"1 Corinthians" (Kimlyn J. Bender)

TITLE: 1 Corinthians (Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible)
AUTHOR: Kimlyn J. Bender
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2022, (320 pages).
 

Traditional apostolic interpretation examines scriptures from the mindset of doctrines with the Church leading the way in Bible interpretive matters. Modern interpreters critique the use of tradition and dogma. Postmodern interpreters criticize the critics. A lot of modern scholars understand the Bible from the perspective of a reader-response attitude. By giving us an overview of the broad strokes of biblical interpretation through the ages, we are reminded that there are still many strengths in letting these clarify rather than obstruct our interpretive paradigms. In other words, instead of adopting a hermeneutic of suspicion which many modern and postmodern scholars adopt, believe rather that "dogma clarifies rather than obscures." Recognizing the increasing secularization of Western society, and the rising fragmentation of Christendom, author and professor Kimlyn Bender seeks to bring us back to the importance of Church doctrine in interpretive matters. Instead of jettisoning historical interpretive strategies, this commentary combines the heritage of the Nicene tradition and marries them with modern biblical scholarship. Use the old to understand the new; and to use the new in the old, in the light of Christ. Theologically, Bender shows us the critical need to take every thought captive to Christ. Textually, we are called to harness the best of historical-critical studies in the past and combine them with modern exegesis. 

Bender weaves in exegesis with hermeneutical application meticulously through the whole letter of First Corinthians. In fact, the way he exegetes the texts already opens up creative imaginations on applications. For instance, Paul's declaration of his calling as an apostle prompts one to examine one's calling. Presenting the commentary word-for-word or passage-by-passage according to the thought processes, readers can easily use this commentary as a reference for their own studies and exegesis.

My Thoughts

I appreciate how Bender consistently affirms the theological anchor in Christ. Going through verse-by-verse, passage-by-passage, the highlighted words in bold that refer to the NRSV affirm the focus on Christ on every page. That is a visible form of taking every thought captive unto Christ. It is also refreshing to see the different inputs from the Ante-Nicene Fathers as well as Post-Nicene Fathers. By doing so, we learn from the wisdom of our predecessors. It is arguable that while modern scholarship has a breadth of knowledge, furnished by rich libraries collected through the ages, ancient scholars are steep in meditation and contemplation of the spirituality of the Scriptures. Modern scholarship benefits from the wide variety of resources to study the Scriptures but ancient believers were able to focus and dwell longer in the texts concerned. In other words, it is likely that the ancients were less distracted by extra-biblical resources that many modern folks are used to. I believe this is an important check-and-balance approach to let the Nicene tradition inform our study of the text. 

I like the way Bender anchors his exegesis by making the Scripture texts bold for our easy reference. This gives us an important handle on the texts that are being examined in depth. I find that helpful to avoid confusing what is Scripture and what is commentary. Not only that, it keeps the reader mindful that they are the words or phrases being exegeted. They work not only like a subtitle but also as chance for us to reflect on the Scripture texts even as we explore Bender's work. Some commentaries present the Scriptures right before the commentary. Others simply place Scripture references as placeholders. Here, Bender integrates the texts directly inside the commentary which I find simply brilliant. This might seem like a minor point but I find it extremely beneficial for my own exegesis as well. 

Another helpful point is the introductory words about the evolution of biblical interpretation. Through that, we are reminded that our modern hermeneutics of suspicion needs to be balanced with dogma that "clarifies rather than obscures." Like the "Back to the Bible" movement a few decades ago that urges believers to go back to the basics of the Bible, Bender in this commentary is showing us the benefits of learning from our Church Fathers before, during, and after the Nicene era. This engagement of the community of interpreters both past and present helps us learn from the past and avoids the chronological snobbery affecting some modern scholars. 

Some of Bender's comments on controversial verses should be examined more critically. For instance, his arguments about the passages on women having personal authority (self-authority) over their own heads are unconvincing. To be fair, he does concede that the passages in 1 Corinthians 11 are some of the most difficult ones to interpret. For that reason, readers should remain open to his take on what the passages mean, even when the Church Fathers take a different trajectory. That said, this commentary is commendable and I can appreciate the due diligence the author has taken to give us this resource.

Kimlyn J. Bender is Professor of Christian Theology at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He received his Ph.D. in theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. His primary area of research is in 19th and 20th century theology with a particular specialty in the theology of Karl Barth, though his publications extend to include work in ethics and philosophy in addition to historical and systematic theology. His research has examined the underlying theological convictions that have shaped the Protestant traditions and how they might continue to serve the present confession of the church and its proclamation of the gospel.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Brazos Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.