Bible Quote by James K.A. Smith
![“Derrida. Deconstruction’s claim that there is “nothing outside the text” [il n’y a pas de hors-texte] can be considered a radical translation of the Reformation principle sola scrip-tura. In particular, Derrida’s insight should push us to recover two key emphases of the church: (a) the centrality…” quote by James K.A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9f9/james-k-a-smith-11405_bible_derrida-deconstruction-s-claim-that-ther_1444563.jpg)
““Derrida. Deconstruction’s claim that there is “nothing outside the text” [il n’y a pas de hors-texte] can be considered a radical translation of the Reformation principle sola scrip-tura. In particular, Derrida’s insight should push us to recover two key emphases of the church: (a) the centrality of Scripture for mediating our understanding of the world as a whole and (b) the role of community in the interpretation of Scripture.””
About This Quote
Source Article: “Theology and Derrida,” 2015, Journal of Philosophy of Religion
Derrida’s claim that nothing exists outside text mirrors the Reformation’s focus on Scripture, urging a return to Scripture’s central role and communal interpretation.
In simple terms: Textual focus mirrors Scripture’s central role.
Key Takeaway
Re‑center Scripture in community.
Themes
theology
philosophy
interpretation
community
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- seminar teaching
- church study groups
- academic research
- faith formation
Key Concepts
deconstruction
sola scriptura
communal hermeneutics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does community shape scriptural meaning?
- Can text alone guide faith?
A Different Perspective
Emphasizing text can overlook lived experience.
