I started to see this book pop up on people’s blogs a few years ago. The title, Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation by Graeme Goldsworthy, intrigued me. So, using a gift certificate, I bought the book. Recently, excited to begin reading, a friend wondered aloud why we need to read another book on hermeneutics.
I’m glad I didn’t listen. I have not yet finished the book, but I’ve found it quite stimulating, understandable and grappling with an important topic: how should we, as evangelical Christians, interpret the Scriptures?
Here we will cover Part 1 of the book: Evangelical Prolegomena to Hermeneutics. Goldsworthy introduces the idea of presuppositions into the question of hermeneutics: will we assume the supreme authority of God or assume human autonomy? This is the question upon which so much hinges in biblical interpretation. Our assumptions or presuppositions, in addition to this one, greatly affect the effectiveness of our attempts to understand, explain and apply the text of Scripture.
“The function of hermeneutics could be stated as the attempt to bridge the gap between the text inside its world and the readers/hearers inside their world.”
Cavman Considers 