Divine Scripture in Human Understanding: A Systematic Theology of the Christian Bible

Divine Scripture in Human Understanding is a systematic theology of Christian Scripture that articulates a unified but open horizon for understanding Christian Scripture today. It draws on the writings of Irenaeus, Origen, and Augustine, as well as Scripture itself, classical sources, recent studies on the history of Scripture, and the work of recent scholars and theologians. It provides a basis for affirming the achievements of traditional, historical-critical, and contextual readings of Scripture and addresses issues relatively underemphasized by those respective approaches.

Format: Hardback
Length: 458 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2019
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

Divine Scripture in Human Understanding is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of a Christian doctrine of Scripture within the framework of systematic theology. Written by Joseph Gordon, the book consists of six meticulously crafted chapters that provide a detailed account of this doctrine.

In the introduction, Gordon offers a concise overview of the contemporary landscape of Christian Scripture, highlighting the diverse approaches taken both within and outside academic circles. Recognizing the need for a coherent and constructive systematic theology of Christian Scripture, Gordon sets out to articulate a framework that draws upon the rich resources of Bernard Lonergan and traditional Christian doctrines of Scripture.

The book employs a multidisciplinary approach, utilizing primarily the methodological resources of Bernard Lonergan and traditional Christian doctrines of Scripture recovered by Henri de Lubac. It draws upon achievements in historical-critical study of Scripture, studies of the material history of Christian Scripture, reflection on philosophical hermeneutics and philosophical and theological anthropology, and other resources to articulate a unified but open horizon for understanding Christian Scripture today.

After providing an overview of the contemporary situation of Christian Scripture, Gordon identifies intellectual precedents for his work in the writings of Irenaeus, Origen, and Augustine. These early Christian scholars, who situated Scripture within the economic work of the God to whom it bears witness, interpret it through the Rule of Faith. Subsequent chapters delve deeper into the subject matter, drawing on Scripture itself, classical sources such as Irenaeus, Origen, Augustine, and Aquinas, as well as the fruits of recent studies on the history of Scripture. The book also incorporates the insights of recent scholars and theologians to provide a contemporary Christian articulation of the divine and human locations of Christian Scripture, as well as the material history and intelligibility and purpose of Scripture in those locations.

The resulting constructive position presented in Divine Scripture in Human Understanding serves as a valuable heuristic for affirming the achievements of traditional, historical-critical, and contextual readings of Scripture. It offers a framework that integrates these different approaches while providing a fresh perspective on the significance and relevance of Christian Scripture in the modern world.

In conclusion, Divine Scripture in Human Understanding is a groundbreaking work that offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of a Christian doctrine of Scripture within the framework of systematic theology. Written with clarity, depth, and scholarship, the book provides a valuable resource for scholars, pastors, and laypersons alike. It sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of Christian Scripture and offers a constructive framework for understanding its significance and relevance in contemporary society.

Weight: 830g
Dimension: 161 x 237 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268105174