Jesus Christ, Hermeneutics, and Scripture

“This timely book thoroughly elaborates in all possible directions its key insight, which the author hammers home with clarity and boldness: theology should no longer search for a rational foundation of ‘rock-bottom knowledge,’ thus joining modernity’s epistemological obsession. Instead, it should find its starting point in saving relationships of trust as these are mediated by a faithful listening to the gospel. Thus, Christ is again seen as the radiating center of the faith.”


—Gijsbert van den Brink, professor of theology and science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam





“What is it like to read Scripture in union with Christ for the sake of greater Christlikeness? The answer, says Hans Burger, is to start not with hermeneutical philosophy or its epistemological starting point but, rather, with a properly theological hermeneutics—a reflection on what the triune God does with Scripture to renew our understanding. What results is a theologically virtuous hermeneutical circle, with salvation as the circumference and Christ at the center.”


—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School





“Christian theology—Hans Burger leaves no doubt about this—is soteriology, and soteriology is the inquiring contemplation of God’s trinitarian work of salvation. The hermeneutical and epistemological questions of modernity must be pursued within this theological framework. Only then will they not lead beyond theology, but deeper into the mystery of the reality that is at stake in theology. Hans Burger’s careful and insightful studies impressively demonstrate how fruitful this approach is.”


—Ingolf U. Dalferth, professor emeritus of philosophy of religion, Claremont Graduate University





“In a book both erudite and accessibly written, Burger draws insights from Dutch- and English-language theology to make a resolutely theological proposal for how to read Scripture. This work constitutes a major contribution to current discussions of the Bible and Christian theology.”


—Darren Sarisky, senior research fellow, Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry