The Letter and Spirit of Biblical Interpretation: From the Early Church to Modern Practice

by Keith D. Stanglin

Overview

For the better part of fifteen centuries, Christians read Scripture on two complementary levels, the literal and the spiritual. In the modern period, the spiritual sense gradually became marginalized in favor of the literal sense. The Bible came to be read and interpreted like any other book. This brief, accessible introduction to the history of biblical interpretation examines key turning points and figures and argues for a retrieval of the premodern spiritual habits of reading Scripture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801049682
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/21/2018
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Keith D. Stanglin (PhD, Calvin Theological Seminary) is professor of Scripture and historical theology at Austin Graduate School of Theology in Austin, Texas, where he also is coordinator of the master's degree program and editor of the faculty journal, Christian Studies. He previously taught at Harding University. Stanglin is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including The Reformation to the Modern Church.

Table of Contents

Contents

1. Introduction to the History of Biblical Interpretation
Part 1: Historical Survey
2. Earliest Christian Exegesis
3. Later Patristic Exegesis
4. Medieval Exegesis
5. Early Modern Exegesis
6. The Rise of Historical-Critical Exegesis
Part 2: Letter and Spirit
7. (Ir)Reconcilable Differences?
8. A Way Forward
Indexes