¶ … Preacher and the Ancient Text
This was an extremely technical text which offers deeper insights for anyone who desires to have a deeper understanding of all biblical issues and literary themes. This is because this text is able to offer a more nuanced perspective of major biblical pillars in terms of their own historical and literary viewpoint, while interlacing it with strong theological content. One of the deeper insights that were gleaned from studying this text was the fact that this book offers a superb means of explaining some of these more intricate pillars.
One of the more lucid insights that were gained from studying this book was as a result of the fusion developed from the hermeneutics and homiletics and the holistic approach that was engaged in. All insights gain were as a result of the link that Greidanus is able to forge in regards to the different arenas of biblical hermeneutics and homiletics. One discovery gained was that Greidanus sought to address the transfer of attention from historical to literary studies and the repercussions that all have experienced particularly on the manifestation of homilies and sermons. Thus, the book endeavored to create a new methodological interpretations of the bible -- one which was more holistic. This became apparent upon close examination of the arguments and conclusions that Greidanus was able to achieve. Greidanus does this by examining a range of topics, such as history, hermeneutics, homiletics, prophecy, the epistles and the Gospels; it quickly becomes apparent to the reader that by creating a more heightened awareness of the homiletical importance of modern-day biblical scholarship, one could achieve a more nuanced level of biblical preaching. This is something which becomes more transparent in the twelve chapters where Greidanus is able to make that meaningful connection between hermeneutics and homiletics. By forging such a meaningful connection, Greidanus is able to create a greater degree of transparency in both these arenas.
Upon reading this text, one is also able to better understand what
preaching is as a whole. Greidanus believes that the preacher sits at the intersection of the most ancient scriptures and the most current congregation, developing a responsibility to both (341). To Greidanus, one is able to readily see that preaching is the task of speaking both God's word in the present, applying it to both the
church and to the world at large and that the preacher has a dual responsibility to forge a strong connection to the scriptures while professing the truest word of God through a responsible interpretation of the Bible. This allows the work of Greidanus to be interpreted as a handbook of the pillars of hermeneutical and homiletical beliefs, in order to assist the preacher in applying the word of God correctly to his people.
One truly effective way that Greidanus is able to do this is through the development of the following: the
construction of the "holistic historical critical method" up against the "naturalistic historical critical method" which can eradicate the ideals of confidence in the overall
reliability of the Bible, aspects which can have debilitating impacts on the act of preaching. Greidanus also enlightens the scholar by providing a clear evolution of the holistic framework for the analysis…
