Abstract
The title of this volume is a reference to David Brown’s ground-breaking proposal to conceive of revelation in terms of a ‘moving text’ rather than of a fixed canon. Brown’s idea is that revelation is an evolving process that continues beyond Scripture, with the interpretative tradition around holy writ also regarded as revelatory. On this account, biblical revelation and later tradition are not sharply distinguished; rather, the latter throws light on, and even critiques the former, thereby bringing forth new revelations. These lines of thought are persuasively argued in Brown’s Tradition and Imagination (1999) and Discipleship and Imagination (2000).
The essays in this collection are by a variety of scholars who take up and engage with Brown’s notion of a moving text, fleshing out its implications with respect to their own particular fields of interest. The essays thus range widely and are arranged in three parts. The first part is about the biblical text itself, while Parts II and III deal with how the visual art and literature can be seen to operate as genres of revelation both within and beyond the fixed canon. Preceding the essays is a helpful Editor’s Introduction delineating and setting out Brown’s position. Brown himself concludes the discussions with an illuminating reply, addressing the themes and criticisms raised. To illustrate how Brown’s approach might be put into practice, four of his sermons are included in the appendix.
Those who have contributed to this treasure trove are: Garrick V. Allen, Lecturer in New Testament, Dublin City University; Stephen C. Barton, formerly Reader in New Testament (now Honorary Fellow), Durham University; Ian Boxall, Associate Professor of New Testament, The Catholic University of America; Christopher R. Brewer, Programme Officer, Templeton Religion Trust; Jon Greenaway, Associate Lecturer in English and Film, Manchester Metropolitan University; William P. Hyland, Lecturer in Church History, University of St Andrews; Dennis F. Kinlaw III, Assistant Professor of English, Houston Baptist University; Robert MacSwain, Associate Professor of Theology, The University of the South; Natasha O’Hear, Honorary Lecturer, University of St Andrews; Thomas Rist, Senior Lecturer in English, University of Aberdeen; Aaron Rosen, Professor of Religious Thought, Rocky Mountain College; Taylor Worley, Associate Professor of Faith and Culture, Trinity International University.
No prior knowledge of Brown’s corpus is needed to enjoy and learn from the essays. But the reader may expect to be enthused to consult Brown’s acclaimed works cited above for more of his dynamic understanding of how tradition is ‘the motor that sustains revelation both within Scripture and beyond’.