Contextual Theological Interpretation
An Integrated Model for Reading the Bible
Will be published approx. on 10. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
168 pages
978-1-5409-6889-0 (ISBN)
Description
Today's theological students, an increasingly diverse population, face the task of reading and interpreting the Bible in multicultural contexts, which leads them to ask somewhat different questions than students of previous generations. Students recognize that theology, exegesis, and sociocultural context are all important elements of biblical interpretation, and they often seek guidance in negotiating these fields in a constructive manner. This is especially true of students with evangelical and Trinitarian convictions and commitments.
Contextual Theological Interpretation by respected teacher and Old Testament scholar Bo Lim provides sustained, thoughtful engagement among the three disciplines of biblical studies, theology, and contextual interpretation. In this big-picture text, Lim argues for the need to bring together the strengths of each of these fields and provides a model for doing so for the sake of effective multicultural ministry. At the same time, he clarifies the field of contextual biblical interpretation, offering evaluation and critique to guide students through the vast diversity of available literature.
Contextual Theological Interpretation by respected teacher and Old Testament scholar Bo Lim provides sustained, thoughtful engagement among the three disciplines of biblical studies, theology, and contextual interpretation. In this big-picture text, Lim argues for the need to bring together the strengths of each of these fields and provides a model for doing so for the sake of effective multicultural ministry. At the same time, he clarifies the field of contextual biblical interpretation, offering evaluation and critique to guide students through the vast diversity of available literature.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ada, MI
United States
Publishing group
Baker Publishing Group
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 214 mm
Width: 138 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
181 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5409-6889-0 (9781540968890)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Bo H. Lim (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of Old Testament at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington, where he served as university chaplain from 2014-2018. He teaches and writes on the topics of Old Testament prophetic literature, theological interpretation, and Asian American biblical interpretation. His publications include a commentary on Hosea and essays in The Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar, The Oxford Handbook of the Minor Prophets, and the T&T Clark Handbook to Asian American Biblical Hermeneutics. He also serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Theological Interpretation.
Content
Part 1: Understanding Biblical Interpretation
1. The Strange Silence of the Bible in the Church
2. The Context of Biblical Studies as a Discipline
After the Collapse of History and the Text
The Changing Face of the Church and Theological Education
Biblical Studies as a Eurocentric Discipline
The Impact of Interdisciplinary Approaches on Diverse Readings
Conclusion
3. The Need for Theological Contextual Interpretation
Mapping Contextual Interpretation: Liberationist and Intercultural
Evaluating Liberation and Postcolonial Hermeneutics: The Limits of Liberation
Conclusion
4. The Need for Contextual Theological Interpretation
What Is Theological Interpretation?
History as an Evasion of Ideology
Theological Interpretation Is Not Sufficiently Theological
Part 2: An Integrated Model of Biblical Interpretation
5. Contextual and Theological Interpretation in the Global Church
Postcolonial Christian Interpretation
What Is "Global Interpretation"?
Conclusion
6. Models of Contextual and Theological Interpretation
Kwame Bediako and the Bible as Contextual Interpretation
K. K. Yeo and Cross-Cultural Interpretation
Gustavo Gutierrez's Theological and Contextual Commentary
Love Sechrest and a Methodology for Multicultural Interpretation
Conclusion
7. The Case for Theological and Contextual Interpretation
Can Contextual Interpretation Be Theological?
Reading the Bible Figurally and Contextually
The Limits of Contextual Interpretation
The Limits of Christian Tradition
The Text and Exegesis Still Matter
Contextual Theological Interpretation Is a Risky but Necessary Affair
Appendix: A Proposed Pedagogy for Theological and Contextual Interpretation
Index
1. The Strange Silence of the Bible in the Church
2. The Context of Biblical Studies as a Discipline
After the Collapse of History and the Text
The Changing Face of the Church and Theological Education
Biblical Studies as a Eurocentric Discipline
The Impact of Interdisciplinary Approaches on Diverse Readings
Conclusion
3. The Need for Theological Contextual Interpretation
Mapping Contextual Interpretation: Liberationist and Intercultural
Evaluating Liberation and Postcolonial Hermeneutics: The Limits of Liberation
Conclusion
4. The Need for Contextual Theological Interpretation
What Is Theological Interpretation?
History as an Evasion of Ideology
Theological Interpretation Is Not Sufficiently Theological
Part 2: An Integrated Model of Biblical Interpretation
5. Contextual and Theological Interpretation in the Global Church
Postcolonial Christian Interpretation
What Is "Global Interpretation"?
Conclusion
6. Models of Contextual and Theological Interpretation
Kwame Bediako and the Bible as Contextual Interpretation
K. K. Yeo and Cross-Cultural Interpretation
Gustavo Gutierrez's Theological and Contextual Commentary
Love Sechrest and a Methodology for Multicultural Interpretation
Conclusion
7. The Case for Theological and Contextual Interpretation
Can Contextual Interpretation Be Theological?
Reading the Bible Figurally and Contextually
The Limits of Contextual Interpretation
The Limits of Christian Tradition
The Text and Exegesis Still Matter
Contextual Theological Interpretation Is a Risky but Necessary Affair
Appendix: A Proposed Pedagogy for Theological and Contextual Interpretation
Index