Deep Exegesis: The Mystery of Reading Scripture

by Peter Leithart

Publisher:

Baylor University Press

, 2009

Overview

Seeking to train readers to “hear all that is being said” within a written text, Peter Leithart advocates a hermeneutical approach that is not rigidly literalistic and looks to Jesus and Paul to learn how to read—not just the Bible, but everything. Thus, Deep Exegesis explores the nature of reading itself, taking clues from Jesus and Paul on the meaning of meaning, the functions of language, and proper modes of interpretation. By looking and listening closely, and by including passages from the Bible and other literary sources, Leithart aims to do for the text what Jesus did for the blind man in John 9: to make new by opening eyes. The book is a powerful invitation to enter the depths of a text.

In the Logos edition of Deep Exegesis, you get easy access to Scripture texts and to a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Hovering over Scripture references links you instantly to the verse you’re looking for, and with a wealth of other tools from Logos, you can delve into your study like never before!

Key Features

• Follows the disciples’ methods of reading
• Considers analogies between textual and musical structure
• Describes the ways biblical writers read the Bible

Contents

• The Text Is a Husk: Modern Hermeneutics
• Texts Are Events: Typology
• Words Are Players: Semantics
• The Text Is a Joke: Intertextuality
• Texts Are Music: Structure
• Texts Are about Christ: Application

Praise for the Print Edition

As a biblical reader of profound insight, Peter Leithart has long cultivated the practice of exegesis. His depth of experience as a reader gives these hermeneutical reflections an authority and nuance one rarely finds in our theory-saturated age.

—R. R. Reno, professor of theological ethics, Creighton University

A wonderful book. Drawing on his wide reading, Peter Leithart builds up a way of exploring the depths of meaning to be found in the scriptural text. Christians of all stripes will find this an inspiring and utterly accessible work.

—Andrew Louth, professor of Patristic and Byzantine studies, Durham University

Magnificent. Leithart displays his extraordinary ability to make interpretation exciting.

—Matthew Levering, associate professor of theology, Ave Maria University

Deep Exegesis is a clear, optimistic, and well-written book, with wide-spanning and interdisciplinary implications.

—The Christian Scholar’s Review (Spring 2010)

To understand the Scripture for yourself is a marvelous thing. Deep Exegesis: The Mystery of Reading Scripture is a biblical study that focuses on the nature of reading Scripture for oneself. Peter Leithart hopes to inspire readers to take up the study themselves, open their eyes, and realize Jesus’ words for themselves, instead of through a filter like many simply accept. Deep Exegesis comes with a powerful encouragement for personal theology, very much recommended.

—Midwest Book Review

Everyone interested in understanding the Bible (and what Christian isn’t!) should read this book . . .

—Greg Peters, assistant professor of medieval and spiritual theology, Biola University (review from The Scriptorium, 4/6/10)

Deep Exegesis is a scandalously fun read and a welcome invitation to take a second look at the way we read Scripture.

—The Expository Times (2011, 123:4)

Product Details

• Title: Deep Exegesis: The Mystery of Reading Scripture
• Author: Peter J. Leithart
• Publisher: Baylor University Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 253

About Peter Leithart

Peter J. Leithart (born 1959) is an American author, minister, theologian and senior fellow of theology and literature as well as dean of graduate studies at New Saint Andrews College and holds a doctorate from Cambridge University. He was selected by the Association of Reformed Institutions of Higher Education to be one of the organization’s 2010–2012 Lecturers. He is the author of commentaries on the Book of Kings and the Book of Samuel, as well as a Survey of the Old Testament.