Knowing Scripture

R. C. Sproul wrote this introduction to biblical interpretation during the height of evangelical debates over biblical authority in the 1970s. As liberal theology questioned traditional approaches to Scripture and popular Christianity often relied on subjective readings, Sproul saw the need for ordinary believers to understand sound principles of biblical interpretation. The book emerged from his teaching experience at Reformed seminaries and his work with Ligonier Ministries, where he regularly encountered Christians who affirmed Scripture's authority but lacked tools to interpret it responsibly.

Sproul argues that Scripture is both accessible to all believers and demanding of careful study. He establishes foundational principles including the clarity of Scripture, the analogy of faith, and the distinction between general and special revelation. The book walks readers through practical hermeneutical rules: observing the literary and historical context, understanding genre differences between poetry and narrative, recognizing figurative language, and allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. Sproul emphasizes that while the Bible's central message is clear, responsible interpretation requires attention to grammar, culture, and the original audience. He addresses common interpretive errors while maintaining that the Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture for believers without bypassing the mind or sound reasoning.

The work has remained influential because it makes academic hermeneutics accessible without oversimplifying the task of interpretation. Sproul's Reformed perspective provides a middle path between fundamentalist literalism and liberal subjectivism, insisting that Scripture has objective meaning while remaining readable by ordinary Christians. The book continues to serve as a standard introduction in evangelical and Reformed circles, valued for its clarity and practical focus.

Who should read this: Christians who want to move beyond devotional reading to more careful Bible study, particularly those in Reformed traditions or evangelical contexts where systematic interpretation is valued. This is not for readers seeking critical-historical methods or those uncomfortable with conservative assumptions about biblical authority.