Abstract
Dietrich Bonhoeffer's writings include a significant amount of biblical interpretation, but his potential contributions in the fields of biblical studies and theological exegesis of Scripture have not been sufficiently explored. Existing studies tend to treat Bonhoeffer's exegetical writings in isolation from his broader theological project, and have been largely dismissive of his merits as a scriptural interpreter. This study aims to reassess some of his key exegetical writings from 1935-1940 in light of his theology of revelation and bibliology, unfolding the ways in which his reading of Scripture is determined by his theology of Scripture. Accordingly, the guiding question of this study is how Bonhoeffer's bibliology informs his exegesis.
Part 1 of this study analyses Bonhoeffer's early theology of revelation (1925-1930), his Christology (1933), and his Finkenwalde writings (1935-1937), concluding that the doctrine of revelation is at the core of his theology throughout his writings, and that he construes revelation as the real presence of Christ (Christus praesens). Scripture, in this reading, is the instrument of God's present Word and is thereby to be read as the present-tense address of Jesus Christ. Part 2 explores how this bibliological position informs a selection of his middle-period exegetical writings. This analysis demonstrates that the uniting factor of his biblical interpretation is not methodological but bibliological: he reads Scripture as the living word of the present Christ.
By demonstrating the inextricable link between Bonhoeffer's exegesis and his bibliology, and challenging the notion of a Bonhoefferian exegetical 'method', this study lays the groundwork for future assessments of his contribution as an interpreter of Scripture.