Part 1: Introductory Principles for Interpretation

1. Foundations for Interpretation
2. Principles for Interpreting the Bible
3. Complementary Starting Points for Interpretation

Part 2: Simple Steps for Interpretation

4. Three Simple Steps in Interpretation
5. The Three Steps as Perspectives
6. Correlation: Comparing Passages

Part 3: Issues with Time

7. Transmission
8. Original Contexts
9. Original Communication

Part 4: Issues with Authorship

10. Dual Authorship
11. Difficulties with Authorship

Part 5: Issues with Language

12. Basic Linguistic Structures
13. Understanding Linguistic Subsystems
14. Units in Contrast, Variation, and Distribution
15. Meaning
16. Figurative Language
17. Words and Concepts
18. Discourse
19. Genre
20. Using Commentaries

Part 6: Redemptive-Historical Interpretation

21. The History of Redemption
22. Christocentric Interpretation
23. Typology
24. Additional Stages Reflecting on Typology
25. Varieties of Analogies
26. Varieties of Types
27. Antitypes
28. Themes

Part 7: Assessment

29. Hermeneutics Outline in Detail
30. Alternate Paths of Interpretation
31. The Fulfillment Approach
32. Boundaries for Interpretation

Part 8: Examples

33. Proverbs 10:1
34. Psalm 4:8
35. Amos 1:3

Conclusion

Appendices

Appendix A: Redeeming How We Interpret
Appendix B: Secular Views of Meaning
Appendix C: Interpreting Human Texts
Appendix D: Redeemed Analogues to Critical Methods
Appendix E: Philosophical Hermeneutics

“While many sincere Christians read the Scriptures as personal communiques from God, biblical scholars often treat them as little more than human documents written for people living long ago. Vern Poythress insists neither of these paths reflects how Christ calls his followers to approach the Bible. Everyone familiar with Poythress's theological reflections knows that he is one of the brightest minds of our day. Everyone familiar with his life knows the depth of his piety. In this book, Poythress offers a glimpse into how he employs both of these gifts from the Holy Spirit as he handles the Bible. His reflections will challenge and inspire everyone who seeks to read the Scriptures in the presence of God.”
Richard L. Pratt Jr., President, Third Millennium Ministries

“Vern Poythress has given the church a truly comprehensive guide to reading and appropriating Scripture. This unique resource explains both the first steps for beginners and the theological, philosophical, and linguistic foundations for sophisticated interpretation.”
Dan Doriani, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Covenant Theological Seminary

“Providing both theological foundations and practical strategies for interpretation, Dr. Poythress explains the simple yet astounding truth that God is present in his Word and speaks to us as we read. With pastoral sensitivity, he combines linguistic theory, hermeneutics, systematic theology, and expert biblical knowledge into a compelling work both instructive for advanced students of the Bible and accessible for beginners. I highly commend this book and look forward to sharing it with my congregation.”
Camden Bucey, Pastor, Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Grayslake, Illinois; President, Reformed Forum

“Reading the Word of God in the Presence of God does two very hard things very well. First, it guides a spectrum of readers from an introductory listening to God speaking in Scripture into deeper explorations of the Word’s multifaceted witness to Christ. Second, this book exemplifies a radical, refreshing alternative to mainstream methods of biblical interpretation—an approach controlled at every point by the Bible’s claim to be the very Word of the ever-living, ever-present God.”
Dennis E. Johnson, Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology, Westminster Seminary California; author, Him We Proclaim; Walking with Jesus through His Word; and Journeys with Jesus

“Vern Poythress has done readers a great service by providing an easy to understand guide to the complexities of biblical interpretation. Readers will benefit from his knowledge of the way language works, his emphasis on the divine inspiration of Scripture, and the ways in which every passage relates to God’s unfolding plan of redemption. Here is a trustworthy and practical guide for anyone interested in reading the Bible faithfully.”
Brandon D. Crowe, Professor of New Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary