“For many years, biblical commentators have been calling for the incorporation of what the French call ‘the human sciences’ into New Testament interpretation. This book responds to that call. A global statement of what is at stake is found in the article on the need by Pierre Grelot in the June 1976 issue of Nouvelle Revue Théologique. Actually, much of the groundwork for this effort is available in the writings of Eugene A. Nida, many of which were composed in connection with his preparation of transcultural aids for translators of the Bible.”



—From the Introduction