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Book Review: Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Recovering a Christian Practice

There is much current interest in ‘the theological interpretation of Scripture’. At least half a dozen studies have recently appeared on this subject, including studies by Jens Zimmerman and by Mark Bowald. None, however, discusses this area with the accuracy, common sense and restraint of Daniel Trier’s work. He puts his case extremely well. Perhaps Trier’s involvement with Kevin Vanhoozer, Craig Bartholomew and N. T. Wright in their massive Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible has given him a perspective and broad sympathy with biblical, theological and historical scholars. His work is a model of careful judgement. Trier begins with an examination of Karl Barth’s work from 1915 to 1921, rightly describing him as the forerunner of the recent recovery of theological interpretation. He points out that Barth did not dismiss ‘the historical critical method’ (but why do so many writers, even Trier, speak of ‘method’ in the singular, rather than of ‘methods’ in the plural, as if to imply that all historical-critical scholars follow a single method?). He sees Barth’s approach as focusing on the Bible’s content, in a participatory mode, with attention and love. Trier’s more recent heroes include especially Francis Watson and Brevard Childs. He underlines differences between American and British evangelicals. He sees the Enlightenment as transforming the reader into an armchair spectator critic, who attempts to understand everything in terms of scientific cause and effect. Postmodern approaches, he urges, at least recognize our situatedness, the impossibility of an isolated individualism, the spurious nature of claims to approach the text with neutral objectivity, and the ‘scandalous particularity’ of the Bible (p. 34). After this long introduction the first half of the book looks at ‘Common Themes’, and the second part at ‘Continuing Challenges’. Under ‘Common Themes’ Trier first notes the current interest in such series as The Ancient Christian Commentary and The Church’s Bible, and the Brazos Theological Commentaries. He considers typology, allegory and the fourfold sense of Scripture. Next, Trier turns to classic figures of ‘precritical’ exegesis. These include Irenaeus and Augustine, and more recent post-liberal theologians. He offers a positive evaluation of Francis Watson (Text Church and World, and Text and Truth). Third, Trier speaks of listening to the community of the Spirit, referring to Lindbeck, Hauerwas and Stephen Fowl. When he reaches ‘continuing challenges’, Trier turns to challenges relating to biblical theology, and to Don Carson’s proposals for revising Book reviews