Book Review:
Living by the Book, by Dr. Howard Hendricks
Chuck Hill, D.Min.
There are a few books that don’t just sit on a shelf—they live with you. They shape how you think, how you lead, how you preach, and most importantly, how you engage with God’s Word. For me, Living by the Book by Dr. Howard Hendricks is one of those books. It has been a constant companion for many years, not only in my own devotional life but as a practical resource in mentoring others, equipping students, and forming messages that are faithful to the text and alive with application.
About the Author
Dr. Howard G. Hendricks was more than a gifted communicator—he was a beloved mentor to generations of pastors, missionaries, and Bible teachers. For over sixty years, he served as professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, where he taught more than 13,000 students. His reach extended far beyond the seminary classroom. Hendricks served as a spiritual advisor and mentor to leaders like Chuck Swindoll, Tony Evans, and David Jeremiah, and his influence continues to ripple across denominational lines.
Known affectionately to his students as “Prof,” Hendricks had a unique ability to blend biblical depth with personal warmth, conviction with clarity. He also served as the chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys for eight years, embodying a holistic vision for ministry that embraced both the church and the culture.¹
The Big Idea
The purpose of Living by the Book is simple but profound: to help everyday believers learn how to read and study the Bible for themselves with accuracy, consistency, and depth. Hendricks believed that the Bible wasn’t just for scholars or pastors; it was for everyone. His goal was to train Christians to handle the Scriptures faithfully—to ask good questions, understand context, and apply truth.
In his own words: “The Bible was not written to satisfy your curiosity; it was written to change your life.”2
Basic Outline
The book is structured around three simple but profound practices for Bible study—a process that has deeply influenced my approach as well as how I train and teach others to engage scripture. These include:
- Observation – What do I see?
Hendricks emphasizes the discipline of attentiveness, slowing down to carefully notice what the text is saying before rushing to interpretation. - Interpretation – What does it mean?
He then provides tools for discovering meaning—historical context, literary genre, authorial intent—while always encouraging Spirit-led study. - Application – How does it work?
The final step brings the text into real life. Hendricks believed the Bible must never remain an intellectual exercise; it’s meant to transform behavior, thinking, and values.
This method is further explored in the companion Living by the Book Workbook, co-authored with his son William Hendricks. Together, these resources offer practical exercises and guided studies for individuals and small groups.
Brief Summary
In the opening chapters, Hendricks notes a tragic reality in the church: many believers are living with what he calls a “second-hand faith”—relying on others to tell them what the Bible says instead of studying it themselves.3 He argues passionately for becoming a “self-feeder,” able to digest and apply biblical truth personally. One of his former students, Dr. Charles Swindoll recalls Dr. Hendricks emphasizing the importance of being influenced by God’s Word when he writes, “You are either in the Word, and the Word is conforming you to the image of Jesus Christ, or you are in the world, and the world is squeezing you into its mold.”4
It is from such conviction that Hendricks establishes a clear roadmap for engaging the Scriptures with depth and faithfulness. Using examples from both Old and New Testaments, he equips readers to study narratives, doctrine, poetry, and prophecy with equal care.
Personal Thoughts and Review
This book has become far more than a textbook—it stands as a lasting legacy of its author. Dr. Hendricks didn’t merely teach Bible study methods; he modeled a way of life grounded in the authority and beauty of God’s Word.
Over the years, I’ve returned to Living by the Book countless times—both for my personal study and in teaching others. I’ve quoted it in sermons, recommended it to students, and used it as a core textbook for training new leaders in the Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics course I teach at the South Carolina District School of Ministry. I bet it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I have given away a hundred or more copies to those interested in learning a relevant way to study God’s Word.
In a world overwhelmed by noise, fleeting trends, and constant distractions, Living by the Book has remained a steady anchor in my life. It continues to remind me that my foundation is Jesus Christ—and that the true measure of my ministry is not found in the force of my delivery, the novelty of my creativity, or the charisma I bring to the pulpit, but in my faithfulness to God’s Word. Hendricks’s model has profoundly shaped my journey, calling me to approach Scripture with reverence, study it with diligence, apply it first to my own heart, and then preach it with boldness and conviction..
If you are serious about knowing the Word and helping others grow in their love for Scripture, this book is a must read. You should locate a copy and place it on your bookshelf—or better yet, within your heart.
While Dr. Hendricks has gone on to be with the Lord, through this timeless book, his influence lives on as he continues to train faithful students how to rightly handle the Word of God.
Bibliography
- Dallas Theological Seminary, “Howard G. Hendricks: A Tribute,” DTS Voice, last modified February 2013, https://voice.dts.edu/article/howard-hendricks-prof/.
- Hendricks, Howard G., and William D. Hendricks. Living by the Book. Updated Edition. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2007.
- Hendricks, Howard G., and William D. Hendricks. Living by the Book Workbook. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2007.
- Swindoll, Charles R. The Swindoll Study Bible, introduction to Howard Hendricks. Tyndale House, 2017.