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Praise Seeking Understanding: Reading the Psalms with Augustine
Praise Seeking Understanding sits at the intersection of three important fields in theological exegesis, Augustinian studies, and contemporary church practice. Jason Byassee deftly brings the three together, revealing an important symbiotic relationship between them -- a relationship hitherto largely ignored.
Though current exegetical methods have swung away from a Christological reading of the Old Testament -- rejecting in particular Augustine's treatment of the text -- Byassee believes that is a mistake we must remedy. Using a recent translation of Augustine's Enarrationes in Psalmos , Byassee describes in depth Augustine's psalm hermeneutic and his approach to scripture generally, offering a defense of these views in conversation with recent work in theological exegesis.
Though current exegetical methods have swung away from a Christological reading of the Old Testament -- rejecting in particular Augustine's treatment of the text -- Byassee believes that is a mistake we must remedy. Using a recent translation of Augustine's Enarrationes in Psalmos , Byassee describes in depth Augustine's psalm hermeneutic and his approach to scripture generally, offering a defense of these views in conversation with recent work in theological exegesis.
- GenresTheology
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 27, 2023
One of my favorite books on Augustine. Have some disagreements here and there, but this is an incredible book showing you how to see Christ in the Psalms like Augustine.
October 24, 2023
I read this book to understand more of Augustine’s reading of the Psalms - specifically how it pertains to prosopological exegesis. Byassee was helpful in this way in one or two of his chapters. The book isn’t the easiest read (rather academic) and I’d be more charitable to the reformed tradition and exegetes. But overall a helpful book on Augustine’s Bible reading and how we could learn from him as moderns/post-moderns. Some of Byassee’s comments on allegory were challenging (especially because of my theological training that largely condemned the method).
3.75/5
3.75/5
December 12, 2020
I didn’t think I would like this book that much, but I actually really enjoyed it. I’m not completely convinced that back to allegory is the way to go, but historical theology, high regard for God’s word and focusing on Christ are great take aways. For me personally, I loved how Augustine links Christ and the church as one. Byassee really opened that up for me.
September 8, 2020
It is a commentary on reading the biblical scripture through Saint Augustines eyes. Jason goes into all the difficulties and learning experiences one has about reading scripture.
April 21, 2014
This is my second time reading this book. I first read it a few years ago in a fairly intense burst of reading about patristics. I encountered in my local theological library and was intrigued by the subject matter. It was worth the read and still is, the second time through.
Byassee's main point is a call to return to using allegory for the Psalms, first of all, but the rest of the Bible while we are at it. So, he uses St. Augustine's Ennarationes of the Psalms as a kind of template for the kind of Biblical reading that he think the modern church needs. Without dismissing the historical-critical methods of Biblical exegesis which have emerged in the last century or two, Byassee argues that that style of exegesis simply doesn't go far enough and that the kind of allegorical/spiritual readings of St. Augustine aren't meant to replace a literal reading, but rather to delight and create a different aesthetic to Biblical reading. I'm sympathetic to that approach because I do think that we've made the reading of the Bible too much of a specialist skill and we need to return to a Bible which calls to our imaginations. Byassee's call is part of that return to a Christian imagination that can be seen in Christian writers these days.
As a caveat, this is a re-worked PhD thesis and still bears the mark of that in, occasionally, very technical theological vocabulary. I don't have a serious problem with that as I recognize that that vocabulary is often more expressive than the alternatives which is why it was adopted in the first place. Still, it does make the reading a bit slow as it it takes a while to decipher for someone who isn't a specialist. I should note, however, that Byassee's writing is still engaging and readable, so he never reaches the level of impenetrability that other theologians manage.
That caveat aside, this is a book which should be read more, if only to help people get over their allegory-phobia. We need all the senses of Scripture, I believe, if we are take the Bible seriously and if we are going to communicate the wonder that is Scripture.
Byassee's main point is a call to return to using allegory for the Psalms, first of all, but the rest of the Bible while we are at it. So, he uses St. Augustine's Ennarationes of the Psalms as a kind of template for the kind of Biblical reading that he think the modern church needs. Without dismissing the historical-critical methods of Biblical exegesis which have emerged in the last century or two, Byassee argues that that style of exegesis simply doesn't go far enough and that the kind of allegorical/spiritual readings of St. Augustine aren't meant to replace a literal reading, but rather to delight and create a different aesthetic to Biblical reading. I'm sympathetic to that approach because I do think that we've made the reading of the Bible too much of a specialist skill and we need to return to a Bible which calls to our imaginations. Byassee's call is part of that return to a Christian imagination that can be seen in Christian writers these days.
As a caveat, this is a re-worked PhD thesis and still bears the mark of that in, occasionally, very technical theological vocabulary. I don't have a serious problem with that as I recognize that that vocabulary is often more expressive than the alternatives which is why it was adopted in the first place. Still, it does make the reading a bit slow as it it takes a while to decipher for someone who isn't a specialist. I should note, however, that Byassee's writing is still engaging and readable, so he never reaches the level of impenetrability that other theologians manage.
That caveat aside, this is a book which should be read more, if only to help people get over their allegory-phobia. We need all the senses of Scripture, I believe, if we are take the Bible seriously and if we are going to communicate the wonder that is Scripture.
January 10, 2017
I don't even know how this book came my way, but I started reading it while preparing for a talk on the Liturgy of the Hours, and boy, am I glad! It's a rather scholarly treatment of Augustine's approach to the interpretation of the psalms, something that has been of late more frequently the subject of ivory-tower snickering than of serious investigation. To tell you the truth, I am running out of those nice little Post-It tabs that I am so devoted to in marking parts I want to copy for myself or incorporate in one or another presentations.
While contemporary scripture scholars focus on the historical-critical approach, seeking the historically "literal" meaning of the books of the Bible, Augustine makes use of allegory, imagination and above all, beauty, to move the hearts of his hearers. The ancient bishop was not writing for peer review: he was preparing homilies!
I recommend this book especially to priests and deacons, and any who pray the Liturgy of the Hours on a consistent basis. In some pages, it will be a hard slog (as Augustine himself can be), but I am confident you will find it well worth the effort!
While contemporary scripture scholars focus on the historical-critical approach, seeking the historically "literal" meaning of the books of the Bible, Augustine makes use of allegory, imagination and above all, beauty, to move the hearts of his hearers. The ancient bishop was not writing for peer review: he was preparing homilies!
I recommend this book especially to priests and deacons, and any who pray the Liturgy of the Hours on a consistent basis. In some pages, it will be a hard slog (as Augustine himself can be), but I am confident you will find it well worth the effort!
November 5, 2014
Powerful argument for a contemporary renaissance of allegorical interpretation of the Bible.
June 10, 2016
Highly recommend, especially for those who are interested in breaking out of the mold of modernist hermeneutics. And there are some truly lovely sentences throughout as well.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews