Gordon Fee: How Should We Read the Bible?

For Interview Transcripts, Study Guides, and Discussion Topics: www.gci.org/yi/...
Dr. Gordon Fee is emeritus professor of New Testament at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. Among his many publications are:
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (co-authored with Douglas Stuart; now in its third edition)
How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth (co-authored with Mark Strauss)
New Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors (now in its third edition)
You're Included - Experiencing the good news that God loves you, wants you, and includes you in Jesus Christ.
For more full length interviews, visit: www.youreinclud...
Subscribe to our podcast via iTunes: itunes.youreinc...
Dr. J. Michael Feazell sits down with influential Christian theologians, professors, and writers to discuss Trinitarian topics on a personal level. Dr. Feazell is vice president of Grace Communion International, a Christian fellowship with 42,000 members, worshipping in more than 900 congregations in 100 nations worldwide.
www.gci.org

[@MethodistPreacher]

G. Fee is one of the most profound Biblical scholars in the postmodern world. I have several commentaries he's authored. I recommend any serious pastor, minister, or seminary student.

[@5crownsoutreach]

I like what he said in this section: "he didn't give us a verse, he gave us a gospel, he gave us an epistle." He's right there. He doesn't have the terminology to describe what he's picturing because he would have to have training in linguistics to know what he's doing--he is appealing (rightfully) to DISCOURSE considerations. No verse is given individually, but embedded within a greater section and that section within the discourse of the gospel/epistle. It has connections to the surrounding cotext which constrain its meaning and focus. This practice is picking up in circles, but resistance comes from those who are theologically intoxicated. Theology imposes itself on the verses of Scripture which are embedded in these literary works. Theology creates a separate system apart from both literary and historical reading and when one comes with theology first, they end up being able to pick up neither history nor literary. It's crucial CRUCIAL to first and foremost approach every section of Scripture as innately connected in both vocabulary and grammar to all the surrounding sections in which it is embedded. Then allow that study to refine your theology, even dictate your theology.

[@scaleshenry]

JR Woods I have to agree with you about theology. I studied theology and just about went crazy lol! I NOW understand that a theological reading of a text can act as a fill in the gaps i.e. Genesis 1:26 the trinity,etc. The problem is that most people are not aware how much their theology informs their reading of scripture. Great Post man!

[@built4speed101]

Well said!

[@joelfields9807]

Very well said! Before coming across this video as a Pastor I always tell people you have to know how to read the Bible first! Don't try and understand Hebrews 6:4-8 until you have read the entire epistle, understand the audience why is the epistle written etc. Many believers just proof text. Instead we should allow those text of scripture shape our theology and conform us to Christ image.

[@hollandanish]

Wonderful post brother.

[@FunStuffForDogscom]

I would humbly submit that some of the critics haven't read the book. This is a fashion today; to have an acerbic opinion about something one knows little or nothing about. The book shows the reader not only how to study but how to read the Bible. It's not for the intellectually insecure. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of exegesis and hermeneutics, the discussion of various translations and which is good for what, and the separate discussions of literary devices such as historical narrative, poetry, parable, epistle, gospel (biography), prophecy, etc. and how to read them.

[@globescape4771]

Dr. Fee nails it on the translation issue. I've come across the same issue and you have high profile bible teachers saying that the "literal is correcter." Anyone who speaks more than one language will tell you up front that there is no such thing as a "literal" translation. Its all about the meaning! If the meaning is not clear, then you have missed the whole point of translation.

[@gerardtoner9191]

Bobby , excellent

[@alwayzblessed25]

I used this book while in college.

[@landsdown44]

All Dr. Fee is saying in this video is giving assistance to understanding the context in which the various parts of the Bible are written in. There are several different kinds of literature that make up the Bible. The more one understands these things the more one understands the message the Bible is giving. as for translation, there is a chapter in his book (How To Read The Bible For All It's Worth) giving guidance on selecting a translation. This is not an attempt to "sell" one translation.

[@neildavidvandenbergh5422]

Wow, this is awesome! 🙏 Thanks for posting, and God Bless you!

[@devieanderson451]

Not intending my comment to be as a criticism...I enjoyed and have enjoyed your video teachings, Dr. Gordon...While I know Jesus mentioned Love but a few times in the Gospels, as you taught....But KNOWING AND BELIEVING, AND TEACHING that the entire Bible is a LOVE LETTER...needing to be read as such and not as a legal document...we may think deeply on the NEED of reading without numbered versus...Have thought deeply on this...Thankful for you....Distinguishing how we should read the Bible...how we may consider our walk in Love, in the Kingdom.....how our Father Gives Grace to the humble...and how laying down our burdens is as an act of Love...

[@bobby7771117]

I have this book! It's definitely a great starter book to understand what's involved in Biblical exegesis! For a textbook, I recommend Introduction To Biblical Interpretation by William W. Klien; Craig L. Blomberg; Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. I promise you'll thank me if you buy it! In Christ's Love, BobbyK

[@aldersgatelives9841]

Agreed. Excellent read!

[@leslie2u]

Praise b to God

[@thomasmorganphillips]

the books mentioned here are both fantastic resources!

[@thomasmorganphillips]

the books mentioned here are both fantastic resources! google the Emmaus school of Biblical studies if this sparks your interest

[@kanikasingh889]

I guess The Message bible and NLT solve the purpose of helping us understanding bible better.

[@georgechristiansen6785]

The same "rules" apply to those versions.

[@coralhahn5406]

And what I didnt realize about the good Samaritan parable the to be at thr priest and levite if you go back to the first 5 books...i think its in numbers or Leviticus if someome was murdered near a town the leaders had a protocol of absolvance and declaring they (if they genuinely didn't know) who killed the guy. But the pemriest and levite left the Samaritan for dead in the parable.

[@geraldpolmateer3255]

Very few people know the stories in Hebrews 11.

[@Williamwestp24]

Another good linguistic is Dr.Michael W. Jones

[@jaredbjur]

You are being inconsistent by assuming that he is intending to promote them. And I am not sure to which comment you are referring, when you have said I attacked your character. If I have attacked your character, I sincerely apologize. That is never my aim.

[@motorhead6763]

Maybe learn to read the Koine Greek NT and Hebrew Tanakh original scriptures . Very different than European Christian versions . Way church changed and added much to the original scriptures . 1john 5;7-9 and Mark 16:9-20 just a few. They changed the Hebrew Bible in hundreds of places also. Watch Tenak Talk. שלום

[@jaredbjur]

What's silly is calling Gordon Fee, one of only a handful of Pentecostal Bible scholars, a liberal. Hahahaha!

[@arnoldpolin3164]

How do we red the bible? With our eyes.

[@Imsaved777]

Read

[@landsdown44]

I have studied the text in the origional language. The onle people who would call the NIV the "messiah satan" are those who are completely clueless either because they are too ignorant or too lazy to seek the truth about how that translation came about. Again, all major translations are acceptable, even the kJV, which is by far the least reliable.

[@AlanChu-mo7rb]

Would u be open to look at kjv 1611 as the only inspired bible which is confirmed by over 1000 mathematical proofs?

[@AlanChu-mo7rb]

On KZbin?

[@AlanChu-mo7rb]

I would like to hear your comments afterwards.

[@landsdown44]

In Isaiah 14:12, the name "lucifer" is not in the origional text. It simply refers to "the shining one". To claim the NIV refers to the Messiah as satan is not even remotely close to what it is saying. You are trying to find what is just not there. Why not quit trying to condemn what is clearly a translation superior to the KJV. FYI, the KJV fails to note that John 7:53-8:11 was not in the origional text, same error in Mk. 16:9-20, then mistranslates I Jn. 5:7. That's for starters.

[@phil4508]

maybe it is time to dump the chapter and verses....

[@jaredbjur]

I am not avoiding the issue. You have avoided telling me whether you have seen or read anything else by Gordon Fee. You have also judged his reason for being on the show without knowing him. In fact, you have judged him without knowing him, or even, presumably, reading one of his books. So, you are slandering someone in the body without knowing why he is on this show (which is irrelevant), and without knowing the man. Slandering is bad enough, but doing so with no information is malicious.

[@jaredbjur]

Again, you're judging him without knowing him or the circumstances around his appearing on the program. I should also judge you for watching this show, since by watching it your are increasing its views, thereby increasing its likelihood of being watched. Jesus spent time with sinners, and most of the time did not condemn them, rather He condemned the devout Jews. By your standard, Jesus was promoting sinful behavior. And now you are criticizing my doctrine, though we have not discussed that

[@landsdown44]

You have a major problem with your posts: you never bother to even identify a single place where these alleged omissions occur. If you did I could look them up in my Greek New Testament and identify them. The reason the NIV would make alterations from the KJV is because the KJV is not a very good translation. Put simply, the NIV follows the Greek manuscripts far more closely and accurately than the KJV. You really should do your homework before defending the KJV when it fails all the tests.

[@gregjones2217]

Simple answer: as fiction.

[@jaredbjur]

Jesus was sympathetic with sinners. Does that make Him a sinner? I am friends with both Republicans and Democrats. Does that mean I have D.I.D.?

[@landsdown44]

In your examples from Isaiah and Revelation, there is no difference in content between NIV and KJV. Also, the NIV nowhere calls the Messiah "Satan". You are still unable to provide support for your allegations.

[@kpballa1009]

Feminism/Egalitarianism disappointment- The book is alright.. Other things are fine and good, but i was disappointed about how he/they used it as an opportunity to spread his belief of egalitarianism (that there aren't distinctive role/function differences between men and women) as he goes into 1 Timothy 2.

[@mrtdiver]

I didn't know this. Thanks for pointing it out. If true that is disappointing that a hermeneutics teacher can't discern the male/female roles that are plainly expressed in Scripture.

[@Armygirl4Christ]

When you don’t understand cessation, then the roles for women and men in the church and home are blurred. Obviously, his being raised Pentecostal played a large part in how he viewed these roles. Look at the Charismatic movement today. Far away from sound doctrine and focused on experiences and feelings. And many so called women “pastors.” How ironic he is pointing to Scripture, yet himself, is in much error in regards to women and God’s clear design found in His Word. Be not deceived.

[@jaredbjur]

As a fellow brother in Christ, I feel I should express my concern that you may have a habit of judging others without getting to know them, or at least giving them the benefit of the doubt. It seems, from this discussion, that you have not seen any other videos or read any of his books, yet you have put a label on him, which is a dangerous activity. And you are publicly slandering a man without approaching him first, or leaders with whom you can bring your grievance. If I am wrong, I apologize.

[@jaredbjur]

By the way, the tactic you used is referred to as an ad hominem attack/fallacy. It means that you are attacking my person instead of my argument. For instance, if I pointed out your poor grammar, it would be completed unrelated to the argument but would aid in me discrediting you. I could also point out that you are touting biblical interpretation that is completely contrary to the Jesus of the Bible, who came against religious folk who constantly refused to associate with certain people.

[@landsdown44]

Of all english translations of the Bible the KJV is the least reliable. All modern Bibles take their text from the Aland Greek text, the very best of all the manuscripts, something tghe KJV does not do.

[@jaredbjur]

Well, now you are just contradicting yourself. Are you criticizing Gordon Fee for being a Pentecostal or not being a Pentecostal? And are you criticizing him based on anything more than this one video? And he is, by no stretch of the imagination, considered a liberal theologian by anyone in the Biblical Studies community. All that to say...I don't think you have a clue of what you are talking about. But then again, that would be judging you based on one post, and that would be silly.

[@alanobutz]

Who are you telling me how to read my bible?What version of the bible are you talking about?

[@charlesmangum3108]

His method of interpretation is not new.

[@zytigon]

.For the truth about religion & top Bible scholarship try Robert M. Price, ' The reason driven life ', also John W. Loftus, Valerie Tarico. For humanity's shared moral core and belief in Matt 7v12 The Golden Rule, "treat others as you want them to treat you", try wisdomcommons. For understanding about Islam try skepticsannotatedbible and see the poverty of thought in the koran. No one would be islamic except for social conditioning by threats of death & hell.

[@john-oh9cr]

read it as fiction cause it is fiction . read mark 9:1 as if ur Jesus , its really funny . the history of Christianity ; the virgin birth mythology , everything else the Crucifixion then the resurrection mythology . .

[@shawnstephens6795]

lol...did you hear the one about the animals that walked upright and talked and wore cloths and drove in cars and flew around in airplanes on the giant rock circling around the huge fireball in the universe that magically appeared out of nothingness??? See what I did there??? Anything can be made fun of and be made out to not be real...but just because you haven't seen it and touched it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I mean if you weren't here experiencing being a man and someone just told you about earth, you would probably think it was just a fairy tale. Mainly because you're a fuckin idiot, but you get what I'm sayin.

[@john-oh9cr]

shawn stephens you're fucking funny . Please prove your god is real , common sense says that's humans made gods your god is a product of human imagination .

[@messiahspeople]

Why do atheists tend to have such a limited vocabulary?

[@markrogers7546]

Because their chief form of weaponry is abuse.

[@sam4yeshua214]

Why do atheists troll ? You know the answer. You seem awfully angry. No one mocks God without repercussions, no one . Not me and not you . Enjoy your sick perverse pleasure while you can , it won't last . Bullying and cruelty is a sick way to get your " kicks " . I pity you . I hope you find a better purpose for your life .

[@sicnarf423]

pt2Also with the bible perversion the NIV one will fail to understand the Gospel. IN GEN chapter ten we learn that by the sons of Japheth were the isles of the Gentiles divided. But the NIV says by these were the "maritime peoples" spead out in territories...Without knowing who the Gentiles (a proper noun) you will fail to understand the so called new testament...Paul was the apostel to the Gentiles. Gentiles must be grafted in. NIV will confuse the salvation message.There is many more examples

[@sicnarf423]

You don't need a guru to tell you how to read your King James.