Mere Christian Hermeneutics

Mere Christian Hermeneutics: Transfiguring What It Means to Read the Bible Theologically

Publisher's Description:

Reading the Bible to the glory of God.

In 1952, C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity eloquently defined the essential tenets of the Christian faith. With the rise of fractured individualism that continues to split the church, this approach is more important now than ever before for biblical hermeneutics.

Many Christians wonder how to read the text of Scripture well, rightly, and faithfully. After all, developing a strong theory of interpretation has always been presented by two enormous challenges:

• A variety of actual interpretations of the Bible, even within the context of a single community of believers.

• The plurality of reading cultures—denominational, disciplinary, historical, and global interpretive communities—each with its own frame of reference.

In response, influential theologian Kevin J. Vanhoozer puts forth a "mere" Christian hermeneutic—essential principles for reading the Bible as Scripture everywhere, at all times, and by all Christians. To center his thought, Vanhoozer turns to the accounts of Jesus' transfiguration—a key moment in the broader economy of God's revelation—to suggest that spiritual or "figural" interpretation is not a denial or distortion of the literal sense but, rather, its glorification.

Irenic without resorting to bland ecumenical tolerance, Mere Christian Hermeneutics is a powerful and convincing call for both church and academy to develop reading cultures that enable and sustain the kind of unity and diversity that a "mere Christian hermeneutic" should call for and encourage.

Endorsements:

“Mere Christian Hermeneutics puts theological interpretation on the offensive side of the ball. The various critical approaches spawned by the historicist hegemony of the last two centuries come with their methods and variegated vis-à-vis. The temptation is to situate theological interpretation within this scholarly fray, maneuvering it in conversation with or over against these competing options. Vanhoozer doesn't play by these rules because the stakes are too high. If God is the authorizing agent of all Scripture, Old and New Testaments, then everything changes. This confession of faith places all methods and approaches in service of this organon of Scripture's nature. From Vanhoozer's vantage point, Holy Scripture remains on the short side of the Mount of Transfiguration if readers are canonically unaware and redemptively irresponsible. Mere Christian Hermeneutics calls on its readers to ascend the mount of a transfigured text, to see Jesus just as he is. The church and its members—and academics too!—would do well to go hiking with Professor Vanhoozer up this mountain. Who knows? Perhaps we will be transfigured as well. I certainly hope so.” —Dr. Mark Gignilliat, Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

“Biblical scholars treat all sorts of theological themes. Why then is historical-critical biblical scholarship not enough by itself? In this major study, the eminent theologian Kevin Vanhoozer answers this question. With the erudite rigor and gentlemanly patience for which he is known, he sifts through a vast array of approaches and arguments. I love his emphasis on Christ's transfiguration, an event that literally reveals the theophanic and eschatological power of God's Word in history, requiring the eyes of faith and calling forth divine-human communion.” —Dr. Matthew Levering, James N. Jr. and Mary D. Perry Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary

“For nearly three decades Kevin Vanhoozer has been the leading evangelical scholar of Christian theological interpretation of Scripture. With this volume he finally delivers what so many of us have been waiting for: the mature fruit of his long labors. Vanhoozer understands that church, theology, and hermeneutics all need each other as fellow creatures and servants of God's living word. In this 'reformed catholic' proposal, we see all the puzzle pieces brought together by a lover and lifelong student of Christ's powerful speech. It is a fitting completion of Vanhoozer's 'mere Christian' trilogy; it will immediately become a touchstone for pastors, theologians, and biblical scholars. Above all, it directs readers' gaze to the face of Christ, shining with the Spirit's light. The glory that once shone on Tabor through the human flesh of Jesus is one and the same as the glory that shines even now through the human words of Scripture. Vanhoozer helps us to see what was true all along: namely, that transfiguration encapsulates our life with God through his word—whether spoken aloud, written in ink, or incarnate in flesh and blood.” —Dr. Brad East, Associate Professor of Theology, Abilene Christian University

About the Author:

Kevin J. Vanhoozer (PhD, Cambridge University) is Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Before that he was Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the author or editor of over twenty books, including Is There a Meaning in this Text?, First Theology, The Drama of Doctrine, and Remythologizing Theology. He serves as theological mentor for the Augustine Fellowship of the Center for Pastor Theologians, and is a member of the Lausanne theology working group on hermeneutics for Seoul 2024.