The Hermeneutics of the Biblical Writers

What would cause a college student to stay in his dorm room for all of spring break, eating nothing but ramen and popcorn? For me, it was the discovery of the New Testament’s use of the Old and all the implications it brought forth. I was taking a class in advanced hermeneutics at The Master’s University when I began to read about the complexities of how the apostles read the Old Testament. Concepts like corporate solidarity, authorial intent, redemptive history, echoes, and allusions showed me the profound depth and complexity of God’s Word. I also knew of the challenges. People accused the apostles of being strange in how they interpreted the Old Testament. All of that began one of my missions in life: to investigate this matter thoroughly and (hopefully) vindicate the biblical writers. So, I stayed in my dorm room and read all spring break. That began a journey where I ended up obtaining masters degrees and a doctorate in this area.

A little over a decade from my undergraduate days, I have the privilege of writing in a book what I have learned. The result of this is an effort that goes far beyond myself and I have many to thank. The teacher of the advanced hermeneutics class, Dr. William Varner, was the one who launched my thinking in this area and nurtured me all the way through. I am incredibly grateful to the Lord for him. Another William, Dr. William Barrick, picked up the baton and shaped my thinking as well. Both of them have served as a model of faithful biblical scholarship in the context of a faithful ministry to the Lord. Again, I am immensely grateful to God for their labor of love on my behalf. Even before writing a word on a page, many were already involved in my life to prepare me for this moment.