Beyond Guthrie?: Text-linguistics and New Testament Studies 47 5. CONCLUSION Guthrie has opened the eyes of biblical scholars to the world of linguistics and what it may offer for their interpretive task. He has also had a significant impact upon the study of Hebrews, shaping the current debate. Yet, in a sense, as with any early explorer first stepping on shore to a new world (i.e., the world of linguistics), the potential for misunderstanding that new world and for failing to appreciate the depth of its rich diversity is great. At the same time, like all biblical scholars, Guthrie may also be thought of as an archaeologist, excavating an illusive past, carefully sifting through the obscure data of the ancient text. For him, and a growing number of scholars like him, it is the light of this new, linguistic world that provides the means to illuminate the distant past. Yet, linguistics should not be thought of as merely some new magical tool, performing exegetical tricks for a skeptical audience. It is simply the study of language, modern or ancient. Specifically, it is the study of how people and societies use language to communicate meaning. The application of linguistics to biblical studies will take scholars beyond the familiar and comfortable realm of sentence-bound grammars to a new world where terms seem odd and confusing. Is this an interpretive dead-end? Only by exploring its potential can this be known. One thing, however, is certain. Until, and unless, scholars reach a level of linguistic understanding and expertise that achieves a consistency of objectively verifiable results, skepticism will remain and justifiably so. Time may serve to vindicate Guthrie’s perception, or serve to correct it. Either way, the answer lies in moving ahead. Michael A. RUDOLPH 108 Bonterra Dr. Youngsville, NC 27596 USA rudolphma@hotmail.com