Short History of Interpreting the Bible

Truly a work of great scholarship. In some occasions, the discussions were beyond my comprehension level. This book is certainly not meant for the new Christian or even for the intermediate Christian. The theological and philosophical depth of this book can certainly cause some to be "left behind." Therefore, as a pro and as a con, the level of intellectualism of this book serves it as both a blessing and bane. The reader can also sense immediately from the start of the book and to the end of the book the authors' moderate viewpoint concerning the authority of Scripture. As presented in pages 3, 104, 129 and 176 (from cover-to-cover), both authors view that Scripture is the "record of God's revelation," and David Tracy adds further on p.176 that, "Christianity considers the Scriptures not the revelation itself but the original witness to the revelation." This moderate view of Scripture devalues the authority of God's word as His sole special revelation of Jesus Christ. Both authors write their works well, except they both fail to explain why the Bible is merely a "record of God's revelation" and not IS "God's revelation," but brushes their liberal view with an absolute statement that "all Christianity considers it this way," when in fact Conservative Christianity DOES NOT support this view.

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE, written by Robert M. Grant and published in 1963 and later revised with David Tracy is the standard history of the different ways in which the Bible has been interpreted since the days of the early Church to the mid to late twentieth century. Beginning with how Jesus and New Testament authors used the Hebrew Scriptures, the book continues with the different ways patristic authors, medieval and Renaissance authors, and finally modern authors interpret scripture. What we see is that there was never one way to interpret scripture, which shows how scripture is a continuous living and thriving set of writings. I have found the book helpful not only in understanding scripture, but also theology itself. Scripture is the basis of theology, and understanding the differences between Alexandrian interpretations and the interpretation of scriptures of writers associated with Antioch, the differences between Catholic, Lutheran, and Calvinist interpretations, and how modern scholars see scripture gives insight into theological thought. More often than not, theologians are not biblical scholars, and basing thought in scripture is not their forte. The Grant and Tracy text is a great help with clarification and for me brings together the connection between theology and the Bible. After studying theology and scripture, I have returned to this text for Bible study preparation and preaching. From time to time I will look at various texts and how they have been interpreted through the centuries, which if done well can make scripture study vibrant. Of course the key is when it is done well, but that's another story. Needless to say this text is indispensable for anyone studying scripture. Most exegesis looks not only at the text but also the ways it has been interpreted over the centuries. This book gives an overview that will make historical exegetical work easier. If this is not a required text for theological study, I would advise people who wish to study scripture or theology to buy this readable and valuable volume. It will undoubtedly answer questions that will arise. I only have one caution and it's not about the book but the binding. I have owned two copies of this book. The first I purchased in the seminary and before long the pages fell out due to poor binding. The same is happening with the second. This should not prevent a person from buying the book, but it is a warning that it may not be as well as it could be.

Robert Grant (emeritus, U. Chicago) and David Tracy (U. Chicago) have come together in this small book to give perhaps the finest concise history of biblical interpretation that you can find for the money ... Yes, it leaves out some theologians and interpreters, maybe your favorite ones, but the book is not meant to be exhaustive. Nevertheless it almost manages even this, since I cannot think of someone you NEED to know about that you won't have studied after having read this little tome. There is a very nice biblography, a good index (includeing references in the notes as well), though no scriptural index. This is not a real problem, however, since this is not a book of exegesis per se, but the history of exegetical problems and traditions. The book is divided into two parts, historical and theological. That may not be an exact divide in a book on biblical interpretations, but it serves. Grant writes part one, and manages to give a good overview of all (and excellent investigation of others) of the various readings of the text, Old and New. In 150 pages of non-technical language, Grant leads the reader from Jesus and first-century Jewish readings of the Bible, and the development of Christian texts into a "testament," all the way to modern (20th century) Protestant ways of reading, without leaving out anyone who figures largely or less-largely in the history of interpretation. Quite a feat, but he is successful, at least within the scope that this book sets for itself. It is not for the specialist, but the specialist can certainly benefit from it as a reference book and quick look-up tool (and who doesn't need that from time to time?) David Tracy's contribution is part two, a theological and hermeneutical look at biblical interpretation, interpretaiton theory, critical theory, and prospects for the future. As in Grant's earlier chapters, Tracy gives just enough information to be helpful, but not enough to be daunting. With a top scholar in biblical studies and a top scholar in theological studies coming together in this book, it makes it a volume hard to avoid owning, especially for the student or educated layman. Here is a suggestion, as a matter of fact: this would be an excellent adult study book for churches--pastors and vestries take note! If you are in the position to need a history of how the biblical texts have developed and been interpreted (the multifariousness of interpretations might well shock you), this is a great little book to own. I highly recommend it without reservation.

This short, concise book gives a clear and easily understood history of the interpretation of Scripture. The author examines the way the Bible has traditonally been interpreted and then shows how these historical approaches have contributed to our contemporary understanding. While this book may be of particular interest to clergy, teachers, preachers and students, it is free of specialized theological and exegetical terminology and is a valuable resource for anyone who reads the Bible. Highly recommended