Reading Faithfully, Volume 1

The influence of Hans Frei (1922-1988) is wide and deep in contemporary theology, even though he published little in his own lifetime. These two volumes collect a wide range of his letters, lectures, book reviews, and other items, many of them not previously available in print. Together, they display the range and richness of Frei's thinking, and provide new insights into the nature and implications of his work. They are an invaluable resource for all those interested in Frei's work, and for any interested in his central themes: the development of modern biblical hermeneutics, the interpretation of biblical narrative, and the figural interpretation of all reality in relation to the narrated identity of Jesus Christ.Imagine the excitement that would accompany the discovery of Brahms' sketches for a fifth symphony, or unpublished letters from Einstein on the theory of relativity. These pieces provide something similar: Hans Frei's emerging thinking about biblical narrativity and theology. This volume is further evidence of the seminal nature and continuing significance of Frei's close theologizing.--Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Hans Frei was probably the greatest American theologian of the twentieth century, and his thought has if anything grown in importance since then. This superbly edited collection of mostly unpublished material distills key points of his thinking on major issues of Christian truth, biblical interpretation, and how best to do theology. It is rigorous, persuasive, and above all wise, and succeeds remarkably in being able at the same time not only to introduce Frei attractively to a new generation but also to draw deeper those who know him well.--David F. Ford, Emeritus Regius Professor of Divinity, Cambridge UniversityHans W. Frei (1922-1988) was one of the most important American theologians of his generation. He spent the majority of his career teaching at Yale Divinity School, where he authored The Identity of Jesus Christ and The Eclipse of Biblical Narrative, numerous essays, and a vast collection of unpublished works, which have since been published posthumously: Types of Christian Theology, Theology and Narrative, and the forthcoming Reading Faithfully: Writings from the Archives. Mark Alan Bowald is Associate Professor of Religion & Theology at Redeemer University College. He is the author of Rendering the Word in Theological Hermeneutics: Mapping Divine and Human Agency.Mike Higton is Professor of Theology and Ministry at Durham University. He is the author of numerous books, including Christ, Providence, and History: Hans W. Frei's Public Theology.