LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

BOOK CRITIQUE: How to Read the Bible for All its Worth

By Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO

DR. MYRON KAUK OF THE LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS

NBST 652

BY

PAUL J LIMATO 111

NORFOLK, VA

APRIL 2013

Introduction

Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart’s book, How to Read the Bible for All its Worth,

takes on the difficult yet noble task of trying to instruct others in the personal means of

learning to read and understand the Bible. While there are hosts of books about the topic

of how one should read the bible, Fee and Stuart have written a book that doesn’t simply

focus on the mechanical nature of rules and lists of how one might read the bible but

rather how one might read the bible and rightly apply the principles in it. According to

the authors, after one has read How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, one will should be

able now read the bible with greater understanding and be able to apply that to one’s life.1

Gordon Fee is Professor Emeritus of New Testament Studies at Regent College in

Vancouver, Canada. Fee, earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. He

is the author of many books including, How to Read the Bible Book by Book, God’s

Empowering Presence, Gospel and the Spirit, and Listening to the Spirit in the Text. Fee

also is know for his work in biblical translations and argues gender equality on the Board

of Reference of Christians for Biblical Equality.2

Douglas Stuart has served, since 1971, as a Professor of Old Testament at

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Dr. Stuart attended Yale Divinity School before

graduating with the Ph.D. from Harvard University.3 Stuart is currently the Senior Pastor

who serves at Linebrook Church in Ipswich, MA.4

1 Fordon D. Fee and Douglas K. Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2003), pg.13-16.2 “Gordon D. Fee,” Gordon Fee, http://www.gordonfeeonline.com/ (Accessed April 12, 2013) 3 “Douglas K. Stuart,” Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary,www.gordonconwell.edu/prospective_students/douglas_k_stuart (Accessed April 12, 2013) 4 Ibid,

Summary

Fee and Stuart begin How to Read the Bible for All its Worth by introducing the

book as well as summarizing for the reader their intent for the book in the two preface

sections. How to Read the Bible for All its Worth is divided up loosely into three parts.

These divisions would be a lengthy introduction to interpretation and translations, which

make up the first few chapters. Fee and Stuart then discuss the Epistles through the

Parables as well as the Old Testament sections of the law, prophets, psalms, and wisdom

literature. Fee and Stuart then conclude the book discussing the apocalyptic genre found

in the scriptures and do so by mainly focusing on the book of Revelation.

Each individual section of How to Read the Bible for All its Worth follow the

same basic structure throughout, although the authors emphasize genre or context more

from chapter to chapter. The basic structure that Fee and Stuart use is they first address

the historical or literary context of the book being studied and the importance of the

reader doing this. Secondly, Fee and Stuart address hermeneutical observations and

usually offer the reader a more difficult passage as an example. The authors at times

throughout the book will also address exegetical issues from the passage. Fee and Stuart

encourage the reader to “learn to read the text carefully and to ask the right questions of

the text,” which aid in the hermeneutic process.5 Fee and Stuart conclude the book with

an appendix of supplemental materials as well as a comprehensive list of commentaries

they feel will aid the reader in being a better student of the Bible and complete the

hermeneutical process that they lay out in this book. The over-arching purpose of this

book is the aid the reader with hermeneutics.

5 Fee and Stuart, p. 26

Analysis

Fee and Stuart’s book How to Read the Bible for All its Worth is an excellent

book that blends and addresses the importance of hermeneutics and good exegesis. The

very fact that their book is in its 3rd edition speaks the validity and relevance in their

writing. Fee and Stuart write with a tone that is not only accessible to the academic or

seminary level student but also the average reader will find their book edifying.

As mentioned above, in the estimation of this writer, the strength of How to Read

the Bible for All its Worth is found in tone in which Fee and Stuart write this wonderful

book. This is most clearly seen in the questions that the authors put forth that aid the

reader in really looking at the text. Their respect for the scriptures is seen in their tone as

well as their use of at least one verse from every book of the bible.

The weakness of this book, in the estimation of this writer, is Fee and Stuart’s

elevation of “dynamic equivalent” translations such as the TNIV, NIV, and NRSV over

“formal equivalent” translations such as the ESV, KJV, or NASB. This is seen in Fee and

Stuart encouraging the reader to simply use a good formal equivalence translation as a

second source for study to give the reader confidence to know what the text said in the

original language. This seems very odd when they are writing a book about hermeneutics

and good exegesis but don’t use a formal equivalent as their basis. This writer found this

elevation of the dynamic equivalent interesting in comparison to the positions these

authors hold at their institutions.

The most valuable sections in How to Read the Bible for All its Worth, in the

estimation of this writer, are the preface sections and the appendix. In most books, these

are the sections that are historically most overlooked or simply forgotten. Fee and Stuart

have made these two sections essential for the reader to engage and are equally a resource

that the reader can refer back to again and again. Fee and Stuart provide a wealth of

reasoning for the importance of proper interpretation of the bible as well as what they

find to be helpful resources to aid in the process of proper hermeneutics and exegesis.

The structure of the book aids the reader to quickly follow the authors’ logic

behind each premise. However, it seems unclear why the authors started with the Epistles

and then addressed the Old Testament. Fee and Stuart conclude with the book of

Revelation and apocalyptic material, as does the bible. In this writer’s opinion, Fee and

Stuart in How to Read the Bible for All its Worth after the introduction started should

have began with the Old Testament and worked their way through to conclude the way

they did. The material could have benefitted from a more organized format with a table of

contents and clearly identified parts, rather than a seemingly back-and-forth method.

Fee and Stuart do an excellent job explaining the more difficult passages of the

Old and New Testaments. The authors stress for the reader, in each chapter,

understanding the literary genre, the contextual issues, hermeneutical questions, historical

context, and how they relate to hermeneutics. Fee and Stuart also effectively address the

synoptic problem in a brief way.

The Old Testament sections are extremely helpful for any reader. Fee and Stuart

address some of the most difficult and prominent areas such as The Law, The Prophets,

and Psalms, which this writer found to be incredibly helpful. Each part contained well-

explained and helpful exegesis as well as a hermeneutical overview that is accessible by

both the scholar and laymen. Concerning the Old Testament, the authors Fee and Stuart

effectively warn the reader of how many people misuse and misinterpret the book of

Proverbs. Fee and Stuart offer a helpful and detailed hermeneutical guideline for reading

Wisdom literature. This sections tone is very strong, adamant, and many readers will find

it convicting.

Conclusion

Fee and Stuart effectively communicate for the reader the importance of

hermeneutics and proper exegesis. The authors certainly are well qualified to present a

guide to biblical interpretation seeing they hold prestigious positions and are educated in

the area covered. Now in its third edition, How to Read the Bible for All its Worth is

beneficial to any reader and will aid in the deepening of one’s understanding of biblical

hermeneutics. Many of the principles taught in the book are sound and the teaching, if

applied, will lead to a greater understanding of God’s Word and aid in teaching others as

well. Because Fee and Stuart write How to Read the Bible for All its Worth in such

accessible language for both the laymen and educated, any person desiring to know how

to study the bible or sharpen their skills in hermeneutics or exegesis will find this book

well worth the price of purchase and time it takes to read it. How to Read the Bible

For All Its Worth is an excellent source anyone desiring to begin their

basic study in hermeneutics. Fee and Stuart have not offered a

comprehensive book but it is a resource that well worth one’s study

and time and will be a resource in the area of Hermeneutics that will

stand the test of time.

Bibliography

Fordon D. Fee and Douglas K. Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand

Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2003)

Gordon D. Fee,” Gordon Fee, http://www.gordonfeeonline.com/ (Accessed April 12, 2013)

“Douglas K. Stuart,” Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary,www.gordonconwell.edu/prospective_students/douglas_k_stuart (Accessed April 12, 2013)