Title: Always Reforming: Reflections on Martin Luther and Biblical Studies ed. by Channing L. Crisler and Robert L. Plummer
Abstract: Reviewed by: Always Reforming: Reflections on Martin Luther and Biblical Studies ed. by Channing L. Crisler and Robert L. Plummer Darren Dahl channing l. crisler and robert l. plummer (eds.), Always Reforming: Reflections on Martin Luther and Biblical Studies (Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology; Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2021). Pp. xxiv + 181. Paper $29.99. This collection of nine essays and a sermon by Oswald Bayer ("In Trouble and in Good Heart") constitutes a festschrift in honor of Dr. Mark Seifrid. The essays can be grouped into two general categories: those that address historical and theological themes in the work of Martin Luther and those that seek to apply insights from Luther's reading of the Bible to work in contemporary biblical scholarship. The title of the volume could be read to suggest that the essays collected here seek to stage a conversation between Luther's theory and practice of biblical interpretation and contemporary biblical scholarship. This proves to be the case in four of the essays. Of the four, the first two raise the question of a general biblical hermeneutics. In "The Perspicuity of Scripture according to Martin Luther: The Early Development of His Doctrine, 1520–1521," by Gregg R. Allison, the author examines Luther's early treatment of the question of the perspicuity of Scripture over against a traditional or magisterial hermeneutics and argues for the unconditional priority of the former over the latter. Forming a helpful pair with this first essay, the second essay by Robert L. Plummer, entitled "Contra Origen: Martin Luther on Allegorizing the Biblical Text," provides a more nuanced account of Luther's late-medieval reading of the Bible. What makes this essay particularly interesting is its engagement with contemporary theological readings of Scripture that seek to retrieve a patristic, allegorical hermeneutics (starting with David C. Steinmetz and continuing up to Hans Boersma, Keith D. Stanglin, and John Behr). The other two essays that connect Luther's thinking to contemporary biblical scholarship focus on Pauline studies. Channing L. Crisler's "Luther's Tentatio as the Center of Paul's Theology" takes up the debate around the search for the center of Paul's theology. Drawing helpfully on the work of Oswald Bayer, he argues for a shift from scientia to sapientia and shows how Luther's own theological categories of "prayer (oratio), meditation on Scripture (meditatio), and affliction (tentatio)" can be seen to correspond to the "triadic matrix" of Paul's missionary work (pp. 34–35). In "Luther on the Scriptures in Galatians—and Its Readers," A. Andrew Das takes up the relation of Luther's reading of Paul to that of the "new perspective" and, particularly, the question of Paul's hermeneutic relation to the Hebrew Scriptures. The five remaining essays deal with questions and topics directly related to historical issues in Luther's theology. This is not to say that they ignore questions of biblical interpretation but only that they will be of more interest to students of Lutheran theology than to biblical scholars. Robert Kolb ("Martin Luther's Pedagogical Exposition of the Letter to Titus") discusses the historical context and pastoral implications of Luther's lectures on Titus (1527), while Benjamin L. Merkle ("The Centrality of Romans in the Life and Theology of Martin Luther") discusses the historical and theological importance of Romans for [End Page 725] Luther's thought. Likewise, Thomas R. Schreiner ("Soundings on Simul Iustus et Peccator: Evidence in the Pauline Epistles for Our Continuing Struggle with Sin") reviews numerous selections from Paul's letters to affirm both the apostle's and the reader's ongoing struggle with sin. Finally, moving further away from questions directly related to biblical studies, Timo Laato ("God's Word, Baptism, and Regeneration") discusses the work of Matti Väisänen, bishop emeritus of the Luther Foundation of Finland. Lastly, in "(Re-)Centering Righteousness in Christ: A Reflection on Luther's 'Two Kinds of Righteousness,'" Brian Vickers tackles the question of "alien" or "external" righteousness in Luther's theology. The volume seems best suited for lay readers, pastors, and undergraduate students who self-identify within Lutheran or evangelical ecclesial traditions. They will find a wealth of pastoral insight and practical instruction on basic...
Publication Year: 2022
Publication Date: 2022-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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