Biblical Interpretation in the Anabaptist Tradition

by Stuart Murray

“What Stuart Murray has brought to light in his study of Anabaptist hermeneutics is of enormous theological and practical relevance, both for our understanding of the spectrum of Christian biblical interpretation and its contemporary appropriation. For too long we have neglected voices on the margins of the Christian churches which offer a perspective on biblical interpretation that picks up methods of reading deeply rooted in Scripture itself. Stuart Murray's book does much to illuminate one of the most challenging movements in Christianity. It will be of benefit to historians, theologians and all of us who are seeking ways of being faithful to Jesus Christ at the beginning of a new millennium.” – Christopher Rowland, Dean Ireland Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture, Oxford University

Genres: Church, Biblical Studies, History, Theology

278 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 1999

About the author

Stuart Murray Williams works as a trainer and consultant under the auspices of the Anabaptist Network. Based in Bristol, he travels widely in the UK and overseas and works with local churches, mission agencies, denominational leaders, conferences and individuals. He has worked with at least 25 denominations in recent years. His particular areas of expertise are in:
•Church planting
•Emerging church
•Urban mission
•Mission in post-Christendom
•Anabaptist history and theology

Under the name Stuart Murray, he has written books on a number of topics, including:

The Challenge of the City
published by Sovereign World in 1994

Explaining Church Discipline
published by Sovereign World in 1995

Church Planting: Laying Foundations
published by Paternoster Press in 1998

Hope from the Margins
(jointly with Anne Wilkinson-Hayes) published by Grove Books in 2000

Biblical Interpretation in the Anabaptist Tradition
published by Pandora Press in 2000

Beyond Tithing
published by Paternoster Press in 2000

Coming Home: Stories of Anabaptists in Britain and Ireland
(jointly with Alan Kreider) published by Pandora Press in 2000

Church Planting: Past, Present and Future
(jointly with George Lings) published by Grove Books in 2003

Post-Christendom: Church and Mission in a Strange New World
published by Paternoster in 2004

Church after Christendom
published by Paternoster in 2005

Changing Mission: Learning from the Newer Churches
published by Churches Together in Britain & Ireland (CTBI) in 2006

Church Planting in the Inner City
(with Juliet Kilpin) published by Grove books in 2007

Planting Churches: A Framework for Practitioners
published by Paternoster in 2008

Reviews

[Simon Wiebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart Murray arbeitet sechs Themenfelder heraus, wie die frühen Täufer die Bibel interpretiert haben: 1. Die Bibel legt sich selbst aus. 2. Die Bibel wird christozentrisch gelesen. 3. Der Vorrang des Neuen Testaments. 4. Die Spannung zwischen Geist und Wort. 5. Die Bibel wird in Gemeinschaft gelesen (Congregational Hermeneutics). 6. Die Bibel muss gelebt werden (Hermeneutics of Obedience).

Einen Ausblick gibt Murray im letzten Kapitel, in dem er dafür plädiert, dass die täuferischen Lesarten wichtige Impulse und Anknüpfungspunkte für befreiungstheologische und charismatische Hermeneutiken haben könnten.

Insgesamt fand ein spannendes Buch. Nicht so überzeugt hat mich seine grundsätzliche Methodik, in der er die verschiedenen Täufergruppen an einigen Stellen einfach so gemixt hat, dass seine vorher aufgestellte These passt. An manchen Stellen schien er seine Vorstellungen von täuferischen Hermeneutiken in die frühe Bewegung hineinzulegen.

[Kristi Mast · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star content, 3.5 stars on organization/writing.

I’m definitely considering forcing all of my pastors to read this book.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Murray gives a great overview of Anabaptist emphases in their interpretation of Scripture. He shows the unity while at the same time not glossing over the diversity in early Anabaptist thought.

[Clark Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needs to be rewritten, but this book is full of valuable insights of what a fruitful church could look like.

[John Paul Arceno · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://johnpaularceno.com/2022/09/15...

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well laid out, well researched, balanced and constructive. Murray has done his homework and knows the topic well. He is also smart enough not to romanticize. There is not a uniform Anabaptist hermeneutic, and there certainly are highly problematic elements in Anabaptist interpretation during this period. So, he goes on to offer constructive proposals to advance certain approaches.

He does show that Anabaptists often had resolutely Christocentric, Spirit-led, practical, and communal qualities to their interpretation. These criteria I think give the tradition a unique and profitable heritage.

He however, points out that Anabaptist have had an anti-intellectual and almost marcionist approach at times. Like I said, Murray moves on to offer solutions to these problems.

The only thing I think it lacked was perhaps a chapter where instead of the different topics in interpretation, Murray just looked at, for instance, a famous sermon or exegetical work by an Anabaptist to show interpretation in action. I say this because he quoted so many diverse people that a chapter like that would hep ground the discussion. However, that is a minor criticism.