Hardback

eBook

Add to GoodReads

Rhetoric, History, and Theology

Interpreting the New Testament

Edited by Todd D. Still and Jason A. Myers - Contributions by Bill T. Arnold; Richard Bauckham; Gary M. Burge; Lynn H. Cohick; David A. deSilva; Craig A. Evans; Judith Gundry; Nijay K. Gupta; Craig S. Keener; Amy-Jill Levine; Scot McKnight; Jason A. Myers; Todd D. Still; Duane F. Watson; Jeffrey A. D. Weima and N.T. Wright

The subjects of rhetoric, history, and theology intersect in unique ways within New Testament and early Christian literature. The contributors of this volume represent a wide range of perspectives but share a common interest in the interpretation of these texts in light of their rhetorical, historical, and theological elements. What results is a fresh and perceptive reading of the New Testament and early Christianity literature.

Lexington Books / Fortress Academic

Pages: 350 • Trim: 6½ x 9

978-1-9787-0972-0 • Hardback • March 2022 • $126.00 • (£97.00)

978-1-9787-0973-7 • eBook • March 2022 • $45.00 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Religion / Biblical Criticism & Interpretation / New Testament, Language Arts & Disciplines / Rhetoric, Literary Criticism / General

Rhetoric, History, and Theology

Interpreting the New Testament

Hardback

eBook

Summary

The subjects of rhetoric, history, and theology intersect in unique ways within New Testament and early Christian literature. The contributors of this volume represent a wide range of perspectives but share a common interest in the interpretation of these texts in light of their rhetorical, historical, and theological elements. What results is a fresh and perceptive reading of the New Testament and early Christianity literature.

Details

Lexington Books / Fortress Academic

Pages: 350 • Trim: 6½ x 9

978-1-9787-0972-0 • Hardback • March 2022 • $126.00 • (£97.00)

978-1-9787-0973-7 • eBook • March 2022 • $45.00 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Religion / Biblical Criticism & Interpretation / New Testament, Language Arts & Disciplines / Rhetoric, Literary Criticism / General

Author

Todd D. Still serves as the Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean and the William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary.
Jason A. Myers is associate professor of biblical studies at Greensboro College and lecturer in New Testament at WTC Theology (U.K.).

Table of Contents

1.Divine Revelation in the Pentateuch
Bill T. Arnold
2.Mary, Martha, Jesus, and Their Jewish Context
Amy-Jill Levine
3.Why is John’s Gospel Different?
Richard Bauckham
4.Hermeneutics, Revelation, and the Drama of St. John’s Gospel
Gary M. Burge
5.The Obedient Son: Jesus’s Sonship in Light of Ancient Honor Conventions
Craig S. Keener
6.The Story and Mission of God in Luke-Acts
David A. DeSilva
7.The Origin of the Household Codes in the Light of 1 Corinthians 7 as Anti-Aristotelian Advice on Household Management
Judith Gundry
8.Sister Phoebe: Ἀδελφή As an Honorific Descriptor in Rom 16:1-2
Nijay K. Gupta
9.Eusebeia as Social Respectability: The Public Life of the Christian Pastor
Scot McKnight
10.Rhetoric for the Rusticas: In Search of the Historical Timothy and Implications for the Rhetoric of 1–2 Timothy
Jason A. Myers
11.Onesimus: Still a Runaway Slave
Jeffrey A. D. Weima
12.Paul and “the Good”: A Survey of the Subject
Todd D. Still
13.Water, Blood, and Spirit in 1 John 5:6–8 Once More: The Contribution of Rhetorical Analysis
Duane F. Watson
14.The Vision of God and the Kingdom of God: Theological and Ecumenical Reflections
N. T. Wright
15.“I am a Christian”: Blandina’s Example of Christian Endurance and Courage
Lynn H. Cohick
16.The Christology of Jesus: Another Look Thirty Years Later
Craig A. Evans

Reviews

In this remarkably readable volume, which includes chapters by Jeffrey Weima and N.T. Wright, Rhetoric, History, and Theology acts as an enriching guide into the complexities of the New Testament while simultaneously honoring the seventieth birthday of a preeminent Methodist biblical scholar. Pick up andread is good advice. But familiarizing yourself with the rhetorical goals, culture and history, and thetheological and Christological commitments of the various authors is an indispensable aid in picking upand reading the New Testament. This book is a great companion guide as it provides some of that contextfor readers to build from when dealing with most influential book in human history.

— VoegelinView

Ben Witherington is one of the most premiere biblical scholars of our age—his powers of insight are matched only by his immense productivity. It is hard to honor a man who has written commentaries on every book of the New Testament. Even so, the editors of this volume have assembled a great team of leading scholars who have written erudite essays on topics that intersect with Witherington’s own work. A tremendous collection of essays that honors a wonderful man of scholarship and faith.

— Rev. Michael F. Bird, Ridley College

Ben Witherington’s prolific body of work has ranged broadly across the canon of the New Testament. This fine collection of essays honors him by focusing on the topics that have animated his scholarship: social history, ancient rhetoric, and the theology of the New Testament documents. All who share these interests will find their understanding expanded and deepened by the excellent essays in this fitting tribute volume.

— Richard B. Hays, Duke Divinity School, emeritus

A must-read for anyone interested in joining what are all too often separated—historical, rhetorical, and theological approaches to biblical texts. Essay after essay models how historically-situated rhetoric illuminates the theological shape of the text. The result is a strong collection that will challenge you to resist adopting a one-dimensional approach in your interpretation and even to rethink typical ways of treating tricky texts. This outstanding volume thus not only honours Ben Witherington, but also makes an important contribution to biblical scholarship that will serve students and scholars alike.

— Elizabeth Shively, University of St Andrews

Rhetoric, History, and Theology

Interpreting the New Testament

Rhetoric, History, and Theology

Interpreting the New Testament

ALSO AVAILABLE