Interpreting The Pauline Letters

An Exegetical Handbook by John D. Harvey

Published by Kregel Academic

One of my mentors Dr. Thomas F. Harrison made a profound statement concerning Hermeneutics and Exegesis. “He who seeks wisdom not just a knowledge of how to exegete but discovers how to make the text useful to others has discovered both the Art and Science of Exegesis.”

This book is a valuable demonstration of Dr. Harrison’s statement. Building on the foundation of the authority of God’s Word Dr. Harvey wisely explains and then uses the elements of exegesis, which are then demonstrated by useable examples.

I was delighted with his section, “The Great Transfer” in the chapter on the Theology of Paul’s letters. The transfer from the Sphere of Adam to that of ‘in Christ’ is the best I have seen in detailing what is meant and how it is realized starting with 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Colossians 1:13-14 and then throughout Paul’s letters.

As a semi-retired NT Greek, Hermeneutics and Homiletics teacher I highly recommend this excellent work to anyone seeking to understand and make the meat of the Word available to all who follow or seek Jesus the Messiah. I received a copy of this book from Kregel Academic for an honest review.

The inaugural volume in the Handbooks for New Testament Exegesis series, Interpreting the Pauline Letters begins by exploring the components of narrative--setting, characterization, and plot--and then develops the foremost theological themes in each of the books traditionally ascribed to Paul. The method sets the task of exegesis within the literary context of first-century letters as well as the theological context of major themes present in Paul's letters. The book goes beyond exegesis to discuss strategies for communicating the central truthesof Paul's first-century messages to a twenty-first-century audience. Each chapter includes a list of helpful resources to the step of interpretation discussed. A glossary defining technical words and samples of moving from exegesis to proclamation make this guide practical and user-friendly. Designed as a handbook for seminary and graduate students, the book provides a go-to guide that will also serve seminary-trained pastors, upper-level college students, and well-motivated lay people. As readers work through this handbook, they will begin to see and interpret the narrative writings as Paul intended them to be understood.