The New Cambridge Companion to Biblical Interpretation

Quantity

This Cambridge Companion offers an up-to-date and accessible guide to the fast-changing discipline of biblical studies. Written by scholars from diverse backgrounds and religious commitments – many of whom are pioneers in their respective fields – the volume covers a range of contemporary scholarly methods and interpretive frameworks. The volume reflects the diversity and globalized character of biblical interpretation in which neat boundaries between author-focused, text-focused, and reader-focused approaches are blurred. The significant space devoted to the reception of the Bible – in art, literature, liturgy, and religious practice – also blurs the distinction between professional and popular biblical interpretation. The volume provides an ideal introduction to the various ways that scholars are currently interpreting the Bible. It offers both beginning and advanced students an understanding of the state of biblical interpretation, and how to explore each topic in greater depth.

Contents

Introduction Ian Boxall and Bradley C. Gregory; Part I. Methods; 1. A Historical, Critical Retrospective on Historical Criticism Paul Michael Kurtz; 2. Historical Criticism: Methods Shively Smith; 3. Philosophical Hermeneutics Craig Bartholomew; 4. Literary Criticism Francisco Lozada, Jr.; 5. Rhetorical Criticism Greg Carey; 6. Intertextuality Stefan Alkier; 7. Social-Scientific Criticism Philip F. Esler; Part II. Frameworks/Stances; 8. Jewish Interpretation Karin Hedner Zetterholm; 9. Christian Theological Interpretation Stephen Fowl; 10. Liberationist Interpretation Gerald O. West; 11. Postcolonial Interpretation Jin Young Choi; 12. Feminist Interpretation Mary Ann Beavis; 13. LGBTI/Queer Interpretation Ken Stone; 14. Ecological Interpretation Deryn Guest; Part III. Reception; 15. The Relevance of Textual Criticism for Biblical Interpretation Bradley C. Gregory; 16. Premodern Interpretation and Contemporary Exegesis Richard S. Briggs; 17. The Bible and Literature Alison Jack; 18. The Bible and Visual Exegesis Ben Quash; 19. Uses of the Bible in Communities of Faith Ian Boxall.

Contributors

Alison Jack, Ben Quash, Bradley C. Gregory, Craig Bartholomew, Deryn Guest, Francisco Lozada, Jr., Gerald O. West, Greg Carey, Ian Boxall, Jin Young Choi, Karin Hedner Zetterholm, Ken Stone, Mary Ann Beavis, Paul Michael Kurtz, Philip F. Esler, Richard S. Briggs, Shively Smith, Stefan Alkier, Stephen Fowl