How Then Shall We Read?: A Student’s Guide to Interpreting the New Testament

A lively introduction to biblical studies that emphasizes reader engagement

How Then Shall We Read? equips students with the interpretive tools they need to engage the Bible faithfully. This innovative textbook bridges the gap between two traditionally separate fields: New Testament introduction and biblical hermeneutics. It invites students to reflect critically on how their own traditions, experiences, and theological commitments shape their encounter with the biblical text, while underscoring the value of both scholarly analysis and personal spiritual growth. In doing so, it addresses a common challenge in biblical studies courses: helping students see connections between rigorous academic work and meaningful personal engagement with Scripture.

The book begins by exploring why interpretation matters, both practically and theologically, before guiding readers through key aspects of biblical interpretation. Students are introduced to the historical process by which the Bible came to be, the importance of historical-critical methods, and the New Testament’s cultural and literary contexts. The book’s distinctives include a fresh, reader-friendly approach to questions of genre and language, as well as a model for embracing the unity and diversity of the canon. The book also incorporates insights from across Christian traditions and global contexts, inviting students into a rich, ongoing conversation about what it means to read the Bible today. Written specifically for the newest generation of undergraduate students, How Then Shall We Read? provides an up-to-date and accessible entryway into academic biblical interpretation--one that is grounded in the conviction that the ultimate aim of studying Scripture is to grow in the knowledge and love of God.

Max Botner is associate professor of biblical studies at Jessup University. He also directs the Center for Bible Study, a nonprofit initiative to expand accessibility to biblical studies, and hosts the center’s On the Way podcast. His first book, Jesus Christ as the Son of David in the Gospel of Mark, won the Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise. Botner is also the author of Beyond the Greek New Testament: Advanced Readings for Students of Biblical Studies and coeditor of Atonement: Jewish and Christian Origins.