By Maria Ignas (BA 25)
Professor of New Testament Studies at Grace Theological Seminary Dr. Matt Harmon released his newest book, “How to Study the Bible’s Use of the Bible,” this fall. Harmon and co-author Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer explore the Old Testament and New Testament’s use of Scripture, particularly how the study of the former informs the latter.
“Many of the books on this subject discuss the different scholarly views on how the biblical authors use Scripture,” said Harmon. “We wanted to go a step further and identify the hermeneutical choices that determine one’s view. This enables the reader to see the larger issues that go into forming one’s view on how to understand the Bible’s use of the Bible.”
Harmon’s interest in the Bible’s use of the Bible began 20 years ago, during his dissertation on Paul’s use of Isaiah in Galatians. Much of his scholarship since has centered on the subject. According to Harmon, though, studying Scripture’s self-reference is for every Christian, regardless of education level.
“Studying how the biblical authors cite or allude to early Scripture is one of the most helpful ways of understanding how the Bible fits together,” said Harmon. “You don’t have to be a scholar to pay attention to when a biblical author quotes or alludes to another passage and to reflect on the connection between those passages.”
