Sanctifying Interpretation: Vocation, Holiness, and Scripture

by Chris E. Green

A SECOND EDITION OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE, WHICH CONTAINS MORE THAN 50 PAGES OF NEW MATERIAL. THE SECOND EDITION IS ALSO AVAILABLE HERE ON AMAZON.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.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction

194 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2015

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book on how to read the Bible.

How to read the Bible? Isn't it obvious!

Well, not really. There have been lots of readings of scripture throughout history. Green's argument is simply that scripture to prepare Christians (the Church) for working in the world. Christians ought not read scripture simply to learn about scripture, but to be shaped and changed. He is in dialogue with lots of writers, from Pentecostal theologians I've never heard of to heavyweights like Jenson, Hart and Wright. Overall, this is a helpful book and I certainly want to read more from Green.

[James Hallmark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more for the theologian and pastor/preacher than for someones like me who just reads books and goes to church. Green is a theology professor at Southeastern University and is apparently considered to be among the leaders in scholarly, academic studies from a holiness/Pentecostal tradition. I heard him on a podcast and thought the book might be interesting. It probably is for the right audience, but for me it was too in the weeds. Regardless, this book has nuggets of wisdom. Here’s one: in my tradition and in much of the Christian community there is a thought that scripture is easy to understand. That God speaks clearly. That sort of thing. Green, by contrast, suggests that God intentionally offers some scripture to be difficult, that the struggle is part of the learning process. Another: apparently the Pentecostal movement is centered on connecting with God. The connection to fellow humans is not the focus of the assembly. Green—who is Pentecostal—says this is wrong. Yes, we should connect with God through worship but God is calling us into the vocation that Jesus had on earth, and that is to connect with humans. To paraphrase one section: holiness is not separation from sin, but rather intercessory identification with sinners. In sum, a good book for the right audience

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Green opened my eyes to some interesting ways of reading scripture. I had never heard someone acknowledge how difficult it can be- how unwieldy, how utterly unfamiliar. That in itself was a relief to me. But the encouragement I received from the book on different ways of reading the Bible is invaluable. Also MANY other good thoughts on scripture and holiness and our calling as Christins. I would definitely recommend this! It is scholarly in nature, but highly readable. It did not put me to sleep like many, many books on theology do!

[Phil Aud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning. Seriously. Read it.