History of Biblical Interpretation

by Yarchin, William

• ISBN13: 9780801039805
• ISBN10: 0801039800
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-04-01
• Publisher: Baker Academic

Summary

What questions do interpreters ask of Scripture and how have those questions changed over time? History of Biblical Interpretation starts at 150 BCE and moves to the present in exploring the major developments and principal approaches to interpreting the Bible. Thirty-four chapters survey the most significant methods and provide introductions to the prominent people who exemplify them. Each chapter also presents an original document that demonstrates this person's interpretational approach and includes a reference bibliography for further reading. Whether used as a textbook or in individual study, this excellent introduction to the history of biblical interpretation will open new doors for students of the Bible, theology, and church history.

Author Biography

William Yarchin (PhD, Claremont Graduate School) is the Dean's Endowed Professor of Biblical Studies in the Haggard School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Introduction: The History of Biblical Interpretation	p. xi
Prerabbinic Jewish Interpretation (150 B.C.E.-70 C.E.)
Ancient Greek Translation of Hebrew Scriptures: The Aristeas Legend	p. 3
Biblical Commentary in the Dead Sea Scrolls	p. 9
Philosophical Allegory: Philo of Alexandria	p. 18
Patristic Interpretation and Its Legacy (150-1500 C.E.)
Christian Fulfillment of Prophecy: Justin Martyr	p. 31
Penetrating the Inner Meaning of Scripture: Origen	p. 41
Principles for Typological Interpretation: Tyconius	p. 51
Figurative, Literal, and Christian Meanings from Scripture: Augustine	p. 61
Anchoring the Text in History: Early Syrian Biblical Interpretation: Theodore of Mopsuestia and Theodoret of Cyrus	p. 76
Spiritual Application of the Bible: Gregory the Great	p. 86
How Can a Text Bear Multiple Meanings? Thomas Aquinas	p. 93
Medieval Recognition of the Literal Sense: Nicholas of Lyra and the Glossa ordinaria on Psalm 23	p. 97
Rabbinic Interpretation and Its Legacy (150-1500 C.E.)
An Overview of the Classical Jewish Interpretive Tradition	p. 111
Halakic Interpretation of the Scriptures: Sabbath Law in Exodus 31:12-17; The Mekilta of Rabbi Ishmael; The Palestinian Talmud, Tractate Yoma 8.3-5; Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaqi (Rashi); Rabbi Moses ben Nahman (Ramban, Nahmanides)	p. 121
Haggadic Interpretation of the Scriptures: Psalm 23 in the Yalqut Shim'oni	p. 140
Systematically Philosophical Jewish Exegesis: Sa'adia ben Joseph	p. 149
Modern Interpretation (1500-Present)
Renaissance Scholarship: Psalm 23 in Critici sacri	p. 171
Allegory, Authorial Intent, and Christian Doctrine: John Calvin	p. 184
Enlightenment Rationality for Understanding Scripture: Baruch Spinoza	p. 195
Renewing the Jewish Past to Engage with the Present: Moses Mendelssohn	p. 208
Historical Criticism Rigorously Applied to the Gospels: David Friedrich Strauss	p. 218
Recognizing Genres in Scripture: Hermann Gunkel	p. 236
Searching for the Origins of the Jesus Tradition: Rudolph Bultmann	p. 249
Archaeology and Biblical Interpretation: William F. Albright	p. 260
Disconnection between Ancient and Modern Worldviews: Langdon Gilkey	p. 276
Salvation History and Modern Historiography: Christian Hartlich	p. 290
Late Modern Interpretation (1970-Present)
Canonical Interpretation: Brevard Childs	p. 307
The Wisdom of the Fathers: David C. Steinmetz	p. 320
Jews, Christians, and Theological Interpretation of the Bible: Jon Levenson	p. 333
The Illusion of Objective Biblical Interpretation: Walter Wink	p. 351
Rhetorical Interpretation of the Bible's Literature: Phyllis Trible	p. 361
Nonobjective Validity in Literary Biblical Interpretation: Edgar V. McKnight	p. 375
Unmasking Ideologies in Biblical Interpretation: Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza	p. 383
Biblical Rhetoric and Revelation: Dale Patrick	p. 398
The Multiple Voices of Postmodern Biblical Interpretation: Fernando F. Segovia	p. 415
Timelines	p. 430
Author Index	p. 433
Scripture Index	p. 439
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