Theological Exegesis in the Canonical Context

Book excerpt: Modern Christian theology has been problematic with the schism between the Bible and theology, and between biblical studies and systematic theology. Brevard Springs Childs is one of those biblical scholars who dismiss this «iron curtain» separating the two disciplines. Theological Exegesis in the Canonical Context: Brevard Springs Childs's Methodology of Biblical Theology analyzes Childs's concept of theological exegesis in the biblical canons. Childs disregards negative influences of the historical-critical method by establishing canon-based theological exegesis that leads into confessional biblical theology. He demonstrates forcefully the inadequacies of the historical-critical method in practicing biblical theology. His canonical approach establishes post-critical Christian biblical theology and works within the traditional framework of faith seeking understanding. Childs's biblical theology has a double task: descriptive and constructive, the former connects biblical theology with exegesis, the latter with dogmatics. He uses a comprehensive model that combines a thematic investigation of the essential theological contents of the Bible with a systematic analysis of the contents of the Christian faith. Childs's theological exegesis in the canonical context offers a new interpretation in the modern history of Christian theology.