New horizons in hermeneutics /

Thiselton (Univ. of Nottingham), who has taught at Calvin College, intends this as a textbook. It is an exhaustive study of the hermeneutic debate focused on, but not limited to, biblical interpretation. It greatly expands his earlier work, The Two Horizons. His own position follows Wittgenstein, Austin, and Searle. The text traces a short history of Early Church and Reformation hermeneutics and then develops in detail the theoretical models in the debate beginning with Schleiermacher. Thiselton does an exceptional job of classifying and clarifying the many dimensions of the present philosophical, theological, literary, and sociological debates. He weaves into his narrative an incredible number of proponents and critics of each model. The bibliography is extensive and useful. Criticisms that come to mind are few. The late Middle Ages and Renaissance are passed over too lightly. Thiselton's slight polemical bent toward "realism" leads him to a one-sided interepretation of Karl Barth and Richard Rorty. Some individual thinkers need treatment in more depth; but the breadth and organization of the material is comprehensive. This massive work of scholarship in hermeneutics is an excellent source for theologians and biblical scholars; highly recommended for upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. J. H. Ware; Austin College