Theological Interpretation of Scripture

by Stephen E Fowl

Overview

Christians have been interpreting Scripture with an aim of deepening their life with God and each other from the very beginning of the church. The past twenty years or so have witnessed an explosion of scholarly writing devoted to the theological interpretation of Scripture. Stephen Fowl, as an active participant in and contributor to the burgeoning literature, has written an ideal companion for guests at the "large and somewhat chaotic party," introducing them to important people, texts, and issues. The companion explores some of the connections between the long-running and essential Christian practice of theological interpretation and the more recent body of scholarly literature. Ultimately, the companion hopes to encourage readers to join the party in their own right.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781556352416
Publisher:	Cascade Books
Publication date:	08/01/2009
Series:	Cascade Companions
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	108
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Stephen E. Fowl is the Chair of the Department of Theology at Loyola College in Maryland. He is the author of several books, including Engaging Scripture: A Model for Theological Interpretation (Wipf & Stock, 2008); Reading in Communion: Scripture and Ethics in Christian Life (with L. Gregory Jones; Wipf & Stock, 1998); and the Two Horizons commentary on Philippians.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements.

List of Contributors.

Introduction.

Part I: The Contexts of Theological Interpretation:.

1. Spiritual Understanding: Henri de Lubac, S. J. (French Jesuit Theologian, 1896-1991), Translated by Luke O'Neill.

2. The Superiority of Pre-Critical Exegesis: David C. Steinmetz (Duke University).

3. The Story-Shaped Church: Critical Exegesis and Theological Interpretation: George Lindbeck (Yale University).

4. Feminist Theological Hermeneutics: Canon and Christian Identity: Claudia V. Camp (Texas Christian University).

5. The Bible and African Americans: An Outline of an Interpretative History: Vincent L. Wimbush (Union Theological Seminary in New York).

6. The New Testament and the Nicene Dogma: A Contribution to the Recovery of Theological Exegesis: David S. Yeago (Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary).

Part II: Theological Interpretations of Select Biblical Texts: Exodus 3: .

7. Selections from Gregory of Nyssa's Life of Moses:.

Translated and introduced by Joseph W. Trigg (Rector, Christ Church, Port Tobacco Parish, La Plata, Maryland).

8. Selections from Nicholas of Lyra's Commentary on Exodus: Translated and introduced by Corrine Patton (University of St Thomas).

9. Three Postcritical Encounters with the Burning Bush: Peter Ochs.

10. Exodus 3: A Theological Interpretation: Terence E. Fretheim (Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary).

11. Exodus 3: Summons to Holy Transformation: Walter Brueggemann (Columbia Theological Seminary).

Isaiah 52-53:.

12. Selections from Theodoret of Cyrus's Commentary onIsaiah: Translated and introduced by Angela Russell Christman (Loyola College, Maryland).

13. Selections from John Calvin's Sermons on Isaiah: Translated and introduced by Kathryn Greene-McCreight (Yale College).

14. Speech and Silence in the Servant Passages: Towards a Final-Form Reading of the Book of Isaiah: Tod Linafelt (Georgetown University).

15. Selections from I, He , We, They: A Literary Approach to Isaiah 53: David J. A. Clines (University of Sheffield).

16. Engaging Metaphors: Suffering with Zion and the Servant in Isaiah 52-53: Beverly J. Stratton (Augsburg College).

Matthew 5-7:.

17. Selections from John Chrysostom's Homilies on Matthew: Translated and Introduced by Robin Darling Young (The Catholic University of America).

18. Selections from Martin Luther's Sermons on the Sermon on the Mount: Translated and Introduced by Mark S. Burrows (Andover Newton Theological School).

19. Righteousness from the Inside: The Transformative Spirituality of the Sermon on the Mount: Brian K. Blount (Princeton Theological Seminary).

20. Selections from The Cost of Discipleship: Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Theologian, Pastor in the Confessing Church in Germany, Martyr, 1906-45).

21. The Sermon on the Mount as Radical Pastoral Care: Richard Lischer (Duke University).

Romans 9-11: .

22. Selections from Augustine's Propositions from the Epistle to the Romans and To Simplician - on Various Questions: Introduced by Peter Gorday (Georgia Association for Pastoral Care).

23. Selections from Thomas Aquinas's Commentary on Romans: Translated and Introduced by Eugene F. Rogers, Jr. (University of Virginia).

24. Romans 10:4 and the 'End' of the Law: Paul W. Meyer (Princeton Theological Seminary).

25. Divine Initiative and Human Response: E. Elizabeth Johnson (New Brunswick Theological Seminary).

26. Figure and Ground in the Interpretation of Romans 9-11: Neil Elliott (The College of St Katherine).

Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Steve Fowl has been both a pioneer and a leader in the return to theological interpretation. In this concise book, he offers us a truly theological and ecclesial account of theological interpretation. It is an inspiring, liberating, and practical work, encouraging all Christians to interpret Scripture so as to find our proper end in ever-deeper communion with God and one another in anticipation of the fullness of God's reign."
—Michael J. Gorman, author of Reading Paul (Cascade Books) and Inhabiting the Cruciform God

"In this brief companion we find a focused, clear account of major themes in Steve Fowl's approach as well as gracious interaction with the work of others and numerous illustrative appeals to Scripture itself. This is definitely a case in which less is more: attention to this little book will prove very fruitful for engagement in biblical interpretation as a theological practice."
—Daniel J. Treier, author of Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Recovering a Christian Practice

"Fowl here plays the role not only of companion but guide and host in this clear and compelling introduction to the most important turn-of-the-twentieth-century development in biblical interpretation. He argues that Christian readers should interpret the Bible with an overriding interest in God's interest in using the Bible to promote communion. He practices what he preaches: he is generous towards those with whom he disagrees and gives fair descriptions of other approaches to theological interpretation."
—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, general editor of the Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible

"Stephen E. Fowl's latest, Theological Interpretation of Scripture, displays gems in the treasure trove of the new-yet-venerable task: reading the Bible as Scripture of the Church. Fowl helps us to think theologically about reading Christian Scripture as the living voice of God. Fowl invites us into a 'cocktail party' with his conversation partners in this renewal of reading sacra scriptura for the Church's life and witness. Entirely accessible, thoroughly convincing, with a sense of adventure and hope. May his tribe increase!
—Rev. Kathryn Greene-McCreight, author of Galatians in the Brazos Theological Commentary Series (forthcoming).

Editorial Reviews

Steve Fowl has been both a pioneer and a leader in the return to theological interpretation. In this concise book, he offers us a truly theological and ecclesial account of theological interpretation. It is an inspiring, liberating, and practical work, encouraging all Christians to interpret Scripture so as to find our proper end in ever-deeper communion with God and one another in anticipation of the fullness of God's reign.
--Michael J. Gorman, author of Reading Paul (Cascade Books) and Inhabiting the Cruciform God

In this brief companion we find a focused, clear account of major themes in Steve Fowl's approach as well as gracious interaction with the work of others and numerous illustrative appeals to Scripture itself. This is definitely a case in which less is more: attention to this little book will prove very fruitful for engagement in biblical interpretation as a theological practice.
--Daniel J. Treier, author of Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Recovering a Christian Practice

Fowl here plays the role not only of companion but guide and host in this clear and compelling introduction to the most important turn-of-the-twentieth-century development in biblical interpretation. He argues that Christian readers should interpret the Bible with an overriding interest in God's interest in using the Bible to promote communion. He practices what he preaches: he is generous towards those with whom he disagrees and gives fair descriptions of other approaches to theological interpretation.
--Kevin J. Vanhoozer, general editor of the Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible

Stephen E. Fowl's latest, Theological Interpretation of Scripture, displays gems in the treasure trove of the new-yet-venerable task: reading the Bible as Scripture of the Church. Fowl helps us to think theologically about reading Christian Scripture as the living voice of God. Fowl invites us into a 'cocktail party' with his conversation partners in this renewal of reading sacra scriptura for the Church's life and witness. Entirely accessible, thoroughly convincing, with a sense of adventure and hope. May his tribe increase!
--Rev. Kathryn Greene-McCreight, author of Galatians in the Brazos Theological Commentary Series (forthcoming).

From the Publisher