When New Testament writers quote the Old, our eyes are drawn naturally to the quotation. Gabrielson urges us to notice also the citation formula. It is not merely a throwaway convention. Rather, a NT writer chose if, when and how to use a formula as a tool to communicate to the hearer (reader), helping us bridge the gap between Richard Hays’ optimism and Christopher Stanley’s pessimism about how biblically literate were the original hearers. For scholars of intertextuality, Gabrielson’s study is a must read.
— E. Randolph Richards, Research Professor of New Testament School of Ministry, Palm Beach Atlantic University
How much difference can it make what subject and verb a New Testament writer uses when he quotes the Old Testament? Does it really matter if “it stands written in Scripture,” or “God spoke” or “the words of the prophet were fulfilled”? In a breathtaking sweep through the Gospels and Acts, Paul and Hebrews, plus key second-century Christian literature, Tim Gabrielson demonstrates the far-reaching significance of the ways in which early Jesus followers introduced their quotations of Scripture. No formula, however minor, is left unturned; the results are surprisingly useful, and even aid our understanding of the Trinity!
— Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Denver Seminary
Dr. Gabrielson has written a methodologically and historically precise book on a long-overlooked topic: the interpretive significance of citation formulas in early Christian references to Scripture. He compelling reveals that it is not merely the citations themselves, but the nuanced and variegated introductions of these citations, that hold profound importance for ancient authors. The extensive catalogue of early Christian citation formula alone makes this work one that ought to be on the bookshelf of anyone interested in early Christian literature.
— Nicholas A. Elder, associate professor of New Testament, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
The phenomenon of scripture citing scripture has launched a thousand books in quest of various treasures, ranging from the textual history of cited texts and their authority to the hermeneutical lenses that rendered scripture meaningful to ancient readers. Almost unnoticed and often neglected, however, are the myriad phrases and formulae by which later authors signaled the presence of scriptural citations and encouraged particular interpretations thereof. In Tailoring Scripture with Citation Formulae, Timothy Gabrielson invites readers to let their focus linger on the introductory formulae in the first century of Christian texts, from the Apostle Paul to Justin Martyr. In so doing, Gabrielson sheds light on questions of history (e.g., how early Christians read and cited their holy books) but also on questions of theology, including how scripture came to speak the very words of God. This will be the standard discussion of citation formulae for the next century-and-a-half.
— Rafael Rodríguez, professor of New Testament, Johnson University
Gabrielson offers a book that carefully analyzes the citation formulae within the New Testament in an engaging format. In these pages are an impressive range of statistics as well as fruitful interpretations of the data and the texts of Scripture it represents. This book is an important contribution to discussions on the ways that New Testament authors engage with Scripture and its traditions.
— Madison N. Pierce, Western Theological Seminary