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Trinity, Revelation, and Reading: A Theological Introduction to the Bible and Its Interpretation
Trinity, Revelation, and Reading (TRR) is a theological introduction to the Bible and biblical interpretation. The overarching thesis is that neither the Bible nor biblical hermeneutics can be understood or practiced properly apart from an appreciation of their relationship to the triune God and his gracious economy of redemption. Scott Swain treats the role of the Word in the saving economy of the triune God, the role and status of Scripture as the Word of God, the nature of biblical reading as a covenantal enterprise, as well as a host of other related topics. These topics are addressed by way of a constructive appropriation, or ressourcement, of many of the themes of patristic theology and early Protestant divinity (esp. Reformed Orthodoxy), while building upon the work of important contemporary theologians as well (e.g., Karl Barth, John Webster, Kevin Vanhoozer). The ultimate goal of this study is that readers will appreciate better the ways in which biblical interpretation is an aspect of their covenantal engagement with the triune God.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
17 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Scott R. Swain
35 books44 followersDr. Scott R. Swain is President and James Woodrow Hassell Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Swain has served on the RTS faculty since 2006, having previously taught at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
His main research interests include the doctrine of God, theological interpretation of Scripture, and modern Protestant theology, and he has published a number of books and essays on these topics. With Dr. Michael Allen, he serves as general editor of two series: Zondervan Academic’s New Studies in Dogmatics and T & T Clark’s International Theological Commentary.
Dr. Swain is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America. He and his wife, Leigh, have four children.
His main research interests include the doctrine of God, theological interpretation of Scripture, and modern Protestant theology, and he has published a number of books and essays on these topics. With Dr. Michael Allen, he serves as general editor of two series: Zondervan Academic’s New Studies in Dogmatics and T & T Clark’s International Theological Commentary.
Dr. Swain is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America. He and his wife, Leigh, have four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 24, 2022
A wonderful book, whose title might be more fitting as the Doctrine of Scripture. His Chapter 3 should be a must read for any interpreter of Scripture.
October 4, 2019
"What roles do Holy Scripture and the reading of Holy Scripture play within the unfolding drama of the commerce and communion between God and humanity? This is the question which this book seeks to answer." (p. 1)
A brief and incisive development of a theology of reading the Bible by Dr. Scott Swain. The central thesis of the book is that "we may best appreciate the theological significance of the Bible and biblical interpretation if we understand these two themes in a trinitarian, covenantal context." (p. 7) In Scripture, God Himself speaks, communicating Christ and covenant to faithful readers. Faithful exegesis is a labor of love and attention. In a humble and prayerful posture, we come to the text to encounter the Author of the text, so that we are shaped more and more into his image as we respond with praise and love towards the infinitely blessed God.
"Reading [the Bible] is a living conversation between an eloquent Lord and his attentive servants, a conversation in which the reader is summoned to hear what the Spirit of Christ says to the churches (Rev. 2.7)." (p.139)
A brief and incisive development of a theology of reading the Bible by Dr. Scott Swain. The central thesis of the book is that "we may best appreciate the theological significance of the Bible and biblical interpretation if we understand these two themes in a trinitarian, covenantal context." (p. 7) In Scripture, God Himself speaks, communicating Christ and covenant to faithful readers. Faithful exegesis is a labor of love and attention. In a humble and prayerful posture, we come to the text to encounter the Author of the text, so that we are shaped more and more into his image as we respond with praise and love towards the infinitely blessed God.
"Reading [the Bible] is a living conversation between an eloquent Lord and his attentive servants, a conversation in which the reader is summoned to hear what the Spirit of Christ says to the churches (Rev. 2.7)." (p.139)
July 30, 2024
Probably needs 6 stars. Incredibly economic use of words to explain in-depth theological concepts at a readable pace. This is an underutilized book.
September 14, 2017
Really a very helpful book.
"The best way to become a good reader of the Bible is to become a reader of the Bible."
This probably represents among the best of the Theological Interpretation of Scripture school of thought (TIS). Swain does an excellent job of stepping through how the illumination of the Spirit, reason, and the aid of the believing community help us to understand Scripture, while maintaining the final authority of Scripture above other aids at the same time. He also demonstrates well how the Scripture is a servant to enable us to know God and glorify Christ--not an end in itself.
My one critique is that in literally the final page of the last chapter, he states that one of the most fitting corporate scriptural applications is the observation of the sacraments. I take issue not because I think that baptism and the Lord's supper are sign-oaths of the new covenant we have through Christ--they point out promises of the covenant, but they are not the substance of the covenant itself. Though perhaps I'm misunderstanding his point, since he only addresses this in passing in conclusion.
Though it's only around 140 pages, the content is both dense and lucid. Particularly in the early chapters, it is clear that Swain has labored over almost every single sentence so that it says as much as possible in as little space, and generally in very accessible language.
"The best way to become a good reader of the Bible is to become a reader of the Bible."
This probably represents among the best of the Theological Interpretation of Scripture school of thought (TIS). Swain does an excellent job of stepping through how the illumination of the Spirit, reason, and the aid of the believing community help us to understand Scripture, while maintaining the final authority of Scripture above other aids at the same time. He also demonstrates well how the Scripture is a servant to enable us to know God and glorify Christ--not an end in itself.
My one critique is that in literally the final page of the last chapter, he states that one of the most fitting corporate scriptural applications is the observation of the sacraments. I take issue not because I think that baptism and the Lord's supper are sign-oaths of the new covenant we have through Christ--they point out promises of the covenant, but they are not the substance of the covenant itself. Though perhaps I'm misunderstanding his point, since he only addresses this in passing in conclusion.
Though it's only around 140 pages, the content is both dense and lucid. Particularly in the early chapters, it is clear that Swain has labored over almost every single sentence so that it says as much as possible in as little space, and generally in very accessible language.
August 8, 2020
This is far and away the best introductory volume on hermeneutics I've ever read. Swain does a glorious and necessary work in helping the reader see the grace of God in the gift of Scripture, and to be spellbound by the perfections of God in his Holy Word. This book suffers from a fairly limited print run, so it's a bit on the expensive side for such a short read, and it's a bit technical (but in no way oppressively so), but will repay the careful reader many, many, MANY times over. This book will break your heart with the beauty and wonder of God and His Word.
April 18, 2025
Every other chapter was to set up the last chapter. Prose is constantly subordinating itself to itself, if you know what I'm trying to say. Too many italics for my taste. But the last chapter is gold. Or at least silver.
June 2, 2025
Scott Swain is built different. Super sharp. Every page packed with theological precision. This isn’t one I could hand to any lay Christian, but it is one of those books that’s a must-read for those who want to grow in learning to read and interpret Scripture well. Easy five stars.
September 4, 2019
A nice little volume exploring theological prolegomena.
August 31, 2024
My favorite required RTS reading so far, and one I hope to re-read. “Exegesis is loving God enough to stop and listen carefully to what he says." p. 128
March 11, 2024
Excellent.
Read
May 21, 2025Better the second time
June 16, 2022
As I prepared teaching notes, I pulled this off my shelf and began leafing through it, looking for a specific quote. Upon finding the quote, I was convinced that I should reread this, stunned once again at the brilliance of Swain's work. This truly is a tremendous little book on the nature of Scripture and how that impresses itself upon our reading of Scripture. This is perhaps my favorite book on theological interpretation of Scripture.
According to Swain, biblical interpretation takes place in a trinitarian and covenantal context. Thus, we are not simply readers of Scripture, but those read by it, addressed by the divine Subject, "called to loving attention and fellowship" (7). Scripture is the chief means through which the Triune God establishes friendship with those who have rejected Him. Reading is, therefore (pulling from Webster), an act of covenant mutuality, the state to which humans are restored after regeneration. On this understanding, we must read Scripture according to its nature and purpose, not merely as a book, but as a King's address. Reading is a conversation, then, and interpretation is the loving work of those who have heeded the summons to friendship and love.
The book is filled with brilliant reflections. One of my favorites, however, is Swain's four phases (phases of a single, multi-dimensional act, he says) of biblical interpretation. Of the first phase, prayer, he writes the following:
"Prayer is the most rational possible course of action for the Christian reader of Holy Scripture . . . The sheer magnitude of scriptural teaching alone makes our calling [as readers] impossible apart from divine assistance. Add this to our innate blindness, our fallen will and passions, and our tendency toward sloth in this calling and the desperate nature of our situation as readers becomes quite clear. If there is to be any possibility of success in reading Holy Scripture, the Spirit of truth and light must shine upon us: opening our eyes, renewing our wills, and awakening us to action." (126)
A skilled interpreter of Scripture is a humble man/woman of prayer.
Read this book!
According to Swain, biblical interpretation takes place in a trinitarian and covenantal context. Thus, we are not simply readers of Scripture, but those read by it, addressed by the divine Subject, "called to loving attention and fellowship" (7). Scripture is the chief means through which the Triune God establishes friendship with those who have rejected Him. Reading is, therefore (pulling from Webster), an act of covenant mutuality, the state to which humans are restored after regeneration. On this understanding, we must read Scripture according to its nature and purpose, not merely as a book, but as a King's address. Reading is a conversation, then, and interpretation is the loving work of those who have heeded the summons to friendship and love.
The book is filled with brilliant reflections. One of my favorites, however, is Swain's four phases (phases of a single, multi-dimensional act, he says) of biblical interpretation. Of the first phase, prayer, he writes the following:
"Prayer is the most rational possible course of action for the Christian reader of Holy Scripture . . . The sheer magnitude of scriptural teaching alone makes our calling [as readers] impossible apart from divine assistance. Add this to our innate blindness, our fallen will and passions, and our tendency toward sloth in this calling and the desperate nature of our situation as readers becomes quite clear. If there is to be any possibility of success in reading Holy Scripture, the Spirit of truth and light must shine upon us: opening our eyes, renewing our wills, and awakening us to action." (126)
A skilled interpreter of Scripture is a humble man/woman of prayer.
Read this book!
September 8, 2017
This is a clear, concise, well-written, and very helpful academic work on what the Bible is and how it should be read. Scott Swain seeks to trace and unpack the roles Scripture and its interpretation play "within the unfolding drama of the commerce and communion between God and humanity" (1). His central thesis is that "we may best appreciate the theological significance of the Bible and biblical interpretation if we understand these two themes in a trinitarian, covenantal context" (8).
Chapter one discusses the Triune God's revelatory word and its historical progression and unfolding. Chapter two considers the role that Scripture, God's special written revelation, plays in the unfolding economy of God's kingdom. Chapter three focuses on the inspiration and perfection of Scripture, which Swain describes as "Scripture's fitness to carry out its role within the divine economy of salvation" (13). Specifically he deals with its authority, truthfulness, sufficiency, clarity, and inerrancy. Finally, in chapters four and five Swain moves from the Bible to discuss biblical interpretation as an "act of covenant mutuality." Here he deals with the role of the Spirit in regenerating and illuminating the reader of Scripture, the role of the church in interpretation, concluding with the more practical side of reading and interpreting Scripture.
Overall, Swain has provided us with a dense yet coherent theological introduction to the Bible and its interpretation. His concise outlines of the Trinity, the doctrine of Scripture, and redemptive history are worth the price of the book. He says in a few pages what others would write entire volumes on. Highly recommended.
Chapter one discusses the Triune God's revelatory word and its historical progression and unfolding. Chapter two considers the role that Scripture, God's special written revelation, plays in the unfolding economy of God's kingdom. Chapter three focuses on the inspiration and perfection of Scripture, which Swain describes as "Scripture's fitness to carry out its role within the divine economy of salvation" (13). Specifically he deals with its authority, truthfulness, sufficiency, clarity, and inerrancy. Finally, in chapters four and five Swain moves from the Bible to discuss biblical interpretation as an "act of covenant mutuality." Here he deals with the role of the Spirit in regenerating and illuminating the reader of Scripture, the role of the church in interpretation, concluding with the more practical side of reading and interpreting Scripture.
Overall, Swain has provided us with a dense yet coherent theological introduction to the Bible and its interpretation. His concise outlines of the Trinity, the doctrine of Scripture, and redemptive history are worth the price of the book. He says in a few pages what others would write entire volumes on. Highly recommended.
February 5, 2022
A theological tapestry that shows nuanced understanding, deep reading, creative insights and faithful analysis. Swain does it again and provides one of the best books on a theological ontology of scripture and it’s reading. Scripture is a covenant document. The triune God himself, communicates himself in both OT and NT as a means to not only communicate but have communion with his beloved people. It is the Fathers preaching of the Son in the power of the Spirit. The Bible according to Swain isn’t some ancillary document that should be used for inspiration, but rather functions in the divine economy. As “Gods Word” it has progressively developed to be the means of transmitting his covenantal kingdom generationally and geographically. Also, his insights at the end about biblical interpretation were worth the price of the book!
October 11, 2025
Excellent introduction to the theological interpretation of the Bible within a Trinitarian and covenantal relational framework. As Swain writes in the introduction: "In dealing with the Bible interpretively, we are not rational subjects dealing with an inert object; we are instead rational subjects addressed by the divine Subject and called to loving attention
and fellowship." The chapter which treats the ways the covenant community shapes our attention and interpretative capacities is also very helpful.
and fellowship." The chapter which treats the ways the covenant community shapes our attention and interpretative capacities is also very helpful.
September 20, 2019
While not perhaps the most accessible introductions to the doctrine of Scripture, I think this may be one of the best. Swain brings immensely helpful insights from covenant theology and speech-act theory to shine theological light on the role of Scripture in the life of the Church. Although it's labelled an "introduction", there's enough substance here to warrant attention from seasoned theologians.
November 1, 2019
One of my favorite books assigned in seminary. Swain walks the reader through the theological backdrop behind the act of reading the Bible. Moving from the doctrine of God, to the doctrine of Scripture to interpretation, he greatly enriches the practice of public and private scripture reading!
November 8, 2022
This was an interesting book about how we should look at the Bible and translate it in a way that is true to the original reader of the text. I'm not sure that I agree with every point, but there are some pithy points which should help the reader as they look at and try to interpret Scripture.
July 16, 2023
An excellent book! I found myself highlighting a lot of portions of this. Pulling from the best of the Reformed tradition, this book made me appreciate the Trinity, the Scriptures, and our relationship to both.
July 10, 2018
Rewarding--rich and personal, it made my mouth water to read God's word and draw closer to him.
October 19, 2018
Most definitely one of the best books I’ve read all year.
September 29, 2019
Swain argues that how we read and interact with the Bible must be shaped by what the Bible is and shows how God communicates Christ and covenant and befriends us through His word.
June 24, 2020
Awesome book!
Great for pastors and lay leaders alike! Read this and be reminded of Gods love in the revelation of scripture.
Great for pastors and lay leaders alike! Read this and be reminded of Gods love in the revelation of scripture.
August 30, 2020
Fantastaclese!
March 6, 2022
Fantastic!
September 26, 2022
Dense and scholarly but so good!
February 8, 2023
Will need to do more research into TiS. But this book is solid, and provides a great theological foundation for approaching hermeneutics rightly.
December 12, 2023
I was supposed to finish this in October🗿
October 9, 2024
A helpful guide for a healthy interpretation of the Bible. In a time where Christians tend to lean away from theology, Swain helps us embrace the fact that we can’t get away from it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews