Shawn B. Redford. Missiological Hermeneutics: Biblical Interpretation for the Global Church. Eugene, Oreg.: Pickwick Publications, 2012, 363 pp.

Abstract

Shawn B. Redford. Missiological Hermeneutics: Biblical Interpretation for Eugene, Oreg: Pickwick Publications, 2012, 363 pp. At outset, author of this book intends to build new bridge across great divide between biblical studies and missiological theology. Shawn Redford notes that past, both schools have ignored each other and have thereby created confusion. Biblical scholars have mainly asked questions about origin, form, faith community, and surrounding human civilisations order to examine how these shaped biblical text. But at same time, they failed to ask missiological question regarding purpose, design, and God's intentions as presented Bible. Meanwhile, missiologists have continued to superimpose their particular agendas on scripture or ignore Bible altogether (xi-xii). By addressing above-identified issues, Redford attempts to give shape to mission and nature of missional from perspective of what he calls the Church. He attempts to examine scripture as his primary source while taking into consideration secondary sources such as contemporary cultural values, historical struggles, and experiences of those who are engaged missio Dei (the mission of God). For Redford, key to understanding missiological is to overcome scientific polarisation Western hermeneutic and to perceive and learn from overarching missional and spiritual found throughout scripture. In this way, readers can balance missional, spiritual, historical-critical, and hermeneutical paths and are thereby empowered biblical interpretation for Global Church. Redford summarises chapter overview on pages 6 to 7. In terms of this book's structure, chapters 2 through 5 comprise major chapters, with chapters 2 and 3 addressing hermeneutical theory, and chapters 4 and 5 dealing with contemporary issues related to missional hermeneutics. Chapter 2 focuses on biblical studies that investigate some of most influential found within scripture, as well as distorted that author finds disturbing. Redford here offers complex and fascinating biblical study on texts such as Genesis 12, Daniel 9-12, and Matthew 8-12. In same vein of complexity, chapter 3 presents current hermeneutical trends in West and present state of missiological hermeneutics (6). Chapter 4 is historical case study, examining underlying employed over wide range of authors who address theological implications and missiological responses to issues African polygamy. From biblical and missiological perspectives, this is very timely study on human sexuality, looking at how Christian church has addressed or is addressing what author refers to as a difficult missional issue. Unfortunately, Redford ignores another contemporary issue related to human sexuality--namely, homosexuality. Both issues ought to be addressed today because both are applicable to evangelical and ecumenical churches. I wish author could have identified another contemporary issue chapter 5 as case study, but he instead focuses on missiological hermeneutics. This particular is not only beneficial for biblical understanding, but is essential for developing missiological insights scripture, while avoiding tendency to relegate valid mission insights scripture to realism of theology. The final chapter is summary, drawing together all insights and offering recommendations for future of missiological hermeneutics. …