Befriending Scripture

Unspoken Assumptions in Theological Hermeneutics

Current discussions about theological hermeneutics are often based on unspoken assumptions regarding the nature of Scripture, the role of tradition, and the relationship between text and reader. These assumptions influence how Scripture is interpreted within both the Church and academic settings.

Cultures of Reading in the Church and Academy

Presently, the Church and the academy engage with various cultures of reading, including historical-critical methods, literary approaches, and ideological readings. These cultures shape the way Scripture is understood and taught, often emphasizing particular interpretive frameworks over others.

Ideal Cultures of Reading

Ideally, cultures of reading should foster a holistic approach that integrates historical, literary, theological, and spiritual dimensions. Such an approach would promote a more nuanced and faithful engagement with Scripture, emphasizing its theological foundations and spiritual significance.

Rowlands' Contribution to Theological Hermeneutics

Jonathan Rowlands, in Befriending Scripture, highlights that modern biblical hermeneutics has insufficiently addressed the foundations of theological reading. He argues that for meaningful progress, the very foundations of what it means to read theologically must be reexamined and articulated anew.

Topics Addressed by Rowlands

Rowlands discusses Scripture's ontology, biblical hermeneutics, literary theory, antisemitism, historiography, and spiritual formation. His work mediates between historical and theological approaches, offering a vision for a theological reading that bridges disciplinary divides.