Thesis Abstract

Engaging a theological interpretive approach, this thesis identifies and explicates the significance of the double love commandment for the interpretation of Matthew’s Gospel.

The love commandment is the embedded hermeneutical centre of Matthew’s Gospel. It encapsulates the on-going and ultimate purpose of God, namely the re-forming of community, defined by God-centredness manifested in relationships characterised by love for God and neighbour—in response to God’s grace.

 

The origin of the research question lies in the intersection of the hermeneutical context and the ecclesial context which theological interpretation seeks to serve. The hermeneutical context, characterised by pluralism, frequently features differing scholarly perspectives and conclusions. At the same time, effectively functioning Christian communities require clarity and agreement on key questions, such as the ultimate aim and purpose of Christ.

 

The focus of this thesis is on understanding Matthew’s Gospel ‘in its own hermeneutical terms,’ which for some, provides a well-founded basis from which to navigate hermeneutical pluralism. Understanding a text ‘in its own terms’ is an important principle in the Christian tradition, and also a long- standing hermeneutical principle endorsed by Gadamer’s hermeneutical philosophy. A brief survey of current methods of interpretation critically evaluates their capacity to understand biblical texts in their own terms.

 

The discussion shows a close correspondence between the philosophical, ideological, or theological frameworks under which the investigation is carried out, and the conclusions reached. If Matthew’s Gospel is to be understood in its own hermeneutical terms, it will be best understood through its inherent hermeneutical centre, namely the double love commandment. Although the hermeneutical nature and character of the double love commandment has been widely acknowledged, there is little scholarship nor consensus as to how it functions hermeneutically. This thesis contributes to scholarship by elucidating the way in which this commandment functions to interpret Scripture. It arches over both the Law and the Prophets as well as the ministry of Jesus, which is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The biblical texts ‘hang’ from this commandment, embodying the myriad constituent lements of the complex, continuing process of individual and community formation. The hermeneutic thus brings coherency rather than deconstruction to biblical texts. The hermeneutic encompasses a broad theological interpretative framework.

Understood from the trinitarian perspective of theological interpretation, this hermeneutical framework is God/Christ centred, relational, communal, visionary and teleological, and brings to the fore these dimensions of the Gospel. The thesis demonstrates the use of the double love commandment as hermeneutical centre to propose a four-part structure to Matthew’s Gospel. It engages the hermeneutic in interpreting key Matthean passages, and in contributing to the resolution of some interpretive difficulties. In Matthew’s Gospel, people respond to God’s love and grace as manifested in Jesus, ‘God with us.’ Amid opposition, a fledgling community begins to form around him, and ultimately is formed in union with him, as explicated at the Last Supper.

Matthew’s vision is global and extends beyond the individual, the community of disciples, and the nation of Israel; it is for all people, communities and nations. In pointing to this overall purpose of God, the hermeneutic clarifies the ultimate purpose and priority of contemporary Christian communities. In view of the ecclesial location of theological interpretation, implications for contemporary praxis are noted throughout.

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