Is There a Meaning in This Text?

IS THERE A MEANING IN THIS TEXT?
The Bible, the reader and the morality of literary knowledge
By Kevin J. Vanhoozer
Apollos. 496 pages. £14.99
ISBN 0 85111 463 6

In this essentially scholarly publication, Vanhoozer treats the important issue of contemporary Scripture interpretation. This study involves the field of hermeneutics, and in the introductory chapter the author outlines the topic of 'theology and literary theory'. In this section, he incisively looks at three centuries of literary theory and focuses specifically on the hermeneutics of Augustine.
The ensuing part of the book is divided into two main sections. In the first, Vanhoozer concentrates on trends actually deconstructing the interpretation of a text. In this regard, he defines trends 'undoing the author, undoing the book and undoing the reader'.
The second main section has the umbrella title of 'Redoing interpretation'. In this section, the following dimensions are treated: redoing interpretation, redeeming the text and reforming the reader. In a concluding chapter (chapter 8), he advocates a hermeneutics of humility and conviction.
Especially in the section where Vanhoozer treats the undoing of the author, the text and the reader, he pays attention to the views of deconstruction as suggested by Derrida. In no uncertain terms he describes the way in which the view of Derrida - if applied in all its consequences - results in the impossibility of interpretation (undoing). Part of the cause why interpretation is rendered impossible lies in the fact that the author (of an ancient text) is no longer present; furthermore the interpreter lives within an era in which another culture and totally changed circumstances reign.
Even the reader 'creates' a totally new (reader's) text. In this respect, it could be said that this action actually constitutes an 'explanation' in the sense that the reader interprets the text and thus creates an individual (new) text. An authoritative explanation is, however, not necessarily presented by this creative making of the reader. 'Reading the text on these terms is like projecting one's image onto the mirror of the text, a hermeneutic strategy that sentences the interpretative community to stare at its own reflection' (p.182). Juxtaposed to this view, Vanhoozer argues with regard to the explanation of the text that: 'There is something in the text that can be known, though perhaps not exhaustively. We must therefore distinguish between the exhaustibility (Vanhoozer's emphasis] of meaning and its indeterminacy' (p.149).

Resurrecting the author

Based on this reasoning, Vanhoozer advocates 'redoing interpretation by resurrecting the author, redeeming the text and reforming the reader'. In this respect, he allocates a central place to the work of the Holy Spirit in the understanding of the Biblical text. 'The Spirit that enables Peter to say of 'this' (the phenomenon of Acts 2) that it was 'that' (the fulfilment of Joel 2) is the same Spirit who continues to lead the church into new readings that will speak to the situation today' (p.415).
To interpret the text, to understand and to apply it, Vanhoozer advocates a trinitarian hermeneutics: 'The belief that there is something 'in' the text, a presence not of the reader's own making, is a belief in transcendence' (p.455). Vanhoozer justifies his point of view as follows: 'If the Father is the locutor, the Son is his pre-eminent illocution. Christ is God's definitive Word, the substantive content of his message. And the Holy Spirit . . . is God the perlocutor, the reason that his words do not return to him empty (Isaiah 55.11). Vanhoozer consequently advocates 'hermeneutic humility and literary knowledge'. He sees the contribution of deconstruction especially in the fact that it has limited 'interpretative pride'. Humility is required when dealing with Scripture, but modesty also implying respect - because we have the affirmation that the kingdom of God has already come, and that this kingdom still has to be finally fulfilled.
Especially these concluding words - humility as well as conviction stamp this work of Vanhoozer as a publication of quality - a book that reflects sincere conviction. And even though not everyone will necessarily agree with the thoughts expressed in this book, an honest reader will honour the idea of Vanhoozer's respect for the Word of God - also in scholarly work.

Professor C.J.H. Venter,
Faculty of Theology,
Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education,
RSA

Is There a Meaning in This Text?

The Bible, the Reader and the Morality of Literary Knowledge

Resurrecting the author

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