Engaging Scripture: A Model for Theological Interpretation (Challenges in Contemporary Theology) [Paperback]

Stephen E. Fowl (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 063120864X | ISBN-13: 978-0631208648 | Publication Date: October 26, 1998 | Edition: 1

This original essay will be of interest to all those concerned with the inter-relationships between theology and the Bible.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Some books give themselves new answers to old questions. Here is the book that changes the questions themselves. We are therefore extremely fortunate to have Fowl's Engaging Scripture, for this is a book that challenges the presumptions that created the problem of the New Testament and its relationship to theology. Fowl's reading of Ephesians on stealing is worth the price of the book in itself. One cannot help but think this book will stand out as the mark of a new beginning." Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe, Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke University, North Carolina

"The volume is a useful addition to the ongoing debate concerning how best to interpret Scripture." Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

Review

"Some books give themselves new answers to old questions. Here is the book that changes the questions themselves. We are therefore extremely fortunate to have Fowl's Engaging Scripture, for this is a book that challenges the presumptions that created the problem of the New Testament and its relationship to theology. Fowl's reading of Ephesians on stealing is worth the price of the book in itself. One cannot help but think this book will stand out as the mark of a new beginning." Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe, Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke University, North Carolina

"The volume is a useful addition to the ongoing debate concerning how best to interpret Scripture." Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (October 26, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 063120864X
• ISBN-13: 978-0631208648
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,285,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the value of values, November 26, 2010

By 

Jeff E. Martin (northern part, ny United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Engaging Scripture: A Model for Theological Interpretation (Challenges in Contemporary Theology) (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I love one of the main points of this book that Christians need to be more intentional about forming their members to be certain types of readers, who by virtue of their single minded attention to God, are well versed in the practices of forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation. (26,27) And as he says later identifying ourselves as a sinner is important to good interpretation because we do not have all the answers.

Its other main point is that our interpretation of Scripture is determined by the Spirit's movement in our lives just as much as the teachings we directly get from reading Scripture. To base all of our doctrine and practice on what the original author of Scripture meant by the text will surely bring more confusion than unity in the church.

When Fowl argues against the idea that the literal sense of Scripture should determine all the other senses of Scripture he should have used a Scriptural example to help make his point. Though it would not be hard to argue his point. I think what he is getting at is not to focus on the literal meaning and instead replacing it with the author's intentions based on the audience (58). It is like someone who reads the same passage of Scripture in different contexts. He will take something form the passage in a different way in his own private devotion versus in a sermon to a congregation.

I like what he says about Deconstructive Reading. "Christians who resisted attempts to interpret the Bible in ways that underwrote apartheid would not want to continue to deconstruct so that it would open the door to apartheid (55).

I felt like the comparison between Paul's view of Abraham's story and Justin Martyr's view was insightful enough but it lacked precision. For instance what we do not have from Justin Martyr that we have from Paul is the abundance of evidence that the whole church had mass respect for Paul. We cannot say for sure that Justin was overall a respected person in the church. So when Justin talks more negatively about the Jews from similar Biblical passages, it could be possible that is not as forgiving and repenting, and reconciling a person as Paul would be and could even be using Scripture to back up some version of prejudice.

I like what Fowl says about our powers of perception needing to be focused on Jesus, otherwise we succumb to darkness, so when Christians try to justify immoral practices like modern day slavery based on the Bible they are confusing darkness with light.

Or even more relevant to us now, when we are stingy with our money or when we talk to someone just to find out what kind of person they are ignoring their basic needs (i.e. when a Mormon or Jehovah's Witness knocks on the door on a very hot day and we do not offer any drink but just questions)

When Fowl talks about what forgiveness entails, he says Jesus' teaching involves forgiving people even if they do not repent. But I would argue that this is not so evident a teaching of Jesus. Forgiving someone 77 times assumes that the person is asking for forgiveness. This can also be an assumption we can make from the Lord's prayer. Also when Jesus asks God to forgive the Jews for crucifying him, we can assume God did, but only because it was God's plan that he be crucified and that they did it out of ignorance.

I like his discussion of Acts 10-15, especially that accepting people not only entails calling them Christian but actually showing them hospitality. You might call yourself someone who loves all ethnicities, but have you ever had a black person over for dinner? Also I like the fact that he mentions that the Jerusalem church accepted the church from Antioch even though they were still dealing with disagreements with how to be a Christian, and this even extended to hospitality. In line with this Fowl emphasizes rightly that must befriending more people in a deeper sense helps us listen to the Spirit when interpreting Scripture, because we truly cannot listen to the Spirit in someone else who we only say Hi! to on a Sunday morning.

Of course his exposition about stealing from other Christians in Ephesians is very good, especially since it emphasizes the difference of how the church existed in that environment versus the way we do church now. I love the story about the church refrigerator! We truly do need to experience more a family atmosphere in church to understand a letter like Ephesians better.

There is one matter I was confused on in his talk about Acts 10-15 and homosexuality. I am not sure if Fowl was for allowing homosexuals have any position in a church or not. He makes good points that just because the Gentiles were allowed not to be circumcised that did not mean they could do whatever they wanted to. But later he seems to like to see in a church that homosexuals could even be a pastor!

I agree that one should be allowed to become a Christian as they are, that is, whether they are an alcoholic or a homosexual does not mean we as members should treat one more hospitable than another, or require them to be completely free from their vice before they repent and become a Christian. That also does not mean we should bar such a person from being part of planning and leading church activities. But as far as leadership roles that require teaching, the Bible makes clear that such a person should be mature. So in this case an alcoholic or one who still practices homosexuality would not be qualified. By practicing homosexuality I mean the actual acts of flirting and sexual acts, not the thoughts of desiring someone of the same sex. These thoughts will more than likely always be there for that person to struggle with.

Overall this is an excellent book. It requires careful reading for the language used is a little heavy, (i.e. Fowl's penchant for using the word "metaphysical") I highly recommend reading this book, though I think much of what he said could have been said with less wordage.