Figural Reading and the Old Testament: Theology and Practice
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Don Collett, an experienced Old Testament teacher, offers an account of Old Testament interpretation that capitalizes on recent research in figural exegesis. Collett examines the tension between figural and literal modes of exegesis as they developed in Christian thought, introduces ongoing debates and discussions concerning figural readings of Scripture, and offers theological readings of several significant Old Testament passages. This book will work well as a primer on figural exegesis for seminarians or as a capstone seminary text that ties together themes from courses in Bible, exegesis, and theology.
- Highlights recent research in figural exegesis
- Examines the tension between figural and literal modes of exegesis
- Offers theological readings of several significant Old Testament passages
Part 1: Frameworks
- Biblical Models for Figural Reading
- Figural Reading and Scripture's Literal Sense
Part 2: Exegesis
- Figural Reading, Metaphor, and Theological Exegesis
Part 3: Assessment
- Figural Reading and Modernity
- Epilogue
Top Highlights
“On this model for understanding authorial sense, the real author is the ‘thinking thing’ or human consciousness behind the literal sense. The text itself, being the outward or secondary expression of the author’s real self, now functions as an instrumental means to the end of accessing the author’s real self—or in Lockean terms, the authorial consciousness housed in the text. The impact of this model upon biblical interpretation may be seen in the way it shifts the proper locus for biblical meaning from the inspired words of the text to the conscious intentions of its authors. Biblical meaning is now a function of what its inspired authors were aware of when they penned the words of Scripture, rather than the inspired words of the biblical text per se.” (Page 124)
“The touchstone for figural exegesis has always been and must continue to be Scripture’s literal-historical sense, lest our interpretive categories become a substitute for the literal sense itself.” (Page 50)
“sought to prevent Scripture’s literal and figural-theological senses from coming apart” (Page 37)
“ contexts of history, though allegory might also have been chosen” (Page 2)
Collett weaves together sure-footed knowledge of Christian doctrine, hermeneutics, and detailed exegesis, sweeping down often to make a point on textual detail. He argues convincingly that the Reformation’s insistence on the plain sense need not mean a dry letter but rather can mean a living text, which gives occasion to figural reading. Collett gives a masterly account of the implications of modernity replacing providence with consciousness. Throughout, he rightly insists that the Old Testament is not abolished by the New Testament but that the latter uses the former’s memory to make the most and perfect sense of the events around Christ.
—Mark Elliott, professor of divinity and biblical criticism, University of Glasgow
Don Collett rightly claims that Christ himself is the one who shaped the history of Israel in a figural manner. Squarely grounded in the Yale School's claim that the Old Testament provides its own distinct witness to Christ, Figural Reading and the Old Testament presents a carefully argued yet bold defense of allegorical exegesis. This book offers a perceptive antidote to the modern occlusion of divine providence from biblical interpretation.
—Hans Boersma, Saint Benedict Servants of Christ Chair in Ascetical Theology, Nashotah House Theological Seminary
This book demonstrates convincingly and sympathetically how a correct appraisal of the Old Testament's literal sense is crucial to basic Christian claims. Collett provides at once a basic introduction to the relevant issues and a penetrating examination of extended sense-making in the history of Christian interpretation. One senses immediately the indispensable role the scriptures of Israel have played in making Christ known in all his fullness, all the while remaining that distinctive historical voice given in and to Israel. Highly recommended.
—Christopher R. Seitz, senior research professor of biblical interpretation, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto
- Title: Figural Reading and the Old Testament: Theology and Practice
- Author: Don C. Collett
- Publisher: Baker
- Publication Date: 2020
- Pages: 208
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Topic: Biblical Interpretation