Thiselton on Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics is an interdisciplinary study of how we interpret texts, especially biblical texts, in the light of theories of understanding in philosophy, meaning in literary theory, and of theology. This volume brings together the seminal thought of a leading contemporary pioneer in this field. Thiselton's The Two Horizons was a classic on how horizons of biblical texts engage creatively with the horizons of the modern world. The author's later New Horizons in Hermeneutics explored still more deeply the transforming capacities of biblical texts, while his massive commentary on 1 Corinthians interpreted an epistle. This volume collects many of Anthony Thiselton's more notable writings from some seven books and 70 articles, to which he adds his own re-appraisals of earlier work. It uniquely expounds the thought of a major contemporary British theologian through his own words, and includes his own critical assessments.

Anthony C. Thiselton is Emeritus Professor of Christian Theology, University of Nottingham, and Research Professor of Christian Theology, University of Chester.

Contents: Preface. Part I Situating the Subject: Situating the explorations: 'thirty years of hermeneutics'; Situating a theoretical framework: 'biblical studies and theoretical hermeneutics'; Re-situating hermeneutics in the 21st century: a programmatic re-appraisal today. Part II Hermeneutics and Speech-Act Theory: An application and caveat: 'the supposed power of words in the biblical writings'; Speech-act theory as one tool among many: 'transforming texts'; Changing the world: illocutions and 'directions of fit'; 'Christological texts in Paul'; More on Christology: 'Christology in Luke, speech act theory, and the problem of dualism in Christology'; More on promising: 'the paradigm of promise as trustworthy, temporal, transformative, speech-acts'; Retrospective re-appraisal of work on speech-act theory. Part III Hermeneutics, Semantics, and Conceptual Grammar: Justification by grace as legal fiction? 'Language-games and 'seeing as': a fresh approach to justification by faith in Paul and James'; Descriptive, evaluative, and persuasive meanings: 'the Meaning of Sarx in 1 Corinthians 5.5: a fresh approach in the light of logical and semantic factors'; 'Faith', 'flesh', and 'truth' as context-dependent concepts: 'language-games and polymorphous concepts'; Semantics serving hermeneutics: 'semantics and New Testament interpretation'; Does the Bible call all Cretans liars? 'The logical role of the liar paradox in Titus 1:12,13: a dissent from the commentaries in the light of philosophical and logical analysis'; Retrospective re-appraisal: conceptual grammar and interdisciplinary research. Part IV Lexicography, Exegesis, and Reception History: Greek lexicography and context of argument: 'the 'interpretation' of tongues? A new suggestion in the light of Greek usage in Philo and Josephus'; Does lexicographical research yield 'Hebrew' and 'Greek' concepts of truth? How does this relate to notions of truth today?; Reception history or Wirkungsgeschichte? 'The Holy Spirit in