Liberating Scripture: An Invitation to Missional Hermeneutics
Ebook
Overview
Rooted in and advocating for a postmodern and postcolonial understanding of mission, Liberating Scripture is the first book-length study designed specifically to introduce readers to the emerging subfield of biblical interpretation known as missional hermeneutics. The authors provide a thoroughgoing overview of the background and development, rationale, terminology, and methodology of missional hermeneutics, doing for biblical interpretation what Missional Church (edited by Darrell Guder et al., 1998) did for reimagining the church in light of the missio Dei. As the initial volume in the new Studies in Missional Hermeneutics, Theology, and Praxis series, Liberating Scripture is a critical resource for study and practical application, and its accessibility will make it a go-to text for classrooms and congregations.
“As one of those deeply involved with the first stages of the missional hermeneutics conversation, I am profoundly encouraged by this publication. It’s what our research team hoped would happen as the response to ‘the missional church discussion’ expanded and deepened.”
—Darrell L. Guder, professor emeritus of missional and ecumenical theology, Princeton Theological Seminary
“Liberating Scripture is what you get when a Bible scholar and a theologian cooperate, instead of compete, in understanding the missio Dei. It’s refreshing, stimulating, substantive, and an invaluable contribution to the missional church conversation. It’s supposed to be an introductory text to missional hermeneutics, but even seasoned scholars, in both biblical studies and theology of mission, will find this book an important resource.”
—Al Tizon, associate professor of missional and global leadership, North Park Theological Seminary
“Unshackling the Bible from reductionisms aplenty, Liberating Scripture offers an account of and vision for missional hermeneutics that can only strengthen the church’s scriptural imagination and participation in God’s expansive purposes. How can we read the Bible missionally in a post-Christendom era? Michael Barram and John R. Franke are pointing the way.”
—Colin Yuckman, administrative faculty in New Testament and mission, Duke Divinity School
“Michael Barram and John R. Franke offer an imminently helpful account of missional hermeneutics understood in light of God’s purposiveness. By tracing its historical development, attending to its philosophical bases, and exploring its theological center and trajectory, Liberating Scripture presents a well-founded and compelling invitation to the missional interpretation of Scripture in service of participation in God’s liberating purposes.”
—Amanda Pittman, associate professor of Bible, missions, and ministry, Abilene Christian University
Michael Barram is professor of biblical studies at Saint Mary’s College of California., author of Missional Economics (2018), and co-editor of Reparations and the Theological Disciplines (2023).
John R. Franke is theologian-in-residence at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis and affiliate professor of theology at Christian Theological Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary. He is a prolific author and is the editor of two academic book series. He is professor of biblical studies at Saint Mary’s College of California, author of Missional Economics (Eerdmans, 2018), and co-editor of Reparations and the Theological Disciplines (Lexington, 2023).
The authors co-chair the Forum on Missional Hermeneutics.