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 PrintableVersion Dictionary of major biblical interpretersThe meaning of ScriptureDICTIONARY OF MAJOR BIBLICAL INTERPRETERS This massive tome is a new and expanded version of the Historical Handbook of Major Biblical Interpreters (1998). Over 100 scholars, all specialists in their field, have contributed to what is now a major and unrivalled resource. After a series of articles on biblical interpretation from the early church to the 20th century, the main part consists of surveys of figures from Irenaeus in the second century to Bruce Metzger, Leon Morris, and C.F.D. Moule of recent vintage. Few living interpreters are included. Inevitably, someone might wish to see listed — Donald Guthrie for one — are absent, while others — C.I. Scofield is an example — are present who may not merit it. From the modern era conservatives, liberals, and feminists are there; all sorts, shapes, and sizes. Such a range is important, so that the reader may be aware of what influenced their comments. Each entry provides a biography, a summary of the life and work, interpretative principles, and significance of the figure, and an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources for further reading. I will now conduct a blind sample of half a dozen entries. I’ll close my eyes and dip in at random — here we go: C.K. Barrett (1917-), E.W. Burton (1856-1925), Jerome (c.340-420), Erasmus (c.1466-1536), C. Spicq (1901-1992), C.H. Dodd (1884-1973). My one reservation is the paucity of entries from the Eastern church after the fifth century. This is a volume overwhelmingly biased to the exegetical tradition of the Latin, Western church to which we belong. One salutary lesson for many Protestants, which they may learn here, is that biblical interpretation did not begin at the Reformation. Many of the Fathers penetrated to the heart of the biblical message in a way often missed in the modern era, bedevilled as it is with the need to interact with the criticisms of the Enlightenment and its aftermath. Furthermore, the Middle Ages saw an outpouring of biblical exegesis. Thomas Aquinas’s massive theology grew out of his biblical work; his term for theology is ‘sacred doctrine’, which was synonymous with ‘sacred page’, biblical truth unfolded by the doctors of the church. The Reformation itself produced a barrage of biblical commentaries: Calvin, Bucer and Vermigli were but three whose work is still enormously valuable today. I mention nothing here of the exegesis of English Puritans such as Perkins, Owen, and Goodwin. To my knowledge, there is no comparable single volume in which the major figures in biblical exegesis are considered in detail. From that perspective, this is an invaluable resource. Moreover, for those interested in further research, the lengthy bibliographies provide authoritative direction for further reading. It is obvious that the contents of this volume go way beyond the requirements of the ordinary reader of EN. Its usefulness is more for pastors, and others who consult books that grapple in depth with the biblical text and refer to interpreters past and present; it is helpful to know the presuppositions of such people. There is a stimulus here to explore writings that otherwise might be neglected. For this, there is an enormous amount available online. In particular, Fathers such as Athanasius, Cyril, Chrysostom, Augustine, and Gregory of Nazianzus will repay consultation many times over and are all accessible at such sites as http://www.ccel.org. This tool should be available in a church library. Does your church have such a thing? Where I was Senior Minister in the USA, our congregation had a library of 2,000 volumes available to members and others. It provided leaders of study groups with a range of material to help them. Sadly, a leading Christian publisher in the UK told me recently that if it had to rely for its sales on the domestic market it would go bankrupt very quickly. The Protestant Reformers maintained that the Bible is the supreme authority in the church. At the same time they had a high view of the past interpretation of the church. In turn, if we follow in their steps, it will assist our understanding of the Bible if we can learn where reliable biblical interpretation is to be found, and benefit from it. There is an extra bonus in possessing this book. It is large and heavy; it turns the scale at 2.3kg. In repeatedly lifting it on and off the shelf you can improve your muscle tone and gain useful aerobic exercise. Dr. Robert Letham, © Evangelicals Now - September 2008 |
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