What does it mean to read the Bible wisely? Richard Briggs tackles some familiar questions about how to interpret the Bible with the goal of answering this question. After exploring issues of biblical interpretation in three particular contexts -- historical, literary and theological -- he considers specific doctrines about the Bible: its clarity, its inspiration and its authority, and asks what it means in practice to read the Bible as an inspired or as an authoritative text. The reader is helped throughout by a thorough examination of particular passages. Written with warmth and a light touch, Reading the Bible Wisely focuses on wisdom and spirituality rather than technique, while recognizing that the gift of eyes to see is a gift that only God can give. - Back cover.