Telfer Wrestling with Isaiah: The Exegetical Methodology of Campegius Vitringa (1659–1722)

1. Auflage 2016
ISBN: 978-3-647-55102-9
Verlag: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 0 - No protection

E-Book, Englisch, Band Band 038, 291 Seiten

Reihe: Reformed Historical Theology

Campegius Vitringa (1659-1722) of Franeker University was a biblical scholar of considerable influence for the first half of the 18th century. Similar to that of Calvin, his exegetical methodology attempts to walk a via media between the historicism of Grotius (1583-1645) and the Christocentrism of Cocceius (1603-1669). His magnum opus was a widely-acclaimed commentary on Isaiah (1720). Vitringa scholars have charted his influence along a historical-critical trajectory (including Schultens, Venema, Alberti, Manger, Delitzsch, and Gesenius) and along a Pietistic trajectory (including Franke, Lange, and Bengel, leading toward Lessing, Herder and German Idealism). The book includes the first biography in English and compares his hermeneneutical theoria with his praxis. It analyzes Vitringa's exegetical presuppositions, his remarkably high view of the Bible, and his canones hermeneuticos (highly valued by J.J. Rambach [1693-1735]). It shows Vitringa's contextual sensitivity at every level of exegesis, commitment to New Testament normativity in the reading of Isaiah (in which redemptive history is the ultimate hermeneutical horizon), nuanced views on the historical fulfillment of prophecy, and concern for pastoral application. A scholar's scholar, widely admired for his mastery of the languages and his intense historical focus in exegesis, Vitringa was also appreciated for his orthodox views, warm-hearted piety, and love for the church.

Charles K. Telfer, PhD, is Associate Professor of Biblical Languages at Westminster Seminary California.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Telfer, Charles K.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Systematische Theologie Geschichte der Theologie, Einzelne Theologen
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Kirchengeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Bibelwissenschaften Altes Testament: Exegese, Geschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Title Page;4
2;Copyright;5
3;Table of Contents;6
4;Body;10
5;Acknowledgments;10
6;Chapter 1. Introduction;12
6.1;1.1 Introduction and Research Question;12
6.2;1.2 Methodology;18
7;Chapter 2. Biography;22
7.1;2.1 Introduction;22
7.2;2.2 Biographical Sources;23
7.3;2.3 Early Life and Education;24
7.4;2.4 Academic Career;25
7.5;2.5 Family;28
7.6;2.6 Publications;30
7.7;2.7 Conclusion;40
8;Chapter 3. Literature Review;44
8.1;3.1 Introduction;44
8.2;3.2 Diestel;47
8.3;3.3 Heel;52
8.4;3.4 Witteveen;58
8.5;3.5 Wall;65
8.5.1;3.5.1 Hermeneutical Rules;65
8.5.2;3.5.2 Grotius;67
8.5.3;3.5.3 Cocceius;70
8.6;3.6 Childs;74
8.7;3.7 Sandys-Wunsch;78
8.8;3.8 Conclusion;81
9;Chapter 4. Vitringa's Self-Defined Exegetical Methodology;84
9.1;4.1 Introduction;84
9.2;4.2 Sources;84
9.3;4.3 The Nature of the Book to be Studied, i.e., Vitringa's Doctrine of Scripture;85
9.4;4.4 On the Nature of Prophecy and God's Intentions in Giving It;91
9.5;4.5 Qualities of Character Needed in an Interpreter of Holy Scripture;93
9.5.1;4.5.1 The Need for a Spirit-Wrought Faith in Christ;94
9.5.2;4.5.2 The Need for Careful Scholarship;96
9.6;4.6 Canones Hermeneuticos;100
9.7;4.7 Highlights from the Praefatio ad Lectorem;109
9.7.1;4.7.1 Critique of Grotius;112
9.7.2;4.7.2 Critique of Cocceius;114
9.8;4.8 Conclusion;118
10;Chapter 5. Vitringa's Exegetical Methodology as expressed in his Commentarius—Part One: Literal Interpretation;120
10.1;5.1 Introduction;120
10.2;5.2 Contextual Sensitivity;121
10.3;5.3 Prolegomena;122
10.4;5.4 General Organization;123
10.5;5.5 Appreciation for the Communion of Interpreters;126
10.5.1;5.5.1 Dependence on Classical Sources;126
10.5.2;5.5.2 Interaction with Jewish Scholars;127
10.6;5.6 Literal and Spiritual Interpretation;130
10.7;5.7 Contextual Sensitivity at Various Exegetical Levels;132
10.7.1;5.7.1 The Interpretation of Words in Context;132
10.7.2;5.7.2 Textual Criticism;134
10.7.3;5.7.3 The Interpretation of Phrases and Sentences in Context;136
10.7.4;5.7.4 The Interpretation of Grammar and Syntax in Context;140
10.7.5;5.7.5 The Interpretation of Rhetorical Features and Literary Style in Context;141
10.7.6;5.7.6 The Interpretation of Genre and Larger Literary Structures in Context;145
10.7.7;5.7.7 The Interpretation of the Historical Background in Context;147
10.8;5.8 Conclusion;151
11;Chapter 6. Vitringa's Exegetical Methodology as expressed in his Commentarius—Part Two: Spiritual Interpretation;152
11.1;6.1 Introduction;152
11.2;6.2 The New Testament Paradigm;152
11.3;6.3 The Need for Caution in Spiritual Interpretation;158
11.4;6.4 The Work of the Holy Spirit;159
11.5;6.5 Praise and Critique for Grotius and Cocceius;161
11.6;6.6 The Historical Fulfillment of Isaianic Prophecies;163
11.6.1;6.6.1 Fulfillments in Church History;170
11.6.2;6.6.2 “Nation Shall Not Lift Up Sword Against Nation”;174
11.7;6.7 Expectations for the Future of the Christian Church;179
11.8;6.8 The Movement from Text to Doctrinal Reflection;185
11.8.1;6.8.1 Theology Proper;186
11.8.2;6.8.2 Anthropology (and Hamartiology);188
11.8.3;6.8.3 Christology;188
11.8.4;6.8.4 Soteriology;190
11.8.5;6.8.5 Worship and Liturgy;191
11.8.6;6.8.6 Eschatology;194
11.8.7;6.8.7 Ecclesiology;196
11.9;6.9 The Movement from Text to Pastoral Application;197
11.10;6.10 Conclusion;205
12;Chapter 7. Concluding Reflections;208
12.1;7.1 Personal Characteristics of Vitringa's Work;208
12.1.1;7.1.1 Wry Wit;208
12.1.2;7.1.2 Humility;209
12.1.3;7.1.3 Piety;210
12.2;7.2 Historical Connections;211
12.2.1;7.2.1 Calvin's Influence on Vitringa;211
12.2.2;7.2.2 Vitringa's Influence on Others;215
12.3;7.3 Criticisms of Vitringa;220
12.4;7.4 Answers to Our Research Question;223
12.5;7.5 Areas for Further Research;226
12.6;7.6 Potential Contributions from Vitringa;227
13;Appendix 1. De Scriptura Sancta, Altero Theologiae Principio;230
14;Appendix 2. Vitringa's Interactions with Scholarly Sources;240
15;Appendix 3. Portrait;248
16;Appendix 4. Inscription of Vitringa in Album Amicorum of Henricus Arntzenius, 1689;250
17;Appendix 5. Handwritten Poem For His Son Horatius Who Died October 8, 1704;252
18;Bibliography;254
19;Author Index;280
20;Subject Index;286

Über Autor(innen)

Telfer, Charles K.
Charles K. Telfer, PhD, is Associate Professor of Biblical Languages at Westminster Seminary California.