Allegorizing History

What is history and how does it impact upon biblical interpretation and theology? 'Allegorizing History' seeks to answer this question by arguing that conceptions of the past and the purposes of history impact upon biblical interpretation and vice versa. Invoking Constantin Fasolt's notion of history as 'a knowledge of the past, as well as the technique by which such knowledge is produced', and re-fashioning Erich Auerbach's historical enterprise in Figura (1938), Furry contends that the understanding and practice of historical writing is inevitably affected by philosophy and theology, thereby rendering all history as figural or allegorical. Famous for his Ecclesiastical History of the Anglo-Saxon People and biblical commentaries, the Venerable Bede is studied in dialogue with Augustine, contemporary theology, and historical theory to make this interdisciplinary argument.

"[...]the ambition of this book excites. More scholars - Christians and non-Christians alike - should reevaluate philosophy of history from a medieval perspective." -Nathan J. Ristuccia, Reviews in Religion and Theology vol. 22, issue 2 , March 2015 "Furry has worthwhile things to say about the importance of reading Bede with serious theological interest; he has correctly noted the important differences between Bede's and Agustine's approaches to Genesis 1 and provides some valuable discussion of those differences." -Conor O'Brien, Journal of Theological Studies, vol 66 issue 1, April 2015 "Furry's lucid style, helpful analogies, and impressive grasp of his multifarious series of interlocking subjects are sure to delight any careful reader who is interested in how the past relates to the present. A careful work such as this merits careful attention." -Josh Bruce, The Expository Times, Vol. 127 No. 11, August 2016 "Furry does an admirable job of displaying how commitments elsewhere affect the writing of history. His apologetic for Christian figural readings of history is insightful, and one hopes he will make good on his promise to extend it further! More specialized in scope, this book would appeal to masters of doctoral students interested in the areas of historical theory, philosophy of language, and theology of creation." -Jonathan Douglas Hicks, Theological Book Review, Vol. 26 No. 2, 2015

Timothy J. Furry (PhD, University of Dayton) is Instructor of Religion and Philosophy and Chaplain at Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School, Bloom eld Hills, Michigan. He is coeditor of 'Ecclesiology and Exclusion' (2012) and author of multiple theological essays, book chapters, and reviews.