PUTTING PERSONAL-EXPERIENCE BACK INTO THE EQUATION - A REPLY TO CLINTON AND BOOKMAN

The role of the person in interpreting the Bible and integrating psych ology and theology has always been problematic. Some approaches emphas ize personal, subjective experience. Others emphasize objective biblic al truth. This article attempts to show the importance and difficulty in communicating balance of the two extremes. Critiques of my prior at tempts to bring personal experience back into the equation are evaluat ed-in terms of biblical interpretation that is first, dominated by and second, free from personal experience. It is concluded that God himse lf has put both Scripture and the person at the heart of interpretatio n and integration. We dare not remove either one.