Bringing the Depths Into Focus: Engaging Difficulties in Biblical Interpretation, (Paperback)

This book was required reading for a class on interpreting the Bible. I was pleasantly surprised to see how conversational and straight-forward it was for someone who is not attending Bible school. There are lots of great references and examples from movies and sports that make the concepts easier to understand. The layout of the text is logical and easy to follow, and the concepts discussed come with extensive samples demonstrating application of the principles. This book, more than one that is more 'scholarly' will make interpreting and understanding the Word of God more logical and interesting -- I can't say easier, because the more I learn about interpretation, the more involved it gets! It was easy to see that many spiritual leaders don't take the time to really dig into the culture, principles, and logical application of the Word. Not only does this book give me the basic tools to do that research myself, it opened my eyes to inaccuracies I hear in sermons and allows me to be a Berean, searching the word to validate what I hear. I would highly recommend this book as an important addition for study to anyone who is interesting in really learning how to interpret what the Word was originally intended to say and how to translate those concepts into action in today's world.