The Bible in History

Abstract

Abstract This book examines the symbiotic relationship between Scripture and the social and cultural contexts shaping its interpretation throughout Western history. Biblical texts have not only shaped the times, but the times have also exerted an enormous impact on shaping the interpretation of texts. The book traces how specific biblical texts—verses, chapters, and portions of books—have at various times emerged to be the inspiration of movements that have changed the course of history. Each chapter is shaped roughly like an hourglass; that is, chapters examine the history of a text on either side of a particular episode in which the text undergoes an innovative interpretation. This critical juncture—the neck of the hourglass—becomes the primary focus of attention in each chapter. Criteria for the selection of texts include their significance in the history of Christianity, the diversity of traditions and texts, and the interpretive strategies and varied themes that demonstrate a cross section of exegetical and hermeneutical approaches. The book consists of ten chapters: Anthony’s call to the desert after hearing words of Matthew 19:21; the biblical rationale for the papacy found in Matthew 16:18; Bernard of Clairvaux’s Sermons on the Song of Songs; the transformative influence of Romans 1:16–17 on Martin Luther; the Anabaptist nonviolent ethic in following Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount; the exodus motif in African American history; the texts that gave rise to modern Pentecostalism; the decisive text of Galatians 3:28 in support of women’s ministry; the “Great Commission” text (Matthew 28:18–20) of missionary motivation in the modern period; and biblical texts that encompass the divisive and ongoing controversy of male homosexuality.