The Hermeneutical Spirit: Theological Interpretation and Scriptural Imagination for the 21st Century

In the contemporary biblical studies climate proposals regarding the theological interpretation of Scripture are contested particularly but not only because they privilege encourage and foster ecclesial or other forms of normative commitments as part and parcel of the hermeneutical horizon through which scriptural texts are read and understood. Within this context confessional approaches have been emerging including some from within the nascent pentecostal theological tradition. This volume builds on the authors previous work in theological method to suggest a pentecostal perspective on theological interpretation that is rooted in the conviction that all Christian reading of sacred Scripture is post-Pentecost meaning after the Day of Pentecost outpouring of the Spirit on all flesh in anticipation of the coming reign of God. In that respect such a pentecostal interpretative perspective is not parochially for those within the modern day movement bearing that name but is arguably apostolic in following after the scriptural imagination of the earliest disciples of Jesus the messiah and therefore has ecumenical and missional purchase across space and time. The Hermeneutical Spirit thus provides close readings of various texts across the scriptural canon as a model for Christian theological interpretation of Scripture suitable for the twenty-first-century global context. Amos Yong is one of the two or three Pentecostal theologians who ventures beyond the narrower confines of traditional Pentecostal writers. He has already written numerous books on the Holy Spirit on hermeneutics of Trinitarian faith and ecumenical concerns. This volume reprints twelve earlier essays but includes a fresh introduction and conclusion. I heartily commend his fresh thinking his Trinitarian perspective and hermeneutical sensitivity. This book is timely and deserves a wide readership. --Anthony C. Thiselton Emeritus Professor Christian Theology University of Nottingham This is a valuable essay collection that contributes to the discussion of theological interpretation of scripture (TIS) by a leading evangelical and Pentecostal theologian. Yong advocates pneumatological interpretation of scripture (PIS) for the sake of a truly robust Trinitarian hermeneutics. PIS is not simply TIS done by Pentecostals but TIS done in the light of the Pentecost event and as such is the privilege and responsibility of all Christians. --Kevin J. Vanhoozer Research Professor Systematic Theology Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Amos Yong is a prolific theologian and represents the fast-growing Pentecostal movement. In recent decades that growth has been accompanied by a major resurgence of Pentecostal theology of which Yong is a key representative. In this wide-ranging and creative book Yong brings his recent work into dialogue with the renaissance of theological interpretation. This renaissance and the explosion of Pentecostalism are both important developments of our time and thus their coalescence in this book is indeed welcome. Yong rightly sees that theological interpretation opens out onto all of life and it is gratifying to see the wide-range of topics addressed including family children science sin liberation theology other religions disability and sport! Leaning heavily on Acts 2 and Luke Yong opens up a feast of interpretation one which scholars of all Christian traditions will want to take note of to learn from and to engage in dialogue. --Craig G. Bartholomew Director Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics Amos Yong is Professor of Theology & Mission and Director of the Center for Missiological Research at Fuller Theological Seminary Pasadena California.