Scripture
History and Interpretation
Scripture
History and Interpretation
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Publisher: Liturgical Press
ISBN: 9780814659953
Number of Pages: 188
Published: 01/03/2008
Width: 15.2 cm
Height: 22.9 cm
"Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." What Saint Jerome said centuries ago is surely still true today; any serious theological study must be grounded in Scripture. While there are plenty of biblical scholars today, few authors are able to introduce Scripture to students the way Dianne Bergant does. Bergant invites readers to genuinely engage Scripture, to enter the world of the text and explore some of the age-old questions that arise in every generation:
' What does it mean to say that the Word of God is both divine and human?
' Why is biblical history so important to the study of Scripture and theology?
' Why are there different literary forms in the Bible?
' Why the competing voices and apparent contradictions?
In language that is clear and compelling, Bergant explores the answers to these and other questions. She surveys the world of the Bible and biblical scholarship in an introduction that is sure to spark enthusiasm and further interest. This volume in the Engaging Theology series instills solid knowledge of Scripture and, thereby, knowledge of Christ, demonstrating that "the Bible is an inexhaustible source of challenge and delight, of inspiration and guidance, and a testimony to ultimate meaning and value."
Contents
Editor’s Preface vii
Introduction ix
Part I: In Human Words 1
Chapter 1:
Out of History 3
The Tribes of Israel 3
The Monarchy 6
Postexilic Israel 10
Hellenistic Period 12
Roman Period 15
Summary 16
Chapter 2:
In a Place 17
Shrines 18
Cities 21
Culture 23
Summary 27
Chapter 3:
About God 28
Images of God 28
Covenant 35
Worship and Prayer 40
Summary 49
Chapter 4:
From God 50
Revelation 51
Inspiration 53
“Fulfilled in your hearing” 54
Summary 55
Part II: What Did It Mean? 57
Chapter 5:
What Kind of Book Is It? 59
Literary Forms 59
The Canon 67
Summary 72
Chapter 6:
What Did They Believe? 73
“You will be my people” 73
“I will be your God” 78
This Age and the Age to Come 82
Canonical Form 85
“Who do you say I am?” 89
Summary 107
Part III: What Does It Mean? 109
Chapter 7:
How Did They Do It? 113
Rewriting 113
Prefigurement/Typology 114
Allegory 114
Midrash 116
Theological Interpretation 117
Summary 117
Chapter 8:
How Do We Do It? 119
Author-centered Approaches 120
Text-centered Approaches 131
Reader-centered Approaches 145
Summary 156
Conclusion 158
Further Reading 160
Subject Index 162
Scripture Index 169
Editor’s Preface vii
Introduction ix
Part I: In Human Words 1
Chapter 1:
Out of History 3
The Tribes of Israel 3
The Monarchy 6
Postexilic Israel 10
Hellenistic Period 12
Roman Period 15
Summary 16
Chapter 2:
In a Place 17
Shrines 18
Cities 21
Culture 23
Summary 27
Chapter 3:
About God 28
Images of God 28
Covenant 35
Worship and Prayer 40
Summary 49
Chapter 4:
From God 50
Revelation 51
Inspiration 53
“Fulfilled in your hearing” 54
Summary 55
Part II: What Did It Mean? 57
Chapter 5:
What Kind of Book Is It? 59
Literary Forms 59
The Canon 67
Summary 72
Chapter 6:
What Did They Believe? 73
“You will be my people” 73
“I will be your God” 78
This Age and the Age to Come 82
Canonical Form 85
“Who do you say I am?” 89
Summary 107
Part III: What Does It Mean? 109
Chapter 7:
How Did They Do It? 113
Rewriting 113
Prefigurement/Typology 114
Allegory 114
Midrash 116
Theological Interpretation 117
Summary 117
Chapter 8:
How Do We Do It? 119
Author-centered Approaches 120
Text-centered Approaches 131
Reader-centered Approaches 145
Summary 156
Conclusion 158
Further Reading 160
Subject Index 162
Scripture Index 169
I would certainly recommend this work not only for adult bible discussion groups, but also as a kind of "Cliff Notes" version of an academic Introduction to the Bible or to either Testament.Catholic Books Review Dianne Bergant's volume on Scripture is a model of the undergraduate introductory text. It synthesizes complex material clearly and concisely, and provides examples that connect to students' experience. . . . In section one, she does a masterful job of providing a historical overview of key periods and figures, a synthesis of central dimensions of the geography and culture, a sketch of some of the central images of God and understandings of covenant and worship, and a discussion of inspiration and revelation.Horizons The publishers of this new series of studies from Collegeville, which they hope will create and sustain the passion of a new generation of theologians and church leaders, are indeed to be congratulated. Bergant's contribution should be a very useful source indeed.Review of Biblical Literature [T]his helpful volume . . . addresses fundamental questions about the nature of the Bible, the Catholic conviction that it is 'God's Word in human words,' the history of Israel, of Jesus and the early community from which it emerges, the various types of literature in the Bible, and the various methods and issues in sound interpretation of the Scriptures.The Bible Today
