FINDING THE ‘WORLD’ IN BIBLICAL STUDIES: GOD-TALK, CULTURE AND HERMENEUTICS IN THE STUDY (AND TEACHING) OF FAITH

  • Gerald A Klingbeil Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies Theological SeminaryAdventist International Institute of Advanced Studies Silang, Cavite, Philippines
Keywords: Hermeneutics, Biblical Interpretation, Cultural Criticism, God-as-a-Warrior, Metaphor, Theology, Faith

Abstract

This study seeks to describe the elusive links between world, theology, and faith by means of a concise chronological review of how historically these crucial elements interacted and what role empirical methods played in this interaction. Following this, particular focus will be given to one current empirical method of interpreting Scripture, i.e., cultural criticism. Recognizing the importance of biblical metaphor to the hermeneutical enterprise, the study will review how cultural criticism relates to one important biblical metaphor, i.e., God-as-a-warrior. In conclusion, it is argued that biblical hermeneutics need to use a model of interpretation that emanates from the Bible itself, instead of employing primarily a model that is foreign to the Bible. This, in turn, will inform the crucial issue of the interaction between world, theology and faith and their relationship to empirical methods
Published
2013-06-12
Section
Articles