Being an artist, this title caught my attention. I have written a novel (unpublished) that's a mystery set at an apologetics conference, a lot of songs (likewise, unpublished), and studied creative writing, ceramics, drawing, and art theory and design at a community college. One thing that I thought would be powerful is reading certain books of the Bible as a dramatic reading, such as the debate between God and Israel in Malachi or Paul's farewell letter to his beloved student Timothy. Additionally, I am a Bible college graduate including a class on Biblical Interpretation, a.k.a. hermeneutics.
"A Hermeneutic of Imagination: Unlocking Scripture's Full Potentiel" by Knut M. Heim with Jeffrey R. Oetter deals with the subject on a strong, scholarly level. Chapter themes include figurative language (e.g. ambiguous language and the use of metaphors), expression of emotion, and humor in the Sacred writings. The authors then turn to topics like translations and their impact on imagination and how academic theology fits in.
One example of how thinking imaginatlitively used in the conclusion is Psalms 23:2. We often picture our Good Shepherd comfortably keeping an eye in a peaceful pasture, with a calm brook flowing nearby. However, a nice open pasture might have predators looking for an opportunity, and a sheep may not be able to swim to shore with his fleece wet in quiet but deep water.
I recommend most book's I've read. This one is in a middle category, not commending it, not dondemning it. The authors are more theologically liberal than I am. For example, the translations mentioned are the New Revised Standard Version, the Good News Bible, and the Contemporary English Version, while I'm most familiar both with personal reading and the translation of choice by the authors I read are the KJV, the NKJV, the New International Version, the New Americaln Standard, the English Standard Bible, and the Christian Standard Bible.
Another indication of a worldview/churchview of Scripture is an encouragement to be familiar with feminist and womanist criticism. "Womanist" is a new term for me. The authors state that feminism is white, Western, hetrosexual, Christian, and middle-class, while Womanism deals with the views of women of more varied background.
My last criticism is revealed in the title. To me, the way to "unlock Scripture's full potential" is not based on human thinking (or imagination) but in avoiding any theology that asks "Yea, hath God said" as the serpent did to deceive Eve.
Again, I'm neither recommending or condemning this book. There are some useful thoughts here, and I'm glad I read this book. But I have concerns. If you want a challenge, go for this book.
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