📘 Lexicon Entry: Participatory Hermeneutics

Approach to biblical interpretation that emphasizes participation in the reality Scripture reveals rather than merely extracting information, understanding interpretation as involving the whole person within a community of practice shaped by tradition and guided by the Spirit

Hermeneutical approach that emphasizes participation in the reality Scripture reveals rather than merely extracting information from biblical texts. This method understands interpretation as involving the whole person within a community of practice shaped by tradition and guided by the Spirit, challenging both modernist objectivism that removes the interpreter from the text and postmodern subjectivism that reduces the text to the interpreter’s perspective. Participatory hermeneutics recovers pre-modern participatory understanding of knowledge while engaging contemporary hermeneutical insights. This approach provides an interpretive framework that addresses multiple theological mutations: it challenges Primitive Biblicism by acknowledging interpretive traditions while maintaining Scripture’s authority; it counters Foundationalism by understanding interpretation as participation rather than detached observation; and it transforms Tribal Epistemology by connecting local interpretation with universal tradition. The method is enhanced by Analogia Fidei which establishes faith as participatory rather than objective knowledge, and works with Sachkritik by identifying the subject matter that demands participation.

Theological Alternative

participatory interpretation, hermeneutics, biblical interpretation, community interpretation, spiritual formation, tradition, Spirit-guided interpretation

Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. “Participatory Hermeneutics.” *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].

Biblical interpretation involving the whole person within community of practice shaped by tradition

Participation in the reality Scripture reveals rather than merely extracting information

Understanding that emerges through spiritual formation and transformation of the interpreter

Integration of critical intellectual faculties with spiritual engagement and community discernment

Spirit-guided interpretation that connects local reading with universal tradition

Modernist objectivism that removes interpreter from text and claims neutral observation

Postmodern subjectivism that reduces text to interpreter’s perspective without transcendent reference

Individualistic interpretation that ignores community tradition and Spirit’s guidance

Purely academic approaches that separate intellectual analysis from spiritual formation

Emphasizes participation in the reality Scripture reveals rather than information extraction

Involves whole person within community of practice shaped by tradition

Integrates critical methods with spiritual reading that transforms the reader

Acknowledges role of interpretive communities and traditions in biblical understanding

Understands interpretation as fusion of horizons between interpreter and text

Connects local interpretation with universal tradition through Spirit’s guidance

Challenges both modernist objectivism and postmodern subjectivism in biblical interpretation

Recovers pre-modern participatory understanding of knowledge while engaging contemporary insights

Integrates with theological interpretation of Scripture movement

Emphasizes Spirit’s role in guiding interpretive communities toward truth

"Understanding with the heart" Matthew 13:15

"The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" 2 Corinthians 3:6

"Opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" Luke 24:45

Ethiopian eunuch needing interpretive guidance Acts 8:30-31

Academic biblical studies incorporating reader-response and reception theory

Seminary education integrating exegesis with spiritual formation

Liturgical biblical interpretation in worship contexts

Contextual theology movements emphasizing community interpretation

Integration of critical biblical studies with spiritual formation methodology

Development of reader-response and reception theory in biblical interpretation

Theological interpretation of Scripture movement emphasizing participatory reading

Contextual theology movements highlighting community-based interpretation

Methodological Integration: Analogia Fidei, Sachkritik, Analogical Reading

Epistemological Context: Post-foundationalism, Knowledge as Participation

Community Context: Communal Discernment, Contemplative Spirituality

Challenged Mutations: Primitive Biblicism, Foundationalism, Tribal Epistemology

May 26, 2025

*This entry is part of the Political Theology Lexicon, accessible exclusively to subscribers. View the complete lexicon to explore related concepts and the full theoretical framework.*

Rooted in patristic spiritual reading practices emphasizing transformation through Scripture

Medieval lectio divina tradition integrating study with prayer and contemplation

Modern philosophical hermeneutics from Schleiermacher through Gadamer

Contemporary integration of critical methods with spiritual formation

Addresses Primitive Biblicism by acknowledging role of interpretive communities and traditions

Challenges Foundationalism by understanding interpretation as participation rather than objective observation

Transforms Tribal Epistemology by connecting local interpretation with universal tradition

Douglas A. Campbell emphasizes participatory reading practices where scriptural world becomes habitable space for readers through pneumatological enablement

Kevin J. Vanhoozer develops “theodrama” approach where interpretation involves participation in divine action beyond merely understanding concepts

James K.A. Smith explores how liturgical practices shape interpretive frameworks prior to conscious reflection

Sandra Schneiders integrates critical methods with spiritual reading that transforms the reader through encounter with text

Hans-Georg Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics reveals how understanding involves “fusion of horizons” where interpreter’s horizon merges with text’s horizon