In Scripting the Son, Kyle R. Hughes analyzes how dialogical texts in the Old Testament presented early Christian exegetes with riddles that were best solved through a person-centered reading strategy known as prosopological exegesis. From the method's roots in the pages of the New Testament through its increasingly careful application in the hands of church fathers such as Justin, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Origen, this book traces how prosopological exegesis contributed to the development of Christology in the pre-Nicene period. By examining the origins and evolution of this approach to biblical interpretation, Hughes demonstrates how the very words of Scripture exerted a pressure for a Trinitarian understanding of God that was rooted in the Old Testament and aligned with the emerging rule of faith, exemplifying the dynamic interplay between biblical interpretation and doctrinal formulation in the early centuries of Christianity.
Industry Reviews
“Kyle Hughes continues his groundbreaking work on prosopological exegesis and the early church in this newest venture, Scripting the Son. Weaving together rich biblical exegesis with careful historical theology, he shows that Christology flowered in part through early Christians’ ability to ‘hear’ the Son’s voice in the pages of the Old Testament. The result is a valuable resource that illuminates both historical and theological considerations about early Christology in the New Testament and pre-Nicene Christianity—areas in continual need of deep study.”
– Brandon D. Smith, chair of the Hobbs School of Theology & Ministry, and associate professor of theology & early Christianity, Oklahoma Baptist University
“A chorus of scholarly voices in recent years has (re)called our attention to the unabashedly christological reading of the Old Testament by early Christian theologians. In this excellent exploration of second- and third-century exegetes, Kyle Hughes tells us both how they came to read Scripture this way and why. Highly recommended!”
—Joel Scandrett, associate professor of historical theology, Trinity Anglican Seminary
“When reading the Old Testament, early Christians identified moments when the Father, Son, and Spirit conversed about salvation history. In Scripting the Son, Kyle Hughes offers a rich and comprehensive theological exploration of these divine dialogues alongside the rule of faith, showing how they contributed to developments in Christology and the doctrine of the Trinity. Highly recommended.”
—Matthew W. Bates, professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary
“Scripting the Son expands our understanding of the forces that shaped early Christology. By weaving together various threads, Hughes provides a compelling account of key early Christian doctrines. After gleaning lines from the major sources of early Christianity, he reconstructs a comprehensive ‘script’ of the inter-trinitarian theodrama, a tool which will be of help to scholars, clergy, and interested laity.”
—David E. Wilhite, professor of historical theology, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University
“In his new book, Kyle Hughes pulls back the ancient exegetical curtain so we can watch the performance of Scripture and Christology in the early church. This was no routine drama, but a lively dialogue between the Old Testament and the apostolic testimony, with the person of Christ playing the leading role. Anyone interested in patristic exegesis, biblical interpretation, or Christology should pick up a copy and follow along with the script.”
—Stephen Presley, senior fellow for religion and public life, the Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy, and associate professor of church history, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary