THEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE

REFLECTIONS FROM AN EVANGELICAL OLD TESTAMENT PERSPECTIVE

I am presenting a paper at ETS this year on the theological interpretation of Scripture from a biblical studies viewpoint. I'll be including most of the paper (minus the footnotes) over the next few posts; naturally, I would love to hear any feedback you might have! Follow the link below to see the bibliography.

The Theological Interpretation of Scripture (TIOS), focusing on the importance of the hermeneutical significance of the canon and reading the Bible in a theological manner, has been gaining popularity recently, giving rise to a variety of articles, books, and commentaries. But there has been little reflection from evangelical biblical scholars. Should evangelicals embrace TIOS? Should it cause them concern? This paper will give a short history of TIOS, present the beneficial aspects of TIOS for evangelical biblical scholars, discuss a few potentially unbalanced directions taken by some TIOS advocates, and briefly evaluate the recent TIOS commentaries in the Brazos and Two Horizons series from the perspective of evangelical biblical studies. My contention is that evangelicals should sympathize with much of TIOS, but the TIOS critique is not badly needed by evangelicals.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Adam, A. K. M. Faithful Interpretation: Reading the Bible in a Postmodern World. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2006.

Adam, A. K. M., Stephen E. Fowl, Kevin J. Vanhoozer, and Francis Watson. Reading Scripture with the Church: Toward a Hermeneutic for Theological Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006.

Barr, James. The Concept of Biblical Theology: An Old Testament Perspective. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999.

Bartholomew, Craig G. “Preface.” Pages ix-x in Canon and Biblical Interpretation. Edited by Craig Bartholomew, Scott Hahn, Robin Parry, Christopher Seitz, and Al Walters. Scripture and Hermeneutics Series 7. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.

Brueggemann, Walter. Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1997.

Childs, Brevard S. Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments: Theological Reflection on the Christian Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992.

Congdon, David W. “Review of Jaroslav Pelikan, Acts.” The Princeton Theological Review 14 (2008): 131-133.

Deines, Roland. “How Reliable is Doctrine Built on Exegetical Quicksand? Review of Jaroslav Pelikan, Acts.” Expository Times 119 (2007): 141-142.

Fowl, Stephen E. Engaging Scripture. Challenges in Contemporary Theology. Edited by Gareth Jones and Lewis Ayres. Malden, Mass: Blackwell, 1998.

---------. Philippians. The Two Horizons New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.

---------. “The Importance of a Multivoiced Literal Sense of Scripture.” Pages 35-50 in A. K. M. Adam, Stephen E. Fowl, Kevin J. Vanhoozer, and Francis Watson, Reading Scripture with the Church: Toward a Hermeneutic for Theological Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006.

Fuller, Daniel P. “Progressive Dispensationalism and the Law/Gospel Contrast: A Case Study in Biblical Theology.” Pages 237-249 in Biblical Theology: Retrospect & Prospect. Edited by Scott J. Hafemann. Leicester: Apollos, 2002.

Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. “Reading with the Subject: A Conversation with Angus Paddison” (review of Angus Paddison, Theological Hermeneutics and 1 Thessalonians). Journal of Theological Interpretation 1 (2007): 229-235.

Goldingay, John. “Biblical Narrative and Systematic Theology.” Pages 123-142 in Between Two Horizons: Spanning New Testament Studies and Systematic Theology. Edited by Joel B. Green and Max Turner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

---------. “Christ in/and the Old Testament.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. San Diego, November 17, 2007.

---------. Old Testament Theology.Vol 1: Israel’s Gospel. Downer’s Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003.

Gracia, Jorge J. E. “Meaning.” Pages 492-499 in Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Edited by Kevin J. Vanhoozer. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005.

Green, Joel B. 1 Peter. The Two Horizons New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007.

---------. “Commentary.” Pages 123-127 in Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Edited by Kevin J. Vanhoozer. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005.

---------. “Review of Jaroslav Pelikan, Acts.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 49 (2006): 852-853.

---------. “Scripture and Theology.” Pages 23-43 in Between Two Horizons: Spanning New Testament Studies and Systematic Theology. Edited by Joel B. Green and Max Turner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

Greene-McCreight, Kathryn. “Rule of Faith.” Pages 703-704 in Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Edited by Kevin J. Vanhoozer. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005.

Grogan, Geoffrey W. Psalms. The Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.

Hagner, Donald A. “Writing a Commentary on Matthew: Self-Conscious Ruminations of an Evangelical.” Semeia 72 (1995): 51-72.

Hart, Trevor. “Tradition, Authority, and a Christian Approach to the Bible as Scripture.” Pages 183-204 in Between Two Horizons: Spanning New Testament Studies and Systematic Theology. Edited by Joel B. Green and Max Turner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

Hauerwas, Stanley. Matthew. Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2006.

Howell, James. “Review of Anthony B. Robinson and Robert W. Wall, Called to be Church: The Book of Acts for a New Day and Jaroslav Pelikan, Acts.” Christian Century 123 (2006): 44-45.

Johnson, Luke Timothy. “Matthew or Stanley? Pick One.” Pro Ecclesia 17 (2008): 29-34.

Kim, Uriah Y. “Review of Peter Leithart, 1 & 2 Kings.” Reviews in Religion & Theology 14 (2007): 482-483.

Koskie, Steven. “Review Article: Seeking Comment: The Commentary and the Bible as Christian Scripture (Review of Stephen E. Fowl, Philippians; Jaroslav Pelikan, Acts; and Marianne Meye Thompson, Colossians and Philemon).” Journal of Theological Interpretation 1 (2007): 237-249.

Leithart, Peter J. 1 & 2 Kings. Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2006.

Mangina, Joseph L. “Hidden from the Wise, Revealed to Infants: Stanley Hauerwas's Commentary on Matthew.” Pro Ecclesia 17 (2008): 13-19.

McKeown, James. Genesis. The Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.

Möller, Karl. “The Nature and Genre of Biblical Theology: Some Reflections in the Light of Charles H. H. Scobie's 'Prolegomena to a Biblical Theology'.” Pages 41-64 in Out of Egypt: Biblical Theology and Biblical Interpretation. Edited by Craig Bartholomew, Mary Healy, Karl Möller, and Robin Parry, 2004.

Nolland, John. “Review of Stanley Hauerwas, Matthew.” Review of Biblical Literature 11 (2007). No pages. Cited December 13, 2007. Online: http://www.bookreviews.org/pdf/5839_6167.pdf.

Parry, Robin. “Prolegomena to Christian Theological Interpretation of Lamentations.” Pages 393-418 in Canon and Biblical Interpretation. Edited by Craig Bartholomew, Scott Hahn, Robin Parry, Christopher Seitz, and Al Wolters. Scripture and Hermeneutics Series 7. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.

Pelikan, Jaroslav. Acts. Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.

Rae, Murray. “Texts in Context: Scripture in the Divine Economy.” Journal of Theological Interpretation 1 (2007): 1-21.

Reese, Ruth Anne. 2 Peter and Jude. The Two Horizons New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007.

Reno, R. R. . “Biblical Theology and Theological Exegesis.” Pages 385-408 in Out of Egypt: Biblical Theology and Biblical Interpretation. Edited by Craig Bartholomew, Mary Healy, Karl Moller, and Robin Parry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004.

Scobie, Charles H. H. The Ways of our God: An Approach to Biblical Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

The Scripture Project. “Nine Theses on the Interpretation of Scripture.” Pages 1-8 in The Art of Reading Scripture. Edited by Ellen F. Davis and Richard B. Hays. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

Steinmetz, David C. “The Superiority of Pre-Critical Exegesis.” Pages 26-38 in The Theological Interpretation of Scripture. Edited by Stephen E. Fowl. Blackwell Readings in Modern Theology. Edited by L. Gregory Jones and James J. Buckley. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell, 1997.

Thompson, Marianne Meye. Colossians and Philemon. The Two Horizons New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.

Treier, Daniel J. “Biblical Theology and/or Theological Interpretation of Scripture?.” Scottish Journal of Theology 61 (2008): 16-31.

---------. Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Recovering a Christian Practice. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008.

Turner, Max. “Historical Criticism and Theological Hermeneutics of the New Testament.” Pages 44-70 in Between Two Horizons: Spanning New Testament Studies and Systematic Theology. Edited by Joel B. Green and Max Turner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

---------. “Review of Jaroslav Pelikan, Acts.” Pneuma 29 (2007): 349-350.

Turner, Max and Joel B. Green. “New Testament Commentary and Systematic Theology.” Pages 1-22 in Between Two Horizons: Spanning New Testament Studies and Systematic Theology. Edited by Joel B. Green and Max Turner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Is There a Meaning in This Text?: The Bible, the Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.

---------. “‘One Rule to Rule Them All?’ Theological Method in an Era of World Christianity.” Pages 85-126 in Globalizing Theology. Edited by Craig Ott and Harold A. Netland. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006.

---------. “What is Theological Interpretation of the Bible?” Pages 19-25 in Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Edited by Kevin J. Vanhoozer. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005.

Wall, Robert W. “Canoncial Context and Canonical Conversations.” Pages 165-182 in Between Two Horizons: Spanning New Testament Studies and Systematic Theology. Edited by Joel B. Green and Max Turner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

---------. “Reading the Bible from within Our Traditions: The “Rule of Faith” in Theological Hermeneutics.” Pages 88-107 in Between Two Horizons: Spanning New Testament Studies and Systematic Theology. Edited by Joel B. Green and Max Turner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

Wolters, Albert M. “Confessional Criticism and the Night Visions of Zechariah.” Edited by Craig Bartholomew, Colin Greene, and Karl Möller. Renewing Biblical Interpretation (2000): 90-122.

Wright, Christopher J. H. Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 2004.

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