Reading the Bible with Giants

Many readers of the Bible believe that interpreting the Scriptures well simply involves a two-way dialogue between themselves and the text. Implied in this view is the idea that we can simply jump over two thousand years of biblical interpretation. However, if we believe that God has been speaking through the Bible to devout believers throughout history it would seem that we should find a way to identify the insights they perceived in the text so that we can learn to read these sacred texts with them. Drawing on resources from Reception Theory, the goal of Reading the Bible with the Giants is to enable the contemporary reader to interpret the Bible in dialogue with those who have gone before us.

""I warmly welcome the second edition of Reading the Bible with Giants. Parris thoroughly understands reception theory, as his book Reception Theory and Biblical Hermeneutics shows. Here he aims at a wider, less academic audience, with a very practical study, which is full of homely illustrations and wise and timely tips. His suggestions for further reading are excellent, and he has a fine pastoral touch. This will help make biblical reading both more imaginative, more accurate, and engaged with other Christian interpreters.""
--Anthony C. Thiselton, Professor of Christian Theology emeritus, University of Nottingham, UK

""What can we learn from studying how the saints who have gone before us read Scripture? Tracing the 'afterlife' of selected biblical texts in the hands of interpreters from ancient to modern times, David Parris underscores the importance of the tradition of biblical interpretation for our own practices as wise readers of the Bible.""
--Joel B. Green, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA

""Reading the Bible with Giants really is a very fine book--a useful introduction to a fascinating approach to the Bible that may seem new but is actually very old. Often witty, and very readable, this book will appeal to anyone interested in bridging the gap between what the Bible meant to its original audience and what it can mean to readers today.""
--Mark Allan Powell, Professor of New Testament, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, OH

""Parris has provided a lively and accessible introduction to the basic concepts of reception theory, the role these concepts can play in our personal reading of the Bible, and how we teach them to others. This volume is warmly to be welcomed.""
--Paul Joyce, Professor, King's College London, London, UK

""David Parris has written a genuinely useful conspectus on the good that follows from reading the Scriptures in the company of faithful readers of the Bible across the centuries. This book is to be highly recommended to any who have the responsibility of teaching Scripture or leading Bible study in both church and secular contexts. Particularly valuable is the practicality and clarity of his opening up fundamental matters of truth and method.""
--David Lyle-Jeffrey, Distinguished Professor of Literature & the Humanities, Baylor University, Waco, TX


David Parris is the Associate Director and Affiliate Professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary's Colorado Springs campus. He is the author of Reception Theory and Biblical Interpretation.