Revelation, Scripture and Church: Theological Hermeneutic Thought of James Barr, Paul Ricoeur and Hans Frei (Ashgate New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology, and Biblical Studies)

"How does God's involvement with the generation of Holy Scripture and its use in the life of the Christian church figure into the human work of Scripture interpretation? This is the central question that this book seeks to address. In critical conversation with the influential hermeneutic programs of James Barr, Paul Ricoeur and Hans Frei, Topping demonstrates how God's agency has been marginalized in the task of Scripture interpretation. Divine involvement with the Bible is bracketed out (Barr), rendered in generic terms (Ricoeur) or left implicit (Frei) in these depictions of the hermeneutic field. The result is that each of these hermeneutic programs is less than a 'realist' interpretative proposal. Talk of God is eclipsed by the terminal consideration of human realities. Topping argues for the centrality of doctrinal description in a lively theological understanding of Scripture interpretation for the life of the church."--Jacket How Is God Involved With The Bible? And How Does God's Involvement With The Generation Of Holy Scripture And Its Use In The Life Of The Christian Church Figure Into The Human Work Of Scripture Interpretation? This Is The Central Question That This Book Seeks To Address. In Critical Conversation With The Influential Hermeneutic Programs Of James Barr, Paul Ricoeur And Hans Frei, Topping Demonstrates How God's Agency Has Been Marginalized In The Task Of Scripture Interpretation. Divine Involvement With The Bible Is Bracketed Out (barr), Rendered In Generic Terms (ricoeur) Or Left Implicit (frei) In These Depictions Of The Hermeneutic Field. The Result Is That Each Of These Hermeneutic Programs Are Less Than 'realist' Interpretative Proposals. Talk Of God Is Eclipsed By The Terminal Consideration Of Human Realities. Topping Argues For The Centrality Of Doctrinal Description In A Lively Theological Understanding Of Scripture Interpretation For The Life Of The Church. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Foreword Preface Introduction 1 Revelation and Biblical Interpretation: Divine Disclosure and the Constitution of Faith James Barr: Cumulative Tradition and Its Soteriological Function Paul Ricoeur: Manifestation and the Hermeneutic Constitution of Faith Hans Frei: Apologetics, Christology and Anthropology The Birth and Shape of Modern Doctrines of Revelation 2 The Bible as Holy Scripture: Construal and Authority James Barr: The Bible as Faith-Structured Classic Model Paul Ricoeur: The Bible as Polyphonic Intertext that Names God Hans Frei: The Bible Read ‘Literally’ 3 The Church and the Bible Critically Read James Barr: Critical Biblical Research and the Listening Church Paul Ricoeur: Suspicious Hermeneutics and Submissive Communities Hans Frei: The Critical Primacy of Sensus Literalis Conclusion Bibliography Index