John L Thompson is Professor of Historical Theology and Gaylen and Susan Byker Professor of Reformed Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary.
Christian Century
"Thompson demonstrates that earlier generations struggled with
questions not unlike our own and that they have much to teach us
about faithful interpretation of scripture. A delightful read."
Interpretation
"Preachers will want to keep this book close at hand; it will impel
them to investigate the riches of the history of exegesis also for
texts they preach more often." Richard B. Hays
-- Duke Divinity School
"It is a peculiar conceit of modernity that we are the first to
recognize the presence of puzzling, offensive texts in the Bible.
John Thompson punctures that illusion and offers a fascinating
survey of the diverse ways in which premodern interpreters
struggled -- for better and for worse -- with some of the same
texts that trouble us today. Reading the Bible with the Dead
contains a treasure trove of provocative insights. The clarity of
Thompson's exposition is exemplary, and his evaluations are wise
and balanced. The 'Finding Guide to English Translations of
Commentary Literature Written before 1600' will be of great value
to students and pastors who want to pursue this conversation more
deeply." Timothy George
-- Beeson Divinity School
"Combining mature scholarship with an engaging style, John Thompson
helps us to peer over the shoulders of saints of the past as we
read the Bible today, especially some of its difficult texts. In
doing so, he shows that serious study of Holy Scripture requires
more than the latest Bible translation in one hand and the latest
commentary in the other. An invaluable guide for all pastors and
teachers of God's Word." Jesus Creed
"Every pastor or church needs a book like this in the library."
Elsie McKee
-- Princeton Theological Seminary
"John Thompson is well known for his fascinating scholarly studies
of the history of exegesis, particularly concerning some of the
more challenging biblical texts on issues of gender and violence
that lectionaries often skip. . . In this clear and user-friendly
book Thompson melds modern questions with patristic, medieval, and
Reformation-era questionings about hard-to handle biblical stories
and injunctions, from Hagar and Jephthah's daughter to the psalms
of imprecation and Pauline strictures on men's hair and women's
public speaking. While making no claims to exhaustive treatment of
any text, Thompson provides twenty-first-century readers with a
rich spectrum of interpretation by pre-Enlightenment exegetes. "
Mark Labberton
-- senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley
"Thompson's book provides an exceptionally incisive and courageous
example of reading uncomfortable biblical texts through a history
of the reading of those texts. The fruit it bears is faithful
wisdom, the kind of reading we need most." Kathryn
Greene-McCreight
-- author of Darkness Is My Only Companion
"A bold encounter with the 'texts of terror.'. . . Will be of
profound interest to any scholar of the history of biblical
interpretation or of feminist questions and uses of Scripture."
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