The Matter of Scripture

​The biblical texts in and of themselves are incomplete without the 'matter of scripture', which is ultimately God's coming kingdom. It is God's history of promise and points to their fulfillment. The 'matter of scripture' is perfect if the promise of the Kingdom is anticipated.
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In agreement with the methodology and hermeneutics of theologian Jurgen Moltmann, we find it best not to merely recite Bible verses, nor rearrange verses into a systematic theology—Moltmann engages critically with the Scriptures, and allows Scripture to criticize Scripture, in order to see past the surface of the canonical Bible text to determine the underlying 'matter of Scripture'.

It is important to remain 'critical and free' towards the texts, as it enables us to hear the 'matter of Scripture'. Rigid and authoritarian" readings have wrongfully empowered past cultures to use the Bible to impose patriarchy, disparagement of women, slavery, poverty, injustice, and other practices that are opposed to the matter of Scripture.

"In the New Testament, 'the matter of scripture' is the unconditional endorsement and universal enactment of God's promises through and in Christ, and the beginning of their fulfillment in the experiences of God's Spirit. The Christian scriptures are 'holy' inasmuch as they correspond to God's promise in Christ and in the Spirit; they are 'hallowed' or sanctified by their function for the proclamation of the gospel to the nations, and for the new life in the Spirit. They are writings on which the church is founded, and life-renewing texts of the promise." (Moltmann)