Mike Stallard

Antiochene Theōria in the Writings of Theodore of Mopsuestia and Theodoret of Cyrus

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“This book is a masterful contribution to a neglected subject in patristic exegesis and its relevance for contemporary theology. It widens our comprehension of how Antiochene theÅ?ria was used by two prominent exegetes within the School of Antioch and offers a formidable challenge to those patristic scholars today who claim that Antiochene exegesis was little more than a variant of Alexandrian hermeneutics. The Antiochenes’ use of theōria reassures us of the rightful role historical and literary criticism plays today and that this reading of the Bible often supports a canonical, theological, and typological interpretation of Scripture with Christ as the principle of unity between the Testaments.” —Bradley Nassif North Park University, Chicago “Why do the exegetical nations rage? Richard Perhai’s valuable study of Theodore and Theodoret’s theōria goes a long way towards explaining the long-standing hermeneutical opposition between Antioch and Alexandria. More importantly, Perhai brings the results of his study to bear on contemporary discussions about the theological interpretation of Scripture. The way forward in debates about how best to understand, and integrate, the literal and spiritual senses of Scripture may well now lie through Antioch.” —Kevin J. Vanhoozer Trinity Evangelical Divinity School “Richard Perhai’s work reminds us of the rich, profound, and multilayered meaning the Antiochene fathers observed in Holy Scripture. Reading theologically, they sought what the prophet Samuel experienced at Shiloh: to behold ‘the LORD who revealed himself by the word of the Lord.’ This volume moves us a good distance toward reading the Bible as Christians, leaving behind the reductionism of various one-dimensional, reactionary hermeneutics. Our hermeneutical ‘hands’ are freed then to grip tightly the full theological kit of church history. Dr. Perhai’s insights offer great help to those called to prepare souls to gaze deeply and forever, not merely upon the holy text, but into the holy face of God in Jesus Christ.” —Rev. Brent Nelson Five Points Community Church, Auburn Hills, Michigan “Perhai’s Antiochene TheÅ?ria in the Writings of Theodore of Mopsuestia and Theodoret of Cyrus fills a large gap in our understanding of theological method in the early church that has been too little studied. With acute balance, Perhai’s work helps the reader to avoid overstatements about the literalism of Antioch over against the allegory of Alexandria. Most importantly, the work attempts to show a likeness between the theōria of Antioch and the modern movement of theological interpretation of Scripture (TIS). Even for those who do not normally embrace TIS in its strongest forms, the historical analogy is abundantly useful for scholarly analysis of theological method.”