by: Don C. Collett

• Format

  E-Book

  ISBN

  9781493421626

  Pub. Date

  Apr 2020

  SRP

  $26.00

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About

Experienced Old Testament scholar Don Collett offers an account of Old Testament interpretation that capitalizes on recent research in figural exegesis. Collett examines the tension between figural and literal modes of exegesis as they developed in Christian thought, introduces ongoing debates and discussions concerning figural readings of Scripture, and offers theological readings of several significant Old Testament passages. This book will work well as a primer on figural exegesis for seminarians or as a capstone seminary text that ties together themes from courses in Bible, exegesis, and theology.

Contents

Introduction
A World Well Lost: The Eclipse of Old Testament Consciousness
Part 1: Frameworks
1. Biblical Models for Figural Reading
2. Figural Reading and Scripture's Literal Sense
Part 2: Exegesis
3. Figural Reading, Metaphor, and Theological Exegesis
Part 3: Assessment
4. Figural Reading and Modernity
5. Epilogue
Indexes

Endorsements

"Don Collett rightly claims that Christ himself is the one who shaped the history of Israel in a figural manner. Squarely grounded in the Yale School's claim that the Old Testament provides its own distinct witness to Christ, Figural Reading and the Old Testament presents a carefully argued yet bold defense of allegorical exegesis. This book offers a perceptive antidote to the modern occlusion of divine providence from biblical interpretation."

Hans Boersma, Saint Benedict Servants of Christ Chair in Ascetical Theology, Nashotah House Theological Seminary

"Collett weaves together sure-footed knowledge of Christian doctrine, hermeneutics, and detailed exegesis, sweeping down often to make a point on textual detail. He argues convincingly that the Reformation's insistence on the plain sense need not mean a dry letter but rather can mean a living text, which gives occasion to figural reading. Collett gives a masterly account of the implications of modernity replacing providence with consciousness. Throughout, he rightly insists that the Old Testament is not abolished by the New Testament but that the latter uses the former's memory to make the most and perfect sense of the events around Christ."

Mark Elliott, professor of divinity and biblical criticism, University of Glasgow

"In this challenging book, Don Collett weaves together profound hermeneutical reflection, wide-ranging exploration of the ancient and modern history of biblical interpretation, and close reading of biblical texts in his effort to understand the Old Testament's witness to Christ. It brings new depth and insight to the contemporary discussion of theology and exegesis, and it will be a wholesome provocation for all sides."

David Yeago, professor of systematic theology and ethics, Trinity School for Ministry

"This book demonstrates convincingly and sympathetically how a correct appraisal of the Old Testament's literal sense is crucial to basic Christian claims. Collett provides at once a basic introduction to the relevant issues and a penetrating examination of extended sense-making in the history of Christian interpretation. One senses immediately the indispensable role the scriptures of Israel have played in making Christ known in all his fullness, all the while remaining that distinctive historical voice given in and to Israel. Highly recommended."

Christopher R. Seitz, senior research professor of biblical interpretation, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto

"Don Collett is a repairer of breaches. His book, Figural Reading and the Old Testament, deals, among other things, with the question of what we as Christian exegetes and moderns should mean by 'history.' Skilled in canonical and cultural-linguistic reading, Collett points out and resolves breaches between the Testaments, between literal and theological senses, between metaphysics and hermeneutics in theology, and so by implication between the tasks of the preacher and the aims of seminary curricula. This book closes the breach between student and academic audiences as well, and I heartily commend it to both."

George Sumner, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas

"We have long needed a serious discussion of figural reading from within the biblical guild, informed by the application of honed exegetical knowledge. Collett has exceeded our wildest hopes in providing us with a profound and detailed study of the Old Testament's textually embedded figural meaning. Rooted in substantive exegesis (Job, Proverbs, Hosea), history of interpretation, and intellectual theory, Collett powerfully demonstrates the necessary role of the Old Testament as revelation of divine identity, in a way that cannot be bypassed through a reductive appeal to the New Testament. This revelation, however, is dependent on the Bible's own providential interplay of literal and figural sense-making, something Collett explicates with convincing clarity and force. Figural Reading and the Old Testament should be required reading in every seminary course in Scripture and theology."

Ephraim Radner, professor of historical theology, Wycliffe College