This is the second of Fowl's primary concerns, and he devotes the bulk of the book to a constellation of issues raised by such questions. At the outset, Fowl insists that no method, no form of biblical criticism, once adopted, can certify beforehand that the Bible will not be abused. What is required, rather, are Christian communities-wherein the practices of reconciliation and forgiveness are fostered and the common life of Christians is oriented toward the forming and nurturing of the practical wisdom requisite for the faithful generation and embodiment of scriptural interpretation. For Fowl, the community context for biblical interpretation is intertwined with the practice of discerning the Spirit's activity around us and, thus, our recognition of the role of the Spirit in interpretation. Thus does Fowl call for a thorough revisioning of the practice of biblical interpretation in relation to the vitality of Christian community.
Puzzles remain, however.
Perhaps the iron curtain of which Professor Childs has written is eroding. F. Watson, Text and Truth.