Abstract
In the Reformed tradition sola Scriptura remains a central tenet in the search for truth.Scripture bears witness to the variety of ways in which God has acted in history. It attests to God’s presence in the world and how God transcends the boundaries of human creations. The article focuses on how the Bible is interpreted differently by Christians from various traditions and even amongst Christians of the same tradition. Different hermeneutical approaches, confessional traditions and cultural contexts lead to different conclusions. Especially with regard to controversial ethical issues, different approaches to biblical reasoning lead to greatly differing results. The article reflects on whether sola Scriptura could provide a key to addressing both diversity and ethics more adequately.
Highlights
Note: This article is a reworked version of a paper presented by the Sola Scriptura Group of the Global Network of Theologians of the World Communion of Reformed Churches at its Consultation in Rüdlingen, Switzerland in March 2013
In the Reformed tradition sola Scriptura remains a central tenet in the search for truth
Confessional traditions and cultural contexts lead to different conclusions
Summary
Authors: Yolanda Dreyer Matthias Zeindler Anna Case-Winters Rathnakara Sadananda Michael Weinrich. In the Reformed tradition biblical hermeneutics assumes, on the one hand, that the meaning of God’s self-manifestation in Scripture is clear; on the other hand, the words and the texts of the Bible are not all that clear. They require a hermeneutics of critical enquiry that takes ambiguity seriously, as well as a hermeneutics of suspicion. The readers hear what it meant in the past and what it means in the present (cf Schneiders 1981:23–39; Kaiser 2007:29–31) It is about both interpreting the text and listening to the Word of God. The primary event is God’s self-manifestation in Christ. The relationship between church and society; identifying signs of transcendence in a postsecular world? What would be an appropriate use of the Bible with regard to the church’s prophetic responsibility of advocacy for economic, ecological and gender justice, as well as its calling to promote peace and participate in conflict resolution, in acts of resistance and endorsement?
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
