The Oxford Handbook of the Bible in Orthodox Christianity

The Oxford Handbook of the Bible in Orthodox Christianity explores how Eastern and Oriental Orthodox communities have received, shaped, and interpreted the Christian Bible, highlighting textual fluidity, pluriformity, an open-ended canon, a central role for Scripture within Tradition, and traditional Orthodox hermeneutics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 704 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The Oxford Handbook of the Bible in Orthodox Christianity delves into the intricate ways in which Eastern and Oriental Orthodox communities have received, shaped, and interpreted the Christian Bible. This comprehensive handbook is organized into five distinct parts: Text, Canon, Scripture within Tradition, Toward an Orthodox Hermeneutics, and Looking to the Future.

In the first part, the handbook explores the unique aspect of Orthodoxy, namely, the absence of codification of the Septuagint or any other textual witnesses as its authoritative text. This highlights the concept of textual fluidity and pluriformity, which are central to the Orthodox understanding of the Bible. The various ancient and modern Bible translations into languages such as Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Armenian serve as vivid examples of this dynamic tradition.

The second part delves into the differences between the Orthodox and Protestant and Roman-Catholic faiths regarding the canon of the Bible. Unlike the closed and limited canons of 39 and 46 books, respectively, the Orthodox canon is open-ended, comprising 39 canonical books and an additional 10 or more anaginoskomena or readable books that are considered additions to the Septuagint. This expansion reflects the Orthodox belief in the continuous revelation of God through both the Old and New Testaments.

The third part highlights the central role accorded to Scripture within Tradition in the Orthodox perspective. Contrary to the classical Protestant view of sola scriptura, which emphasizes the sole authority. The Roman Catholic way of placing Scripture and Tradition on par as sources or means of divine revelation, the Orthodox view emphasizes the interrelationship and interplay between these two sources. Tradition is not seen as a static deposit of faith but rather as the living breathing life of the Church throughout history.

The final two parts of the handbook explore traditional Orthodox hermeneutics, which are primarily drawn from patristic commentaries and liturgical interpretations found in hymnography and iconography. These hermeneutical approaches provide valuable insights into the interpretation of the Bible within the Orthodox tradition. At the same time, Orthodox biblical scholars engage in a delicate balance between these traditional hermeneutics and modern historical-critical approaches to the Bible. This exploration highlights the ongoing dialogue between tradition and scholarship, ensuring that the Orthodox Church remains faithful to its historical roots while engaging with contemporary scholarship.

In conclusion, The Oxford Handbook of the Bible in Orthodox Christianity offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the diverse ways in which Orthodox Christian communities have received, interpreted, and cherished the Christian Bible. Through its detailed analysis of textual fluidity, canon, Scripture within Tradition, hermeneutics, and future perspectives, this handbook provides valuable insights into the rich tapestry of Orthodox Christianity's biblical interpretation. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, clergy, and laypersons alike, fostering a deeper understanding of the Bible's significance within the Orthodox tradition.

Weight: 1330g
Dimension: 180 x 256 x 49 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190948658