Culture and Biblical Hermeneutics: Interpreting and Applying the Authoritative Word in a Relativistic Age

This volume grapples with what the author calls "the challenge that historical and cultural relativism poses to the hermeneutical process when applied to the authoritative Scripture." The author addresses this 'challenge' by analyzing both the roots and the current state of biblical hermeneutics and by developing a biblical theology of hermeneutics and culture. Larkin begins his historical analysis by uncovering the origin of the major thought forms and patterns that have shaped contemporary hermeneutical discussion. He then focuses on evangelical and nonevangelical contributions to the debate. Culling the writings of biblical scholars and missiologists, he outlines how they have addressed such issues as the nature and authority of Scripture, the interpreter's preunderstanding, and contextualization. Among other vitally important subjects, Larkin also discusses the role of the Holy Spirit and man in the interpretive process. He concludes with guidelines for interpreting and applying Scripture, concentrating on the cultural factorsóboth ancient and modernóinvolved in this procedure. Originally published in 1988 by Baker Book House.