Patristic Exegesis and the Pre, Modern, and Postmodern

As theological and biblical studies approaches this modern/postmodern standoff, it is interesting to consider how things were done before we arrived at this point. The ancient writings of the church fathers offer an interesting juxtaposition to our current situation. They did not have the same presuppositions and preoccupation with methodology that we have today. They didn't even have the fully developed doctrines of this or that that we have today. Biblical interpretation was a different beast then and one that cannot be easily cornered.

In Sanctified Vision, which I am currently reading, John O'Keefe and R. Reno discuss the exegetical practices of the fathers, not simply seeking to explain their methodology but to present the logic and assumptions that they held. This book is helpful for sifting through some of the modern day interpretations of what the fathers were doing and seeks to avoid anachronism.