Full Description
Many people assume that becoming a serious student of the Bible merely requires diligent study of English Bible translations, but biblical scholarship is much more complex. Is There a Doctor in the House? demonstrates what it takes to be a responsible Bible teacher, a well-published Bible scholar, or even a good student of the Bible: exacting knowledge of biblical languages and the languages in which most Bible scholarship is done; a love for history and archaeology; a sensitivity for literature and literary genres; and an understanding of theology, ethics, and ancient religions and philosophies. In one sense, every Bible scholar has to be a general practitioner—the foundation of biblical scholarship must be both broad and well built. Through the course of this book, Witherington invites would-be Bible experts to pursue excellence for the sake of the Bible's world-altering message. From students considering a Ph.D. to lay Bible teachers, Is There a Doctor in the House? promises to be an informative, engaging, and often humorous resource.
Contents
Chapter 1. 'The Life of a Scholar Will Make You Holler': Preliminary Considerations
Chapter 2. Ad Fontes: Going Back to the Source(s)
Chapter 3. Priming the Pump: Original Language Study
Chapter 4. Can You Dig It? The Importance of History and Archaeology
Chapter 5. Are You Literate in Literature? The Importance of Literary Sensitivity
Chapter 6. Summa Theologica: Knowing Your Theology and Ethics
Chapter 7. The Write Stuff: The Ability to Research and Write
Chapter 8. Honing Your Rhetoric: The Ability to Lecture and Teach
Chapter 9. Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth: The Art of Interpretation and Hermeneutics
Chapter 10. Seek and Ye Shall Find: Choosing a School, a Program, A Mentor
Chapter 11. Taking it to the Streets: The Public Ministry of the Bible Scholar
Chapter 12. Jack of All Trades, or Specialist? On Being a G.P. in a PG World
