As a basic manual, "Principles of Biblical Interpretation" is unequaled. Its author, Louis Berkhof, established himself as one of the best evangelical theologians of the 20th century when this work was published in 1950.
Berkhof helps the reader to get started in grammatical, historical, and theological interpretation. He teaches the Bible student how to bridge the differences or distance between the biblical author and his readers. This can only be achieved when readers transport themselves to the author's time and can see the purpose he had in mind. When we study the Bible, it is not enough to understand the meaning of the secondary authors; we must also learn to know the mind of the Spirit.
