Scripture as

Communication

Introducing Biblical Hermeneutics

Jeannine K. Brown

© 2007 by Jeannine K. Brown

Published by Baker Academic

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516–6287

www.bakeracademic.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Brown, Jeannine K., 1961–

Scripture as communication: introducing biblical hermeneutics / Jeannine K. Brown.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 10: 0-8010-2788-8 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-8010-2788-8 (pbk.)

1. Bible—Hermeneutics. 2. Communication—Religious aspects—Christianity.

I. Title.

BS476.B68 2007

220.601—dc22

2006036880

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. TNIV®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

To my parents,

James and Carolyn Holmen,

models of faith and faithfulness

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Scripture as Communicative Act

Part 1 Theoretical Perspectives on Scripture as Communication

1 Terminology and Context for Hermeneutics

2 A Communication Model of Hermeneutics

3 Authors, Texts, Readers: Historical Movements and Reactions

4 Some Affirmations about Meaning from a Communication Model

5 Developing Textual Meaning: Implications, Effects, and Other Ways of Going “Beyond”

6 An Invitation to Active Engagement: The Reader and the Bible

Part 2 Practical Guidance for Interpreting Scripture as Communication

7 Genre and Communication...