Language for God in Patristic Tradition has the distinction of being both a marvelously clear introduction and a sophisticated exploration of the intellectual world and work of early Christianity in relation to one of the thorniest problems in Scripture: the use of human language - often violent language - to describe God. The book is suitable for students, scholars and thoughtful inquirers alike. It is lucid, interesting and instructive - illuminating a clear description of the history of the problem with fascinating examples of ancient, learned interpreters at work in a conversation that continues today.
-Robin Darling Young,
The Catholic University of America
How do we speak about God in human language? Mark Sheridan's Language for God in Patristic Tradition takes a historical and hermeneutical approach to answer this question. Using the patristic hermeneutical principles that the meaning given to a biblical text must be worthy of God and useful to people as guiding motifs, he deftly leads the reader through a multitude of patristic texts dealing with problem passages in the Bible. Those unacquainted with patristic exegesis will be introduced to and guided in the reading of these texts.
-Ronald E. Heine,
Northwest Christian University
While there are a number of books written on the ancient Christian use of the early Fathers, Sheridan's offers critical insights on the theological background for early Christian exegesis that places it among the more balanced and erudite volumes on this subject.
-D. H. Williams,
Baylor University
One major obstacle modern people face in comprehending patristic literature is the ideas and language ancient Christian writers employed as they read the Bible and interpreted the Bible's statements and stories about God. In Language for God in Patristic Tradition, Mark Sheridan explains clearly and cogently both the "why" and the "how" of the church fathers' language of biblical anthropomorphism. He employs plenty of primary source material as he does so. Sheridan's immense learning is expressed in lively, accessible prose that will encourage and educate readers new to patristic exegesis while refreshing - and likely deepening - the perspectives of those more familiar with the world of the church fathers. Highly recommended.
-Christopher A. Hall,
Eastern University
At its core this masterful introduction to the patristic language about God by Mark Sheridan is about interpreting Scripture in a manner worthy of God. This was the primary concern and challenge of the ancient Christian interpreters who interpreted Scripture primarily in a theological sense - which is what language about God should do. Our modern concern has always had more to do with a historical consciousness of the text of Scripture and so we find much of the ancient approach to Scripture unintelligible and enigmatic. This text brings us into the mindset of the Fathers' approach to interpretation in order to help us read with them the mind of the divine author of Scripture. This text should be required reading for anyone interested in the history of interpretation in the early church.
-Joel C. Elowsky,
Concordia Seminary
