Description
Book SynopsisRobert Wall began his teaching career at Seattle Pacific University in 1978. Now, forty years later and in celebration of his seventieth birthday, colleagues and former students have gathered to produce this volume in honor of their friend and teacher. The results are sure to delight all of those who have studied under or been friends of Professor Wall.
The essays are grouped under two general themes: theology and methodology (with an emphasis on Wesleyan biblical hermeneutics, canonical perspectives, and the implications of these approaches for church life and work) and biblical texts/themes, especially with a view to the relationship of the study of Scripture to the life of the Christian. In both of these areas, the contributions bear in mind Wall’s conviction that academic study and spiritual life need not—in fact, should not—be kept apart.
The contributors to this volume include Frank Anthony Spina, Andrew Knapp, Shannon Nicole Smythe, Daniel Castelo, Anthony B. Robinson, Eugene E. Lemcio, Sara M. Koenig, Jack Levison, Laura C. S. Holmes, John Painter, and Stephen E. Fowl.
Trade Review“An eclectic compilation of interpretive biblical scholarship in recognition of the outstanding career in both church and academy of Robert W. Wall.”
—Ewen Butler Brill
“All in all this is a collection of theologically rich, exegetically sensitive, and interpretatively wise essays. It is a suitable tribute to a scholar whose work has developed in all those ways over many years. I commend it to readers who would like to see good examples of a canonical approach in practice, both on a conceptual level and in the handling of specific texts.”
—Richard S. Briggs Society of Biblical Literature
“Taken as a whole, this book demonstrates Scripture’s usefulness in a variety of ways: useful for honing one’s interpretative, critical skills (Knapp, Koenig, Castelo, Lemcio, Painter), useful for enabling an “ecumenical reading” that values and honors other faith traditions (Spina), useful for redeeming a christological focus in the entire Scripture (Smythe), useful in forming disciples and for spiritual, ethical practice (Robinson, Levison, Holmes, Fowl). The book also helps one to appreciate the nature of Scripture as having many voices, requiring hermeneutical acuity. It will offer the reader profit with delight.”
—Derek Tovey Review of Biblical Literature
Table of ContentsContents
Introductory Matters
List of Contributors
Acknowledgments
Accolades
Introduction
Published Works by Robert W. Wall
Part One: Essays on Theology and Methodology
Israel as a Figure for the Church: The Radical Nature of a Canonical Approach to Christian Scripture (Frank Anthony Spina)
The Role of Historical Criticism in Wesleyan Biblical Hermeneutics (Andrew Knapp)
Reconsidering Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Barth and Goldingay in Conversation (Shannon Nicole Smythe)
Inspiration as Providence (Daniel Castelo)
But As For You: Pastoral Leadership in a Post-Institutional Time (Anthony B. Robinson)
Part Two: Essays on Biblical Texts and Themes
“Son of Man” in Psalm 8, Psalm 79, and Daniel 7: An Exercise in a Contrapuntal Biblical Theology of the Septuagint (Eugene E. Lemcio)
Canonical Complexities of Biblical Balaams (Sara Koenig)
The Spirit in Israel’s Story: An Antidote to Solipsistic Spirituality (Jack Levison)
Transformed Discipleship: A Canonical Reading of Martha and Mary (Laura Sweat Holmes)
The Place of the Johannine Canon within the New Testament Canon (John Painter)
Bound and Unbounded Desire (Stephen E. Fowl)
Contributors
