Bibliology and Hermeneutics Bibliography
Required Reading for TTP
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994
An excellent and readable systematic theology. Grudem provides great illustrations, suggestions for further studies, and scripture references for memorization that enhance your study. He has a great balance of systematic, historic, and apologetic theologies, all accomplished in an irenic manner.
Olson, Roger. Mosaic of Christian Beliefs. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2002
This is a historic theology with an agenda of helping Christians see the unity and diversity within Christianity through the centuries. This will help the reader understand what unites Christians so that we might pursue irenics and polemics with more integrity.
Suggested for Further Reading in Bibliology
A great short introduction to textual criticism. For those of you who are interested in further study of the methods and history of textual criticism, this is a nice read. (Beginner-intermediate)
Bruce, F. F. The Canon of Scripture. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988
F.F. Bruce, the late evangelical scholar, respected broadly across the theological spectrum offers what has become a standard book on the canon of the Scripture. (Intermediate)
A classic book on the reliability of the New Testament documents. Bruce walks the reader through the most important issues in New Testament textual criticism, giving a strong apologetic that the New Testament documents were preserved with great accuracy. (Intermediate)
This introduction to the Bible is an important work that has become a standard reference book for those seeking to understand the transmission, canonization, inspiration, inerrancy, and basic interpretation of the Scriptures. (Beginner-intermediate)
Kistler, Don, ed. Sola Scriptura! Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 2000
Including many articles from various evangelicals such as R.C. Sproul and John MacArthur, this book provides a good brief introduction to the Protestant understanding of the doctrine of sola Scriptura. (Intermediate)
Mathison, Keith A. The Shape of Sola Scriptura. Moscow, ID: Canon Press, 2001
This book is for those of you who want to learn more about the basic history and development of the doctrine of sola Scriptura. Mathison provides an intriguing look into the doctrine of sola Scriptura and the current situation that Protestants find themselves in today. Mathison provides a historical survey of the development of the doctrine and concludes by arguing that most evangelicals today do not hold to the early church and reformed doctrine of sola Scriptura, but misrepresent the doctrine by neglecting the role of tradition and the community of God in their hermeneutic. In class, we called this misrepresentation nuda Scriptura or solo Scriptura. (Intermediate-advanced)
For those wanting to work through a detailed study of the historical development of the doctrine of sola Scriptura, this is the series for you. Webster provides an enormous amount of references, working through the church fathers one by one, demonstrating that the early church did hold to the belief that the Scriptures alone were the final source of arbitration on all matters of faith and practice. (Advanced)
Wegner, Paul D. The Journey from Texts to Translations. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2004
Wegner has gifted us with a highly illustrated reference book on the transmission, canonization, and translation of the Scriptures. A great book for those of you who want to know more about the history of the Bible. (Beginner-intermediate)
Subtitled "Can you trust the modern translation," this is a great introductory look into the "KJV Only" controversy. Not only does White provide a great critique of those who advocate the view that the King James Bible is the superior and only reliable version of the Bible, but he give a great introduction to textual criticism. Highly recommended for those of you who would like to further pursue the study of textual criticism in the context of this controversy. (Intermediate)
Suggested for Further Reading in Hermeneutics
Carson, D.A. Exegetical Fallacies. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1996
Carson offers a great critique of many common methodological mistakes that people make in their interpretation of the Scriptures. Be careful reading this book . . . it sometimes hurts! Good for all of us who want to avoid these mistakes. Some chapters are more advanced than others. (Beginner-intermediate)
Ramm, Bernard. Protestant Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1970
In this classic standard on interpretation, Ramm offers a great overview of the history of interpretation and the methodology adopted by the Reformers. For those who want to advance their studies in this area, this is a great book. (Intermediate)
A great beginner's book on the basics of biblical interpretation. This has become a standard book that will benefit the reader greatly. (Beginner)
Hendricks, Howard G. and William D. Hendricks. Living By the Book. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1991
Hendricks, in his classical practical and engaging style, has written a fun book that works the reader through interpretive methodology through many activities and illustrations. (Beginner)
This book takes the reader to the next level of biblical interpretation with an in-depth study of interpretation. Helpful chapters on the preunderstandings that the reader brings to the text, the history of interpretation, and interpretation of individual generes are some of the highlights of this reference work. (Advanced)
A classic work on understanding the Scriptures as pieces of literature. Ryken leads the reader through a study of the rules by which the various types of literature must be interpreted. (Beginner-intermediate)
Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Is There a Meaning in This Text? Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998
A highly advanced study of interpretation and the challenges that are brought to traditional approaches to hermeneutics today. (Advanced)