Michael Graves (4)

How did Christians in the first four centuries after Jesus Christ's life read and interpret both the Bible and extra-biblical sources? Biblical Interpretation in the Early Church is part of Ad Fontes: Early Christian Sources, a series designed to present ancient Christian texts essential to an understanding of Christian theology, ecclesiology, and practice. Christianity has been inescapably ritualistic, uncompromisingly moral, and apologetically intellectual. A large and diverse company of thinkers and personalities from both the western and Eastern part of the Christian church is presented in this book.

An introduction to each of the Church fathers, theologians, practitioners and thinkers from AD 100-700 like Justin Martyr, Origen of Alexandria , John Chrysostom, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Jerome. A selection from their texts in English introduces you to their works, and line of thinking. If you're interested in more of one or more authors, you'll need to dig for good translations of complete works.… (más)

Graves offers a short and readable overview of patristic exegetical practices, with particular attention to ancient views on the inspiration of scripture. Each chapter is devoted to a specific aspect of scripture, which then is further subdivided into related topics. The chapters include: (2) usefulness, (3) spiritual/supernatural dimension, (4) mode of expression, (5) historicity and factuality, and (6) agreement with truth. An introductory and concluding chapter frame these chapters. The concluding chapter offers a synthesizing summary and application of the previous chapters. This conclusion highlights both the similarities and differences among modern and ancient approaches to scripture. He highlights the subjectivity of interpretation; prioritizes the literal meaning; locates proper interpretation with the individual; and, heralds a "democratic" reading practices. Good undergraduate/early graduate level book.… (más)