{"product_id":"interpreting-biblical-metaphors-what-they-are-how-they-work-and-what-they-mean-for-us-paperback","title":"Interpreting Biblical Metaphors: What They Are, How They Work, and What They Mean for Us - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eErin Heim\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eBeth Stovell\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRead the Bible's Richest Language with Confidence\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBiblical metaphors can be complicated and confusing. It can be tempting to read them as universal and context-free, assume they map directly onto modern life, or treat them as interchangeable with contemporary meanings. Some preachers and teachers stretch biblical metaphors beyond what Scripture supports while others ignore them altogether or question their value for communicating truth. Students and pastors need an accessible guide that helps them responsibly interpret and apply biblical metaphors.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this book, two experts cut through the confusion and sidestep common interpretive pitfalls while highlighting the vast beauty, richness, and spiritual significance of biblical metaphors. \u003ci\u003eInterpreting Biblical Metaphors\u003c\/i\u003e will help you\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e● understand what biblical metaphors are and how they functioned in their ancient cultural and literary contexts;\u003cbr\u003e● recognize common interpretive pitfalls--including over-spiritualizing, allegorizing, and decontextualizing--and learn how to avoid them;\u003cbr\u003e● navigate difficult or culturally unfamiliar metaphors with greater confidence and care;\u003cbr\u003e● apply biblical metaphors faithfully in preaching, teaching, and personal Bible study; and\u003cbr\u003e● connect metaphor theory to everyday faith and practice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eErin Heim and Beth Stovell explain what biblical metaphors are and how they work, translating the best of contemporary metaphor theories into a clear, accessible approach to biblical hermeneutics.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIdeal for students of the Bible and hermeneutics, pastors, and lay Bible teachers, \u003ci\u003eInterpreting Biblical Metaphors\u003c\/i\u003e equips readers to understand the value and function of biblical metaphors and to apply them in ways that are faithful to the text and meaningful for everyday faith and practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"A timely guide for interpreters of Scripture\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eBiblical metaphors can be complicated and confusing. This book cuts through the confusion and sidesteps common interpretive pitfalls while highlighting the vast beauty, richness, and spiritual significance of biblical metaphors.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\"A timely guide for interpreters of Scripture. Heim and Stovell enhance our understanding of biblical metaphor, assist us to avoid distortions of several sorts, and strengthen our engagement with Scripture as a whole. A most welcome contribution!\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eBeverly Gaventa\u003c\/b\u003e, Princeton Theological Seminary (emerita)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"For all of us who feel lost in the woods of biblical metaphor, this book is a helpful map and a series of clear signposts along the way. Heim and Stovell are the well-trained guides who can help us make the most of our stay by showing us what to expect and how to interpret what we see. I'm delighted to take my students on a field trip using this engaging resource!\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eCarmen Joy Imes\u003c\/b\u003e, Talbot School of Theology; author of \u003ci\u003eBearing God's Name\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A marvelous and insightful study. Heim and Stovell point out the crucial importance of understanding a metaphor in its original sociocultural, literary, and linguistic environment. They help us navigate and interpret difficult metaphors and also recognize how metaphors inform our theological imagination. This book is for all serious readers of the Bible.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eTremper Longman III\u003c\/b\u003e, Westmont College (emeritus)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This short and approachable book is perfect for the classroom, the pastor, the parishioner, or the nonreligious person trying to understand the Christian Scriptures. Wielding precise examples from Scripture and life, Heim and Stovell carefully unfold the academic study of metaphor alongside practical application of the theory.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eDru Johnson\u003c\/b\u003e, Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This is by far the most accessible and helpful introduction to how modern metaphor theories enrich biblical interpretation and faithful, responsible preaching and teaching of Scripture. A must-read in homiletics.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eKnut M. Heim\u003c\/b\u003e, Denver Seminary\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eErin Heim\u003c\/b\u003e (PhD, University of Otago) is a tutorial fellow in biblical studies at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, in Oxford, England, and cohosts the \u003ci\u003eOnScript \u003c\/i\u003epodcast. She is a coeditor of \u003ci\u003eThe State of Pauline Studies \u003c\/i\u003eand the author of \u003ci\u003eAdoption in Galatians and Romans\u003c\/i\u003e (winner of the Manfred T. Lautenschläger Prize).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBeth Stovell\u003c\/b\u003e (PhD, McMaster Divinity College) is professor of Old Testament at Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She sits on the national team for Vineyard Canada as a theological consultant and has written or edited several books, including \u003ci\u003eBiblical Hermeneutics: Five Views\u003c\/i\u003e (with Stanley E. Porter).\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 200\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.56 x 8.44 x 5.44 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 08, 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48628626653405,"sku":"9781540967633","price":28.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/9867\/8237\/files\/yC2mpy-QO69781540967633.webp?v=1789782712","url":"https:\/\/handfulofbooks.com\/products\/interpreting-biblical-metaphors-what-they-are-how-they-work-and-what-they-mean-for-us-paperback","provider":"Handful of Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}