Rating: 
Summary: Concise and Practical Guide to Biblical Interpretation
Review: Henry Virkler has written a concise, readable, and practical guide to interpreting Scripture. There is a brief introduction and history of the subject, followed by a practical guide to historical-cultural-contextual, lexical-syntactical, theological, and literary analysis. Finally, there is a section on how to apply the text after it is interpreted. You can practice your hermeneutical skills using "BT's" (Brain Teasers) that are included at the end of each chapter. The book includes a helpful and concise outline of all the most important principles taught. I highly recommend this much needed resource.
Rating:
Summary: Concise and Practical Guide to Biblical Interpretation
Review: Henry Virkler has written a concise, readable, and practical guide to interpreting Scripture. There is a brief introduction and history of the subject, followed by a practical guide to historical-cultural-contextual, lexical-syntactical, theological, and literary analysis. Finally, there is a section on how to apply the text after it is interpreted. You can practice your hermeneutical skills using "BT's" (Brain Teasers) that are included at the end of each chapter. The book includes a helpful and concise outline of all the most important principles taught. I highly recommend this much needed resource.
Rating:
Summary: Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpret
Review: I first read this book about five years ago and find it a great resource. It emphasizes several aspects of understanding the Bible that I believe students need to understand. I teach Sunday School for older adults. I often make mention of a principal that I find in this book
Rating: 
Summary: Clear and simple
Review: I teach Hermeneutics at Huntington College and have switched to Virkler's text for my class for a couple of reasons: 1) The text is clear, easy to understand and logical, 2) The methodology is simple, concise and easy to remember, 3) The chapter on application is especially helpful for students, and 4) Each chapter has Brain Teasers (BT) that challenge students to apply what they have learned. This is great text for laypersons and undergraduate students because of it's readability and brevity. I would not recommend it for graduate study (or you could just suppliment it) becuase it lacks details on the history of Biblical interpretation and because it does not detail modern hermeneutical movements.
Rating:
Summary: Superb book on how to study the Bible
Review: I took this course via correspondence with Dr. Virkler as the instructor. This is a superb book with very sound Bible study techniques. It teaches the importance of literal translation- meaning: finding the author's intended meaning. The process he teaches is flexible and applies to all types of reading, although it is tailored to the study of God's Word. The book teaches us to let go of our predisposed ideas if they conflict with what is found in Scripture. He teaches all the tools to finding the information needed to get to the true meaning of Scripture. If we all followed these principles, the divisions between Christians would be all-but-nonexistent.
Rating:
Summary: Superb book on how to study the Bible
Review: I took this course via correspondence with Dr. Virkler as the instructor. This is a superb book with very sound Bible study techniques. It teaches the importance of literal translation- meaning: finding the author's intended meaning. The process he teaches is flexible and applies to all types of reading, although it is tailored to the study of God's Word. The book teaches us to let go of our predisposed ideas if they conflict with what is found in Scripture. He teaches all the tools to finding the information needed to get to the true meaning of Scripture. If we all followed these principles, the divisions between Christians would be all-but-nonexistent.
Rating: 
Summary: "To Each His Own Hermeneutics"
Review: I was quite disappointed in this book. In a very "round about" way Virkler tells his readers that the Bible is to be interpreted personally, that is, no interpretation is wrong, and no interpretation is right, i.e., "to each his own." This type of new hermeneutic, though on the increase, decreases the authoritative nature of God's Word.
Rating:
Summary: Good Hands-on Text
Review: Interestingly, this introduction to hermeneutics was written by someone who does not consider himself a theologian nor an exegete. Dr. Virkler is a professor of psychology who sensed the need for an introductory text on hermeneutics that translated theory into practical exegesis. His goal in this work was to not only provide a reader with the principles of interpretationneeded to exegete Scripture, but to also be able to apply them in sermon preparation or personal Bible study. With this goal in mind, Dr. Virkler included exegetical exercises at the end of almost every chapter dealing with specific passages and involving real life situations. His presupposition throughout this work is that the meaning of a text is the author's intended meaning. This is a great all-around hermeneutics text since it follows a logical structure, is fairly comprehensive and allows the reader to practice what he has learned with the "brain teasers" included. All in all, this is a great text.
Rating:
Summary: A real "gem"!
Review: This book is one of my absolute favorites! Virkler displays an exceptional understanding of Biblical principals and explains them in clear and understandable language. The "exercises" that follow each chapter are great study tools, as are the "Resources for Further Information". The format of this book clearly guides the reader through an organized presentation of the material. I really enjoyed reading a book written by an educated and intelligent CHRISTIAN, rather than just reading another dry and boring book written by an educated and intelligent writer about Christian material. This book would make a terrific addition to your library for almost any price!
Rating:
Summary: Simple and useful
Review: Verkler's goal in this work was essential to provide christian laety with a volume on Biblical interpretation that was useful for not only understanding but implemeting the text of scripture. I feel that he has met his goal. Verkler addresses the issues that are typically involved in hermeneutics; history of Biblical interpretation, lexical/syntactical elements, theological models, etc. But he makes it clear that application of scripture is ultimately the purpose of hermeneutics and ultimately his goal in this work. This is a very easy to understand, basic treatment of hermeneutics that will aid in further study. I would recommend this work to anyone who does not wish to, in the words of Matt Damon in 'Good Will Hunting', "...drop a hundred fifty grand on an education you could've gotten in buck fifty in late fees at the local library".
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