How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth Edition

Written by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart

Narrated by Henry O. Arnold

OVER ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD – Get the most out of your Bible.

In clear, simple language, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth helps you accurately understand the different parts of the Bible—their meaning for ancient audiences and their implications for you today—so you can uncover the inexhaustible wealth of God's Word.

More than a million people have turned to How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth to inform their reading of the Bible. This fourth edition features revisions that keep pace with current scholarship, resources, and culture. Changes include:

• Updated language for better readability.
• Scripture references now appear only in brackets at the end of a sentence or paragraph for ease of reading.
• A new authors' preface.
• Redesigned and updated diagrams.
• Updated list of recommended commentaries and resources.

 

Used all around the world, this Bible resource covers everything from how to choose a good translation to how to understand the different genres of biblical writing.

Understanding the Bible isn't just for the few, the gifted, and the scholarly. The Bible is meant to be read and comprehended by everyone from casual readers to seminary students. Even a few essential insights into the Bible can clear up a lot of misconceptions and help you grasp the meaning of Scripture and its application to your twenty-first-century life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan Academic
• Release date: Jun 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9780310517917

Gordon D. Fee

Gordon D. Fee (1934–2022) was professor emeritus of New Testament studies at Regent College, Vancouver, and general editor of the New International Commentary on the New Testament series.

Reviews for How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

[Bev Cameron · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I highly recommend this book. You will never read the Bible the same again. It will make the Scriptures some alive in your heart and life. I especially enjoyed the chapters on the prophets and Revelation.

[Amy Stewart · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4 stars bc it reads like a textbook but it is excellent in its concise coverage of the issues of exegesis and hermeneutics. It will be a reference book for many years to come. And don’t let the authors’ opinions that differ from yours deter you from reading it. No one needs to live in an echo chamber.

[Frank Chavez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The author explained everything in an easy to understand especially for new believers.

[thepricefam · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After probably a year, I finally finished this book.It's a compelling and informative read, but very difficult to grasp, much less apply; an indispensable tool to understanding much of the rationale behind the controversial Today's New International Version and other Bible translations. For example, you'll come away with a more balanced understanding of why this translation is more (although not entirely) gender-neutral than its predecessors.The majority of the book, however, gives you a strategy for understanding the different literary forms that make up the Bible.Be prepared to suddenly feel more ignorant about the Bible than already are.

[Hutton Kimberly Jeffrey · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Just read your Bible... Seriously. Read the KJV and take It at It's Word.

[hgbutchwalker · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good overview of the topic of interpreting Scripture. They lay out the fundamentals well in pretty accessible language.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The authors provides suggestions on reading and studying the Bible, including chapters discussing how to approach the various genres of writing in the Bible. Their efforts, however, were a bit marred by the authors' own personal biases when it comes to matters such as Bible translations and even theological biases. Persons who disagree with specific parts of the faith of the authors will have issues with the authors' approach to certain things. Still, it is overall a good work on how to study the Bible that will be enjoyed by many persons wanting to improve their comprehension of Biblical texts.

[aevaughn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent overview of how to read the Bible that is very readable. He also gives many recommendations of how to continue into deeper study.

[shdawson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A must for the deep study of the Word. Reading this first will help with considering the position of other academic authors on the Word.

[jd234512 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great overview by two scholars that are very respected in their fields yet are still able to write for larger audiences than academia. This is a book I wish I would have read early on in college as I think it would have helped speed up my interest in studying the Bible and wanting to learn more about the context. We are given broad brush strokes into the OT and the NT which allows us to get a better sense of the big picture and story of God and His relation to us. Fee and Stuart leave with much to think about and a helpful hand to explore texts that one otherwise might avoid. Truly something that is helpful for any member of a church to study and learn from.

[ronjawdi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have read this book several times and I highly recommend it as essential reading for all Christians out there. Though I disagree with some of the conclusions Fee and Stuart may have arrived it over their time in ministry (see introduction, ch. 1), this is a treasure trove of principles for genre interpretation scripture.

Though at first it may be slightly heavy (especially the discussion about translation theory), everything in this book is vital for the Christian who loves God's word. Take your time reading it and practice the principles as you read the Bible. It is definitely a title I will use for a long time to come.

[popelinus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've taught on this book a number of times, and I still don't get sick of it. It's so essential to understand that the Bible is made up of a number of kinds of literature, and because of this, it's essential to know how to approach each kind on its own (while plugging it into the broad metanarrative of Scripture). Fee and Stuart help navigate these issues for the eager student of the Bible.

[pbs17 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best book around for learning HOW to read and understand the Bible. Anything by Gordon Fee is great, but this book is accessible for anyone to read.

[lt999 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's easy to forget that the bible is a collection of books. Each book belongs to a genre. This book shows you how to interpret each book correctly. I think the author did a fairly good job explaining how to do exegesis and hermeneutics in a concise manner.

[cartledge777 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite book for understanding the different genres of literature in the Bible

[temsmail · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What you CAN'T read into the text of the Bible. Some of the things we want the Bible to say cannot be supported by honest intellectual investigation, this helps sort out the aceptable methodology from rejected ones.
With Carson's "Exegetical Fallacies," it is a good introduction to the process of exegesis and hermeneutics.

[serbook · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Quite an eye opener in terms of the various versions of the Holy scriptures available. A must read for bible scholars

[lmathews_19 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The best work on Bible study methods and hermeneutics I have read thus far. Fee is incredible in this book and it really helps in showing you how to read different types of literature. I have read about 4 books on this subject thus far, with 2 more on the list, but this by far exceeds the other ones I have read.