Journal: Southern Baptist Journal of Theology
Volume: SBJT 14:2 (Summer 2010)
Article: Gregory As A Model Of Theological Interpretation
Author: Keith Goad

SBJT 14:2 (Summer 2010) p. 38

Gregory As A Model Of Theological Interpretation

Keith Goad

Dan Treier’s Introducing Theological Interpretation describes what has become the new emphasis in evangelical hermeneutics. Theological Interpretation of Scripture (TIS) is distinguished by a number of values or characteristics.1 First, TIS is marked by the text being read as a Word for the church today. Second, TIS is a practice prescribed to all believers and is to be exercised in the life of the church, not just the academy. Third, TIS is reading the text with the purpose of growing in virtue and character. Reading God’s Word should change the values, desires, and character of the believer as he is confronted by God. Fourth, TIS prioritizes a theological reading of the text instead of anthropological or man-centered reading. Man should seek to learn about God, what he has said and done, when reading the Bible instead of mere self-discovery. Fifth, TIS recognizes the need for a ruled reading of Scripture. This refers to following the traditions of the church and letting Scripture interpret Scripture. Sixth, TIS is a reaction against a modernistic hermeneutic and a return to premodern principles of interpretation. These last two are part of a retrieval movement that looks to the past interpreters of Scripture to learn from their models and practice.

My purpose is to contribute to the TIS movement by providing an example of a theological interpreter from the Fathers.2 Treier’s work focuses upon returning to the premodern reading of Scripture, but provides limited interaction with premodern theologians.3 I will present how Gregory of Nazianzus models a ruled reading of Scripture and how he developed a grammar for how the church could more faithfully worship the God revealed in Scripture.4 The first half will summarize Gregory’s rules for the theologian. These are principles and practices that Gregory prescribed to qualify and regulate the theologian. The second half of the paper will demonstrate how Gregory practiced a ruled-reading of Scripture that is both Trinitarian and Christological.

Gregory of Nazianzus is a model of TIS for reasons other than receiving the title “The Theologian.”5 First, the nature of his writings lends itself to orthodoxy and orthopraxy. They are not diatribes or tracts, but sermons and poems that are meant to lead the church in worship.6 Second, his

SBJT 14:2 (Summer 2010) p. 39

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