Monday, March 26, 2007

The new Journal of Theological Interpretation

The Marketing Director of the Book Sales Division at Eisenbrauns e-mailed me a few days ago with a copy of the initial volume of the Journal of Theological Interpretation. The first volume has articles by Richard B. Hays (‘Can Narrative Criticism Recover the Unity of Scripture?’), Murray Rae (‘Texts in Context: Scripture and the Divine Economy’), Michael A. Rynkiewich (‘Mission, Hermeneutics, and the Local Church’), R.W.L. Moberly (‘Christ in All the Scriptures? The Challenge of Reading the Old Testament as Christian Scripture’), and a review article by Michael J. Gorman (‘“A Seamless Garment”: Approach to Biblical Interpretation?’).

Joel Green introduces the sort of questions the journal sets out to address as follows (p. 3):

  • What is the status of the theological tradition, including the tradition of biblical interpretation, in theological interpretation today?
  • What is the role of history and historical criticism in theological
    interpretation?
  • What is the status and role of the OT in the two-testament canonical
    Scriptures?
  • What is the place of exegesis in theological method?
  • What is the nature of the “unity” of Scripture?
  • What is the role of the canon in theological interpretation?
  • Does theological interpretation extract theological claims or principles
    from the Bible?

This is honestly one of the most exciting new journals I have ever seen, engaging just the sort of questions with which many of us struggle daily. Actually, this is an area that fascinates me especially, all the more so as my Doktorvater, Max Turner, is editing (together with Joel Green) the Two Horizons Commentary Series. In the first volume you will find stimulating, highly relevant and deeply interesting material, and much more is promised for the future. It is difficult for me to welcome the concept behind this journal more enthusiastically.

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6 Comments:

At 3/26/2007 10:41 PM, Blogger Gordon Brown said...

Chris,

my only question is, do we need another specialised journal?

 
At 3/26/2007 11:04 PM, Blogger Chris Tilling said...

A good question, but the more the merrier, I say.

Especially if all are available at your local library, as here in Tübingen.

 
At 3/27/2007 3:20 PM, Anonymous Phil said...

Chris, I think it's great news! Wow, this is exactly what I need! My prof is also on the board (McConville) ... Dude, I am subscribing now.

 
At 3/27/2007 5:09 PM, Blogger Chris Tilling said...

Hey Phil! You'll love this.

Gordon, I would add to 'the more the merrier' within reason of course!

 
At 3/27/2007 10:39 PM, Blogger TheBlueRaja said...

I was really excited to see this as well - I LOVE the dictionary. Some articles are inexplicably long while others are far too short, but on the whole it's an education in itself.

 
At 3/27/2007 11:39 PM, Blogger Chris Tilling said...

Hi blueraja, nice to hear from you!
All written in this vein is, I think, so important. Of course many have tried before, but it seems to me that there is more cooperation and disciplined focus in this area like never before, certainly among evangelicals. Surely only a good thing.

 

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