“The Bible Clearly Says...” “Let’s get back to the Bible.” “We follow the main and plain understanding of Scripture.” Expressions like this are riddled through the religious milieu of our time. Until recently I had largely presumed this discourse around ‘a right way’ of interpretation existed solely in religious spheres. However, my recent initiation into the academic research field led to a surprising discovery that similar discussions around the concept of objectivity in interpretation were at play there as well. While theologians wrestle with the concepts of inerrancy and inspiration, researchers and educators find themselves in a parallel conversation around positivist and constructivist theory. I began to wonder, is there a way to connect these analogous dialogues to approach biblical hermeneutics through a fresh set of eyes? This paper will attempt a critical analysis of how constructivist theory can inform our approach to Scripture. To do so we will ask: what is constructivist theory? What does it have to offer our hermeneutical methods? Are there limitations? And finally what are helpful ways I plan to appropriate this theory into my future interactions with Scripture?
i think you are correct with this constructivist view, but the question is, "how does one develop this christocentric view?" would it not be circular to say that we develop it from the bible? seems to me you have to know god before even coming to the scriptures to be able to discern what is human and what is divine. knowing god is knowing love, and we know love experientially; not intellectually. so, instead of calling it a christocentric lens, it might be more helpful to call it the lens of love...
Posted by: kent | February 03, 2019 at 08:16 AM