A Theologian Who Reads the Bible

Abstract

In this essay the author traces her theological development from encountering Scripture in church as a child to a vocation in systematic theology to a later discovery of biblical studies. Donald H. Juel's work Messianic Exegesis is discussed at length, both for its insightful analysis of the pre-canonical apostolic exegesis of the Scriptures of Israel to account for the crucifixion and resurrection of God’s Messiah, and for its implications for doctrinal theology accountable to Scripture as its normative standard. The author advances the thesis that theological work is principally exegeting the crucified and risen Jesus according to the Old Testament, with the New Testament writings serving as normative exemplars of just such an exegetical strategy. This also points toward the need for ongoing self-correction in the Christian theological tradition and a standard by which to judge proposed corrections.