Table of Contents
- Did the author clearly communicate his premise for writing the book?
Henry A. Virkler wrote the book, Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation, in which he elaborated on the application of the hermeneutical theory. The assistant professor of psychology has become highly influential in the discourse of Biblical biblical interpretations, especially with his highly popular works on hermeneutics. This paper presents a critical review of Virkler’s work and focuses on the principles and processes which he has outlined to guide in the process of Biblical biblical interpretation.
Primary to the observations one would make when and after reading through the book, the author used very simple words to improve the readability and understanding. Throughout the book, readers are encouraged to adopt new methods of Bible interpretations, which is central to improving Bible study. The book makes hermeneutics more available to readers and has specialized exercises at the end of each chapter to test the understanding of the reader. Overall therefore, as illustrated in the review below, the book by Henry Virkler is one of a kind and which it should be recommended to anyone who would be interested in harnessing the art of Bible interpretation.
- Did the author prove his premise?
The author dedicates the first portion of the book to outline the contents thereby preparing the reader on what the book has to offer. Although the table of contents fails to outline different subtopics on each of the chapters outlined, the sequential arrangement presented is commendable. With the clear outline of the content in the book, the book becomes easy to comprehend and to refer for the reader. The specificity of the content in the eight chapters warrants applause from any reader and students of hermeneutics.
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In the first chapter, Virkler introduces the topic of Biblical hermeneutics and gives a clear explanation on the subject. The subsequent chapter focuses on a historical aspect of Bible interpretation. In latter chapters, the author appreciates cultural and contextual analysis, lexical and syntactical analysis, theological analysis, special literary forms and application of Biblical biblical message.
In the epilogue, the book exemplifies the usefulness of the use of the Bible in devotions and preaching. A clear representation of the process of interpreting and applying Biblical biblical texts is effectively outlined in the summary of the book, hence ensuring that the reader would have a wholesome experience in studying the art of hermeneutics. It is however worth appreciating the disclaimer presented by the author that the book has an allegiance to evangelical traditions, which presents a conventional approach to hermeneutics than would be the case with an academic approach.
Virkler’s book combines the practical steps for exegesis with hermeneutical theory to enable students (and other readers) read and interpret the Bible responsibly. Primary to the work is the five steps for Bible interpretation given – historical, cultural and contextual scripture analysis, syntactical and lexical analysis, theological analysis, genre identification, and interpretation skills.
The five steps could be of great help to any person wishing to analyze and interpret the Biblical biblical passages effectively. With the numerous exercises at the end of each of chapter, the author gives readers a practical guide to the application of the skills of interpreting scriptures daily. All the chapters are qualitatively written with summaries at the beginning and supportive bibliographies at the end. By using simplified language and subjective thoughts on the Biblical biblical passages, Virkler’s work could have been meant for laymen.
The book illustrates four stages in development toward effective Bible interpretation. The author identifies the first stage to be that of recognizing a relevant area for exploration. During the exploration, one asks the question of how to make meaning of another person’s words as represented in bible passages. In the second stage, it would be important for an interpreter to develop strategic conceptual systems by which to organize the scriptures coherently. The question at this stage as represented by Virkler is whether or not a text holds the primary meaning as intended by the author or changes depending on a reader or the circumstances. At the third stage, the process of interpretation narrows down from a generalized concept to specific features as guided by theoretical orientations and conceptual system. Finally, at the fourth stage, all principles guiding the second and third stages are used for the development of specific skills on bible interpretation and which can be taught to other people.
Kaiser’s theory of hermeneutics has been largely inferred in the work of Virkler. However, the book takes special attention in alluding to the lay readers of the Bible. Vikler Virkler would then dedicate pages 32-45 tackling Biblical biblical inspiration, 22-27 on matters of the meaning of scriptures, 117-156 on the issues of redemptive history and 183-209 to handle the lessons on prophesy.
By applying the five steps of reading the scriptures highlighted, Vikler’s Virkler’s work assists the reader to develop a positive approach while tackling the matters of inspiration, prophesy and history among others which could otherwise be perceived as technical and difficult. He also applies the different steps to the different literary forms represented in the Bible. For instance, through the model, readers can easily interpret and understand the use of metaphors, similes, proverbs, apocalyptic literature allegories, prophesy as well as parables.
- Was there evidence of proof that helped you to believe that the author was thorough in his research?
In his opinion, Virkler holds that the different literary forms represented in the bible could be carrying historical, cultural and contextual significance. As such in his writing, he would emphasize the need for all readers to have an open mind when interpreting different parts of scriptures which could be otherwise carrying hidden messages. For instance, the interpretation of proverbs could require a different approach than the lay man layman as the wise sayings could differ from one society to another. In fact, noting that the bible Bible could have had significance significant influence by the interpretations from the Greek language to other dialects, Virkler suggested that readers should appreciate the historical and cultural effect of the transitions. Nevertheless, the observation was not meant to illustrate the distortion of the intended message through the process of scriptural interpretation.
Another attribute regarded the organization of the book in distinct chapters which, besides following a logical flow, they are distinct in content. Each of the chapters is well articulated to discuss particular elements of the interpretation of scriptures and to give the reader as much support as possible in interpretation of what he/she reads. Besides, all of the chapters are well interconnected to ensure that the reader could only realize the benefit intended if the reading is from the first chapter toward the last. Therefore, from a subjective position, the book was intended to be read in prose for one to realize the highest value. Although in the subsequent readings one could refer to a distinct chapter or section, to start with, one would need to be sequential.
The author highlighted another important attribute of hermeneutics which regards the inference to linguistics and etymological research. As such, he recommends any effectual reader to be prepared to go beyond what is written and consider what the culture and the society of the day could have had to do with the portion of scriptures. To be more effective, one would require a concordance and such other relevant historical and interpretive devices. Theological wordbooks like the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament as well as the new international dictionary of the New Testament theology could equally be consulted if a student were to make the best out of the scriptures. With such interpretive devices, a student could develop a high sense of interpreting the prescriptive and descriptive elements in biblical passages. The tools are specially made to cover different subjects of interpretation as required in different texts hence the reason Virkler recommended them in his book.
At some point, Virkler touches on certain features of special and general forms of hermeneutics. It talks plausibly on the need for readers to accentuate the interpretation of the Bible on the basis of exegetical order. In his argument, Virkler reasons that the perfect meaning of any text would be solely held by the author and not the reader. As such, for the different pieces of excerpts of the bible to make the intended meaning the readers would require pursuing to understand the intended meaning by the author.
Such would help the reader avoid making errors in interpretation which could have a complete change of the meaning intended by the biblical author. Nevertheless, as one would easily point out, the author’s explanation failed to appreciate strategic challenges that a reader could face in reconstructing and visualizing life as was the case with the author. While he was fast to recommend such measures in order to generate the highest and accurate meaning of Biblical texts, Virkler should have envisioned the effect of the change in time and culture as could always have an effect in one’s mind while conceptualizing everyday life. For instance, current readers could face difficulties in envisioning life in the old when there was no mobile technology which has greatly affected modern day living.
- Was the author able to expose you to new truths or cause you to rethink some conclusion that you had previously drawn?
On a different account however, the author embraces an interdisciplinary approach and attempts to integrate homiletics and hermeneutics. As such, he succeeds to allude to the thoughts of contemporary believers in the face of the reality of intergenerational composition. In his recommendation for effective modern day public speaking on the different attributes of the Word of God, he singles out the importance of incorporating the elements of topical and expository methods.
- What controversial statements were made by the author?
It is easy to point out some shortcomings of the book. One of them is that the author overlooks the point of convergence between the literal meaning of the scriptures and the power of God in the texts. For Bible believers, besides understanding the literal meaning of any written scripture, there is the power of God that is revealed through faith. As such, although interpreting the scriptures could be important for any bible scholar, from a subjective position, it would be equally important to appreciate the voice of God through the word.
The critique comes from the point of understanding that the work by Virkle focuses primarily on how to look at the scriptures from the historical, lexical and contextual perspectives and overlooks the principle that the word of God is inspired of the Holy Spirit and hence, besides looking at the face value in interpretation, one would allow the spiritual inspiration guide the interpretation. The other attribute that the book overlooked was that of Biblical interpretation for academic or philosophical purposes. The students of philosophy who would not necessarily be Bible believers would want an elaborate approach into critical interpretation of the Bible. As such, the book by Virkle is relatively weak in anticipating critical relevance of the scriptures by readers.
Conclusion
The book would be highly recommended to all Bible scholar and teachers as it explicitly covers the subject of Bible interpretation. The simplistic organization, easy to understand language and the qualitative insights highlighted by the author could facilitate the ease of understanding of the subject of hermeneutics to any interested party. The different chapters capture relevant features for a holistic interrogation of the scriptures hence building one’s ability to understand different scriptures, from the historical to the application aspects. As a student, I found the book highly relevant for a better understanding of the class content. The subject of hermeneutics is crucial in the class and therefore, any study material that could improve biblical interpretation like the book by Virkle was highly relevant. However, I would appreciate the efforts by the author to improve future editions of the book to tackle the weaknesses observed in the reading.
Works Cited
- Virkler, Henry A. Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation. Baker Academics, 2007.
