Reading the Gospels Wisely

This one is a gem, serving as an excellent initiation into the study of the Gospels. Pennington’s writing is accessible and is neither too dry nor too shallow. He summarises important issues (such as historical criticism) and the contributions of scholars (such as Richard Bauckham) in a remarkably concise and erudite way.

Pennington organises his book like building a house; Part 1 the laying of its foundation; Part 2 Building the house by reading the gospels wisely; Part 3 Living in the gospels. \\r\\n\\r\\nPennington begins where one should when dealing with the gospels; what are the gospels? Why we need them? Then delves into the reasons for the synoptic differences and the richness of four separate gospel accounts that complement each other. Following with what it means to read and write history. \\r\\n\\r\\nI found chapter 6, Reading Holy scripture well, excellent! The use of John Frame and the exhortation that one does not understand the meaning of a text without its application truly riveting. \\r\\n\\r\\nPennington also offers his Hermeneutical approach that looks behind, in and in front of the text. I found his chapters on Digging deeper. Discarding a """"what strikes me"""" (WSM) approach to the gospels, and applying Chapell and others, Pennington recommends a Fallen condition (FC), Redemptive solution (RS), and virtue formation (VF) approach. \\r\\n\\r\\nThis book reignited a desire to read the gospels more wisely. \\r\\n\\r\\nIntermediate reader. \\r\\n\\r\\n4. 8 oo 5