Inspiration and Interpretation

John William BurgonProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.3

Word count: 962K words
Chapters: 97

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Inspiration and Interpretation by John William BurgonAuthor: Burgon, John William, 1813-1888,Language: English, Class: BR: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Christianity, Release Date: Jan 26, 2010

Editor's review

John William Burgon was a 19th-century English Anglican clergyman and biblical scholar. This book addresses the inspiration and interpretation of Scripture and is a typical piece of 19th-century apologetic and exegetical writing. Its value lies in presenting the debates of the time over biblical authority, the nature of inspiration, and methods of interpretation, allowing readers to understand the theological argumentation that preceded the formation of modern hermeneutics. The argument bears clear marks of its era and ecclesial standpoint, combining logical reasoning with copious citation of Scripture; it is suitable as a primary text for the history of theological thought and exegesis. Because it is a public-domain eBook, it is lengthy and its English is archaic, so reading it requires patience. For readers studying 19th-century British religious thought, the history of biblical criticism, or the apologetic tradition, the book offers direct material; for those seeking only devotional inspiration or modern exegetical methods, it may seem remote and arduous. Reading selected chapters with specific questions in mind is recommended over reading it straight through.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Scholars and students studying 19th-century British theology and the history of biblical criticism
Christian readers interested in the history of hermeneutics and the apologetic tradition
Readers with the English and theological reading ability to engage a classic polemical text
Religious studies students needing primary material to analyze Victorian religious controversy

Not a good fit for

Readers looking for modern devotional reading or accessible introductions to faith
Beginners who struggle with English or are unfamiliar with biblical and theological terminology
Readers expecting a systematic course in contemporary exegetical method; the book's standpoint and context are dated

Reading tips

First learn the background of 19th-century biblical criticism and church controversy, then enter the text to understand its polemical targets
Read selected chapters on inspiration and interpretive method by topic rather than reading straight through
Mark the scriptural citations and opponents' views as you read, distinguishing apologetic stance from scholarly argument
Pair with a modern introduction to hermeneutics to observe how questions and methods have changed historically

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for daily devotional reading?

Not really. This is a 19th-century apologetic and exegetical treatise focused on arguing the principles of biblical inspiration and interpretation. Its prose is dense and polemical, and it was not designed for devotional reading. Modern devotional material would suit that purpose better; this book is best studied as a document in the history of theological thought.

Can readers without a theological background understand this book?

It is difficult. The book engages extensively with Scripture, church controversy, and theological terminology, and its English is of the 19th century. Readers without a theological background should first read an introduction to the Bible or to hermeneutics to grasp basic concepts such as inspiration, canon, and interpretation, then attempt selected chapters.

Does the book's position represent a particular denomination?

The author was a 19th-century English Anglican clergyman, and the writing carries a clear ecclesial standpoint and the apologetic flavor of its time, chiefly responding to contemporary challenges to biblical authority and interpretation. The material does not provide a more detailed denominational affiliation. It should be read as a polemical text in a specific historical context, not as a neutral methodological textbook.

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About the author

John William Burgon Author · English · 1813–1888

John William Burgon (1813–1888) was an English Anglican theologian born in Smyrna. He taught at the University of Oxford for many years, served as Gresham Professor of Divinity, and became Dean of Chichester Cathedral in 1876. Burgon is known for defending the traditional text of the Gospels and for his fierce opposition to the revisions of the Greek text by Westcott and Hort. His works include The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark, The Revision Revised, The Traditional Text of the Holy Gospels, and The Causes of the Corruption of the Traditional Text of the Holy Gospels, as well as Inspiration and Interpretation, which addresses biblical inspiration and interpretation. In 1845 he won the Newdigate Prize for his poem Petra. His scholarship centered on the transmission and textual criticism of the New Testament, and his argumentative style gave him considerable influence among supporters of the traditional text.