One of the most significant trends in academic theology today, which emerges within Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox points of view, is the growing interest in theologies of retrieval. This mode of thinking puts a special stress upon subjecting classic theological texts to a close reading, with a view toward using the resources that they provide to understand and address contemporary theological issues. This volume offers an understanding of what theologies of retrieval are, what their rationale is, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. The contributions provided by a distinguished team of theologians answer the important questions that existing work has raised, expand on suggestions that have not yet been fully developed, summarize ideas to highlight themes that are relevant to the topics of this volume, and air new critiques that will spur further debate.

Paying tribute to John Webster's theological works, this volume examines select cardinal Christian doctrines that have been imperative to Webster's research, with essays contributed by eminent systematic theologians, theological ethicists, and biblical scholars from a wide range of Christian traditions. The areas of discussion include the nature and method of theology, Scripture and its interpretation, Christology and the doctrine of the Trinity, moral theology, and the reading and use of theological dialogue partners. These contributors appraise, extend and apply different aspects of the conception of "theological theology". The volume argues that, if theology should in fact be thoroughly theological, it means that theological discourse gains little by conforming to the canons of inquiry that govern other disciplines. By analyzing aspects such as the location of the Church's doctrine, the sinlessness of Christ and the interpretation of scripture, this book posits that theology should rather focus its attention on its own unique subject, God and all things in relation to God, and should follow procedures that allow it to access and bear witness to these realities.

The areas of discussion include the nature and method of theology, Scripture and its interpretation, Christology and the doctrine of the Trinity, moral theology, and the reading and use of theological dialogue partners. The essays are written by eminent systematic theologians, theological ethicists, and biblical scholars from a wide range of Christian traditions. The contributors to this volume appraise, extend and apply different aspects of the conception of theological theology. That theology should in fact be thoroughly theological means that theological discourse gains little by conforming to the canons of inquiry that govern other disciplines; it should rather focus its attention on its own unique subject, God and all things in relation to God, and should follow procedures that allow it to access and bear witness to these realities.

There is at present a ferment over theologicalinterpretation, some backlash against this seemingly new development, and a bitof unsettlement in the state of historical approaches to the Bible. Butstudents and scholars are not always clear about what the differences andsimilarities are between historical and theological approaches to the Bible.According to literary critic Northrop Frye's work "The Great Code: The Bible and Literature,""There have always been two directions in Biblical scholarship, the criticaland the traditional, though often they have merged." What is the nature of thiscontrast? What is the rationale for each approach? Do the approaches conflict, or can they be reconciled? How should the approaches be assessed by believersand academics? To what extent are today's debates about theological exegesisrevisiting an old, perhaps even a perennial, issue, and to what extent do theydeal with a new topic?This reader encourages students and scholars to explorethese important questions by bringing together some of history's mostinfluential discussions of the issues as well as some of the present day's mostdistinguished attempts to weigh in on the debate.

Theological interpretation of the Bible is one of the most significant debates within theology today. Yet what exactly is theological reading? Darren Sarisky proposes that it requires identification of the reader via a theological anthropology; an understanding of the text as a collection of signs; and reading the text with a view toward engaging with what it says of transcendence. Accounts of theological reading do not often give explicit focus to the place of the reader, but this work seeks to redress this neglect. Sarisky examines Augustine's approach to the Bible and how his theological insights into the reader and the text generate an aim for interpretation, which is fulfilled by fitting reading strategies. He also engages with Spinoza, showing that theological exegesis contrasts not with approaches that take history seriously, but with naturalistic approaches to reading.

Theological interpretation of the Bible is one of the most significant debates within theology today. Yet what exactly is theological reading? Darren Sarisky proposes that it requires identification of the reader via a theological anthropology; an understanding of the text as a collection of signs; and reading the text with a view toward engaging with what it says of transcendence. Accounts of theological reading do not often give explicit focus to the place of the reader, but this work seeks to redress this neglect. Sarisky examines Augustine's approach to the Bible and how his theological insights into the reader and the text generate an aim for interpretation, which is fulfilled by fitting reading strategies. He also engages with Spinoza, showing that theological exegesis contrasts not with approaches that take history seriously, but with naturalistic approaches to reading.