Sanctifying Interpretation

by Chris Green, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

In this experimental and critically constructive monograph, Pentecostal theologian Chris Green offers an alternative to the standard Evangelical models of Scripture and scriptural hermeneutics. Instead of beginning with the usual epistemological questions about how the biblical texts can be understood as God’s Word, Green’s work begins with soteriological how does God use the Scripture in readying the church to fulfill her calling? And how are we to read the Scripture so that we are drawn along by the Spirit into Christlikeness? In three major parts, Green explores the profound and dynamic interrelatedness of vocation, holiness, and the interpretation of Scripture. Through close readings of biblical texts and searching engagement with the church’s spiritual and theological traditions, he develops a model for reading Scripture that makes room for God to use the always difficult and sometimes overwhelming work of making faithful sense of the Scriptures to form the people of God for sanctifying participation in the divine mission for the sake of the world.

Audible Audio

Published April 21, 2025

About the author

Chris Green is the author of four books of poetry: The Sky Over Walgreens, Epiphany School, Résumé and Everywhere West. His poetry has appeared in such publications as Poetry, The New York Times, Court Green, Prairie Schooner and Columbia Poetry Review.

He has edited four anthologies including I Remember: Chicago Veterans of War and the forthcoming Poetic Justice: A Poem by 100 Chicago Poets on Gun Violence (Big Shoulders Books, 2020). He also started the Poetic Justice League, a forum for collaborative political poetry:

He teaches in the English Department at DePaul University. More information can be found at www.chrisgreenpoetry.com.

Reviews

[Maxwell G Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything by Green is worth your time but this book in particular cuts to the very core of our modern need to be better bible readers.