Sunesis Reading Group (Beginning May 2026)
Engaging with Keven Vanhoozer’s Mere Hermeneutics: Transfiguring What It Means to Read the Bible Theologically
“How then shall we—biblical scholars, theologians, clergy, and laypeople—read? The answer involves more than following a step-by-step how-to manual. Exegetical procedures are helpful, but they can also give readers the impression that they are in control of the process. Not so. The most important qualification for biblical interpretation, and the Christian reader’s primary vocation, it to be ‘canonically aware and redemptively responsible’—alert to the purpose of Scripture as a whole and prepared to answer the divine summons to follow the words where they lead. More than knowing exegetical procedure (or even the original languages), readers must stand in front of the text as certain kinds of persons: illumined listeners. To stand before the text, which is to say, before the manifest presence of God, is often a struggle, with the text and with oneself before God, which is why theologians through the centuries have compared the Christian life and biblical interpretation to an ascent up the mountain. It takes effort to read the Bible theologically, in particular the effort of letting go of our self-serving veils and masks. Many of us in the interpretive lowlands may not yet be ready or fit to hear God’s word.”
Sunesis Weekly Reading Group
General Rationale
Theology matters for the life of the church and the life of the church matters for theology. While teaching the faith to people in the church is important the benefits of regular theological discussion amongst colleagues ought not be overlooked. Ongoing peer-to-peer discipleship is important. Outside of the seminary and university context, making time for this to happen often requires intentional effort. This group aims to make that effort and provide a space for colleagues to gather and discuss how we ought to understand ourselves and our callings, the churches we serve in, the world we witness to, and the God who wants to be known and acknowledged in gratitude.
Commitment Expectation
If you are pressed for time, there is no need to feel obligated to read everything. Come to the discussion with one or two observations/questions that arose from the text that you think are worth discussing further with the group.
This is a discussion among colleagues, it is not a class or seminar, the reading is meant simply to be a catalyst for conversation in our shared pursuit to grow in our theological understanding.
Session Specific Rationale
How we read the Bible, not just that we read it, has significant ramifications not only for the maturity of our own faith but also for those we have been called to minister to and alongside. For this next session of the Sunesis Reading Group, we will spend time together considering how best to understand and approach the Word of God. Using Kevin Vanhoozer’s Mere Christian Hermeneutics as a catalyst, we will pursue together what it means to be made “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15), as we seek to be and to make mature disciples of Jesus Christ, for God’s glory and for the edification of His church and her mission in the world.
SUNESIS 