159 - The Promise and Practice of Biblical Theology

The Promise and Practice of Biblical Theology
By John Reumann, Editor
Minneapolis, Fortress, 1991. 214 pp. $12.95.

This two-part volume contains essays on biblical theology by seven members of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia together with five other American New Testament scholars. In Part One, dealing

160 - The Promise and Practice of Biblical Theology

with the "Promise," the essayists discuss the compass and goal of biblical theology, its eclipse and recent reappearance, as well as the "paradigm shift" in its focus upon the literary rather than the historical. In Part Two, dealing with the "Practice," the authors give attention to the link between biblical theology and the various activities of the Christian community. All but one (Georg Strecker of Tubingen) accent the need for a biblical theology; many oppose an "intrinsic" to an "extrinsic criticism" of the biblical text with its focus on factors outside the text. Yet, almost all, despite the hailing of current approaches, assign a place to the traditional historical-critical method, however modest, or are haunted by its questions.

Roy A. Harrisville
Luther Theological Seminary
St. Paul, MN.