Theology
Biblical Theology in the Life of the Early Church Recovering an Ancient Vision Stephen O. Presley Biblical Theology in the Life of the Early Church recasts biblical theology as a practice cultivated in Christian community rather than a solely academic pursuit. Stephen Presley argues that the early church fathers crafted an ecclesial biblical theology that was lived out communally and oriented believers toward beholding God’s glory. This volume brings patristic biblical interpretation into conversa- tion with contemporary biblical theology, exploring how assump- tions and methods of figures such as Irenaeus and Augustine can guide modern hermeneutics. Presley shows how early Christian theologians emphasized virtue and discipleship alongside exege- sis, patiently shaping readers to inhabit Scripture’s narrative. He illuminates the catechetical and liturgical scaffolding that informed patristic biblical theology, centered on Christ as the cornerstone. Students and scholars of theology, church history, hermeneutics, and patristics will find valuable new insights. “A profound and comprehensive, yet also very accessible, introduc- tion to the ecclesial biblical theology of the first centuries of Chris - tianity, as it created a world and shaped Christians. This volume is offered to, and in dialogue with, contemporary biblical exegetes and theologians and all readers of Scripture, and it is sure to enrich the theological understanding and spiritual lives of all who read it.” —John Behr, University of Aberdeen “I resonated so much with this book that I couldn’t stop underlining it. Presley brings clarity to patristic interpretation that only an expert can, and he has produced a gift that will serve the church for years to come.” —Patrick Schreiner, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
APRIL 2025 • 216 pp. • paper • $24.99 • 9781540966414
Stephen O. Presley (PhD, University of St. Andrews) is senior fellow for religion and public life at the Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy and associate professor of church history at The South- ern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has also served in a variety of ministry positions. He is the author of several books, including Cultural Sanctification: Engaging the World like the Early Church , and is the coeditor of Explorations in Interdisciplinary Reading.
CONTENTS
Introduction
1.
Ecclesial Biblical Theology
2. Signs of God 3. Narratives of Scripture 4. Christ in All Things 5. The Good Life 6. The Community of Faith Conclusion Indexes
34
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease