Reading Scripture as the Church - (New Explorations in Theology) by Derek W Taylor (Paperback)

About the Book

The Bible is meant to be read in the church, by the church, as the church. Following the example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Derek Taylor argues that we should regard the reading of Scripture as an inherently communal exercise of discipleship. In conversation with other theologians, Taylor shares how this approach to Scripture can engender a faithful hermeneutical community.

Book Synopsis

The Bible is meant to be read in the church, by the church, as the church.

Although the practice of reading Scripture has often become separated from its ecclesial context, theologian Derek Taylor argues that it rightly belongs to the disciplines of the community of faith. He finds a leading example of this approach in the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who regarded the reading of Scripture as an inherently communal exercise of discipleship.

In conversation with other theologians, including John Webster, Robert Jenson, and Stanley Hauerwas, Taylor contends that Bonhoeffer's approach to Scripture can engender the practices and habits of a faithful hermeneutical community. Today, as in Bonhoeffer's time, the church is called to take up and read.

Featuring new monographs with cutting-edge research, New Explorations in Theology provides a platform for constructive, creative work in the areas of systematic, historical, philosophical, biblical, and practical theology.

Review Quotes

"Derek Taylor's Reading Scripture as the Church is the book about Bonhoeffer that we have all been waiting for. As well as capturing the rich texture of Bonhoeffer's ecclesiology and scriptural engagement, Taylor brings him into close dialogue with John Webster, Robert Jenson, Stanley Hauerwas, and others. The result is a compelling account of how through Scripture Christ concretely encounters and forms the church for the world. With this book Taylor has made an important contribution to Bonhoeffer studies as well as to theological interpretation of Scripture, missiology, and systematic theology more broadly."

--Michael Mawson, senior lecturer in systematic theology and ethics at Charles Sturt University, Australia

"In Reading Scripture as the Church, Derek Taylor draws deeply and fruitfully on Bonhoeffer's work with a keen eye for discipleship and the church's reading of Scripture. His combination of a missional hermeneutic with a doctrine of the church offers a provocative, constructive vision of how the Bible, church, and practical mission relate. This is a thoughtful and significant book for both scholars and theologically minded pastoral leaders."

--J. Todd Billings, Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary

"There are few things more basic to the life of the church than reading Scripture, and there are few modern theologians who can teach Christians how to read the Bible more than Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Derek W. Taylor's inspiring and challenging new book sheds light on Bonhoeffer's understanding of how the church is made by God's Word, has engaged in reading it, is gathered around it, and is sent to share it with the world. Reading Scripture as the Church is a significant new contribution to Bonhoeffer studies and to a renewal of the church's relationship with the living Word of God."

--Stephen Plant, dean and Runcie Fellow at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge

About the Author

Derek W. Taylor (ThD, Duke University) is an assistant professor of theology and director of the Emmaus Scholars Program at Whitworth University. He previously taught at Hope College.