Research into the dynamic relationship between text and context is at the heart of the research in the group “Contextual Biblical Interpretation and Theologies.” Contextuality is understood as a key catalyst for both the production and interpretation of texts in settings past and present. In the research group’s projects particular attention is given to (voices from) marginalized communities, traditions and contexts for reasons both ethical and epistemological, as innovation is likely to come from the margins and silenced voices deserve to be heard. In doing so, the group contributes to the development of new and innovative kinds of biblical interpretation, as part of the broader discourse on theological innovation. The group maintains strong relationships with relevant academic networks and with partners in society. Particular attention is given to life-giving forms of interpretation, often in a manner that resonates with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Taking their point of departure in the group’s overarching and unifying question “how and with what consequences do context and text relate to each other?”, the group pursues a number of more specific research questions, each of which highlights a dimension of the encompassing inquiry just mentioned:
- How can context and text be understood conceptually? Where does ‘text’ and ‘context’ begin, how do textual and non-textual media of communication relate to each other? What dimensions of context do (not) matter?
- How does ‘contextual biblical interpretation’ relate to ‘mainstream’ forms of biblical interpretation and theology? Can the worlds of ‘contextual’ and ‘historical’ biblical interpretation be brought into dialogue? What is the contextuality of biblical studies and theology as such?
- How can specific social developments and social groups within and beyond the Netherlands contribute new or overlooked perspectives to biblical interpretation and theology? How can the voice of marginalized traditions, such as migrant/international and minority churches, and marginalized voices such as those of women, children, the LGBTIQ+ community, the (mentally and/or physically) ‘disabled,’ (descendants of) enslaved people, other disempowered or abused groups, such as trafficked and/or sexually exploited people, or also the non-human world, be heard?
- How are biblical interpretation and theology challenged by voices from outside of the own ‘bubble’, how can intercultural research be designed and executed in order to investigate this?
- How does contextuality play a role in the (re)production of Bibles, in particular in the praxis of Bible translation? How can Bible translation interact with and integrate marginalized voices and perspectives?
- What can be learned from concrete instance of biblical interpretation, both historical and contemporary, both Dutch and foreign? One may think cases as diverse as early Jewish receptions of Scripture, contemporary online worship, women’s groups in the Andes, or children’s theology.
Disciplines that are joined within the research group are those of philosophical and theological hermeneutics, empirical hermeneutics, reception history, biblical exegesis (OT/HB & NT), biblical theology, contextual biblical interpretation, intercultural theology, systematic theology, ecumenical theology and gender studies.
The group is open to people with a research appointment and a relevant research interest at FRT VU, PThU, the Luxemburg School of Religion and Society, and affiliated institutions, as well as external, PhD and doctoral researchers. Those interested in pursuing research in relation to this group and the aforementioned questions can contact the group’s leader, prof. dr. Peter-Ben Smit, p.b.a.smit@vu.nl with an inquiry.
For researchers and the projects they are involved in, please consult the list of participants in the group above.