Book: Christian Theologies of Scripture

Note: This is a repost due to the database crash. I believe this is the only post that was not part of the restored backup, so we should now have all entries.

Having just turned from a book which I did not find very helpful, I’m happy to present one which I consider an exceptional gift to the Christian community, Justin Holcomb’s Christian Theologies of Scripture.

I wrote a short blog entry immediately after hearing about this book, promising that I would read it and then comment further. Well, that time has come. This book is everything I had hoped it would be.

I have read selections from most of the authors referenced, but with my specialty in Biblical languages, grounded in ancient near eastern languages, I often miss things that happened after about 100 CE. I’m more likely to know the name of an Egyptian or Babylonian king than one from Medieval times. It’s easy to get an unbalanced perspective on a theologian by reading only selections of his work. I’d mention Aquinas as a good example. It’s exceedingly difficult to acquire a passing acquaintance with his work–he’s just too complex for that.

For people like me, who are very interested in the topic, but who need some overview, Holcomb has managed to provide a superior learning opportunity. I would go so far as to recommend that anyone who takes discussion of Biblical inspiration, or who thoughtfully considers inspiration in connection with Bible study, should read this book. Part I, dealing with patristic and medieval theologies is worth it by itself. There is an overview followed by overviews of Origen, Augustine, and Aquinas. The reformation/counter-reformation section is worthwhile if for no other reason than to correct the common misconception of “sola scriptura” as understood by the reformers, and its twin misconception that Roman Catholic Bible study of the period was dead.

I found Part IV, Contextual Theologies of Scripture least helpful, but that is not the fault either of Holcomb as editor nor of the selected authors. I just have to admit that for me, many of these views of inspiration just get a bit too wild, and so I have a hard time understanding why one bothers. Scripture in the African-American Christian tradition was an exception to that assessment–I found that chapter extremely helpful, and I think many preachers could learn something about preaching and applying scripture from that chapter. I must warn white guys like myself, however, that using African-American approaches to scripture can be hazardous. I was teaching once in an African-American church, and I was using some liberation vocabulary and applying some Old Testament stories to modern situations. One lady became more and more agitated until she raised her hand and interrupted me. “That’s all good enough,” she said, “But when are you going to deal with what it actually says?” She did have a point!

In any case, I rate this one a clear 5 on my numerical scale.