At this week’s Theological Research Seminar, Séan McGuire will be presenting, “Understanding Biblical Interpretive Practice in the Metamodern Mood.” Read the abstract and his bio below.
All are welcome to attend in Hurlburt Hall (room 136) at McMaster Divinity College at 1:00pm or via livestream at the link below:
Join the Livestream
Password: z00m (Note that the password has zeros rather than “o”)
Abstract
Over the past decade, denominations throughout the West have been engaged in debates regarding sexuality and marriage. As these debates have developed, it has become increasingly clear that at their center are differences in biblical interpretive practice. Yet it is my experience that, by and large, many evangelicals have conflated the conclusions of their interpretive practice with the process of interpretation itself, such that they do not know how to discuss their interpretive practice. To work through difficult topics, such as the one mentioned above, Christians need to develop the ability to reflect on how they interpret Scripture, so that they can coherently and constructively discuss their interpretations with others with whom they disagree. In this presentation, I will be overviewing my dissertation research, which brings together hermeneutic theory, metamodern cultural theory, and a proposed revision of an integrative theological reflection method, the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, to develop a paradigm to help readers perceive and reflect critically on the multivalent nature of their interpretive practice. The project reveals that metamodern interpretations of Scripture are complex and tension-filled, and that amidst this complexity the prioritization (or lack thereof) of theological reflection sources prompts particular interpretative applications.
Bio
Seán McGuire (MDiv) is a DPT student at MDC and serves as the Lead Pastor of Wentworth Baptist Church. Apart from his dissertation topic, Seán also has research interests in technology, Practical Theology, and how cultural trends are shaping believers. Outside of ministry and research, Seán enjoys cycling around Hamilton Harbour and hiking Hamilton’s waterfalls alongside his wife, Jessica, and their children.
About TRS
The MDC Theological Research Seminar (TRS) is a bimonthly gathering for all MDC students and faculty. TRS meets over the lunch hour on Wednesdays, and includes about thirty minutes for the paper presentation and twenty minutes for discussion.
All advanced degree students are invited to present a paper and share your research with your colleagues. TRS is an excellent opportunity to “test drive” a paper you will be presenting at an upcoming conference and receive helpful feedback on your current research projects. Thinking about submitting an article to a journal and want some interaction first? TRS will provide it. Just published an article or an essay and want to share it us? TRS is an excellent opportunity to broadcast it.
This year the organizing committee consists of Dr. Francis Pang, Dr. Wendy Porter, and Dr. Steve Studebaker. To submit a paper, contact a member of the organizing committee.