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Deriving Theology from Scripture

An Account based on the Work of Kevin J. Vanhoozer
  • Michael Borowski
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Scripture and Theology
This chapter is in the book Scripture and Theology

Abstract

How can theology be derived from Scripture? This chapter assumes that such a theology “derived from Scripture” is desirable, but difficult to achieve. Building on Kevin J. Vanhoozer’s work, the chapter outlines an account of developing doctrine as a way of deriving theology from Scripture. It locates the task of developing doctrine in Vanhoozer’s overall ‘agenda’ and reflects on Vanhoozer’s conception of the nature of doctrine, in order to then argue for three components of doctrinal development: the turn to Scripture, the formulation of doctrine, and the renewal of doctrine. The paper presupposes that outlining one’s own approach for doing theology not only necessitates reflection on that particular account, but also allows for dialogue between this and other accounts practitioners of theology may maintain.

Abstract

How can theology be derived from Scripture? This chapter assumes that such a theology “derived from Scripture” is desirable, but difficult to achieve. Building on Kevin J. Vanhoozer’s work, the chapter outlines an account of developing doctrine as a way of deriving theology from Scripture. It locates the task of developing doctrine in Vanhoozer’s overall ‘agenda’ and reflects on Vanhoozer’s conception of the nature of doctrine, in order to then argue for three components of doctrinal development: the turn to Scripture, the formulation of doctrine, and the renewal of doctrine. The paper presupposes that outlining one’s own approach for doing theology not only necessitates reflection on that particular account, but also allows for dialogue between this and other accounts practitioners of theology may maintain.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Foreword VII
  4. Scripture and Theology in Context: An Introduction 1
  5. Part 1: Scripture and the Web of Meanings
  6. An Anthropological Analysis of Ezekiel 13:17–21 35
  7. Messiahs and Redeemer Figures in Postexilic Texts 57
  8. Early Divine Christology: Scripture, Narrativity and Confession in Luke-Acts 89
  9. Why is the New Testament Called “New Testament”? 119
  10. Disassembling Provenance: Origin Stories and Why They Matter for Scripture 149
  11. Part 2: The Bible at Work: Historical Case Studies
  12. Power Dynamics in the Preached Word: A Fourth Century Case Study 165
  13. Augustine without a Theodicy of a Condemning God 195
  14. Philosophy in Aquinas’ Exegetical Work and Its Meta-Theological Implications 235
  15. Hamann between Luther and Hume 261
  16. Let Everything that Hath Breath Praise the Lord 283
  17. The Divine Forwards: Karl Barth’s Early Exegesis of the Pauline Epistles 305
  18. Karl Rahner’s Use of the Bible 327
  19. Part 3: Informing Theological Discourse: Systematic Perspectives
  20. Canonical Theology, Social Location and the Search for Global Theological Method 345
  21. Quadriga without Platonism 375
  22. Reinventing the Quadriga 397
  23. The Theological Art of Scriptural Interpretation: Lessons from von Balthasar 415
  24. The Holy Scriptures as a Recognition- and Witnessing-Authority 433
  25. The Relationship of Scripture and Tradition in the Light of God’s Revelation 453
  26. Deriving Theology from Scripture 473
  27. List of Contributors 487
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110768411-020

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Foreword VII
  4. Scripture and Theology in Context: An Introduction 1
  5. Part 1: Scripture and the Web of Meanings
  6. An Anthropological Analysis of Ezekiel 13:17–21 35
  7. Messiahs and Redeemer Figures in Postexilic Texts 57
  8. Early Divine Christology: Scripture, Narrativity and Confession in Luke-Acts 89
  9. Why is the New Testament Called “New Testament”? 119
  10. Disassembling Provenance: Origin Stories and Why They Matter for Scripture 149
  11. Part 2: The Bible at Work: Historical Case Studies
  12. Power Dynamics in the Preached Word: A Fourth Century Case Study 165
  13. Augustine without a Theodicy of a Condemning God 195
  14. Philosophy in Aquinas’ Exegetical Work and Its Meta-Theological Implications 235
  15. Hamann between Luther and Hume 261
  16. Let Everything that Hath Breath Praise the Lord 283
  17. The Divine Forwards: Karl Barth’s Early Exegesis of the Pauline Epistles 305
  18. Karl Rahner’s Use of the Bible 327
  19. Part 3: Informing Theological Discourse: Systematic Perspectives
  20. Canonical Theology, Social Location and the Search for Global Theological Method 345
  21. Quadriga without Platonism 375
  22. Reinventing the Quadriga 397
  23. The Theological Art of Scriptural Interpretation: Lessons from von Balthasar 415
  24. The Holy Scriptures as a Recognition- and Witnessing-Authority 433
  25. The Relationship of Scripture and Tradition in the Light of God’s Revelation 453
  26. Deriving Theology from Scripture 473
  27. List of Contributors 487
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