Why does the Bible Matter? The significance of the Bible for contemporary life Reflections from the Centre for Bible, Ethics & Theology Why Does the Bible Matter? The Significance of the Bible for Contemporary Life Edited by C.L. Crouch, Roland Deines, and Mark Wreford This publication was produced by the Centre for Bible, Ethics and Theology at the University of Nottingham, with the generous support of Bible Society. First published 2016 by Bible Society Stonehill Green, Westlea, Swindon, United Kingdom, SN5 7DG © 2016 Selection and editorial matter, C.L. Crouch, Roland Deines and Mark Wreford; individual chapters, the contributors All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permis- sion in writing from the publishers. ISBN 978-0-564-04527-3 Contents 2 Introduction ON BEHALF OF BIBLE SOCIETY Brian Howell 7 Foreword BY THE EDITORS C.L. Crouch, Roland Deines, and Mark Wreford 8 Why Does the Hebrew Bible Matter? C.L. Crouch 14 Why the Bible Matters: A Gospel View Roland Deines 26 Why the Bible Matters: A Pauline View Richard H. Bell 34 The Bible and Biblical Hermeneutics Anthony C. Thiselton 44 The Bible and Eastern Christianity Mary B. Cunningham 54 The Bible and Western Christianity Thomas O’Loughlin 64 Why Does the Bible Matter for Ethics? Philip Goodchild 72 The Bible and Systematic Theology Simon Oliver 80 Why the Bible Matters: Islamic Studies Jon Hoover 88 Why the Bible Matters: Jewish Studies Holger M. Zellentin 100 The Bible and English Literature Alison Milbank 108 Does the Bible Matter for Music? Peter Watts Introduction ON BEHALF OF BIBLE SOCIETY he Bible is indisputably the most read book in history. Translated into over 2,500 lan- guages and counting, with 150,000,000 copies printed in China alone, it is by far the world’s best-selling book. Yet recent years have seen a decline in biblical literacy and Tinterest. Household ownership in the UK has fallen from 90 per cent after World War II to about 50 per cent today. Our own research at Bible Society indicates a latent positivity to- wards the Bible amongst the British public, but relatively low levels of active engagement. Indeed it does seem, as Eugene Peterson has said, that, ‘the Christian Scriptures need [to be pulled] back from the margins of the contemporary imagination where they have been so rudely elbowed by their glamorous competitors.’ o, in light of the Bible’s past and contin- within the areas it does touch upon. It does uing influence, how might we address however, point beyond the critical aspect of the increasing gap between this signif- the study of the Bible for current academic Sicance and our response? One of the most disciplines to the nature of reading, com- natural influences on a society’s thought munities, and texts themselves. It poses the lies in its centres of education and research. counter question, ‘If we neither understand Indeed, though theology was once known how people engage with texts, nor the role as the ‘queen of the sciences’ and deemed of texts in building a community’s identity, foundational to any inquiry into the natural can we truly understand the significance of world, it now receives marginal attention any document for our current culture?’ within modern universities. C. L. Crouch pens the first essay, focused In this volume, the Centre for Bible, Eth- on the Hebrew Bible. She raises the ques- ics and Theology (CBET) has addressed this tion of the relevance of such an ancient and issue head-on, and collected a number of diverse set of texts to the modern read- essays from experts in various disciplines, er. Her answer: its distance and diversity each discussing the importance of the Bi- make it an invaluable tool for understand- ble to their field. It neither attempts to be ing ourselves. The gap between the times comprehensive in terms of the breadth of of the biblical authors and our own allows academic disciplines, nor exhaustive even us a fresh vantage point to look at our own page 2 Why Does the Bible Matter?: Introduction Introduction ON BEHALF OF BIBLE SOCIETY Brian Howell practices and prejudices. Its multiple voic- es allow us to hear more than one side of often very complicated human issues, and to develop a sense of perspective, much as having two eyes viewing the same object gives depth. This depth effectively forces us out of our comfort zones, where we tend to oversimplify the world and our categories of what truth is. Roland Deines writes about the ongoing relevance of the New Testament, specifical- ly the Gospels. He speaks not only of their pervasive influence throughout the cul- tures of the world, but also of the unique messages found within them. For example, the Bible contains insights into how forgive- ness works and what it can affect, which may not be readily visible to the biblically illiterate. Conversely, the Bible has much to Dr. Brian Howell, former Dean of Studies and Research for say about the divine, and questions related Bible Society. to it, which people of all nationalities have pondered for millennia. claims just such a ‘critical,’ though not ‘de- Richard H. Bell looks at the Pauline cor- structive,’ study of the Bible is necessary pus and finds in it both a reflection upon to understand the ‘good news’ of God. In the Old Testament ‘condemning’ word examining this use of one ancient text by from God and the gospel’s ‘life-giving another, we come to see value in its differ- word’. Though he sees Paul’s use of the Old ent senses of meaning. Thus, this ‘gospel’ Testament as a ‘highly selective’ one which becomes one that pronounces humans ‘not transforms the meaning of the former, he guilty’ by virtue of their faith and participa- Brian Howell page 3 page 4 Why Does the Bible Matter?: Introduction tion in the historical and mythical event of faith, which allows it to offer access the Bi- Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. ble’s deeper meanings. Antony C. Thistleton looks at the vari- Thomas O’Loughlin writes about the act ous approaches to interpretation of biblical of reading. Coming from a culture so differ- texts, initially outlining the various contri- ent from ours, a book such as the Bible is all butions of hermeneutics to the issue of the too often evaluated according to practices Bible’s importance. He describes the vary- which were not germane to its writing or ing approaches of traditional historical-crit- used in the centuries within which it was ical analysis of the Bible, which began written and collected, not to mention the with an approach that opposed theology majority of its history of usage. He reem- and history, but has since evolved into ap- phasises the idea of a book as a shared sto- proaches that demonstrate the compatibili- ry for a community—the glue that not only ty—even advantage—of the coexistence of holds it together, but allows it to face the faith and scholarship. This insight alone is future. helpful for those looking into the Abraham- Philip Goodchild examines the relevance ic faiths that dominate the belief systems of the Bible to ethics. Though the Bible is of- of most of the world. Secondly, Thistleton ten naturally connected to this arena, Good- examines the speech-act theory of J.L. Aus- child observes that this is not done in the tin and John Searle. In the performative ut- sort of straightforward manner we might terances that God makes in the Scriptures, expect. He highlights the nature of how such as promises, we find actions that seek we measure life: whether in terms of goods ‘to make the world match the words.’ Thus, and actions that can be measured, or in ‘re- one continuing value in Scripture lies in the ligious goods’ which are only ours when very acts it performs, just by being what it given away, such as time, attention, love, is. Understanding these trajectories and di- and devotion. The Bible speaks to both, but vine actions directly impinges on our cur- with an eye fixed on the latter. In a world rent understanding of the world and our- increasingly measured and ruled by the selves. material, the Bible is crucially instructive in Mary B. Cunningham writes of the val- the economy of lasting value and values. ue of the Bible for the Orthodox tradition Systematic theology is addressed by Si- of Christianity. Her discussion ranges mon Oliver. Though the famous Swiss the- across the nature of the canon of Scripture, ologian, Karl Barth divided the divine Word the Greek texts, and the extra-biblical texts into the incarnate, revealed, and proclaimed which also influenced the early church. She word, Oliver points to another aspect of the then turns to the complex nature of Bibli- Bible’s relevance. It is as a spoken word that cal interpretation, with its many senses, the Bible as God’s word interacts with hu- the role of a context of faith for its reading, man creativity. This means that the context, and its many paradoxes. Finally she points tone, and experience of the communication out the value of the Scriptures for living is as important as the words that are em- life. Though a monastic life may not be re- ployed. Thus, for the reader, it is only when quired, there is much to be gleaned from it.