Foreword / by Darrell Bock -- Introduction -- The need for interpretation -- Misunderstandings -- Difficult passages -- Different contexts -- Different meanings -- Interpretation has always been necessary -- Definition of interpretation -- Interpretation is not about what it means to me -- Interpretation is not about what it meant to the original audience -- Interpretation is about what the author meant -- Methods of interpretation -- The allegorical method -- The historical-critical method -- The historical-grammatical method -- The importance of observation -- Good observation leads to good interpretation -- Observation includes grammar -- Practise observation -- John 5:24 -- Matthew 28:18-20 -- The importance of context -- Illustration of context and simple passages -- Illustration of context and complicated passages -- Context determines the referent -- Pitfalls to avoid -- Pitfall 1: the root fallacy -- Pitfall 2: semantic anachronism -- Pitfall 3: prescriptive fallacy -- Pitfall 4: totality transfer -- Context has two parts -- Historical context -- Literary context -- Practise engaging with the context -- The harmony of scripture -- Look again -- Look deeper -- Beware of pre-understanding -- Pre-understanding -- Application and context -- Overspiritualization -- Mistaken identity -- Shaky contexts -- Practising application -- Application and the harmony of Scripture -- Confusing prescription and description -- Examples of some specific issues -- Scripture and missions -- Scripture and healing -- Scripture and prayer -- Conclusion.