Scripture Re-Envisioned: Christophanic Exegesis and the Making of a Christian Bible

by Bogdan Gabriel Bucur

In Scripture Re-envisioned Bogdan B. Bucur discusses the exegesis of biblical theophanies as an essential "ingredient" for the gradual crystallization of a distinct Christian exegesis, doctrine, liturgy, and spirituality during the first millennium CE.

346 pages, ebook

Published November 8, 2018

Reviews

[David Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bucur's Scripture Re-Envisioned is a wonderful take on the Old Testament and the New as seen at first through the interpretive lens of Second Temple Judaism through the Apostolic Age and into the Early Patristic period of the Church. It is organized through several topical theophanies that can be used to open the scriptures, recalling the example of the disciples encountering Christ on the road to Emmaus as the prototypical experience that is found when one spends time examining both testaments Christophanically.

Of course, I am biased as Fr. Bogdan Bucur is a professor of mine at St. Vladimir's, but I heartily recommend this (albeit expensive) book. Request it through Inter-library Loan if possible.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bucur's book is aimed at his fellow biblical scholars. His point is to try to find a terminology which describes a particularly Christain reading of the Scriptures. His contention is that modern categories of exegesis and even modern understanding of the ancient patristic writers is inadequate for the task. Basically, early Christian interpreters of Scripture relied on a Christ-centered approach to reading the Scriptures. The Lord Jesus is "the Lord" (YHWH) encountered by the people of Israel. For us today to experience what the disciples in Luke 24 experienced - Christ opening their hearts and minds to understanding of the Scriptures (for them to see Christ) - we need to have this 'Christophanic' way to read the entire Bible. We have to enter into the Scripture, not just interpret them, but to experience Christ in them.