PR1510 Telling the StoryLuther Seminary

Interpreting Ourselves/

Thinking Theologically

Logos (text, Jesus)

Pathos Ethos(Congregation) (Preacher)

THE PREACHING TRIANGLE

WE ARE TEXT INTERPRETERS EVERY DAY…

“The convergence of text and reader brings the literary work into existence.” Wolfgang Iser

Self-interpretation critical for biblical interpretation What glasses are you wearing? Through what lenses

do you see? Contextuality, large and small.

Large, who are you in the larger society? Small, e.g., The Good Samaritan – title, never called good

in the parableWe all have points of viewMilton—sin is being blind to ourselves and our

limited point of view, but it is also just the case for mortals Do you like God in the epic? Why not? Sin

INTERPRETING OURSELVES…

All people are theologians/Christians are particular theologians

A process and a craft – working with various resources, applying certain skills

Doing theology, not just having a theology

Theology – study of God totality of things having to do with religious life

function of Godknowing of God, rather than about God, not just about doctrine

THINKING THEOLOGICALLY

Embedded theology verses deliberative

Day-to-day decisions based on embedded theology

Deliberative theology emerges from a process of carefully reflecting on embedded theological convictions, usually crisis

DOING THEOLOGY

What is God doing in this text? What is God’s particular word to us in this text?

What is God up to?Who is God?

THEOLOGICAL

How does this text speak to the human condition?

How does the text talk about our brokenness or sin?

What are we in need of?

HUMAN CONDITION/LAW

How does the text contribute to an understanding of the person and work of Christ?

What has Christ done for us? What does Christ continue to do for us?What is the portrait of Christ that is being

presented?

CHRISTOLOGICAL

What does this text claim about our salvation or atonement?

How does the text convey an understanding of salvation?

What are the saving acts of God?

SOTERIOLOGICAL

What does this text say about the end times?

What does this text communicate about our future life with God?

ESCHATOLOGICAL

What does the text communicate about the church?

What is the nature or meaning of the church, the community of the faithful, the work of the church?

What does it say about living as a community in Christ?

ECCLESIOLOGICAL

What does the text say about

Holy Spirit?

Who or what is

the Holy Spirit?

What is the Holy Spirit up to?

PNEUMATOLOGICAL

What does the text say about living out our faith?What does this text have to say about living life

before God? Is there a called for response to what God has done?How does the text speak about being a disciple of

Jesus?

EMBODYING THE GOSPEL