A Hermeneutic of Imagination: Unlocking Scripture’s Full Potential - Softcover

Knut M. Heim; Jeffrey R. Oetter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 154096910X ISBN 13: 9781540969101

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group, 2025

Synopsis

To read the Bible well, we need imagination. This is the first book-length study that takes the Bible’s imaginative nature seriously. It integrates insights from disciplines like neuroscience, metaphor theory and cognition, translation theory, the affective sciences, humor studies, and the study of imagination itself into the academic and theological study of the Bible. Here two experts in biblical poetry show that reading with imagination is a critical hermeneutic of engagement that fosters close, deep, lusciously savored, and pleasurable readings of the biblical texts. Drawing on a variety of disciplines, they show how Scripture employs often subtle literary techniques—including figurative language, emotions, and humor—that require imagination to recognize and interpret. Imagination helps us develop genuinely biblical ideas that get us closer to the originally intended meaning, resulting in more accurate interpretations than traditional approaches. A Hermeneutic of Imagination shows that imagination is crucial for unlocking the Bible’s full potential because it transforms biblical studies into intellectually stimulating, emotionally rewarding, theologically rich, and spiritually transformative adventures of the mind that contribute to problem-solving and human flourishing today.

About this title

About the Author

Knut M. Heim (PhD, University of Liverpool) is professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado, and the pastor at Deer Park United Methodist Church in Bailey, Colorado. He previously taught at The Queen’s Foundation, University of Birmingham, and at Trinity College, University of Bristol. Jeffrey R. Oetter (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is the pastor at New Hope Community Church in Aurora, Colorado, serves on the staff for Young Life, and is an adjunct professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado.

From the Back Cover

"Persuasive and compelling"

This book makes the case that imagination plays a crucial role in reading the Bible because it transforms the study of Scripture into aesthetically inspiring, intellectually stimulating, emotionally rewarding, theologically rich, and spiritually transformative adventures of the mind.

"How refreshing to read a book that endorses imaginative and creative readings of Scripture! Heim and Oetter have given us renewed justification to look for the strange, the abnormal, and even the fantastical in the pages of the Bible and to celebrate the human mind's ability to endlessly explore fresh possibilities of interpretation. A life-affirming, imaginative book that deserves a key place on your theological bookshelf!"
--Katharine Dell, University of Cambridge

"This is a really useful book to enable us to work out the vital role of imagination in the study of the Scriptures. It's good on the theory, and it has lots of useful examples."
--John Goldingay, Fuller Seminary (emeritus)

"A persuasive case for why reading the Bible with imagination is essential for faithful biblical interpretation. This book builds bridges between academic and ecclesial interpretive practices with clarity and conviction. Relevant to a broad audience--from students to academics and beyond--this work opens new avenues for unlocking Scripture's full potential."
--Cami Brubaker, Bethel University

"This book brings together the best of both literary and theological readings of the biblical text in an illuminating hermeneutic of imagination. Imagination is convincingly argued as the needed quality through which literary texts intended as sacred witness can reveal their full power."
--Bruce C. Birch, Wesley Theological Seminary (emeritus)

"Persuasive and compelling, this book is a must-read for all who employ their imaginative capabilities to authentically unlock the Bible's imaginative nature."
--Madipoane Masenya (Ngwan'a Mphahlele), University of South Africa (emeritus)

Edition details

• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 154096910X
• ISBN 13: 9781540969101
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224