Social Trends in Interpretation
--Lecture
Notes for Topic 2.3.2-
Religion 492
Last revised: 4/20/04
Explanation:
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2.3.2
Introduction
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Gerald Bray, "Social Trends in Interpretation," Biblical Interpretation:
Past and Present, pp. 507-538
The focus of this chapter in Prof. Bray's work is on interpretive approaches
dictated by contemporary social issues in our modern world. This approach
to Bible interpretation is relatively new in many ways, although certain
aspects of the approaches have been a part of interpretive history for
a long time. The three emerging trends in interpretive methodology that
have developed to a stage where they have distinct identity have to do
with sociological methodology, with a couple of spin off approaches: liberation
theology and feminist theology. I have added a fourth emerging approach,
although it has not yet taken on the distinct identity that the others
have achieved. But it is moving toward such. It is that of, for lack of
a better label, fundamentalist agenda oriented theology. This includes
both Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions and is concentrated in North
America much more than anywhere else in the world.
We will investigate each of these in the subsequent sections.
2.3.2.1
Methodological Approach
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Resource Materials to also be studied:
At the heart of these approaches is a reversal of the historical critical
methodology. In the older approach, the past historical meaning of the
text was explored and determined as far as possible. Then, in more theologically
oriented uses, connections to present situations of this historical meaning
would be explored as 'application' of the text's meaning to today. But
at the heart of these approaches, especially in their beginning expressions,
is going first to a contemporary social injustice issue in our present
society. This is seen as needing to be addressed by Christianity, usually
in a protest manner. In order to provide a basis for criticizing the social
injustice the Bible is searched for religious values that take a similar
hostile view of the contemporary social injustice. Typically, a central
social issue becomes basic to the methodology, rather than a variety of
issues crossing ethnic, gender, political etc. lines. Thus with liberation
theology the political oppression of the poor becomes the foundation issues,
while with feminist theologians the inequality of women in modern (American)
society becomes the key issue. Thus an interpretive approach to the scripture
is formulated around this single social issue, and the Bible is understood
and taught largely in light of this central social issue.
2.3.2.2
Sociological Exegesis
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Gerald Bray, Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present, pp.
511-515
Resource Materials to also be studied:
2.3.2.3
Liberation Theology
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Gerald Bray, Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present, pp.
516-519
Resource Materials to also be studied:
2.3.2.4
Feminist Theology
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Gerald Bray, Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present, pp.
519-524.
Resource Materials to also be studied:
2.3.2.5
Fundamentalist Social Agenda Oriented Theology
Assigned Readings for This Topic:
Resource Materials to also be studied:
Bibliography
Check Bray's bibliography in appropriate chapter of the textbook.
Check the appropriate Bibliography section
in Cranfordville.com
Vernon K. Robbins, "Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation," at
http://www.emory.edu/COLLEGE/RELIGION/faculty/robbins/SRI/index.html.
Vernon K. Robbins, "Socio-Rhetorical Hermeneutics and Commentary,"
at http://www.emory.edu/COLLEGE/RELIGION/faculty/robbins/commentary/commentary284.html