When: June 10, 2021, 3:30 pm - Thursday

Where: Swang 232

Session 5

Session Abstract

The “Hermeneutics and Unity in and after Scripture” session explores the hermeneutics involved in inner-biblical exegesis, Second Temple Judaism, and the earliest Christian centuries. To do so, the session investigates topics like the Old Testament’s (re)working of existing tradition, the New Testament’s interpretation of the Old, as well as reception of both testaments in extra-biblical sources from Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity. Across this literature, focused attention is given to the nature of the hermeneutic employed to protect and foster continued unity within the interpreting communities whose readings are examined. This session includes invited papers that treat Gen 1–2.

 

Paper Abstracts

Chris Jones, Faulkner University, “John’s Use of Creational Themes in Interpreting the Crucifixion, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus”

The purpose of the paper is to explore how John interprets the events of Jesus’s passion and resurrection through the lens of Genesis 1–2. I will endeavor to show how John helps unite the Christian community with the foundational event of creation.

 

Joseph K. Gordon, Johnson University, “Irenaeus on Genesis: The Unity of First and Last Things in the Economic Work of God”

Irenaeus’ work is distinguished by its accentuation of the breadth of God’s saving work in history, the recapitulation (anakephalaiōsis, see Eph 1.10) of all things in Jesus Christ. That emphasis is operative his theological engagement with the creation narrative(s) in Genesis 1, where, through the “twofold law of analogy and contrast” (Henri de Lubac), he analyzes the various images, characters, and events of those texts to explain & magnify the unifying, redemptive work of Christ. I will offer an analysis and critical evaluation of his exegetical maneuvers in the early chapters of Genesis with view towards their usefulness for contemporary theological exegesis, preaching, and praxis.

 

Todd Brenneman, Faulkner University, “The Balancing Act of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation and Genesis 1–2”

Observers of evangelicalism have identified biblical inerrancy as a key marker for what makes someone or some group “evangelical,” equating inerrancy with a strictly literal hermeneutic. When applied to Genesis 1–2, this would mean that evangelicals believe that these chapters teach a young earth creationism. The works of Old Testament scholar John Walton, however, open up the possibility of a different approach that ostensibly upholds biblical inerrancy. Walton’s approach, deeply situating Genesis among other Ancient Near East texts, potentially provides the opportunity for unity between evolutionary and young earth evangelicals because such debates are rendered moot with this hermeneutic.

Speakers

Daniel Oden, Harding University, Convener

• Chris Jones, Faulkner University, "John's Use of Creational Themes in Interpreting the Crucifixion, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus"
• Joseph K. Gordon, Johnson University, "Irenaeus on Genesis: The Unity of First and Last Things in the Economic Work of God"
• Todd M. Brenneman, Faulkner University, "The Balancing Act of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation and Genesis 1-2"
• John Mark Hicks, Lipscomb University, Respondent