Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers

Michael Gorman has written a detailed systematic method for producing appropriately structured and accurate exegetical works. I wish that I had known about this book before finishing much of my Masters degree. This book was a text book for a course, but I think anybody wanting to write scholarly works dealing with the Bible should purchase Elements of Biblical Exegesis. Gorman's style is clear, easily understood, and he even adds suggested resources for writing. Buy this book!

Michael Gorman offers a good, basic step by step approach to exegesis that will help those who do not know Greek or Hebrew and even those who do. He starts by explaining the different approaches (synchronic, diachronic, and existential). He uses an eclectic approach in this book and recommends the reader do the same. He favors working from the final text form and not giving undue attention to liberal methods of form criticism. There is an excellent chapter on picking out a good modern day translation and the pro's and con's of each of the translations. At the end of each chapter he provides three very helpful sections: First, is the chapter summary, in which he briefly recaps the main points. Second, here he gives a couple of tips that make exegesis easier. Third, is the "For Further Insight and Practice" section, in which the author gives assignments that really reinforce the teaching as you go. Exegesis is something you learn by doing and Gorman helps this to happen with this excellent teaching tool. The chapters are short and set up in a step by step or as Gorman has labeled each step as an element. For example, chapter 3 is labeled "Survey: The first element". After the step by steps of exegesis, the author has provided an entire chapter, that is longer than all the rest on "Resources for Exegesis". This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. All of the bibliographies are annotated. If you are a student or a minister and are looking for a great basic guide to get you started in exegesis, then you need to order this book. You will be glad that you did.

Gorman's book is an excellent tool for teaching the basics of exegesis to college students with little to no background in critical biblical studies. I highly recommend it for those who need a brief introduction to the topic. Those who are already trained in exegesis probably won't find much help here.

very good book, clear well thought out, simple methods for complex work... will use many times over.

Extremely well written, and very insightful. The book gives many practical guidelines for biblical analysis, and suggests many tools to help in the process. There is also an excellent critique on the different translations of the bible. Overall, I'd say the book is a bargain, and invaluable to anyone who reads the bible!