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

by Keith D. Stanglin

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2018

Overview

For the better part of fifteen centuries, Christians read Scripture on two complementary levels—the literal and the spiritual—and their interpretation was regulated by the common doctrine passed down in the rule of faith. In the modern period, a gradual but significant shift occurred in Bible reading. The spiritual sense became marginalized in favor of the literal sense, which came to be equated with human authorial intent. Doctrinal traditions were barred from consideration, and 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 explains the principles behind the often confusing biblical interpretations of the early church. The author, an expert on biblical interpretation and church history, examines the assumptions behind premodern exegesis that were obscured in the modern era, arguing for a recovery of the premodern spiritual habits of reading Scripture. This work will be useful as a supplementary textbook for courses in interpretation and church history.

Key Features

• Combines elements of church history and biblical interpretation
• Examines the historical development of interpretation in the church
• Promotes a return to premodern exegesis

Contents

Part 1: Historical Survey

• Earliest Christian Exegesis
• Later Patristic Exegesis
• Medieval Exegesis
• Early Modern Exegesis
• The Rise of Historical-Critical Exegesis

Part 2: Letter and Spirit

• (Ir)Reconcilable Differences?
• A Way Forward

Top Highlights

“But when traditional interpretations and the spiritual sense began to decline, then authorial intent—communicated in the ‘natural’ or ‘grammatical’ sense—was bound to become more prominent, a process that takes further shape in this period.” (Page 150)

“‘How, then, do we learn from modern historical interpretations of Scripture while also drawing on the church’s premodern traditions of biblical interpretation?’” (Page 8)

“Meaning was to be located somewhere in the space occupied by what the human author intended and the original recipients understood.” (Page 180)

“In order to prevent such wild—albeit possible—misinterpretations of the text, the rule of faith serves as a pattern and guide for interpretation. Upon encountering a gnostic interpretation, according to Irenaeus, anyone who retains the ‘rule of truth, which he received through baptism,’ will recognize the words and names from Scripture but not the ‘blasphemous hypothesis’ of the heretics.” (Page 35)

“Properly speaking, according to Perkins, there is only one sense of Scripture—the literal, which may also include figurative language. Perkins’s concern is clear: multiple senses lead to uncertainty of meaning. The assertion of only one sense is the common Protestant reaction to the perceived chaos of spiritual senses not properly linked to the literal sense.” (Pages 142–143)

Praise for the Print Edition

This helpful introductory overview of the history of biblical interpretation—pre-modern and modern—is a real achievement, punctuated as it is with significant insights, robust critique, and sympathetic assessment. The climax is a brave attempt to be like the scribe who brings out of his treasure things both old and new. Readers should be enticed into further exploration and experiment.

—Frances Young, emeritus professor, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

Stanglin’s history of biblical interpretation is a gem! Accessible, well informed, and balanced, it provides a remarkable bird’s-eye view while at the same time zooming in on specific exegetical examples. Stanglin's analysis of the move from premodern to modern exegesis is retrieval theology at its best.

—Hans Boersma, J. I. Packer Professor of Theology, Regent College

Critical biblical scholars have long scoffed at the proliferating excesses of premodern allegorists. Theological interpreters have recently returned the favor, scoffing at the constrictive reductionism of critical readers. Stanglin’s history of Christian interpretation cuts through the polemics. He not only demonstrates the superiority of premodern interpretation but also shows the real gains (and losses) of modern scholarship. This is an outstanding contribution and a welcome addition to any course on biblical hermeneutics.

—Peter Leithart, president, Theopolis Institute

Product Details

• Title: The Letter and Spirit of Biblical Interpretation: From the Early Church to Modern Practice
• Author: Keith D. Stanglin
• Publisher: Baker
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 288
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Hermeneutics and Interpretation

About Keith D. Stanglin

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, Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace, and Reconsidering Arminius: Beyond the Reformed and Wesleyan Divide.