Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 45:2 (Fall 1983)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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WTJ 45:2 (Fall 1983) p. 411

Book Reviews

Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.: Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981, 268. $9.95, paper.

“Very few centers of Biblical and homiletical training have ever taken the time or effort to show the student how one moves from analyzing the text over to constructing a sermon that accurately reflects that same analysis and is directly dependent on it” (p. 8). This is the contention of the author who, as the dean of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, has offered this volume to remedy this educational hiatus. Neither a textbook in hermeneutics nor a treatise on homiletics, this work seeks rather to provide a step-by-step manual to the student of Scripture who desires to discover and share “what God is teaching us in a selected Biblical text” (p. 244).

Summary of Content. The book is divided into four parts of unequal length. Part I, “Introduction,” sets forth the author’s personal convictions regarding Scripture, hermeneutics, exegesis, and preaching and earnestly seeks to engage in dialogue with those of differing theological or methodological persuasions. According to Professor Kaiser (chap. 1), there is currently a problem of crisis proportion in the area of exegetical theology which has been exacerbated by crises in hermeneutics and homiletics. (Exegetical theology is a term resurrected by the author from the classical divinity curriculum to designate instruction in exegetical methodology.)

It is the crisis in hermeneutics to which he devotes the most attention. Kaiser argues fervently and convincingly for the “single meaning of the text” as advocated by E. D. Hirsch. The establishment of this disputed position is vital to Kaiser, for he understands the task of exegesis as “discovering the author’s intended meaning” (p. 47). Thus, in his definition of exegesis, he takes issue with those, such as Vern S. Poythress, who distinguish different types of meanings, and in his highly selective history of exegesis, he traces the ebb and flow of the exegetical tide for and against the single meaning of the text (chap. 2).

WTJ 45:2 (Fall 1983) p. 412

Part II, “The Syntactical-Theological Method,” composing half of the book, presents in successive chapters (chaps. 3–7) the steps to be followed in moving from text to sermon: contextual, syntactical, verbal, theological, and homiletical analysis. This is a most helpful guide, filled with clear instructions, practical advice, and numerous illustrations culled from the author’s own exegetical efforts. Although containing some material which is also found in such popular Bible study books as those by Irving Jensen, Oletta Wald, or Norton Sterrett, Kaiser’...

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