Christian Scripture and Public Theology: Ruminations on their Ambiguous Relationship

Abstract

Abstract This article explores the relatively neglected topic of the role of Scripture in public theology. It proffers a provisional taxonomy of approaches to relating Scripture to public theology, with a view to demonstrating that there are various ways in which Scripture and Scripture scholarship play a vital role in public theology, broadly construed. It then discusses in more detail three of the eight approaches, focusing especially on recent works by Gerd Theissen and Paul Hanson, and illustrating the value of inner-biblical critique for public theology with reference to the themes of violence and justice.