Traditional methods employed in biblical interpretation involve a two-way dialogue between the text and the reader. Reception theory expands this into a three-way dialogue, with the third partner being the history of the text's interpretation and application. Most contemporary biblical interpreters have ignored this third partner, although recently the need to include the history of interpretation has gained some attention. This book explores the hermeneutical resources that reception theory provides for engaging the history of biblical interpretation as a third dialogue partner in biblical hermeneutics. The first third of this work explores the philosophical background and hermeneutical framework that Hans-Georg Gadamer provides for reception theory. The center of this study examines how this hermeneutical approach is fleshed out by Hans Robert Jauss. Jauss not only builds upon Gadamer's work, but his literary hermeneutic provides a model applicable to the biblical text and its tradition of interpretation. The focus for the final third of the book shifts toward three studies that seek to demonstrate the applicability of various aspects of reception theory to biblical interpretation.
"Dave Parris succeeds in the rare achievement of combining careful, critical attention to hermeneutical theory with serious and detailed attention to the biblical text. He brings some much-needed clarity to the current interest in the history of biblical interpretation, showing how reception theory clarifies the issues at stake in negotiating a text's interpretive tradition. The detailed examples from the interpretation of the gospels are exemplary and should commend this book to all careful biblical scholars."
--Richard Briggs
Director of Biblical Studies and Hermeneutics
Cranmer Hall, St John's College, Durham University
"Reception Theory is extremely important today, yet many produce work which betrays a failure fully to understand it. Dr. Parris rectifies this in a masterly way. He considers precursors of the movement, Gadamer, and especially H. R. Jauss. He clarifies related concepts, including horizons of expectation, levels of meaning, and shifting paradigms. This is a splendid, accurate, and much-needed book--a delight to read. For many it will be indispensable."
--Anthony C. Thiselton
Professor of Christian Theology
University of Nottingham
"The world of biblical studies is now filled with many excellent books and articles on the reception history of various texts and motifs. However, what is usually lacking amongst biblical scholars is a clear grasp of the hermeneutical theory which underpins and justifies such studies. David Parris fills this surprising gap with a very learned, deeply stimulating, and clearly written exploration of the profoundly important hermeneutical work of Hans Robert Jauss (set against the background of his teacher Gadamer). And Parris takes us beyond the 'seemingly endless methodological foreplay' that some philosophical hermeneutics can descend into with enlightening biblical case studies illustrating the application of Jauss's theory. This text is to be warmly welcomed."
--Robin Parry
Editorial Director of Paternoster, UK
David Parris teaches classes in New Testament and biblical interpretation and is the Associate Director of Fuller Theological Seminary's extension program in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is the author of Reading the Bible with the Giants.
"Dave Parris succeeds in the rare achievement of combining careful, critical attention to hermeneutical theory with serious and detailed attention to the biblical text. He brings some much-needed clarity to the current interest in the history of biblical interpretation, showing how reception theory clarifies the issues at stake in negotiating a text's interpretive tradition. The detailed examples from the interpretation of the gospels are exemplary and should commend this book to all careful biblical scholars."
--Richard Briggs
Director of Biblical Studies and Hermeneutics
Cranmer Hall, St John's College, Durham University
"Reception Theory is extremely important today, yet many produce work which betrays a failure fully to understand it. Dr. Parris rectifies this in a masterly way. He considers precursors of the movement, Gadamer, and especially H. R. Jauss. He clarifies related concepts, including horizons of expectation, levels of meaning, and shifting paradigms. This is a splendid, accurate, and much-needed book--a delight to read. For many it will be indispensable."
--Anthony C. Thiselton
Professor of Christian Theology
University of Nottingham
"The world of biblical studies is now filled with many excellent books and articles on the reception history of various texts and motifs. However, what is usually lacking amongst biblical scholars is a clear grasp of the hermeneutical theory which underpins and justifies such studies. David Parris fills this surprising gap with a very learned, deeply stimulating, and clearly written exploration of the profoundly important hermeneutical work of Hans Robert Jauss (set against the background of his teacher Gadamer). And Parris takes us beyond the 'seemingly endless methodological foreplay' that some philosophical hermeneutics can descend into with enlightening biblical case studies illustrating the application of Jauss's theory. This text is to be warmly welcomed."
--Robin Parry
Editorial Director of Paternoster, UK
David Parris teaches classes in New Testament and biblical interpretation and is the Associate Director of Fuller Theological Seminary's extension program in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is the author of Reading the Bible with the Giants.
