Abstract:
Theological interpretation of the Bible represents a broadening of the hermeneutical
approaches available to an interpreter of Bible texts. As such, Theological interpretation of the
Bible opens up the possibility to investigate and explore more aspects of the Bible text.
Especially aspects that are in line with the nature of the Bible text such as Scriptures of the
church as well as the illocutionary force of these texts. After a few introductory remarks
concerning Theological interpretation of the Bible, three questions guided reflection on
defining theological interpretation: first, Why Theological interpretation of the Bible?; second,
What is Theological interpretation of the Bible not?; and third, What is Theological
interpretation of the Bible? Last mentioned was explored on the basis of a focus text, namely
Acts 8:26–40 that served as a case study.
Description:
Dr Viljoen is participating in
the research project, ‘Second
Temple Literature and
Qumran’, directed by Dr
Ananda Geyser-Fouché,
Department of Old Testament
Studies, Faculty of Theology,
University of Pretoria.