Many readers may agree with Peter in his second epistle, that Paul’s letters are hard to understand and easily distort (3:15-16, NIV). But as David Ackerman in this latest Reading and Interpreting the Bible volume expertly shows, a proper approach to interpretation will yield rich rewards. Ackerman introduces readers to the social world of Paul, his life, and his mission. The reader learns about competing religions, the structure of ancient letters, rhetorical devices, and the pastoral purposes of Paul’s writing. With clear explanations and illustrations using challenging texts, the reader is equipped with the tools needed to separate the timeless from the time-bound and to bridge the gap between Paul’s world and ours.

Reading the Bible with understanding is challenging. Without sound guidance, making sense of the different literary types, settings, and cultures found in the Scriptures can be overwhelming. The Reading and Interpreting the Bible Series opens the door to a proper and accessible method of biblical interpretation. Each volume concentrates on a specific literary type found in the Bible, highlighting its features and function. Social, political, and religious settings are examined, and a critical analysis of the biblical text brings to light its message and relevance for today. Readers will find in these volumes numerous illustrations of how to interpret specific texts, which can be used as a pattern for individual or group Bible studies.