Bonhoeffer As Biblical Interpreter

By oscillating between Dietrich Bonhoeffer's explicit hermeneutical reflections and his actual practice of interpreting biblical texts, Jameson E. Ross shows that Bonhoeffer's interpretive acts consist of a theologically self-reflective hermeneutic in which Scripture is for interpretation, underscoring how essential the interpreter's Spirit-given freedom, actions, theology, context and needs are for reading Scripture. Offering a fresh vision for methodological discussions in theology, this book is a valuable resource for graduate and postgraduate students and researchers on modern theology, political theology and ethics, and biblical exegesis.

Introduction -- Chapter 1: Prelude: Framing Interpretation -- Chapter 2: Berlin: Practicing Interpretation in the Academy -- Chapter 3: London: Practicing Interpretation in the Church -- Chapter 4: Interlude: Reframing Interpretation -- Chapter 5: Finkenwalde: Practicing Interpretation in the Seminary -- Conclusion -- Bibliography -- Index.

Bonhoeffer's theology continues to prove richly fruitful in the 21st century. This book gathers together Stephen Plant's scholarly engagement with Bonhoeffer's life and theology over two decades. This collection makes accessible Plant's distinctive perspective on Bonhoeffer's theology, in particular on the key themes of biblical exegesis, ethics and the intimate connections Bonhoeffer discerns between them.

Bonhoeffer's writings include a significant amount of biblical interpretation, but his potential contributions in the fields of biblical studies and theological exegesis of Scripture have not been sufficiently explored. This study reassesses some of his key exegetical writings in light of his theology of revelation and bibliology, unfolding the ways in which his reading of the Bible is determined by his theology of Scripture. Through this analysis, Joel Banman demonstrates that the uniting factor of Bonhoeffer's biblical interpretation is not methodological but bibliological: he reads Scripture as the living word of the present Christ.

This two-volume set is part of a growing body of literature concerned with the history of biblical interpretation. The ample introduction first situates key players in the story of the development of the major strands of biblical interpretation since the Enlightenment, identifying how different theoretical and methodological approaches are related to each other and describing the academic environment in which they emerged and developed. Volume 1 contains fourteen essays on twenty-two interpreters who were principally active before 1980, and volume 2 has nineteen essays on twenty-seven of those who were active primarily after this date. Each chapter provides a brief biography of one or more scholars, as well as a detailed description of their major contributions to the field. This is followed by an (often new) application of the scholar's theory. By focusing on the individual scholars and their work, the book recognizes that interpretive approaches arise out of certain circumstances, and that scholars are influenced by, and have influences upon, both other interpreters and the times in which they live. This set is ideal for any class on the history of biblical interpretation and for those who want a greater understanding of how the current field of biblical studies developed.

The book examines Bonhoeffer's interpretation and use of the Bible and its relation to the historical-critical hermeneutics of his time and to postmodern models of interpretation. The essays also unfold the theological, philosophical, and political implications of Bonhoeffer's hermeneutic.

What caused Dietrich Bonhoeffer-- a well-educated and philosophical pastor from Berlin-- to risk his reputation, his freedom, and finally his life to stand with others against the brutality of the Nazis? In this special collection of his writings, Bonhoeffer reveals his thoughts and struggles as he reflects on the Bible. This unique collection includes excerpts from Bonhoeffer's letters, meditations, expositions, sermons, lectures, and seminar papers-- with topics stretching from his thematic study of the historical critical method to his study of selected portions of Psalms 119, which he regarded "as the crown of theological life." Bonhoeffer's statements about the Bible-- and his struggle with those statements-- remain remarkably relevant today for individuals and churches, for Christians and non-Christians. He still challenges us to decide "whether we are willing to trust the word of the Bible or not."--Back of the book.