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Title: He Gave Us Stories: The Bible Student's Guide to Interpreting Old Testament Narratives by Richard L., Jr. Pratt ISBN: 0-87552-379-X Publisher: P & R Press Pub. Date: June, 1993 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (3 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: An interesting introduction to Old Testament interpretation
Comment: In He Gave Us Stories, Dr. Pratt introduces Old Testament interpretation in an approachable way. His aim, as stated in the preface, is to provide "motivated lay people and beginning theological students" with a method for biblical interpretation that is more practical and less technical. Through this approach, He Gave Us Stories appeals to a wider audience than a more scholarly volume would.
The principle idea of He Gave Us Stories is that the Old Testament narratives provide not simply a history of the Jewish people, but a revelation of God and the imperatives He has given man. However, because these truths are in story format, they must be interpreted to be of use to God's people today.
The backbone of the book is Dr. Pratt's three-fold approach to Biblical interpretation. The first four chapters cover the subject of "Preparing for Old Testament Narratives," the middle eight chapters deal with "Investigating the Old Testament Narratives," and the final four chapters are on "Applying the Old Testament Narratives." Dr. Pratt likens this approach to an archaeologist, who much invest a great deal of time, thought, and effort as he prepares for his project, searches for his treasures, and transports his discoveries home.
He Gave Us Stories provides more a simple method of hermeneutics than a formal system of biblical theology. With the exception of Chapter 12: Overview of Old Testament Narratives, the purpose, structure, and content of this book are pointed toward the exposition and application of individual texts.
This book is a useful tool for students and teachers of the Bible alike. Dr. Pratt has succeeded in making it accessible to those who are not textual and hermeneutical scholars. In particular, his focus on the stories of the Old Testament make the overall approach to understanding all the more appealing. Surely no person, learned or not, would be uninterested in stories. And certainly not these stories, since they are from God himself and teach us how to live our lives. The thread of stories weaves its way throughout the book.
The structure of He Gave Us Stories is also commendable. Dr. Pratt takes the principles of hermeneutics - a very complex subject indeed - organizes them, and states them in an uncomplicated way. And the ability to make the profound appear simple, according to C.S. Lewis, is the mark of true genius.
Rating: 5
Summary: Tough mental work, but reward is great
Comment: This book requires mental work, but it is rewarding. Dr. Pratt's hermeneutic is revolutionary in the sense that it allows the reader-student (you must study it to get the meat of it) to unlock OT narratives like never before. His three-prong paradigm for interpreting a OT narrative text (and any narrative text) is simply profound. His hermeneutical adjustments from original meaning (epochal, cultural & personal) are very useful and helpful tools in the quest to rightly interpret any OT text. I heartily recommend this book to any serious student of the Bible. If possible, it would be best to read the text along with Dr. Pratt's audio or video tapes as he teaches through the book, if those are available. Soli Deo gloria, David Sims
Rating: 3
Summary: Slow moving, but dry
Comment: Although I agree with most of Dr. Pratt's ideas and beliefs, I found this book extremely toilsome and, in some points, downright bland. I agree that it is good preparation for an intensive study of the Old Testament, but at the same time, I must admit that Dr. Pratt goes into too much detail on some minutae of the Old Testament.
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Title: Christ of the Covenants by O. Palmer Robertson ISBN: 0875524184 Publisher: P & R Press Pub. Date: May, 1981 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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Title: Designed for Dignity: What God Has Made It Possible for You to Be by Richard L., Jr. Pratt, Steve Brown ISBN: 0875525083 Publisher: P & R Press Pub. Date: November, 2000 List Price(USD): $11.99 |
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Title: Foundations of Contemporary Interpretation by V. Philips Long, Tremper, Iii Longman, Richard A. Muller, Moises Silva, V. Phillips Long, Vern Sheridan Poythress ISBN: 0310208289 Publisher: Zondervan Pub. Date: 06 September, 1996 List Price(USD): $34.99 |
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Title: Five Views on Apologetics by Steven B. Cowan, Stanley N. Gundry, William Lane Craig, Paul D. Feinberg, Kelly James Clark, John Frame, Gary Habermas ISBN: 0310224764 Publisher: Zondervan Pub. Date: 01 February, 2000 List Price(USD): $17.99 |
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Title: Preaching with Purpose by Jay Edward Adams ISBN: 0310510910 Publisher: Zondervan Pub. Date: 08 June, 1986 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
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