Practicing Theological Interpretation (Theological Explorations for the Church Catholic): Engaging Biblical Texts for Faith and Formation

Theological Explorations for the Church Catholic

by Joel B. Green

A widely recognized biblical scholar demonstrates both the practice of theological interpretation and the fruitfulness of this approach to biblical texts.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Joel B. Green (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of New Testament interpretation and associate dean of the Center for Advanced Theological Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Prior to moving to Fuller, he taught at Asbury Theological Seminary for ten years. He is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Theological Interpretation and has authored or edited numerous books, including the Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics.

Reviews

[Michael Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled to rate this a 3 or 4, probably because it is a 3.5.

I began this book 3-4 years ago but set it down and never revisited it. A good and trusted friend recommended it. I have encountered TIS in various other books over the years and would loosely place myself in that camp. Finishing this book further reinforced the growth I want to see in myself in my communication and confidence in the purpose of the Bible as Christian Scripture--and to be confidently read that way in our Churches. Further detoxing myself from the strong influences of historical-critical/historical-grammatical approaches to Scripture has been a journey. In that vein, I picked this back up mid-way to finish this work last night.

This book is a solid introduction to the problems with the historical-critical method and how the Theological Interpretation of Scripture as a disposition and approach is a needed corrective. The author does well on the following points:

- Historical-Criticism as the approach to hermeneutics is problematic and limited
- Theological Interpretation of Scripture does not ignore historical concerns and questions but uses them to hear the full voice of Scripture
- Makes the case that the "audience" of the Bible is not primarily the original historical audience but God's people who share the dispositions, beliefs, and visions that the text is calling to. Thus, making the text's audience all of God's people past, present, and future rather than just the "original audience".
- Correct interpretation and the search for the "meaning" of the text should not be one that focuses on objective historical analysis to find the one meaning in the text. But, interpretation and Christian reading, should search for a variety of meanings that are understood and found under the text through a shared disposition/belief about the text. That disposition could be boiled down to: God is revealing Himself to His Church to transform us in Christ. So whatever understandings of the text that move us toward transformation and agreement with the God who authored it--are interpretations that are moving in the right direction.
- His Afterward summarizing the book is just as valuable as the rest of the book. It summarizes his understanding of the work and skeleton of TIS: Theological Claims, Theological Dispositions, Theological Horizons, and Theological Methods.

Here are a few reasons why the book was not in the 4-5 rating range in my opinion:

- His chapters, writing, and purpose can be confusing. At times he seems to be focused on SHOWING TIS but then falls into vague explanations of TIS as a whole.
- His interpretations of texts showing his method become too bogged down in defending his reading of the text. Rather than understanding his method I walked away processing his arguments and interpretations of each text he uses as a case study.
- At times he seems to linger toward a subjective or reader-response approach to interpretation. Only reading his Afterward did I see that this is not the case. But, throughout his work, I found myself concerned that meaning and the text were almost subjective and that the text could be interpreted any way you see fit. This is not the case but his writing and approach to the issues could easily lead one to think he intended that.

Overall, I am glad I read it and feel inspired to speak and teach differently regarding the interpretation and Christian reading of the text. But, I do believe this book could have been improved.

[Eddie LaRow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Author needed a better thorough line for the book. Each chapter felt distinct. A few good tidbits sprinkled throughout.

[Sooho Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Joel B. Green, first as a person and second as a scholar. And now I'm a fan of theological interpretation.

Theological interpretation is a less carefully defined method than a more vested interest, sharpened by certain sensibilities. It is not new, but it has been out of fashion or disregarded for the historical-critical method in the past two hundred years or so. So, in these four short and highly accessible articles, Green revitalizes theological interpretation as a worthwhile endeavor for both biblical and theological scholars.

I especially found the first two chapters helpful.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful introduction to theological interpretation of the Bible (over against the dominant historical-critical method that is unconcerned with reading the Bible as Christians for the Church). Small but dense. Helpful to see Green interpret a few texts theologically and show the reader what he's doing instead of only talking about method.

[Радостин Марчев · Rating 5 out of 5]

Книгата на Грийн се оказа малък бисер.

[Nate Claiborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great little introductory book to the theological interpretation of Scripture. It is deceptively packed with incisive analysis and extended discussions in such a short space. I think Green's explanation and demonstration of theological interpretation goes a long way to clarify its "sensibilities and aims" but as Green himself notes there is still more work to be done. I think it still remains to be seen whether the advances that are beneficial to theological interpretation are really new, or whether it is turning back the clock to pre-Enlightenment modes of interpretation that are nonetheless building on advances in understanding of Bible backgrounds and contexts.

For the full review, visit my blog

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, but not great, introduction to theological interpretation of scripture. Green makes a good case that historical-critical interpretation is not the only or even a very good method of biblical interpretation even though it is the regnant method. His argument for interpretation in dialogue with church-rule was severely weakened by his choice of interpretative illustration. He should have used something more closely tied to his argument instead of choosing to defend his personal pet doctrinal issue.

[Ray Wilkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more of a manual or abbreviated text book on how to practice theological interpretation. This was not it. Joel Green is an outstanding New Testament scholar and I have read some of his other works, but this reads like a seminar paper, because that is what it is. The book is more an example of theological interpretation than a how to book. Nevertheless, there is some helpful information and some good historical discussion of premodern and modern exegesis.

[Robert Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent (and short) introduction to TIS.