Books by Stephen E (Loyola College Maryland) Fowl

Now available as a casebound, this volume in the highly acclaimed New Testament Library series reveals the great theological promises of Ephesians while discussing issues of context, authorship, and style.

Some books give new answers to old questions. Here is the book that changes the questions themselves. We are therefore extremely fortunate to have Fowl's Engaging Scripture, for this is a book that challenges the presumptions that created the "problem" of the New Testament and its relationship to theology. Fowl's reading of Ephesians on stealing is worth the price of the book in itself. One cannot help but think this book will standout as the mark of a new beginning.' "Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke University, North Carolina."The Original Essay will be of interest to all those concerned with the inter-relationships between theological and the Bible. It may be used as a complement to Fowl's collection of classic and contemporary readings, "The Theological Interpretation of Scripture" (Blackwell Publishers, 1997)."Engaging Scripture" Proposes that Christians must read scripture theologically, redressing the recent domination of professional scholarship in this area by historical-criticism. Drawing on the best interpretive traditions of the past, Fowl develops, argues for and displays a new model for the theological interpretation of scripture. This interpretive framework should enable Christians, and particularly Christian theologians, to interpret scripture in a way that helps them to live and worship faithfully.Theological and theoretical questions are illustrated by reference to particular Christian convictions, practices, and concerns in the US and Britain, and by engaging scriptural passages. These serve as examples of the sort of interpretation Fowl is advocating. In summary, the book looks towards bridging the chasmthat arose between biblical studies and theological study following the rise of modernity.

Christians have been interpreting Scripture with an aim of deepening their life with God and each other from the very beginning of the church. The past twenty years or so have witnessed an explosion of scholarly writing devoted to the theological interpretation of Scripture. Stephen Fowl, as an active participant in and contributor to the burgeoning literature, has written an ideal companion for guests at the "large and somewhat chaotic party," introducing them to important people, texts, and issues. The companion explores some of the connections between the long-running and essential Christian practice of theological interpretation and the more recent body of scholarly literature. Ultimately, the companion hopes to encourage readers to join the party in their own right.