Biblical Theology in the Life of the Early Church
Recovering an Ancient Vision
by Stephen O. Presley
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Pub Date Apr 29 2025 | Archive Date May 13 2025
Baker Academic & Brazos Press | Baker Academic
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Description
This volume brings patristic biblical interpretation into conversation with contemporary biblical theology, exploring how assumptions and methods of figures such as Irenaeus and Augustine can guide modern hermeneutics. Presley shows how early Christian theologians emphasized virtue and discipleship alongside exegesis, patiently shaping readers to inhabit Scripture's narrative. He illuminates the catechetical and liturgical scaffolding that informed patristic biblical theology, centered on Christ as the cornerstone.
Students and scholars of theology, church history, hermeneutics, and patristics will find valuable new insights.
Advance Praise
“A profound and comprehensive, yet also very accessible, introduction to the ecclesial biblical theology of the first centuries of Christianity, as it created a world and shaped Christians. This volume is offered to, and in dialogue with, contemporary biblical exegetes and theologians and all readers of Scripture, and it is sure to enrich the theological understanding and spiritual lives of all who read it.”—John Behr, Regius Chair in Humanity, University of Aberdeen
“Biblical theology was something done well, even best, by early-century bishops when teaching and catechizing their churches, something that is rare today but might possibly be recaptured. Without claiming that it is the panacea for all the church’s problems or that the Enlightenment has nothing to contribute, this book offers a vision that presupposes a revelation-based social imaginary together with glimpses of God as triune. It is replete with the idea—in true Irenaean tradition!—that biblical salvation history informs and forms Christian lives, beginning with those of the interpreters who read Scripture in the context of worship and community. This is what inspires Stephen Presley, and the inspiration communicated through these pages is catching!”—Mark W. Elliott, professor of biblical and historical theology, Highland Theological College; professorial fellow, Wycliffe College, Toronto
“Modern hermeneutics has hit a dead end. Too often we focus on methods rather than first asking the more fundamental question of metaphysics. Too often we espouse an abstract system of biblical unity without presuming we are also participants in the narrative. Presley argues that even modern biblical theology needs the tools of retrieval. The early church practiced an ‘ecclesial biblical theology’ that included the catechesis of those within the Christian community. Biblical theology can be rightly practiced only within the community of the church. I resonated so much with this book that I couldn’t stop underlining it. Presley brings clarity to patristic interpretation that only an expert can, and he has produced a gift that will serve the church for years to come.”—Patrick Schreiner, associate professor of New Testament and biblical theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781540966414 |
| PRICE | $24.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 216 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Douglas L, Reviewer
I have read this book twice, and reread my highlights I got so much from it. Presley argues that Biblical interpretation for the early Church began with a right view of God and a pure desire to know him, love him, and grow in personal virtue. Right there is where the wisdom of the ancient church collides with the post-modern would be interpreters of Scripture! From this base point, the author moves on to describe how the early church father’s saw the synergy between Scripture, the rule of faith, catechesis, and liturgy. I particularly appreciated the authors discussion of the Biblical narrative and how the early Church saw themselves as living within and participating in the narrative as pilgrims and travellers on the way. In the discussion on narrative I am also grateful for Presley’s engagement with Jean-François Lyotard and Alistair MacIntyre.
While this may be considered an academic book, the writing is engaging and accessible to an average reader. I think what Presley has to say here is so important, I would love to see this book as required reading for all Church leadership and ministry development courses. The modern church, so much obsessed by novelty, has much to learn from our forefathers. For anyone interested in hermeneutics, Biblical Theology, preaching, teaching, liturgy, discipleship, mission ie if you are involved in church ministry, please read and pass this book on!
Matthew B, Reviewer
Presley has developed thoughtful, insightful, and convicting points throughout the entirety of the book that are supported by well researched and condensed details of life in the early church. The structure of this book is really well thought out, providing easy accessibility to each point he is trying to convey while connecting to an overall call to relearn what it means to read the Bible through the lens of the Bible. I think like all great Christian authors, it can be a bit dense and repetitive at times but ultimately his multitude of early church father historical examples and background is insightful and helpful in thinking about our modern church. Although I think his summary is a little too negative to some great examples of churches in our current generation that are actively working the points he tries to make, I would still recommend this book as an excellent reminder of how the church operated in early days while still responding to the changing world around them.
