Have you ever found yourself asking how well-meaning Christians come to such wildly different conclusions on what the Bible says? Studying and interpreting the Holy Scriptures is a daunting task. With its ancient materials and mosaic literary forms, the task can be daunting. Its lush spiritual landscape only adds to the difficulty. Robert Plummer, our featured scholar in Biblical Hermeneutics, is a world-renowned New Testament scholar and teacher. His teaching in biblical hermeneutics provides a concise, accessible, and God-focused approach to studying and interpreting Scripture.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the contributions of Robert Plummer Biblical Hermeneutics, particularly his very successful textbook, “40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible.” You’ll find his wisdom invaluable for helping you interpret the Bible correctly, whether you prefer to take God’s Word literally or seek a deeper personal connection with it. Biblical hermeneutics is the art and science of interpreting the Bible, and Plummer’s work stands out as a beacon for both beginners and seasoned students of Scripture.
From unpacking the “three worlds of biblical interpretation” to addressing common questions about literal versus spiritual meanings, Plummer provides tools to navigate the Bible’s richness. We hope you’ll come along with us on this journey of discovery! His God-centered biblicist perspective will challenge and change your study and transform your faith.
Who Is Robert Plummer?
Robert Plummer, Ph.D., is Collin and Evelyn Aikman Professor of Biblical Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He serves as an elder at the Sojourn Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Having taught for more than two decades, Plummer has established himself as a consensus voice in evangelical circles. He’s authored numerous books, but his 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible is an excellent book for anyone seeking a helpful introduction to biblical interpretation. Right from the get-go, Plummer’s contagious passion for Scripture jumps off the page.
Through his popular “Daily Dose of Greek” screencast, he’s directly contributing to getting thousands of students into the Bible’s original languages, making it an invaluable resource for biblical research.
Plummer’s approach to teaching is grounded in his profound reverence for the Bible as God’s inspired truth. He believes that proper biblical interpretation requires the highest level of academic discipline and the greatest level of spiritual discernment. This balance creates work that is both approachable and deeply impactful. Find out why it’s important to read the Bible literally and engage in informed discussions about fundamental questions of faith. With Plummer’s hermeneutics as your guide, you’ll find a safe course for your journey in understanding the New Testament and its teachings.
What Is Biblical Hermeneutics?
Biblical hermeneutics is the study of interpretation, specifically the interpretation of the Bible, making it an essential reading for anyone interested in biblical studies. It examines what the Bible meant then and what it means now, uncovering the author’s intent, the historical setting, and the timeless truths God communicates through ScripturWordhe word derives from the Greek hermeneutic, “to interpret,” emphasizing that it’s not just about reading words on a page; it’s about a deeper understanding of theology.
Plummer insists that biblical interpretation is not a free-for-all, where everyone interprets as they see fit. Instead, it’s a skilled process regulated by art and science that respects the text’s divine and human authors. In 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible, he tackles fundamental questions that are critical for effective Bible study. These questions focus on God and provide the basis for his God-centered biblical interpretation, ensuring that our understanding remains aligned with God’s heart.
- Were the ancient manuscripts of the Bible transmitted accurately?
- What about other genres such as poetry, prophecy, or parables—what is the correct interpretive approach there?
- What is the Holy Spirit’s role in our understanding of Scripture?
By engaging with these theological ideas, readers can deepen their knowledge and enhance their approach to New Testament interpretation. Plummer’s work serves as a valuable resource for students and pastors alike, guiding them through the complexities of biblical interpretation while keeping the focus on the essential truths of Christianity.
The Three Worlds of Biblical Interpretation
One of the more captivating prisms in hermeneutics, which pairs perfectly with Plummer’s orations, is the “three worlds of biblical interpretation.” This concept, popularized by scholars like Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, breaks down the interpretive process into three dimensions:
- This is the world that the Bible speaks to. How did the text’s historical context relate to their life situation and challenges? If not, what is the author really trying to communicate? To avoid reading Scripture anachronistically and therefore misreading it, Plummer makes the case that we must understand this world. For instance, understanding the agrarian culture that gave rise to Jesus’ parables allows us to appreciate their depths of meaning.
- This is all about the text itself—its literary form, genre, and language. Is it a Gospel account, a prophetic or apocalyptic work, a psalm, or a letter? Plummer dedicates significant portions of 40 Questions to explaining how to approach specific texts, like interpreting the Psalms literally or recognizing the symbolism in apocalyptic literature.
- This is where we begin as contemporary readers. Today’s hermeneutical question is, How does the Bible apply to our lives today? Plummer fills that gap by advocating a God-centered, not text-centered Hebraic approach. He honors the text’s original intention, yet is able to show us why it still matters for us today.
Plummer does an excellent job of helping us navigate these three worlds. This protects us from overly subjective readings of the text driven by personal experience and overly dogmatic interpretations that miss the Spirit’s enlightening.
Robert Plummer’s 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible
Plummer’s leading contribution to the field of hermeneutics is his book, 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible. The second edition was published in 2021. This handsomely produced work is erudite, yet quite accessible. It’s structured around 40 essential questions that address everything from the history of the Bible’s transmission to challenges in interpreting the Bible today. It’s divided into four parts:
- Getting Started: Text, canon, and translation.
- Approaching the Bible Generally: Principles of interpretation.
- Approaching Specific Texts: How to handle different genres.
- Issues in Recent Discussion: Modern trends like biblical criticism.
Why then should you consider this book so valuable? It’s pragmatic. Plummer’s audience is not primarily an academic one, but rather the everyday Christian. To help understand and process the material, each chapter (6-10 pages) includes personal reflection questions and additional resources for further study. If you want to know more about reading the Bible literally, Plummer is your man. He provides straightforward, practical answers about how to apply biblical passages to your life today—everything firmly rooted in evangelical theology.
For example, he addresses questions like:
- “Why can’t intelligent people come to the same conclusions on what the Bible teaches? As Plummer explains, disagreement often comes from contrasting approaches and assumptions. He challenges his readers to put the writer’s purpose ahead of their predispositions.
- “Well, what does it mean, to interpret the Psalms? He does not reject a literal and spiritual reading. Both are needed, he argues, appreciating the poetic dimensions but looking for their theological depth.
As a result, this book is essential reading for anyone serious about interpreting the Bible rightly.
Literal Interpretation of the Bible: Plummer’s Perspective
The literal interpretation of the Bible has been a contentious issue in biblical hermeneutics. Some think you need to interpret every Word as literally as possible, while others say there’s a deeper level of symbolism. Where Plummer comes down on it, His approach is rather sophisticated.
In “40 Questions,” Plummer insists that the Bible’s meaning begins with its “plain sense.” This means he focuses on the author’s intended message with attention to the original grammatical and historical context. This is consistent with the literal interpretation preferred by many evangelicals. For instance, when Genesis describes creation, Plummer would encourage us to consider what Moses meant for his audience, not just impose modern scientific debates.
He’s not dogmatic. Plummer recognizes that Scripture uses figurative language—think of Jesus as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29). A purely literal interpretation puts you in trouble. Rather, he calls for a “literal where intended” approach that is sensitive to genre and context. Striking this balance avoids going awry, while respecting the Holy Bible’s interpretation as sacred and human.
Interpreting the Bible Correctly: Plummer’s Principles
So, how do we understand the Bible rightly? Plummer offers several key principles that weave through his work:
- Meaning is determined by context. A verse’s meaning cannot be isolated from its surrounding verse, chapter, and book. Moreover, in using the Bible for personal guidance, Plummer cautions against cherry-picking verses, a common mistake in the practice known as proof-texting.
- How could they misinterpret what the author intended? Plummer echoes Genesis 40:8, where Joseph says, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” Our work is to discover what God intended to say through the human author, not project our message.
- While scholarship is vital, Plummer stresses that the Spirit guides believers into truth (John 16:13). Prayer and dependence on God are always non-negotiables.
- Is there a passage that you’ve always found confusing or contradictory? Turn to other parts of Scripture for illumination. Plummer rightly advocates for this time-tested principle, which will help to guard against a human-centered interpretation of the Bible.
These principles prepare us to approach the text of Scripture with humility and precision, steering clear of the unmediated free-for-all of pure individual interpretation.
God-Centered Biblical Interpretation
At the heart of Plummer’s hermeneutics is a God-centered focus. He believes the Bible is ultimately about Jesus—its overarching message is Christocentric (see Luke 24:27). On the first of those 40 Questions, he asserts, “The Bible is a unified story—God’s plan to rescue the world through Jesus.” This deep conviction governs his interpretive work on every text, from Old Testament prophetic oracles to New Testament epistolary literature.
For Plummer, interpreting the Bible is not merely an academic pursuit. It is a spiritual act of worship meant to honor God. He pushes readers, like all good hermeneutics teachers do, to ask, “How does this passage reveal God’s character or lead me to Christ?” This practice makes the study relational engagement, which is consistent with that tradition of the Holy Bible’s reading as a living, breathing Word.
Applying Plummer’s Hermeneutics: A Personal Story
Allow me to tell you one brief personal story. A couple of years ago, I had a hard time with Psalm 23. Was this simply a comforting poem for the exiles, or was it something deeper? Applying Plummer’s principles, I continued to plow through the “three worlds.” Theologically, David wrote out of his own experience as a shepherd-king who trusted God in the presence of danger.
Poetically and literarily, it’s an enthronement psalm, a psalm of trust with such vivid imagery. Now, it comforts me by reminding me that God is leading me even through life’s darkest valleys. Plummer’s emphasis on context and Christ-centeredness showed me that the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11) fulfills this psalm—a revelation that deepened my faith.
What about you, dear reader? How would Plummer’s approach open up a difficult passage you’ve been working on?
Why Plummer’s Work Matters Today
In a world of competing voices where personal interpretations of the Bible can lead to confusion, Plummer’s biblical hermeneutics offer clarity and stability. His work bridges the gap between scholarly precision and practical faith, making it ideal for:
- New believers are seeking a solid foundation.
- Pastors are preparing sermons.
- Students exploring the three worlds of biblical interpretation.
With the increase of digital Bible study resources, Plummer tackles how to use these tools in his second edition. His wise and prophetic guidance is needed now more than ever! He continues to guide us through translations, apps, and trends, helping us to keep our eyes firmly fixed on God’s truth.
Conclusion: Robert Plummer Biblical Hermeneutics
Robert Plummer’s biblical hermeneutics, especially through 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible, is an excellent book for anyone hungry to understand Scripture. Whether you’re drawn to the literal interpretation of the Bible, curious about the three worlds of biblical interpretation, or seeking a God-centered approach, Plummer’s work lights the way. His rare combination of scholarship and approachability makes this valuable resource for students and pastors alike, bringing interpretation of the Bible within reach. This method not only enhances academic knowledge but also deepens spiritual awareness, resulting in life-changing revelation.
Here’s what you should do next. Pick up a copy of 40 Questions, bring an openness to learn and pray for the Spirit’s guidance, and dig into God’s Word. Have a favorite biblical passage or question about interpretation? Toss it in the comments—I’d be very interested to hear what you all think! Join us on this exciting and transformative adventure to a more beautiful, God-honoring understanding of the Holy Scriptures!
