• Part 1 Interpretation and biblical interpretation: what is interpretation?; the aims of interpreters; biblical interpretation and biblical scholarship; the concordat in modern theology; prospects. Part 2 Criticism and the death of scripture: history, myth and theology - D.F. Strauss; rational criticism of Christianity - H.S. Reimarus; the English Church - Bishop Colenso. Part 3 History and the growth of knowledge: Strauss, Baur and beyond; historical scholarship and theological interpretation; Wellhausen and the Old Testament; liberal Protestantism and beyond. Part 4 History of religions and history of traditions: history and history of religion; history of traditions and Old Testament theology; from history of traditions to New Testament theology; Bultmann and beyond; for and against the "new quest"; history of religions research. Part 5 Theology and the social sciences: faith and reason; a new era; three examples; within and beyond the historical pale. Part 6 Theology, history and literature: biblical scholarship and theology; historical criticism and theological interpretation; history and hermeneutics; the necessity of theory; historical supports for theological proposals; the alliance weakens; alternative forms of theological interpretation. Part 7 Literary study of the Bible: different aims and methods; earlier literary interests; back to literature; the literary frame of reference; the breakthrough; the Gospels as literature and history; the teaching of Jesus; literary theory and theology; a parallel case. Part 8 Conclusion - interpretation and the life of scripture: texts, authors and readers; religious and non-religious aims; biblical criticism and Christian theology; theological interpretation; the necessity of theological interpretation; the character of theological interpretation; theory and theology; faith and reason; scholarship and faith; the uses of methods; theology today; theology tomorrow; loss and gain. Annotated index of names.

'Exactly the kind of volume which is needed as basic reading for our Biblical Scholarship course. The course is broadly based and needs a work like this to survey the issues of interpretation.'Dr J M Court, University of Kent