Written in 1977, Knowing Scripture is a classic by R. C. Sproul, one of his most important and influential books. In it, he makes a case for in-depth personal Bible study, and offers encouragement and guidance to his readers in how to go about this task.
Beginning by addressing some of the reasons we don't read the Bible—It's too difficult to understand! It's too boring!—Sproul builds the argument that the personal study and interpretation of scripture were a fundamental principle of the Reformation, and should remain a cornerstone of Protestantism today.
Sproul then goes on to explain a suggested process for reading the Bible in a systematic way. He offers an overview of hermeneutics—simply, the practice of interpreting texts, especially the Bible—in simple and down-to-earth language. He then proposes practical rules for biblical interpretation that any reader can follow. Finally, Sproul addresses the important question of culture, and how the Bible, written in a time and place quite different from our own, can be interpreted meaningfully today by modern (or postmodern!) readers.
While Sproul believes passionately that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant word of God, he does not make light of the questions of interpretation that each reader encounters in studying the Bible. Instead, Sproul shows how the Bible can be read closely and carefully, using practical guidelines anyone can learn. Knowing Scripture is an excellent introduction to the process of coming to know scripture more deeply, and is useful for both experienced students of the Bible and for Christian beginners.
Robert Charles Sproul, noted speaker, author, and minister, is also the founder and president of Ligonier Ministries. His broadcast, Renewing Your Mind, may be heard weekly across the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. R.C. Sproul is a senior minister at St. Andrews Chapel, the executive editor of Tabletalk magazine, and has taught theology and apologetics at Reformed Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary.
