Like you, I have minor reservations about some aspects of Ford’s wording, though I think he might be on to something when he speaks about a ‘relational’ reading of scripture. I took Ford to be saying something like, if God is to be known, he presents himself to be known in Scripture.

I think Ford simply wants to emphasise the singularity of God’s revelation in Scripture and perhaps, by way of implication, God cannot be drawn out by our own reasoning, He only choses to reveal himself in a relationship.

What do you think?

Mark

So there’s a delicate balance for the reader to read well enough to have the text speak, but not so in a “hey look at me I’m a good reader” sort of way.

More broadly, I’m a little wary of Ford’s claims in his first sentence.

“The specifically theological character of the rereading [of scripture] lies in it being done before God, in relationship with God, seeking in the Spirit to follow the purposes of God in the world and finding in scriptures inspired testimony to what all of that involves.”

I believe this limits God’s power to work in the reading of Scripture by someone who does not intend to read “before God” or who is not in “relationship with God” etc. Seems like Ford is boxing-in God, and the power of the Spirit to inspire.

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