Leaven

Volume 7 Issue 2 Adult Nurture Article 17

1-1-1999

The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy, William Strauss,

James Riley Estep

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven

Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons

Recommended Citation Estep, James Riley (1999) "The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy, William Strauss, Neil Howe," Leaven: Vol. 7 : Iss. 2 , Article 17. Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol7/iss2/17

This Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the Religion at Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Leaven by an authorized editor of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Estep: The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy, William Strauss, Neil H

Published by Pepperdine Digital Commons, 1999 1 Leaven, Vol. 7 [1999], Iss. 2, Art. 17

110 Leaven, Spring, J 999

Book Reviews Markus McDowell, Eleanor Daniel, Editors

Linda J. Vogel, Teaching and approach to the Bible. Differences Christians to begin to integrate their Learning in Communities of among the stories can and should be stories into God's story. Vogel Faith: Empowering Adults noted, but the Bible should ultimately discerns and explains four metaphors Through Religious Education be seen as one Master Story. Still, that are helpful here: Schooling, (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, despite this criticism, Vogel's ap- Pilgrimage, Household of Faith, and 1991),219 pages including proach is thoroughly biblical. Unlike New Earth. All of the styles ex- references and index. Reviewed some authors, she does not attempt to plained by these metaphors are by Robert Countiss. abandon biblical metaphors and biblically based; Vogel offers both images for a new set. She recognizes strengths and precautions for each. Vogel defines religious education that these biblical metaphors, such as Vogel also develops her own as "knowing and soul nourishing that Kingdom of God, Sabbath, Grace, model for Christian education based take human development seriously Authority, and Trinity are still on the feeding of the five thousand and focuses on the intersections of meaningful and important, even to (p. 124). A key found in this model is life" (p. 47). For the church, this those with little or no history in the the sacramental connection, which means that adequate time and effort church. could have some interesting connec- need to be spent on examining and Vogel's point is supported by her tions with education, particularly in understanding the transition points of analysis of2 Kings 18-19 (p. 7). She the emphasis of the gathered commu- life so that people can begin to suggests that adult Christian educa- nity at worship. For Vogel this is a integrate their personal stories into tion makes people bilingual and able significant element in remaining true God's story. to integrate faith into daily activities. to the language "behind the wall." It Because of this, and appropri- This concept is at first hard to is in the reliving and retelling of this ately so, Vogel emphasizes the imagine in a society that still tends to event of Christ's life that the church biblical stories as an important regard itself as basically Christian is enabled to communicate its prime element in Christian education. She oriented. The traditional metaphors story. There is more emphasis here notes that there are several stories, that are part of the history and on individuals and less on a plan or not just one. True enough, and yet we language of faith are the language developed program. Individuals learn cannot forget to take a canonical "behind the wall" that enables by dialogue (p. 67), and teachers may

https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol7/iss2/17 2 Estep: The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy, William Strauss, Neil H

Adult Nurture I I 1

not have ready-made answers yet program to be lifted from the pages We cannot assume that adult learners may be willing to risk conflict (p. and installed in any church. She is have had this opportunity as children. 68). So then teachers are servant- true to her own model in encouraging Many people come to the church leaders (p. 98), and curriculum dialogue and invitation. having had no previous Christian resources are "maps for the journey" I like much of what Vogel has to experience, and they want to know rather than ends in themselves (p. say. However, she says little about what is in the Bible. 146). The real action of teaching is motivation for the journey that she Even so, there is much in Vogel's between the individual and God, with asserts to be so important. I am also a book that is helpful and inspiring. the teacher acting as "midwife" (p. bit troubled by her statement that Any church can be greatly helped by 158). "Learning about" becomes learning scripture is secondary to taking a comprehensive look at its secondary to invitation (p. 165). invitation (p. 165). Though I agree in education program and by giving This is Vogel's model; to her the sense that a simple knowledge of intentional direction to what Chris- credit, she recognizes that it may not Bible content is not the definition of tian education seeks to do for adults. be entirely appropriate for others. For being Christian and that the church that reason, she offers steps for must continually extend the invita- developing other models and then tion to individuals to accept salvation ROBERT COUNTISS is minister of invites those who develop programs and discipleship, I think that Vogel Rural Retreat United Methodist to consider these principles to see does not really address modem Church in Rural Retreat, Virginia, what would guide them. Vogel biblical illiteracy. The church must and a student in the D.Min. program recognizes that what she has written teach content; an important aspect of at Emmanuel School of Religion in should not be seen merely as a Christian education is purely content. Johnson City, Tennessee.

James Fowler, Weaving the New potential opportunity and ominous the stages of faith. Several of the Creation (San Francisco: Harper & peril for the church. In the second seven stages closely parallel stages of Row, 1991), 204 pages. Reviewed by scene, Fowler portrays the concept of cognitive development found in the Jones Oliver. "divine praxis" through biographical work of others. Fowler concludes sketches of Martin Luther King Jr.; that "the stages of faith are sequential James Fowler describes the Thomas Merton; Carlyle Marnay, a and invariant" (p. 17), but the illus- structure of this book as being like personal mentor; and Suzanne trating stories in chapter 4 demon- one of the narrative tapestries hung in Massie. He describes "divine praxis" strate that faith development is the papal palace in Avignon, France as focusing on "the question of the complex and personal. (p. vii). The story of the tapestry is characteristic patterns of God's Chapter 5 begins with a discus- told as new patterns are woven of the involvement in and providential sion of vocation, which Fowler same threads from the community. guidance of the processes of our describes as "finding a purpose in Fowler's tapestry seeks to faithfully evolving universe, including God's Christ that aligns your life with the guide the church into participation in interaction with humankind" (p. 31). purposes of God" (p. 126). The focus God's continuing work in the world. The third chapter presents then shifts to the importance of If Fowler's book is a narrative Fowler's case for substituting the expressing Christian faith in poetry tapestry, then each chapter is a scene imagery of Sallie McFague-God as and hymnody. The work of Brian from the narrative. The first scene MotherlParent, Lover, Friend, and Wren is used to illustrate Fowler's declares the reality and profound the world as God's body-for the goal of fresh and theologically breath of change in the immediate traditional imagery of God as Sover- sensitive expression. past and the present. Fowler empha- eign, Father, and Creator. The fourth The sixth image of Fowler's sizes the dual nature of this change as scene summarizes Fowler's work on tapestry describes what he terms

Published by Pepperdine Digital Commons, 1999 3 Leaven, Vol. 7 [1999], Iss. 2, Art. 17

112 Leaven,Spring, 1999

"public church." Public church I felt able to do that, with the excep- lofty goal of "universalizing" faith "seeks to be faithful to a biblical tion of substituting Sallie McFague's that seeks to "participate in the grounding in its claim that ecclesial imagery of God for that which is perspective of God"(p. 113). Third, community, formed by the presence more directly biblical. Fowler rejects the church must recognize the and fellowship of Christ, points the traditional images of God be- profound changes that are occurring beyond itself to the praxis of God in cause, he claims, they distance the in the world. Prayerful and creative the process of history" (p. 151). believer from God and are beyond responses to those changes will help The final panel of the tapestry rehabilitation because of human sin. I the church reap the potential of their seeks to weave together the personal believe that the purposes of God are opportunities and avoid the perilous dimension of the stages of faith with better served by a process that calls pitfalls of their dangers. Finally, the the corporate character of "public the believer to live according to church must prepare people to apply church." Assumed in this pattern is a God's praxis than one that substitutes the gospel faithfully on a multitude perpetual need for rebirth and new images that are easily subjected of levels. The church has an obliga- reformation within the church and to the perversions of a renewed tion to speak to the individual, the faithfulness to the defining character- "Mother Earth" paganism. community, the society, and the istics basic to the church. He lists Fowler's book presents at least world. Let us heed Fowler's pleas to five such characteristics: preaching, four significant concerns for Chris- actively and faithfully discover and worship, mission, community, and tian ministry. First, the goal of participate in God's praxis in the instruction. Christian instruction is not just the world-his new creation. Fowler writes, as all authors perpetuation of information. The must, with a set of values, assump- church must seek to call and form tions, and experiences not shared by people into Christian vocation. all readers. He invites the reader to Second, the nature of faith is dy- JONES OLIVER is minister of Faith interact and participate in weaving namic through life. The church Christian Church of Christ in the tapestry of God's new creation. should deliberately work toward the Christiansburg, Virginia.

Albert Y. Hsu, Singles at the singles' group may at times further evangelical idolization of the family. Crossroads: A Fresh Perspective entrench our faulty assumptions In between, he highlights the New on Christian Singleness (Downers about singleness. Hsu quotes one Testament role models of the single Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1997), single:"I want to go to church and be life: Jesus and Paul. He carefully 194 pages. Reviewed by Ruth part of the body, not part of a data- stresses that neither marriage nor Picker. base" (p. 25). We must remember, he singleness is in itself more holy than cautions, that "there is no such thing the other. Neither is a permanent Hsu's Singles at the Crossroads as a 'typical single' any more than state. Neither makes a person whole. challenges the twentieth-century there is a 'typical marriage'" (p. 28). Relationship with Jesus Christ, not a church's theology in its meager "A new vision of singleness for the marriage partner, is the pinnacle of support of singleness. In the United twenty-first century" is in order (p. intimacy and identity. States, where nearly half the popula- 31). Hsu's most helpful section tion is single, the church's approach Hsu begins his shift toward better debates the frequently faulty exegesis to programming in Christian educa- theology by discussing the history of of the gift of singleness. He asks, tion must change to fit the biblical singleness. He traces ideologies from ironically, "[If being single] really is model or lose its mission-to minis- the Jewish stigmatization of the a gift, why doesn't anybody want it?" ter to all people. Hsu reminds us that unmarried, to the Catholic elevation (p. 49). He answers with a seven- few congregations reflect the demo- of celibacy, through the current point refutation of the myth that the graphic realities. Beginning a token

https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol7/iss2/17 4 Estep: The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy, William Strauss, Neil H

Adult Nurture 113

gift of singleness means God makes need not, and cannot, be fulfilled tries. He asks whether we shouldn't some singles supernaturally happy exclusively in a sexual way, Hsu just treat singles as functioning without a partner. Within this list he asserts. "Companionship with members of the body of Christ with debunks the idea that gifted singles Christians is the cure for aloneness" special gifts of mobility and au- have perpetually good feelings about (p. 123). tonomy. Hsu astutely continues, "In being unmarried and face no sexual Besides the boon of companion- the first family of the Church, it is temptations. He calls into question ship, Hsu also suggests the discipline still true that blood is thicker that the "two-tier class system" (p. 52) of solitude. Personal aloneness need water" (p. 136). that creates the married, the singles not be loneliness. Resting in Christ Hsu follows up this wisdom for with the gift, and the singles without can be the greatest peace of all. the re-education of the church with the gift. Hsu says, "Paul gives no hint "Solitude and community are parallel poignant advice about the tempta- that marriage is normal, while disciplines" (p. 123) for the single. tions and the false cultural views of celibacy is a 'special' condition" (p. Sound theology of singleness romance with which singles struggle 54). He believes that the current further rests on the biblical truth that today. He leaves no area of single- popular view of singleness leaves the church is "the first family" (p. ness unaddressed. This book is the singles who desire marriage yet never 124). Hsu calls into question the most thorough discussion in print for marry in the lurch. He says the goal trend of evangelicalism to view the the most neglected half of our is to become content with whichever nuclear family as the first priority. population. gift the Lord bestows. He warns that Where does that leave the single or I read this book with interest we must not "penalize the virtue of the church? He states, "There is because the author was once one of contentment" (p. 55) by calling it an nothing inherently noble or virtuous my students. I expected to appreciate unsolicited gift for some. All Chris- about the nuclear family" unless it is it much as a mother appreciates each tians must seek the spiritual maturity engaged in the larger context of "the of her child's "masterpieces." To my of being at peace with their circum- first family .... For singles who great joy, I found it to be the most stances. Marriage is a gift. Singleness yearn for a sense of belonging to a accurate theology I have seen on the is a gift. All good gifts come from spouse and family, God reminds us subject. It is about time! God. Whatever one's status, it is that we are part of a family far more Furthermore, the book is ex- God's gift for the moment. The point significant and enduring than the tremely cogent and reader friendly. is to become satisfied therein and to biological family. In one sense we In my opinion, this is the most seek God's will for service in and are already married-as the bride of important book a Christian director through the church. Christ" (p. 126). of adult education could read at this In Hsu's further discussion about Hsu gets to the heart of the moment in history. Hsu's parting God's will, he points out that the matter for adult education. Church words to singles apply to us as adult passages that state God's desire for ministries for singles must see educators, as well: "Let us put our man not to be alone do not have to beyond current misuse as pathetic lives on hold no longer. Let us start imply that God wants all people to be dating services or group therapy today" (p. 175). married. "Aloneness is what is not sessions. Such models presuppose good here, not the lack of a spouse," dysfunction in singleness or singles' Hsu exhorts (p. 68). Companionship need to move on to a better state. He is a must for everyone. He notes that wonders if it wouldn't be more RUTH PICKER is professor of Chris- the many current sitcoms about beneficial to incorporate accountabil- tian education, English, and commu- friendship give evidence of this need ity, partnership in ministry, and nications at Minnesota Bible College for singles. The desire for closeness fellowship into our singles' minis- in Rochester, Minnesota.

Published by Pepperdine Digital Commons, 1999 5 Leaven, Vol. 7 [1999], Iss. 2, Art. 17

114 Leaven, Spring, 1999

R. Wade Paschal Jr., Vital Adult school class. Subsequent chapters vate us best. Needs that our friends Learning: Choices to Fit Your that treat the formation of new know and see motivate us second Church, Effective Church Series, classes, teacher recruitment, and best" (p. 21). This fits modern adult ed. Herb Miller (Nashville: curriculum choices contain valuable learning theories that adults "come to Abingdon, 1994), 151 pages. suggestions. There is nothing star- classes with a more specific sense of Reviewed by Frank H. Floyd Jr. tlingly new in these chapters, but the need" (p. 27). Some educators take material is well organized and clearly this to mean that adults should This excellent little volume is presented-again, making the book choose their own courses of study. packed with practical advice for an excellent resource for volunteers Indeed, it is argued that our educa- churches who are seeking to rebuild who organize educational programs tional efforts must be pitched toward and grow their adult education for adults. people's felt needs. No one wishes to programs. Paschal presents a ratio- Paschal admirably meets the goal be understood as believing people's nale for and a description of adult of the series of which this book is a needs are unimportant. Adult reli- learning that avoids much of the part: to present "how-to" answers in gious education, however, must help jargon associated with modern adult specific areas of church life. There people recognize their true needs, not learning theories. He garners insights are some weaknesses, however, in the assume that all felt needs are equally conservatively from those theories work. One is that many of the valid. Indeed, Paschal recognizes that without intensive excursion into suggestions are geared to the me- the purpose of the church is to them, making this an excellent dium-to-Iarge congregation and "challenge in the name of the gospel, volume to place in the hands of lay would require significant adaptation the normal tendencies of individuals leaders. Christian education commit- for congregations where personnel and cultures," because "individuals tees will find Paschal an invaluable and resources are limited. While are not always their best guides" (p. resource as they struggle with recognizing that adult learning in the 30). This statement notwithstanding, defining their task and will gain small church presents is own chal- Paschal most frequently aims at the insightful suggestions that are lenges, the book makes few sugges- felt needs of adult learners. The book immediately applicable in situations tions for meeting those challenges would be stronger if greater attention where the luxury of extended study except to grow and change. were given to balancing felt needs may not be available. Chapters are dev~ted to the with the challenge the gospel pre- The chapter "Classes Have topics. of singles and small groups. sents to the tendencies of individuals Personalities" is a creative way of There are good insights for both. For and cultures. describing why classes thrive or fail example, "singles" have significant In spite of these drawbacks, to do so, and what one can reason- variations among them and cannot be Paschal has performed a valuable ably expect from various class treated all the same, and small groups service for the church. He has written "personalities." This chapter recalls have drawbacks and must be supple- an understandable, practical work for Carl S. Dudley and Sally A. mented by other larger treatments. use by both ministers and lay volun- Johnson's Energizing the Congrega- But this book primarily treats the teers. We need more books like this tion: Images That Shape Your adult married population in the one. Church s Ministry (Louisville: standard Sunday school class. Westminster, 1993) and can be read A third weakness, to my way of productively in concert with that thinking, is the market approach to FRANK H. FLOYD JR. is minister at volume. What Dudley and Johnson Christian education. Paschal writes: the Christian Church in Astoria, do with the church as a whole, "Needs that we know and see moti- Oregon. Paschal does with the adult Sunday

https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol7/iss2/17 6 Estep: The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy, William Strauss, Neil H

Adult Nurture 115

William Strauss and Neil Howe, The Howe characterize those born during America, making what Strauss and Fourth Turning: An American this period as "Nomads," distrustful Howe call "A Fourth Turning Proph- Prophecy (New York: Broadway, of the culture's institutions and ecy." It is this prophecy that could 1997), 382 pages including notes and lacking allegiances. develop into the Crisis stage of indexes. Reviewed by James Riley The turning which follows, American culture, which provides a Estep. Unraveling, captures the idea of platform for part 3, "Preparing for cultural entropy, wherein the institu- the Fourth Turning." "History repeats itself." Strauss tion is subject to the individual's Strauss and Howe do not speak and Howe affirm this cliche, but they interests, and into which "Heroes" of how to avoid the final turning, also ask, If it is true, why can't the take center stage as those who have since its occurrence, to them, is history of the future be projected overcome the institutions. Finally, natural, inevitable, and necessary. based on the successive cycles of the fourth turning is Crisis, from Rather, they address how individuals history's past? Ifhistory is cyclical, which comes rebirth of the culture and institutions can survive by containing the same basic pattern and the loss to history of the institu- moving through the fourth turning by with only the events within the tions of the High turning. The advent taking advantage of the Unraveling common pattern differing, why of the "Artist" occurs in this turning, and coming Crisis seasons in Ameri- cannot the trajectory of history allow with a period of creativity and new can culture (p. 306). Of all the parts the reader to virtually predict the ideas. These new ideas are destined of this work, part 3 proves to be most outcomes of events before they to become the institutions of the next beneficial for adult education. occur? In short, this work is a study High turning, and hence the cycle is Christian educators, and educa- of the past and present, particularly rejuvenated. tors in general, have often made use the latter half of the twentieth Part 2 of the book applies the of generational studies to develop century in America, with "prophecy" cycle to American history since programs of education. The first aboutthe coming in 1946, the close of World War II. The valuable aspect of this part of the America that extends well into the first turning (High) is identified as book is the presentation of the twenty-first century. 1946-64, roughly corresponding to generational differences. The de- Strauss and Howe present their the Boomer generation. The second scription includes the Millennial cyclical pattern of history in part 1. turning (Awakening) is equated with generation just preparing to enter They maintain that cultures develop 1964-84, corresponding to the higher education. In fact, chapter 11 cyclically, with each cycle having thirteenth generation (more com- goes so far as to "age" the genera- four eras, or "turnings" (hence the monly known as or tional voices (e.g., how a Boomer title of the book), each lasting about Busters). It is at this point that the will sound in 2010 as a senior one generation. The four turnings are text takes on its prophetic voice. The citizen), providing "scripts" for each High, Awakening, Unraveling, and third turning (Unraveling) is said to generation including a hypothetical Crisis. extend from 1984 to 2005 (?), a script for the generation that follows The first, the High turning, period marked with ensuing "culture the . denotes a time of growth and wars" in America, paralleling the The second valuable aspect of progress, confidence in the new arrival of the Millennial generation part 3 is Strauss and Howe's sugges- cultural developments. Individuals into adult life. tions as to how individuals and born during this period will flock to The final turning (Crisis) is institutions can weather the change "prophetic" personalities because of actually addressed in two chapters. of seasons between the Unraveling the positive and visionary messages Chapter 9 presents other "fourth and Crisis turnings. One need not they bring. Awakening, the second turnings" in history, so as to develop accept the premise of cyclical turning, symbolizes a time of matur- possible patterns of development in historical development in culture or ing, wherein the confidence in the the years 2005+. The following the possibility of establishing histori- High institutions is questioned and chapter then applies those possible cal trajectories in culture to find ultimately rejected. Strauss and patterns of cultural development to value in this section. The prepara-

Published by Pepperdine Digital Commons, 1999 7 Leaven, Vol. 7 [1999], Iss. 2, Art. 17

116 Leaven, Spring, 1999

tions for turnings described in about good and evil, implant God valuable is a pattern of history if it chapter 11 would generically apply and prayer in public life, and doesn't explain and identify the to any period of intense or unprec- demand more divine order in events leading to or from it? For edented change in the lives of civic ritual. They will view as example, what kind of "crisis" will individuals or institutions. These sacrilegious many of the unravel- America face? Will it be nuclear recommendations can be readily ing era's new pro-choice life- holocaust, famine, natural disaster, applied to the church as an institu- cycle laws, from genetically civil revolution, economic collapse- tion. engineered births to non-tradi- or even positive crisis, such as While the authors do have a tional marriages to assisted spiritual revival or radical social pluralistic view of religion, even suicides. They will desecularize reformation? In short, while the book criticizing Christianity's perspective birth, marriage and death to is valuable for some of its content, its of time (pp. 9-11), Strauss and Howe reauthenticate the core transi- claim to be a prophecy "about are not silent on the place of tions of human life. (p. 281) America's next rendezvous with evangelicals in their prophetic future: destiny" seems a bit presumptuous. If there is one innate and cardinal Boomer evangelicals will join criticism of the book, it is that it rests the search for a spiritual old age. on the premise that history is some- JAMES RILEY ESTEP is academic Elder conservative Christians how predictable. Can historians dean at Great Lakes Christian will sharpen their sermonizing really predict the future? Also, how College in Lansing, Michigan.

https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol7/iss2/17 8 Estep: The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy, William Strauss, Neil H

Adult Nurture 117

Robert H, Stein, A Basic Guide to Hermeneutics," discusses the three into the mind of the author to Interpreting the Bible: Playing by necessary components of determine his psychological state at the Rules (Grand Rapids: Baker communication: the writer, the text, the time of writing. Books, 1994),219 pages. Reviewed and the reader. He asks the basic Within the framework of the by Morris Yates. question of where meaning author being the determiner of originates. Stein argues that it meaning, Stein discusses the role of Robert Stein offers the common , originates with the author or encoder the author, the role of the text and untrained, believing reader a basic of a given text. He briefly discusses the role of the reader in nontechnical guide on how to read linguistic theories that hold that the interpretation. He discusses the Bible to discover what the text has semantic autonomy when it historical particularity, specific original authors meant. .This is gains the questionable classification meaning, pattern of meaning, and followed by showing how the status of literature and is thus the legitimate implications that grow out ordinary reader "can discover the source or origin of meaning. He of specific meaning. He uses legitimate implications that flow out discusses how and why he finds several illustrations and biblical of this meaning, and how this these theories wanting. The chief texts as examples to help the reader applies today" (9). The author reason is that the text is an inanimate understand the interpretive process. tackles these goals by considering object and cannot consciously will Several charts and line drawings are three major elements in two distinct meaning, thought, or reason any of used to make remarkably clear this parts of this clearly written book. In which require a sentient being. To many- faceted task of interpretation. the first part, he discusses the first omit consideration of the intent of He does an especially fine job major element, the roles of the the writer leaves open the possibility throughout the text of showing how writer, the text, and the reader. In an that the reasoning source might be context functions to help the reader effort to increase understanding and the reader. Thus, he takes up understand a text. He clearly shows to minimize confusion, he next theories that argue for the reader or how and where various tools like presents his second major element, decoder as the person who lexicons, concordances and Bible the need for a precise vocabulary, determines the meaning of a text or dictionaries can help the reader who which he supplies and uses code. He rejects the contention of is not familiar with the original consistently. In the second part he some synchronic methods such as languages to more accurately get the presents his third major element by "reader-response-criticism" (20) authors' meaning by staying within briefly introducing the reader to that hold that a text can have as the "norms of language" (54). He various literary genres found in the many legitimate meanings as it has shows how both literary and Bible and by setting forth guidelines readers. historical context are involved in to help the uninitiated reader more A person engaged in the newer arriving at the meaning of the writer. accurately read the texts. literary criticism could thus have The role of the Holy Spirit in The author uses the analogy of problems with Stein's arguments. the writing of scripture is discussed an athlete playing various sports. This very potential is seen by Stein in chapter three. Stein states, The rules for playing different sports as a significant argument, in that "Throughout the entire process of vary, and the players must know and before what he has written could be interpreting the Bible, the Holy observe the rules in order to playa argued with, his meaning in the text Spirit is intimately involved" (61). particular game. In the same way, would have to be understood by the He is viewed as the cause of the the reader must know the rules of reader, thus demonstrating his point writing of the scriptures, as having the various genres (games) in order that the writer originates the guided the canonization process, and to play the game of interpretation. meaning. He describes the argument finally as helping the believer apply This analogy functions as a kind of of "intentional fallacy" (23) and the Bible to her or his life. Stein controlling metaphor throughout the finds it to have missed the point that believes that when the reader has the book, but it is especially prevalent in the reader is looking for the authors' the second part. consciously willed meaning that the originally intended meaning, that The first chapter, "Who Makes author "intended to communicate" reader also has the meaning intended Up the Rules? An Introduction to (23) in the text, rather than climbing by the Holy Spirit.

Published by Pepperdine Digital Commons, 1999 9 Leaven, Vol. 7 [1999], Iss. 2, Art. 17

118 Leaven, Spring, 1999

In chapter four, entitled "Different Games in the Same Book: Different Forms of Scripture," the author discusses commissive and referential language and explains the purpose and function of both. He shows numerous examples within common experience where one has likely heard or will hear each type of language. He explains that both types of language can be found in a given biblical genre, but he carefully explains where a reader is most likely to find each type. In chapters five through thirteen Stein defines and discusses proverbs, prophecy, poetry, idioms, hyperbole, parables, narrative epistles, treaties, laws and songs. All of these discussions are helpful and provide many illustration from the Bible. They are clearly and cogently presented. The extended discussions advocating the historicity of all narratives was finally declared to be beside the point in determining the meaning of a text. The matter as to whether or not the text's narrative actually happened is, in the end, considered to be an evaluation of the subject matter of the text and has to do with signification rather than meaning. Balance and depth might have been improved in analysis. Chapter five, "The Game of Wisdom: Proverbs," was too brief to be of very much help with the interpretation of this genre. However, one must keep in mind that this book is an introductory work, a good starting place. The work concludes with a brief, usable glossary of technical terms, a selected bibliography dealing with hermeneutics, and a very good scriptural index.

MORRIS YATES worships with the Church of Christ in Tulare, California.

https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol7/iss2/17 10