Putting the Truth to Work: The Theory and Practice of Biblical Application

by Daniel M. Doriani

Publisher:

P&R

, 2001

Overview

Ideal for pastors and professors, this book explains how to apply Scripture to daily life. It identifies four categories of application and shows how they function in doctrinal passages.

Contents

Top Highlights

“To summarize, application is an intuitive skill and it demands theoretical training” (Page 31)

“Principle 4: But isolated acts, such as Gideon’s use of the fleece, are not normative, especially if God does not approve them and if they cohere with no law. Principle 5: Where a narrative does not clearly commend or condemn an action, and where no pattern develops, we should hesitate to draw ethical lessons.” (Page 197)

“Principle 2: When narratives show God acting in ways that manifest the attributes which, according to Scripture, we must share, we ought to imitate those character traits.” (Page 195)

“Redemptive-historical preaching (RHP) emphasizes the unity of the history of redemption and the centrality of Christ in that history. It places every passage of Scripture in its historical context and asks questions such as: Where are this event and text located in the history of redemption? What are the traits of the covenant that govern the era? What do the people know about God’s character, redemption, and ethic? How does this text add to that knowledge?” (Page 294)

“There are several ways to use the concept of covenant to classify people. The simplest (not to say least useful) is: (1) prefall; (2) fallen, unredeemed; (3) fallen, redeemed; (4) glorified.” (Page 4)

Endorsements

A great book. There is not much written that deals thoughtfully and creatively with the theory and practice of applying Scripture to today's world. Dr. Doriani's volume is sweeping in scope, attractively written, broadly comprehensive, and packed with useful insight. No serious expository preacher will want to be without this volume.

—D. A. Carson

Significant fresh insights into the use of Scripture. Doriani lays an excellent foundation for a new 'science of application' or 'applicatory hermeneutics.' The book is also engaging, anticipating questions and concerns and dealing with them effectively.

—John M. Frame

As a splendid preacher and brilliant scholar, Doriani expertly and practically helps fill in the long-standing gap in our understanding of how to move from biblical interpretation to real-life application.

—Bryan Chapell

Doriani's book will help pastors and teachers apply Scripture in a biblically sound but relevant manner. This is the best instruction on application I have seen.

—Jerry Bridges

What a gift to Bible students! Dan Doriani has written a much needed antidote to the spurious belief that if one has knowledge of Scripture, one has it right. A 'dirt under the fingernails' book for people who are tired of knowing more than they apply, it could change your life and your church.

—Steve Brown

Product Details

• Title: Putting the Truth to Work: The Theory and Practice of Biblical Application
• Author: Daniel M. Doriani
• Publisher: P&R
• Print Publication Date: 2001
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Pages: 342
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible › Use; Christian life › Biblical teaching
• ISBNs: 0875521703, 9780875521701
• Resource ID: LLS:PTTNGTRTHWRK
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-03-31T21:33:47Z

About Daniel M. Doriani

Dr. Dan Doriani, vice president of strategic academic projects and professor of theology at Covenant Seminary, has extensive teaching and pastoral experience.

He served as assistant professor of biblical studies at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania for five years, as solo pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Cumberland, Maryland for five years, as well as a variety of associate pastor, interim pastor, and stated supply roles. He has been involved in several planning and study committees at the presbytery level in both the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). He was also chair of the PCA’s Theological Examining Committee from 1999 to 2000.

He has authored several books, including Getting the Message: A Plan for Interpreting and Applying the Bible(P&R, 1996), Putting the Truth to Work: The Theory and Practice of Biblical Application (P&R, 2001), The Life of a God-Made Man (Crossway, 2001), and commentaries on Matthew and 1 Peter in P&R Publishing’s Reformed Expository Commentaries series.

Dr. Doriani and his wife, Debbie, live in Chesterfield, Missouri, and have three grown daughters.

 

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