Theological Interpretation of Scripture Matters—3
Resources
The theological interpretation of Scripture landscape has changed significantly over the last couple of decades, with the result that those wanting to learn more about, learn from, or indeed practice theological interpretation can draw on a wealth of resources. I have organized my suggested list into several discrete categories.
Commentaries
For overall assessments of some of the following commentaries, see:
Gutierrez, W. Ryan. “New Testament Theology and the Production of Theological Commentaries: Trends and Trajectories.” Religions 12, no. 11 (2021): 949. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12110949 (Open access).
Heringer, Seth. “The Problem of ‘History’ in Recent Theological Commentary.” Pages 26–42 in Ears That Hear: Explorations in Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Edited by Joel B. Green and Tim Meadowcraft. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2013.
Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible, ed. Amy Plantaga Pauw and †William C. Placher (Louisville: Westminster John Knox).
Theologians from a variety of cultural and theological-ecclesial backgrounds seek to deliver theological-ethical commentary on each biblical book.
Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible, ed. R. R. Reno (Grand Rapids: Brazos).
Theologians adopt a wide range of reading strategies to explore the theological significance of each biblical book. The editorial introduction prioritizes the ongoing significance of the ancient theological tradition for contemporary commentary.
Commentaries for Christian Formation, ed. Stephen E. Fowl, Jennifer Grillo, and Robert W. Wall (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans).
Biblical scholars seek to serve the church by showing how faithful theological exegesis might promote preaching and teaching that form Christ-followers in the faith.
Two Horizons New Testament Commentary, ed. Joel B. Green and Max Turner (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans).
New Testament scholars and, sometimes, New Testament scholars paired with theologians, provide theological exegesis combined with essays seeking to span New Testament studies and constructive theology.
Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary, ed. J. Gordon McConville and Craig Bartholomew (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans).
Old Testament scholars and, sometimes, Old Testament scholars paired with theologians, provide theological exegesis combined with essays seeking to span Old Testament studies and constructive theology.
Dictionaries
Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible, ed. Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic).
Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics, ed. Joel B. Green (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic).
New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, D. A. Carson, Graeme Goldsworthy, and Brian S. Rosner (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2000).
Journals
A number of journals publish the occasional article devoted to theological interpretation of Scripture—e.g., Horizons in Biblical Theology, International Journal of Systematic Theology, Pro ecclesia, Scottish Journal of Theology.
One journal is devoted exclusively to theological interpretation:
Journal of Theological Interpretation (Eisenbrauns/Penn State University Press).
Book Series
Explorations in Theological Interpretation (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press).
Journal of Theological Interpretation Supplement Series (Eisenbrauns/Penn State University Press) (Now Explorations in Theological Interpretation).
