Behind the Text: History and Biblical Interpretation - Scripture & Hermeneutics S.

Jacket Description/Back: Christianity believes in a God who acts in history. The Bible tells us the story of God's actions in Israel, culminating in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth and the spreading of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. The issue of history is thus unavoidable when it comes to reading the Bible Volume 4 of the Scripture and Hermeneutics Series looks at how history has dominated biblical studies under the guise of historical criticism. This book explores ways in which different views of history influence interpretation. It considers the implications of a theology of history for biblical exegesis, and in several case studies it relates these insights to particular texts. 'Few topics are more central to the task of biblical interpretation than history, and few books open up the subject in so illuminating and thought-provoking a manner as this splendid collection of essays and responses.' Hugh Williamson, Regius Professor of Hebrew, University of Oxford, England '. . . breaks new ground in its interdisciplinary examination of the methodology, presuppositions, practices and purposes of biblical hermeneutics, with a special emphasis on the relation of faith and history.' Eleonore Stump, Robert J. Henle Professor of Philosophy, Saint Louis University, United States 'This volume holds great promise for the full-fledged academic recovery of the Bible as Scripture. It embodies an unusual combination of world-class scholarship, historic Christian orthodoxy, bold challenges to conventional wisdom, and the launching of fresh new ideas.' Al Wolters, Professor of Religion and Theology, Redeemer University College, Ontario, Canada 'The essays presented here respect the need and fruitfulness of a critical historiography while beginning the much-needed process of correcting the philosophical tenets underlying much modern and postmodern biblical research. The result is a book that mediates a faith understanding, both theoretical and practical, of how to read the Bible authentically as a Christian today.' Francis Martin, Chair, Catholic-Jewish Theological Studies, John Paul II Cultural Center, Washington, D. C. Not only is history central to the biblical story, but from a Christian perspective history revolves around Jesus Christ. All roads of human activity before Christ lead up to him, and all roads after Christ connect with him. A concern with history and God's action in it is a central characteristic of the Bible. The Bible furnishes us with an account of God's interactions with people and with the nation of Israel that stretches down the timeline from creation to the early church. It tells us of real men, women, and children, real circumstances and events, real cultures, places, languages, and worldviews. And it shows us God at work in human affairs, revealing his character and heart through his activities. 'Behind' the Text examines the correlation between history and the Bible. For the scholar, student, and informed reader of the Bible, this volume highlights the importance of history for biblical interpretation, and looks at how history has and should influence interpretation. Marc Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 518-519) and indexes. Publisher Marketing: Christianity believes in a God who acts in history. The Bible tells us the story of God s actions in Israel, culminating in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth and the spreading of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. The issue of history is thus unavoidable when it comes to reading the Bible Volume 4 of the Scripture and Hermeneutics Series looks at how history has dominated biblical studies under the guise of historical criticism. This book explores ways in which different views of history influence interpretation. It considers the implications of a theology of history for biblical exegesis, and in several case studies it relates these insights to particular texts. Few topics are more central to the task of biblical interpretation than history, and few books open up the subject in so illuminating and thought-provoking a manner as this splendid collection of essays and responses. Hugh Williamson, Regius Professor of Hebrew, University of Oxford, England . . . breaks new ground in its interdisciplinary examination of the methodology, presuppositions, practices and purposes of biblical hermeneutics, with a special emphasis on the relation of faith and history. Eleonore Stump, Robert J. Henle Professor of Philosophy, Saint Louis University, United States This volume holds great promise for the full-fledged academic recovery of the Bible as Scripture. It embodies an unusual combination of world-class scholarship, historic Christian orthodoxy, bold challenges to conventional wisdom, and the launching of fresh new ideas. Al Wolters, Professor of Religion and Theology, Redeemer University College, Ontario, Canada The essays presented here respect the need and fruitfulness of a critical historiography while beginning the much-needed process of correcting the philosophical tenets underlying much modern and postmodern biblical research. The result is a book that mediates a faith understanding, both theoretical and practical, of how to read the Bible authentically as a Christian today. Francis Martin, Chair, Catholic-Jewish Theological Studies, John Paul II Cultural Center, Washington, D. C. Not only is history central to the biblical story, but from a Christian perspective history revolves around Jesus Christ. All roads of human activity before Christ lead up to him, and all roads after Christ connect with him. A concern with history and God s action in it is a central characteristic of the Bible. The Bible furnishes us with an account of God's interactions with people and with the nation of Israel that stretches down the timeline from creation to the early church. It tells us of real men, women, and children, real circumstances and events, real cultures, places, languages, and worldviews. And it shows us God at work in human affairs, revealing his character and heart through his activities. Behind the Text examines the correlation between history and the Bible. For the scholar, student, and informed reader of the Bible, this volume highlights the importance of history for biblical interpretation, and looks at how history has and should influence interpretation."

Contributor Bio:  Bartholomew, Craig G Craig G. Bartholomew (PhD, University of Bristol) is the H. Evan Runner Professor of Philosophy at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, and the principal of The Paideia Centre for Public Theology. He is the author of "Ecclesiastes" in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms series, an associate editor of "Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible", and the coauthor, with Michael W. Goheen, of "The Drama of Scripture" and "Living at the Crossroads". Contributor Bio:  Evans, Stephen C C. Stephen Evans. Born in Atlanta, Georgia; he received his Bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in 1969 and his Ph. D. from Yale University in philosophy in 1974. He is currently University Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at Baylor University His published works include fifteen books, among which are Faith Beyond Reason (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1998), The Historical Christ and the Jesus of Faith. The Incarnational Narrative as History (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996), and Passionate Reason. Making Sense of Kierkegaard's Philosophical Fragments (Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1992). More popular recent works include Why Believe? (Eerdmans) and Pocket Dictionary of Philosophy of Religion and Apologetics (InterVarsity Press). Contributor Bio:  Healy, Mary Healy is lecturer in Sacred Scripture at the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College in Alexandria, VA and Council Chairman of Mother of God Community, a lay Catholic community in Gaithersburg, MD. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, she earned masters degrees in Theology from Franciscan University in 1988 and in Philosophy from the Cathollc University of America in 1991. Contributor Bio:  Rae, Murray A Rae is Lecturer in Systematic Theology at King's College, London.