Gospel Reading and Reception in Early Christian Literature
Gospel Reading and Reception in Early Christian Literature
Andrew J. Byers, University of Cambridge
Simon Gathercole, University of Cambridge
£75.00
GBPBefore the early Christian evangelists were Gospel writers, they were Gospel readers. Their composition process was more complex than simply compiling existing traditions about Jesus, then ordering them into a narrative frame. Rather, these writers were engaged in a creative and dynamic act of theological reception. 'Gospel reading' refers to this innovative and often artistic use of source materials -- from Israel's Scriptures to pre-existing narratives of Jesus-- to produce updated, expanded, or even alternative renditions. This volume explores that process. The common thread running through each chapter is the conviction that the early Christian practice of writing 'gospel' and the 'Gospels' was one of the most hermeneutically creative exercises in ancient literary culture, one that was prompted by the perceived theological significance of Jesus. The contributors seek to demonstrate the intricate dynamics of this controversial figure's theological and textual reception through foundational essays on specific texts and themes.
- Focuses on the interpretative dynamics of Jesus' textual reception in early Christianity
- Features new arguments on fiercely debated topics about Gospel origins, 'Q', the Synoptic Problem, and the motivations and processes of Gospel writing
- Offers a range of disciplinary approaches
Product details
February 2022Hardback
9781316514467
275 pages
223 × 144 × 25 mm
0.53kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Foreword, 'we are all Gospel readers' Kevin J. Vanhoozer
- Introduction, 'defining Gospel reading' Madison N. Pierce and Andrew J. Byers
- Part I. Reading the Gospel in Israel's Scriptures:
- 1. Reading Christ in the old testament Ian McFarland
- 2. Where is 'the god of Israel' in Paul's reading of the Gospel? Beverly Gaventa
- 3. Gospel reading and prosopological exegesis in luke-acts Madison N. Pierce
- Part II. Gospel Writers as Gospel Readers: Evangelists as Theological Interpreters:
- 4. Why not Matthew's use of luke? Mark Goodacre
- 5. Luke rewriting Matthew? The case of the sermon on the plain Dale C. Allison, Jr.
- 6. Reading Mark and writing John: the feeding of the five thousand in Johannine perspective Wendy E. S. North
- 7. On historical epochê in Gospel reading as exemplified by John and the Egerton Papyrus Troels Engberg-Pedersen
- Part III. Gospel Reading as Ecclesial Tradition:
- 8. Generosity without discrimination? Reading Gospel-commands in early Christianity John M. G. Barclay
- 9. Johannine readings of the Johannine Gospel: reception theology and practice in John's Epistles Andrew J. Byers
- 10. Severus of antioch on Gospel reading with the eusebian canon tables Matthew R. Crawford
- Afterword, reading Gospels with the Gospel of Philip Simon Gathercole.
