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| December, 2005 |
| Introduction to Ancient Christian Exegetes |
| Happy Birthday to Me |
| Posted by Brian Beers at 12/23/2005 6:30:00 PM (2 comments left) |
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For my birthday I received the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture Volume IV – Joshua through 2nd Samuel. Through seminary I spent many hours in these books under the tutelage of Dr. Vreeland. He may eschew responsibility for my conclusions, but feel free to blame him any way. Having spent time in the former prophets I am eager to interact with Ambrose, Athanasius, and the others. The ways these men interpreted and applied Scripture shaped doctrine and defined how the church approached for generations. Their methods and conclusions are often different and even at odds with current exegetical standards. This allows us to examine our own methods and assumptions, learning and gaining wisdom for our own exegesis. Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk describes theology as an ongoing conversation spanning millennia. I invite you to listen in and even participate in a conversation with these ancient scholars. |
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I will select various passages and discuss the interpretations given by the church fathers. We will find points of agreement as well as disagreement as we discuss the Scriptures. Where we agree I will delve into the principles supporting this exegesis and how it contributes to faithful interpretation of Scripture. When there is disagreement I will examine what has caused us to revise our interpretation. This will lead us into discussion about the nature and purpose of Scripture in general, the relationships between the Old and New Testaments as well as the contributions made by related disciplines such as literary studies and archaeology. In all I hope that we will gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of interpreting Scripture. |