Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 48:1 (Mar 2005)
Article: Lost In Interpretation? Truth, Scripture, And Hermeneutics
Author: Kevin J. Vanhoozer

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Lost In Interpretation?
Truth, Scripture, And Hermeneutics1

Kevin J. Vanhoozer

Kevin Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2065 Half Day Road, Deerfield, IL 60015, delivered this plenary address at the 56th annual meeting of the ETS on November 19, 2004 in San Antonio, TX.

I. Introduction: Stories Of Truth And Interpretation

Biblical interpretation is the soul of theology. Truth is the ultimate accolade that we accord an interpretation. Christian theology therefore succeeds or fails in direct proportion to its ability to render true interpretations of the word of God written.

They asked for a plenary paper on truth and interpretation. It took me some time to figure out what they meant. Only when I put it in canonical context—the ETS program book!—did I realize that I had to discuss the use of the Bible in theology, because systematic theology was not otherwise represented as such in the other plenaries. My focus is thus on doctrine, the main product of theology's interpretation of Scripture, and hence the linchpin between biblical interpretation and theological truth.

1. Pilgrim's egress: setting out. There has been too much wrangling over whether evangelicalism is a matter of doctrine or piety, the head or the heart. Those who see the essence of evangelicalism in pietistic terms tend to see the Bible primarily as a means of spiritual sustenance. Those who see the essence of evangelicalism in doctrinal terms tend to see the Bible primarily as a means of propositional communication. It is neither necessary nor advisable to take sides in this debate.2 Indeed, to do so is to reduce, and so distort, the very concept of biblical and doctrinal truth. Let no one put asunder what God has joined together. Far better to see the Christian life as a way where head and heart come together to get the feet moving. Evangelicals need to put feet on the gospel, and on our doctrine. Evangelical theology should provide direction for walking the way of truth and life.

John Bunyan knew this long ago. His Pilgrim's Progress pictures Christian as a wayfarer directed by a Book on a way to the city of God. Christian's

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neighbor, Pliable, asks him if the words of his Book are certainly true. "Yes verily" Christian replies, "for it was made by him that cannot lie." Evangelist then leads Christian to the Wicket Gate where, he says, he will "receive instruction [doctrine] about the way." In Bunyan's words, "[Evangelist] told him that after he was gone som...