Contemporary Biblical Hermeneutics An Introduction

Appearing in English for the first time, this classic introduction to the field of hermeneutics covers a wide range of approaches to biblical interpretation. Presenting a brief history of philosophical hermeneutics, Manfred Oeming uses a clear structure to emphasize why there are, and why there must be, different and differing approaches to the interpretation of a text, in this case particularly the biblical text. The often confusing multiplicity of approaches to biblical interpretation are introduced along accessible lines, concluding with an argument for an acceptance of a multiplicity of approaches to account for the many layers of the biblical text. Incorporating discussion of the German hermeneutical tradition, exemplified by the work of Heidegger, Bultmann, and Gadamer, this book helps to bridge Anglo-American and German scholarly traditions. It will be of great assistance to students, teachers and preachers.

Contents: Preface; Introduction: The topic and procedure of this book. Part I The Philosophical Foundations of Biblical Hermeneutics: The phenomenology of understanding: the theory of the hermeneutical square; A foray into the history of philosophical hermeneutics with a focus on biblical hermeneutics. Part II The Plurality of Current Approaches to the Bible: Methods focused on authors and their worlds; Methods focused on texts and their worlds; Methods focused on readers and their worlds; Methods focused on the reality behind the text. Part III Summary: Fullness of Flood of Meaning?: The Bible and the current plethora of methods. Bibliography; Indexes.

Manfred Oeming is Professor of Old Testament Theology at the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany.