The Cambridge Companion to Biblical Interpretation

This book provides the first complete guide for students to the present state of biblical studies.

John Barton (Edited by)

9780521485937, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 July 1998

356 pages, 4 b/w illus.
22.6 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.52 kg

"This is one of the best collections addressing methodological approaches and their application and is an important teaching tool in the face of the bewildering array of methodologies presently employed." Tammi J. Schneider, Religious Studies Review

This book provides the first complete guide for students to the present state of biblical studies. The twenty-one specially commissioned chapters are written by established scholars from North America and Britain, and represent both traditional and contemporary points of view. The chapters in Part One cover all the methods and approaches currently practised in the academic study of the Bible, while those in Part Two examine the major categories of books in the Bible from the perspective of recent scholarship - e.g. historical books of the Old Testament, Gospels, prophetic literature. Major issues raised are: the relation of modern 'critical' study of the Bible to 'pre-critical' and 'post-critical' approaches; the place of history in the study of the Bible; feminist, liberationist and new historicist concerns; the relation of Christian and Jewish scholarship; and recent interest in the Bible as literature.

Notes on contributors
Glossary
1. Introduction John Barton
Part I. Lines of Approach: 2. Historical-critical approaches John Barton
3. Literary readings of the Bible David Jasper
4. The social world of the Bible Keith W. Whitelam
5. Poststructuralist approaches: new historicism and postmodernism Robert P. Carroll
6. Political readings of scripture Tim Gorringe
7. Feminist interpretation Ann Loades
8. Biblical studies and theoretical hermeneutics Anthony Thiselton
9. The Bible and Christian theology Robert Morgan
10. Biblical study and linguistics William Johnstone
11. Aspects of the Jewish contribution to biblical interpretation Stefan C. Reif
12. The Bible in literature and art Stephen Prickett
Part II. Biblical Books in Modern Interpretation: 13. The Pentateuch Joseph Blenkinsopp
14. The historical books of the Old Testament Iain Provan
15. The prophetic books Robert R. Wilson
16. The poetic and wisdom books Robert Alter
17. The synoptic Gospels and Acts of the Apostles: telling the Christian story Pheme Perkins
18. John and the Johannine literature: the woman at the well John Ashton
19. The Pauline letters James D. G. Dunn
20. The non-Pauline letters Frances Young
21. Apocalyptic literature James VanderKam
General Index
Index of biblical references.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]