The Theological Interpretation of Scripture Classic and Contemporary Readings

This book introduces students to the practice of reading scripture theologically and shows how explicitly theological concerns can be brought to bear on the interpretation of scripture. While the volume offers some methodological essays, it does not lay out a single method; it points to the variety of questions that can and have been raised about interpreting scripture theologically. Just as importantly, the book presents a variety of theological readings of specific texts: Exodus 3; Isaiah 52-53; Matthew 5-7, and Romans 9-11. Four or five readings are devoted to each text, including examples of patristic, medieval and Reformation interpretation, as well as contemporary readings. Rather than presenting a unified perspective on each text, these essays introduce readers to theological interpretation by presenting concrete examples of ways in which it is and has been done.

Stephen E. Fowl is Associate Professor in the Department of Theology at Loyola College in Maryland. His previous books include The Story of Christ in the Ethics of Paul and Reading in Communion (with L. Gregory Jones). He has published numerous articles in both biblical studies and ethics, and from 1990-95 was co-editor of Modern Theology.