Biblical Interpretation: Theory, Process, and Criteria

by Yung Suk Kim

Overview

Yung Suk Kim asks important questions in Biblical Interpretation: Why do we care about the Bible and biblical interpretation? How do we know which interpretation is better? He expertly brings to the fore the essential elements of interpretation--the reader, the text, and the reading lens--and attempts to explore a set of criteria for solid interpretation. While celebrating the diversity of biblical interpretation, Kim warns that not all interpretations are valid, legitimate, or healthy because interpretation involves the complex process of what he calls critical contextual biblical interpretation. He suggests that readers engage with the text by asking important questions of their own: Why do we read? How do we read? and What do we read?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621896401
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	01/21/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	122
File size:	202 KB

About the Author

Yung Suk Kim is Associate Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond. He is the author of Christ's Body in Corinth: The Politics of a Metaphor (2008) and A Theological Introduction to Paul's Letters (Cascade 2011), and the editor of the Journal of Bible and Human Transformation.
Yung Suk Kim is professor of New Testament and early Christianity at Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. Kim is the author of numerous books, including How to Read Paul: A Brief Introduction to His Theology, Writings, and World (2021); Christ’s Body in Corinth: The Politics of a Metaphor (2008); and Toward Decentering the New Testament (Cascade, 2018; co-authored with Mitzi J. Smith). He also edited 1–2 Corinthians: Texts @ Contexts (2013).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Preface xiii

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

The Need for Critical Contextual Interpretation

Matters of Textual Criticism

Matters of Translation

Erga nomou (Gal 2:16)

Katalambano (John 1:5)

Matters of Interpretation

The Way to Heaven

An Exemplary Life

A Particular Message to the Johannine Community

The Way of Jesus as Embodiment of God's Love

Summary

Questions for Further Reflection

Chapter 2 Textuality: How Do We Read? 13

What is the Bible?

Approaches to the Text

Historical-critical Approach: "Meaning behind the Text"

Literary Approach: "Meaning Within the Text"

Reader-oriented Approach: "Meaning in front of the Text"

Ideological-critical Approach: "Meaning as Construction"

Poststructuralist Approach: "Meaning as Deconstruction"

Summary

Questions for Further Reflection

Chapter 3 Contextuality: Why Do We Read? 25

Individual and Devotional Reading

Reading for Guidance in Social and Political Life

Theological Education

Summary

Questions for Further Reflection

Chapter 4 Engagement: What Do We Read? 34

The Theological Lens

The Reader

The Role of the Real Reader

The Real Reader and Politico-theological Questions

Summary

Questions for Further Reflection

Chapter 5 Criteria for Solid interpretation 45

Critical Diversity and Solidarity

Congruence of Interpretation

Balance of Interpretation

Summary

Questions for Further Reflection

Chapter 6 The Kingdom of God as a Test Case 58

Human Existence and Creation Story

Some Critical Issues Today

Analysis of "the Kingdom of God"

The Hebrew Bible

The New Testament

Excursus: Jesus' Death in Context

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of John

Paul's Letters

The Deutero-Pauline and Pastoral Letters

Engagement with "the Kingdom of God"

Gods Reign of Justice as the Kingdom of God

Apocalyptic Reality of a New World as the Kingdom of God

The Church as the Kingdom of God

Personal Experience of God's Grace as the Kingdom of God

Summary

Questions for Further Reflection

Chapter 7 Conclusion 87

Excursus: Jesus' Death in the New Testament

Excursus: The Problem of Mel Gibson's Movie The Passion of the Christ

Bibliography 95

Index 101