Theological Interpretation and the Bible as Public Text

ABSTRACT This essay proposes that theological interpretation would have much to learn from a constructive engagement with the concerns and interests of public theology. Although theological interpretation of Scripture has made great advances in a number of areas, there remains theological work to be done in probing the relationship between the Bible and the world. Were greater attention to be paid to this relationship some of the ecclesiocentric strains of recent contributions in theological interpretation could be tempered. Following from the introduction, the essay has three key parts, in each of which Rev 21–22:5 is present as an imaginative stimulus. In the first part, five "marks" of public theology are set out and elaborated. Making further appeal to Rev 21–22:5, the second part of the essay disrupts ecclesial strains in theological interpretation of Scripture. Robert W. Jenson is cited and interrogated as an influential representative of ecclesial accounts of Scripture, its authority and interpretation. The third part of the essay makes some constructive proposals for how a more meaningful engagement with public theology might reshape our vision of the church, mission, and the world. In the process, theological interpretation can be redirected and taken in new directions.