Laura A. Smit

Fun with Biblical Words

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Tom Hobson has done a service to the church with this helpful book, designed to allow those who have not had the opportunity to learn the biblical languages to understand the linguistic questions at play in various tricky passages in the Bible. Even better, Hobson has done this in an engaging and accessible way. Greek and Hebrew can be intimidating, even to those who have studied them, but Hobson’s clear, welcoming approach allows readers to get beyond the strangeness of the languages in order to learn more about what the Bible is saying to us. Hobson shows respect for his readers in that he is content to lay out the possible ways in which key words can be understood, leaving room for us to make our own decisions about what the text is saying. All in all, a very useful book for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of Scripture.”

The End of Interpretation

Theology

“With characteristic clarity, Rusty Reno dismantles the modern assumption that an intellectually responsible approach to the Bible requires setting theology aside and embracing some sort of mythical ‘objectivity.’ Instead, Reno here defends an approach to exegesis from within theology. He offers a collection of case studies that illustrate how such theological exegesis has and should function for Christians. He also considers how theological exegesis has functioned throughout Christian history. Reno’s tone is both reasonable and pastoral, modeling what it means to do exegesis from a place of intellectual submission within a community and urging Christian theologians starting from such a place to plunge boldly into dialogue with Scripture, allowing their knowledge of the Christian theological tradition to inform their reading of Scripture and allowing their reading of Scripture to strengthen their connection to that tradition. Overall, a hopeful and encouraging read.”