In order to interpret historical writings, the reader must not employ their modern understanding of the world, but must strive to grasp the mindset of the original audience. To assist the twentieth-century New Testament reader in understanding the literal meaning of the New Testament is the goal of this collection of essays. The Social World of Jesus and the Gospels provides the reader with a set of possible scenarios for reading the New Testament: How did first-century persons think about themselves and others? Did they think Jesus was a charismatic leader? Why did they call God 'father'? Were they concerned with their gender roles? The eight essays in this collection were previously published in books and journals generally not available to many readers. Carefully selected and edited, this collection will be both an introduction and an invaluable source of reference to Bruce Malina's thought.
The New Testament is a book of great significance in Western culture yet is often inaccessible to students because the modern world differs so significantly from the ancient Mediterranean one in which it was written. Here, the authors develop interpretative models for understanding such values as collectivism and kinship.
Scholars are agreed that the central metaphor in Jesus' proclamation was the kingdom of God. But what did that phrase mean in the first-century Palestinian world of Jesus? Since it is a political metaphor, what did Jesus envision as the political import of his message? Since this is tied to the political economy, how was that structured in Jesus' day? How is the violence of Jesus' Mediterranean world addressed in the kingdom? And how does "self-denial" fit into Jesus' agenda? Malina tackles these questions in a very accessible way, providing a social-scientific analysis, meaning that he brings to bear explicit models and a comparative approach toward an exciting interpretation of what Jesus was up to, and how his first-century audience would have heard him.
Contributions by internationally known scholars from the United States, Germany, Scotland, Spain, and Canada move beyond many of the impasses in historical Jesus research. Includes essays using social sciences, social history, and traditional historical methods.
Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels Cyndi Parker Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels draws readers into a deeper understanding of ancient Israel and first-century Judaismthe clothing, setting, political climate, and moreall to better understand Jesus ministry. Instead of reading the Gospels through twenty-first-century eyes, author Cyndi Parker introduces readers to the larger context with the weight of the Old Testament behind them. This is an approachable and conversational book that introduces the reader to the complex human world of Jesus. Have you ever wondered if it is important that Jesus grew up in Nazareth but moved his public ministry to Capernaum, even though Jerusalem was the capital of Jewish thought? Does it seem strange to you that Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes held significantly divergent religious views, even though they were all Jewish? In this book, Cyndi Parker guides us through the intriguing drama of history that created the context of first-century Judaism. She extends an invitation to readers to take a new look at the long drama of Gods interactions with humanity that reach a climax in the life of Jesus. Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels focuses on the complexities of the political, social, literary, and religious context of the Gospels. The purpose is to advance readers understanding of the Gospels and help them encounter Jesus, the disciples, and crowds as real people in a real place at a time vastly different from today. Come explore the land of ancient Israel with its dramatic history, culture, and religion. Includes many images, maps, photos, and drawings throughout! About the Author Cyndi Parker (PhD, University of Gloucestershire) teaches in seminaries, universities, and churches around the world. Cyndi lived in Jerusalem for five years, has led dozens of trips to Israel, and continues to develop innovative, educational trips that inspire students of all ages through experiential education.
The authors build on their earlier social-scientific works and enhance the highly successful commentary model they developed in their social-scientific commentaries. This volume is a thoroughly revised edition of this popular commentary. They include an introduction that lays the foundation for their interpretation, followed by an examination of each unit in the Synoptics, employing methodologies of cultural anthropology, macro-sociology, and social psychology.
This volume addresses the most important issues related to the study of New Testament writings. Two respected senior scholars have brought together a team of distinguished specialists to introduce the Jewish, Hellenistic, and Roman backgrounds necessary for understanding the New Testament and the early church. Contributors include renowned scholars such as Lynn H. Cohick, David A. deSilva, James D. G. Dunn, and Ben Witherington III. The book includes seventy-five photographs, fifteen maps, numerous tables and charts, illustrations, and bibliographies. All students of the New Testament will value this reliable, up-to-date, comprehensive textbook and reference volume on the New Testament world.
This engaging text offers a fresh alternative to standard introductions to Jesus. Combining literary and sociohistorical approaches and offering a tightly integrated treatment, a team of highly respected scholars examines how Jesus's friends and enemies respond to him in the Gospel narratives. It is the first book to introduce readers to the rich portraits of Jesus in the Gospels by surveying the characters who surround him in those texts--from John the Baptist, the disciples, and the family of Jesus to Satan, Pontius Pilate, and Judas Iscariot (among others). Contributors include Richard J. Bauckham, Warren Carter, and Edith M. Humphrey.
Engaging, scholarly, and theologically honest, this introductory textbook will be welcomed by students and professors alike. What do we really know about Jesus and how do we know it? Jesus in the Gospels and Acts: Introducing the New Testament explores these questions from the perspective of the New Testament--specifically the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, as well as the extracanonical gospels. Using language and concepts considerate of a religiously diverse undergraduate audience, the author explores issues of authorship, historicity, culture, and theology. Features include: "Check Your Reading" questions check the students' basic comprehension. "Do You Have the Basics?" puzzles check for comprehension through crosswords, word finds, sequencing, and matching activities. "Questions for Reflection" challenge the students to think more deeply about the reading's meaning and the implications for us today. "This book focuses on the central figure of the Christian Scriptures: Jesus. Arguably, no other figure in history has had more influence in shaping many of the religious and cultural norms in the world today. Whether you belong to a specific faith tradition or none at all, possessing a working knowledge of Jesus and the Gospels is important for religious, historical, and cultural literacy." --from the author's introduction
