Editors’ Introduction

Abstract

JTI was established in 2007 in order to address the changes in biblical studies that were taking place. The official description of the Journal states:Between 2007 and 2017 JTI was ably led by its founding editor Joel B. Green of Fuller Theological Seminary. Anyone who has worked with Joel knows him to be a wise and efficient colleague and in his editorial duties for JTI he displayed both attributes many times over. As a New Testament scholar of international renown and a leading figure in the early dissemination of theological interpretation, Joel steered the editorial board of JTI superbly and ensured that each volume was on time and the quality of essays in the Journal were of an international standard. The publisher, Board, and editors of JTI thank Joel for his hard work and initiative as he passes the baton of editorial leadership over to a new team. It is testament to his capacity for work that two editors now take over the duties of what Joel managed to do single-handedly. Thank you, Joel.In 2017 Murray Rae of the University of Otago stepped into the role of acting editor in chief and carried out these duties until volume 13, number 1 in 2019. As the series editor of the JTI Supplement Series, Murray is well acquainted with the theological interpretation of Scripture and he stepped into the breach when an editor was required as Joel was no longer able to carry out these duties. Murray ensured the ongoing quality of the Journal and again, the publisher, Board, and editors are grateful for his hard work. We are sure editing a journal was not high on Murray’s to-do list and so we are grateful for all he has done and continues to do for the Journal.As of this volume (13, no. 2), Tim Meadowcroft and Myk Habets are the co-editors of JTI. One is a biblical scholar (Tim) and the other a theologian (Myk), and both are associated with Laidlaw College in Auckland, New Zealand. We are thankful to Joel and Murray, and to the publisher and Board, for this privilege and we hope to conduct the business of the Journal in the same efficient way the previous editors have modeled. In the years since its inception, the original purposes of the Journal remain true and important and JTI has sought to publish essays that have contributed to new understandings of Scripture and theology. This forward-looking turn has, however, more recently been coupled with a backward-looking turn, as biblical scholars and theologians have rediscovered—if that is not too strong a term—the richness of pre-critical interpretation, especially that of the patristics. Alongside canonical readings of Scripture we now find theologies of retrieval, resourcement theologies, and a greater appreciation for the sorts of readings the fathers modeled. Today biblical studies and theology continue to enjoy a convergence of sorts, or perhaps a dialogue is more apropos. Moving beyond the preoccupation to overly define what theological interpretation is (although definitions are still important), we now enjoy many more examples of what theological interpretation of texts looks like in practice. This has brought into dialogue Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal, and Orthodox voices, to name but a few.The editors of JTI look forward to receiving submissions from across the Christian traditions and across the canon as the church continues to listen to and reflect upon the Word written, and work under the illumination of the Holy Spirit.