Includes index.

Contents:

1. Understanding hermeneutics and exegesis

The relevance of hermeneutics

Definitions of hermeneutics and exegesis

Images of hermeneutics and exegesis

Outcomes of a hermeneutical encounter

2. The History of hermeneutics, pt. 1. Socrates to Angela of Foligno

Socrates and Plato

Augustine and Chrysostom

Beatrice of Nazareth and Angela of Foligno

pt. 2 Luther to Present Day

Luther and Calvin

Schleiermacher and Dilthey

New criticism and new hermeneutic

Heidegger, Gadamer, Ricoeur, and Thiselton

Jauss, Reading contexts, and Smith

General and special hermeneutics

Hesitations about general hermeneutics

Theological hermeneutics

Theological interpretation

Responsible biblical hermeneutics: general and theological foundations

A Hermeneutical goal and model

The goal of a hermeneutical encounter

A model of hermeneutics

Application of the model

Fruitful instincts for the interpreter of Christian literature

Theology

Canon

Gospel

From hermeneutics to exegesis: priming and refining

Interviewing the bible

Priming

Refining

Linguistic issues in exegesis

Exegetical methods

Rationales for methods

Resources with which to question the text

Developing an orientation of expectant curiosity

Interpreting the Old Testament

Priming the Old Testament

An exegetical case study: 1 Samuel 17

Interpreting the New Testament

Priming the New Testament

The New Testament as Christian Scripture

An exegetical case study: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Interacting with the text

A book that focuses solely on interpretative methods or deals exclusively with the philoophical underpinnings of interpretation fails to provide a full picture of how to read and study scripture. Beginning with hermeneutics, Matthew Malcolm surveys the history of the discipline, engages with important theological issues, and arrives at a memorable depiction of what happens when fruitful interpretation takes place. After covering these foundational elements, Malcolm focuses on exegesis. He helps readers understand the issues at stake in interpreting biblical passages, and provides a straightforward guide to writing an exegesis paper. Academically solid without being overwhelmingly detailed, this is a reliable guide to the important path from hermeneutics to exegesis.