Perry Yoder

Few books on Bible study method both explain how and show how. Fewer still seek to do this by utilizing current biblical scholarship while writing for informed lay people. Virtually no books with the objective demonstrate a competent grasp of both the linguistic and historical school of biblical interpretation. From Word to Life fills the gap with this distinctive contribution. Written clearly, it should enjoy wide usage, especially in the classroom setting. The book is not written for the beginner in Bible study; its best use will be by those who, having already started on the pilgrimage of Bible study, are at least minimally acquainted with the historical-critical method and have thought some about how language works. Because of its clarity and scope, it will reward both the serious student and the seasoned professor of biblical studies. --Willard M. Swartley The inductive Bible study method presented in this book is motivated by three objectives. The first is to show the reasonableness of the way biblical scholars work with the Bible. . . . A second motive is to present these methods or ways of study in such a manner that others can also appropriate them for their own use. . . . Third, and perhaps most importantly, it is hoped that through an acquaintance with good Bible study methodology, discernment may be gained as to what constitutes valid and invalid uses and interpretations of Scripture. --Perry Yoder, in the Preface

Few books on Bible study method both explain how and show how. Fewer still seek to do this by utilizing current biblical scholarship while writing for informed lay people. Virtually no books with the objective demonstrate a competent grasp of both the linguistic and historical school of biblical interpretation. From Word to Life fills the gap with this distinctive contribution. Written clearly, it should enjoy wide usage, especially in the classroom setting. The book is not written for the beginner in Bible study; its best use will be by those who, having already started on the pilgrimage of Bible study, are at least minimally acquainted with the historical-critical method and have thought some about how language works. Because of its clarity and scope, it will reward both the serious student and the seasoned professor of biblical studies. --Willard M. Swartley The inductive Bible study method presented in this book is motivated by three objectives. The first is to show the reasonableness of the way biblical scholars work with the Bible. . . . A second motive is to present these methods or ways of study in such a manner that others can also appropriate them for their own use. . . . Third, and perhaps most importantly, it is hoped that through an acquaintance with good Bible study methodology, discernment may be gained as to what constitutes valid and invalid uses and interpretations of Scripture. --Perry Yoder, in the Preface

God is gracious, holy, and present. As a book about how to worship and how to live, Leviticus unfurls these critical characteristics of God in relation to humanity. In the thirty-third volume in the Believers Church Bible Commentary series, Old Testament scholar Perry B. Yoder argues that the oft-neglected book of Leviticus discloses valuable truths, symbols, and practices of the New Testament. Traversing difficult interpretive territory such as the sacrificial system, purity laws, and priestly instructions, Yoder writes with a clarity and nuance that will interest a wide swath of readers. He eloquently poses for readers the focal question of Leviticus: how to live in the presence of God.

"" T]his work is offered in the hope that it will help those seeking biblical answers for today's problems to find a coherent and consistent way of using the biblical text. . . ""Hermeneutics . . . is not so interested in the specific explanation of individual passages, but in a more general way with the object or goal of exegesis. If in exegesis the aim is to discover the meaning of a passage, how will we tell when we have gotten this? In this essay we see that the task of hermeneutics is to teach us how we may tell a valid explanation from an invalid one--what constitutes a correct understanding of a passage. -- from the Introduction

"" T]his work is offered in the hope that it will help those seeking biblical answers for today's problems to find a coherent and consistent way of using the biblical text. . . ""Hermeneutics . . . is not so interested in the specific explanation of individual passages, but in a more general way with the object or goal of exegesis. If in exegesis the aim is to discover the meaning of a passage, how will we tell when we have gotten this? In this essay we see that the task of hermeneutics is to teach us how we may tell a valid explanation from an invalid one--what constitutes a correct understanding of a passage. -- from the Introduction

"Seeing the Text" integrates language study with theories and methods of interpretation. The purpose of the book is to help students increase their facility with the biblical languages while at the same time incorporating exegetical and literary skills and methods. The book thus not only provides a wider theoretical and methodological horizon for language study but also builds a solid, text-based foundation for further biblical studies. Because it is increasingly the case that seminarians do not have the opportunity to study both Greek and Hebrew, examples in both languages are included whenever possible to create a metalinguistic theoretical understanding. The book is, therefore, designed and suitable for both intermediate Hebrew students and intermediate Greek students. Finally, the book includes suggestions for using the computer to facilitate language learning and exegetical work in order to help students develop the skills necessary to sustain their language skills with the aid of computer software when they are no longer engaged in formal study. For further information about author Mary Schertz, click here.