Book Review: Toward an Exegetical Theology
Kaiser, Walter. C. Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1981. 268pp. $30.00
Introduction
Being one of the most respected scholars in evangelical circles, Walter C. Kaiser Jr. is uniquely qualified to write a book on biblical exegesis for preaching and teaching. He is the Coleman M. Mockler distinguished professor of Old Testament and president emeritus of Gordon Conwell. He also served as president of this institution from 1997-2006. He has taught at Wheaton College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has authored over 30 books and has contributed to many publications and journals.
He has been recognized within the evangelical community as one of the leading proponents of the necessity of proper exegesis. His passion for preaching and biblical exegesis are brought to bear in this volume that promises to be a referred to resource for years to come. Readers of this book will appreciate the practical guidance received from reading it.
Summary
There are two main sections to this book along with an introduction and conclusion. In the first two chapters he introduces the work with an overview of current issues in exegesis. In this overview he looks at various writers from the 17th up to the middle of the 20th century. The main question he is seeking to answer is, "Can we as interpreters understand the writer better than he understood himself" (34).
In chapter 2 he provides a definition and history of exegesis. In this chapter he shows the importance of exegesis as a method but also the importance of carrying that exegesis through to its logical conclusion which is the preparation and delivery of the sermon. Chapter 3 begins the first major section dealing with the syntactical-theological method. He breaks this syntactical-theological method into five areas of analysis. These are contextual, syntactical, verbal, theological, and homiletical.
The chapter on context analysis
Introduction
Being one of the most respected scholars in evangelical circles, Walter C. Kaiser Jr. is uniquely qualified to write a book on biblical exegesis for preaching and teaching. He is the Coleman M. Mockler distinguished professor of Old Testament and president emeritus of Gordon Conwell. He also served as president of this institution from 1997-2006. He has taught at Wheaton College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has authored over 30 books and has contributed to many publications and journals.
He has been recognized within the evangelical community as one of the leading proponents of the necessity of proper exegesis. His passion for preaching and biblical exegesis are brought to bear in this volume that promises to be a referred to resource for years to come. Readers of this book will appreciate the practical guidance received from reading it.
Summary
There are two main sections to this book along with an introduction and conclusion. In the first two chapters he introduces the work with an overview of current issues in exegesis. In this overview he looks at various writers from the 17th up to the middle of the 20th century. The main question he is seeking to answer is, "Can we as interpreters understand the writer better than he understood himself" (34).
In chapter 2 he provides a definition and history of exegesis. In this chapter he shows the importance of exegesis as a method but also the importance of carrying that exegesis through to its logical conclusion which is the preparation and delivery of the sermon. Chapter 3 begins the first major section dealing with the syntactical-theological method. He breaks this syntactical-theological method into five areas of analysis. These are contextual, syntactical, verbal, theological, and homiletical.
The chapter on context analysis