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I-IN501: Biblical Interpretation: General Assistance

Writing Research Papers

"Commentary" or "Criticism and Interpretation"?

Books on the interpretation of the Bible generally fall into two (2) general categories: 1) commentaries, and 2) criticism and interpretation. The distinction between the two can be very important for selecting which resources to use at different points of your scholarship.

Books that are categorized as commentaries help the reader interpret and understand the text by examining the biblical text in verse order (e.g., interpreting Genesis 1:1 before interpreting Genesis 1:2). The text is ordered in this fashion as well. Consequently, commentaries are very helpful when you are seeking to interpret a specific portion of the biblical text, usually as a self-contained portion of text.

Books that are categorized as criticism and Interpretation help the reader interpret and understand the text by examining specific biblical topics or themes (e.g., miracles in the gospel of Matthew). The text frequently does not follow the structure of the biblical text but rather moves around within the biblical text as needed to examine the topic or theme under investigation. Consequently, criticism and interpretation books are very helpful when you want to explore a particular idea that has importance for the biblical text you are interpreting.