Even the Devil Quotes Scripture: Reading the Bible on Its Own Terms

by Robyn J. Whitaker

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2023

Overview

“We are meant to take the Bible seriously, not literally.” —from the Introduction

In Even the Devil Quotes Scripture, Robyn J. Whitaker looks to the Bible as a guide to interpreting the Bible, and her findings breathe new life into our understanding and use of Scripture. As it turns out, the uses of Scripture within Scripture are flexible, open to frequent reinterpretation, and rarely literal.

For instance, Ezra and Nehemiah reinterpret laws about whether Jews can marry foreigners in the wake of the Babylonian exile. Their contradiction of earlier traditions found in Deuteronomic law do not invalidate Scripture but rather represent its diverse applications for the prophets’ specific situations. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents a more demanding interpretation of Mosaic law in the Sermon on the Mount, while in Mark’s Gospel he all but ignores its prohibition of working on the Sabbath. Yet the common ethos of the two gospels prioritizes compassion over legalism.

Ultimately, Whitaker ascertains one definitive characteristic of inner-biblical interpretation: love. After all, the Old Testament passage most frequently quoted in the New Testament is Leviticus 19:18: “Love thy neighbor.” Thus, Whitaker proposes a hermeneutic of love—a litmus test for the validity of a scriptural interpretation measured in charity. Ideal for any devoted reader of the Bible, Even the Devil Quotes Scripture opens our eyes to the Bible as a living, loving gift of God’s unfolding revelation.

Key Features

• Explores the theme of love as a definitive characteristic of inner-biblical interpretation
• Looks to the Bible as a guide to interpreting the Bible

Contents

• Introduction
• What Is the Bible?
• Bible Interpreting Bible?
• Stories That Invite Conversation
• Scripture Rewriting Scripture
• Jesus as Interpreter
• A Hermeneutic of Love
• Reading the Bible for Love

Product Details

• Title: Even the Devil Quotes Scripture: Reading the Bible on Its Own Terms
• Author: Robyn J. Whitaker
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Pages: 200
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Resource ID: LLS:VNDVLQTSTWNTRMS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-08-25T15:18:22Z

Benefits of Logos Edition

In the Logos Reader Edition, this volume is enhanced to best fit the content. Scripture references are hand-tagged to integrate with powerful functionality in Logos Bible Software. Page milestones and internal citation tagging provide accurate points of reference. Search important words across resources to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive tools for reading digital content are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

About Robyn J. Whitaker

Robyn J. Whitaker is an associate professor of New Testament at the University of Divinity, Melbourne. She has taught at Princeton Theological Seminary, the University of Chicago Divinity School, and Union Theological Seminary. Robyn is also the author of Ekphrasis, Vision, and Persuasion in the Book of Revelation.