Biblical Interpretation Then and Now

Description

David S. Dockery’s Biblical Interpretation Then and Now examines early Christian hermeneutics and their relevance to contemporary biblical interpretation. The book traces developments from Jesus’ Christological use of the Old Testament through the patristic era, highlighting key interpretive approaches and their modern counterparts.

Key Themes and Structure

Historical Continuities: Dockery identifies distinct hermeneutical methods in early Christianity, including the “functional” approach of the Apostolic Fathers, the “authoritative” responses of apologists like Irenaeus, the allegorical method of Alexandrian scholars (e.g., Origen), and the literal-historical focus of the Antiochene school. Augustine’s “text-centered” approach is contrasted with modern theories like Schleiermacher’s reader-focused hermeneutics and Paul Ricoeur’s textual analysis.

Allegory vs. Literal Interpretation: The work distinguishes between allegory as a literary device and allegorical interpretation as a method, emphasizing the early church’s nuanced use of both.

Modern Relevance: Dockery connects patristic practices to contemporary debates, advocating for a synthesis that respects historical context while addressing modern questions. He critiques existential hermeneutics (e.g., Bultmann) but acknowledges their concern for relevance, favoring a balanced approach that prioritizes authorial intent without dismissing reader-response insights.

Critical Reception
Reviewers praise Dockery’s even-handed treatment of diverse traditions, bridging evangelical and mainline scholarship. However, some note potential biases, such as emphasizing Scripture’s centrality in worship (reflecting Baptist perspectives) and the brevity of coverage on the Reformation. Despite its survey-style limitations, the book is lauded as an accessible introduction to patristic hermeneutics and their enduring significance.

Dockery’s work underscores the Bible’s dual nature as divine and human, advocating for a plenary inspiration theory that affirms both inerrancy and contextual richness.