📘 Lexicon Entry: Participatory Hermeneutics

Short Definition
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
Definition
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.
Category
Theological Alternative
Keywords
participatory interpretation, hermeneutics, biblical interpretation, community interpretation, spiritual formation, tradition, Spirit-guided interpretation
Citation Guide
Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. “Participatory Hermeneutics.” *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].
Orthodox Alternatives
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
Mutated Position
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
Key Characteristics
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
Theological Foundations
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
Biblical Foundation
"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
Contemporary Expression
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
Academic Research
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
Key Authors
Last Updated
May 26, 2025
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*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.*
Historical Development
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
Application to Mutations
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
Theological Dialogue
How different authors engage with this concept
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
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