Spirit and Scripture: Exploring a Pneumatic Hermeneutic

Description

This book considers the academic treatment of biblical interpretation in the renewal movement, the fastest growing tradition in Christendom today. The initial chapter surveys the history of biblical interpretation in the renewal tradition and provides a conceptual basis for the book. In Part II, six renewal scholars outline a proposal for the future of biblical hermeneutics in the tradition. These authors address certain key questions. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in biblical interpretation? What are the distinctive presuppositions, methods and goals of renewal biblical hermeneutics? Three prominent biblical scholars (Craig G. Bartholomew, James D.G. Dunn, R. Walter L. Moberly) respond to the proposals outlined above. These critical responses deepen the examination of renewal biblical hermeneutics as well as increase its appeal to biblical and theological scholars in general. The final chapter offers a synthesis and evaluation of the accomplishments of the discussion, as well as an assessment of the state of the discipline with an eye toward the future.

Kevin L. Spawn (D.Phil., Oxford University) is Associate Professor of Old Testament at the School of Divinity, Regent University and is author of "As It Is Written" and Other Citation Formulae in the Old Testament: Their Use, Development, Syntax and Significance (2002). Archie T. Wright (Ph.D., Durham University) is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at the School of Divinity, Regent University and is the author of The Origin of Evil Spirits (2005).

The genius of this book lies in the atmosphere of inquiry it evokes, of significant questions raised and provisional answers proffered. Its six foundational essays reflect a diversity of perspectives rather than a monolithic or myopic point of view, while the responses to these essays by its sympathetic interlocutors, Craig Bartholomew, Jimmy Dunn, and Walter Moberly-contributions alone worth the price of the book-lodge incisive critiques, to which the Pentecostal and charismatic authors of the original essays offer further responses. Though not the first word on the subject and certainly not the last, according to both authors and critics in this volume, this is nonetheless a substantial, scholarly word that should be pivotal in the ongoing effort to carve out a sane and spirit-filled approach to the interpretation of scripture.' -- John R. Levison, Professor of New Testament, Seattle Pacific University, and author of Filled with the Spirit (2009) I warmly commend these essays as what Moberly calls "a first step" in this crucially important dialogue. Much is a forceful defence of Christian "Confessional" exegesis and hermeneutics. In contrast to one or two recent articles which disparage some authors as "not one of us", this volume is eirenical and constructive, not least in providing three good balancing responsive essays. -- Anthony C. Thiselton, Universities of Nottingham and Chester, UK. Summarized. * New Testament Abstracts *