical mistakes of those in the past, and the damage it has caused (for instance, though not in this book, Augustine's switch to Amillennialism and with it allegorical interpretation of prophesy opened the door to the 1000+ years of darkness of biblical scholarship under the dominance of the Catholic church, not to mention the mess it has made with people's understanding of the gospel even now [i.e. Lordship Salvation] see Dave Anderson's articles in number 28-29 of the Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society) it not only sobers us into being more careful with our hermeneutical approach to Scriptures, it makes us more aware of our strengths and weaknesses in theology and exegesis. Read this book and take it very seriously (or better yet, take Hermeneutics from Dr. Radmacher through distance learning at Western Seminary). Don't assume, like everyone does, that the way you've always been taught is the truth. Learn some hermeneutics and go to the Word to find out.
Rating:  Summary: A Classic Work on Hermeneutics Review: Bernard Ramm has done an exemplary job of painting the broad strokes of protestant hermeneutics. He does work quite a lot with the history of interpretation, and less with the technical aspects of it but that is not only to be expected with a book on hermeneutics (rather than exegesis), it is essential to the understanding of how doctrine developed. When we see the hermeneutical mistakes of those in the past, and the damage it has caused (for instance, though not in this book, Augustine's switch to Amillennialism and with it allegorical interpretation of prophesy opened the door to the 1000+ years of darkness of biblical scholarship under the dominance of the Catholic church, not to mention the mess it has made with people's understanding of the gospel even now [i.e. Lordship Salvation] see Dave Anderson's articles in number 28-29 of the Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society) it not only sobers us into being more careful with our hermeneutical approach to Scriptures, it makes us more aware of our strengths and weaknesses in theology and exegesis. Read this book and take it very seriously (or better yet, take Hermeneutics from Dr. Radmacher through distance learning at Western Seminary). Don't assume, like everyone does, that the way you've always been taught is the truth. Learn some hermeneutics and go to the Word to find out.
Rating:  Summary: A Classic in Hermeneutics! Review: In the world of biblical academia, there has been as assorted array of books that pivot on the topic as diverse as well as important as biblical hermeneutics. In that respect, only few books rise above the others and were hailed as classics in this field. One of them is "Protestant Biblical Interpretation". Written by a scholar in his own right, it touches on a wide array of subjects within the science of hermeneutics - ranging from a history of interpretation in Christendom (allegorical, literal, etc), the basic rules of Protestant interpretation, to the devotional and practical use of the Bible. One unique feature of this book is that it touches on Protestant hermeneutics in an objective manner in which no theological position is sited or defended or even antagonize in any way. It basically teaches on the historical-grammatical method of exegeting the Word of God. Surely a book that has rendered a valuable service to the Body of Christ in the past 50 years. Any avid Bible student will surely benefit from its insights!
Rating:  Summary: Move beyond devotionals Review: Move Beyond simple devotional study. Get this book, it gives a historical perspective on the different modes of interpretation within the church throughout history. It helps the reader develop a more thoughtful, engrossing study of God's word, to really understand how awesome it is. Get this book and read it and treasure the book it teaches you to love.
Rating:  Summary: Protestant Biblical Interpretation by Bernard Ramm Review: Ramm's book is a foundational textbook for anyone who wants to begin a study of hermeneutics. Unlike many of the newer books, this one does not have a particular slant other than the basic approach of grammatico-historical protestant interpretation. For those desiring to read Moises Silva and Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.'s book or Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Ramm must be read first. Remember Vince Lombardi's instructions: "gentlemen, this is a football." This is what Ramm does: "Gentlemen, this is hermeneutics."
Rating:  Summary: History or Hermeneutics? Review: This book is not really so much a hermeneutics textbook as it is a history of hermeneutics textbook. Very little is offered in the way of figures of speech, or any method of interpretation whatsoever. However, the author's insight and background into the history of Biblical interpretation is very thorough and exceptionally well-done. This book is worth the purchase price for these insights alone. However, if you are looking for a more helpful book, at least as far as what the Bible has to say about how to interpret itself, I would recommend D. R. Dungan's work.
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