In Biblical Interpretation W. Randolph Tate invites the reader to explore three predominant types of interpretation: author-centered, text-centered, and reader-centered. Tate has not, however, resigned himself merely to describe sterile methodologies or abstract theories. Concerned that readers have a practical grasp of the interpretative process, he offers description, prescription, example, and application. Review and Study sections included in each chapter provide a list of Key Terms discussed and defined in the text, Study Questions, and suggested Further Reading. This comprehensive exploration of the interpretative process has been revised and updated and includes a new chapter that models how integrating reader-centered, text-centered, and author-centered interpretation fosters a better understanding of the Bible. Randolph Tate is Professor of Humanities at Evangel University, Springfield, Missouri. He is author of Reading Mark from the Outside: Eco and Iser Leave their Marks and Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach. Table of Contents: Preface to the Revised Edition xv Preface xvii Introduction: A Journey into Three Worlds xix U n i t I : T h e Wo r l d B e h i n d t h e T e x t CHAPTER ONE: Why Study Backgrounds? An Apology for Historical Research 3 Review and Study 11 CHAPTER TWO: The Importance of Language: The Grammatical Background 13 Phonology 14 Morphology 16 Lexicology 17 Syntax 21 Review and Study 27 CHAPTER THREE: Reading and the World Behind the Text: The Historical and Ideological Backgrounds 29 Historical and Cultural Background 30 Some Examples of Historical Background Studies 31 The Ideological Context 35 The Ideological World of the Old Testament 37 Examples of Comparative Study 39 The Ideological World of the New Testament 42 Review and Study 62 Uni t I I : The Wor l d Wi thi n t h e T e x t CHAPTER FOUR: The Bible as Literature and Literary Forms 67 Common Literary Sub-Genres 71 Archetypes 77 Review and Study 78 CHAPTER FIVE: How the Hebrew Bible Communicates as Literature 80 Hebrew Narrative 80 Hebrew Poetry 106 Hebrew Prophecy 110 Review and Study 114 CHAPTER SIX: How the New Testament Communicates as Literature 116 The Gospels and Acts 116 Sub-Genres in the Gospels 125 Epistolary Literature 132 Sub-Genres in the New Testament Epistolary Literature 141 Apocalyptic Literature 146 Review and Study 152 Uni t I I I : The Wor ld in F ront o f t h e T e x t CHAPTER SEVEN: What Happens When We Read? 157 The Dialectics of Discourse 160 Review and Study 184 CHAPTER EIGHT: What the Reader Brings to the Text: The Role of Reader Presuppositions 187 The Role of Preunderstanding 187 Reader Presuppositions 188 Theological Presuppositions 189 Review and Study 193 CHAPTER NINE: How Methods Affect Interpretation 195 Author-Centered Interpretation 196 viii BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION Author-Centered Theories 198 Text-Centered Interpretation 208 Text-Centered Theories 209 Reader-Centered Interpretation 214 Review and Study 231 CHAPTER TEN: Mark’s Gospel and the Merging of Three Worlds 234 Mark’s Use of Literary Allusion 235 Mark’s Use of Intercalation 240 Jesus’ Relationship to His Contemporary World View According to Mark 242 Conclusion: The Ending of Mark and the Predicament of the Reader 250 Review and Study 251 CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Never-Ending Story 254 Select Bibliography 259 Index of Modern Authors 269 Index of Scripture References 271 Table of Contents ix
