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Sociology of Religion 1996 57(3):259-272; doi:10.2307/3712156
© 1996 by Association for the Sociology of Religion
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Copyright © 1996 Association for the Sociology of Religion

Beyond Biblical Literalism and Inerrancy: Conservative Protestants and the Hermeneutic Interpretation of Scripture

John Bartkowski

The University of Texas at Austin


  Abstract

This study highlights the limitations associated with sociological conceptualizations of "biblical literalism" and "biblical inerrancy," and proposes an alternate theoretical model for illuminating conservative Protestant scriptural interpretations. In an effort to redress these conceptual limitations, I bring insights from the field of hermeneutics to bear on the literalism-inerrancy problem. Hermeneuticists maintain that a reader's interpretation of a text may be explained (1) by examining the presuppositions (or "prejudices") which the reader brings to the text, and (2) by evaluating the circular process by which a reader imparts meaning to the text (i.e., the hermeneutic circle). After outlining the contours of the hermeneutic model of textual interpretation, I apply this model to explain contradictory scriptural interpretations advanced by leading conservative Protestants concerning (1) the concept of "submission" in conservative Christian marital relations, and (2) the role of corporal punishment in conservative Protestant parenting ideology. I conclude by specifying avenues for future research.


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