Interpreting the New Testament
A Practical Guide
Published on 1. September 1979
Book
Paperback/Softback
162 pages
978-0-8146-5124-7 (ISBN)
Description
This introduction to New Testament exegesis helps readers by explaining in a simple and brief way the basic literary methods used in studying the New Testament today: textual criticism, translations, words and motifs, source criticism, form criticism, historical criticism, redaction criticism, and parallels. It is a beginner's book, designed to make explicit some of the procedures now used by the commentators who have had formal exegetical training.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Collegeville, MN
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
213 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8146-5124-7 (9780814651247)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
06/2017
1st Edition
Liturgical Press
from
€40.99
Available for download
Person
Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, PhD, (1940-2014), was professor of New Testament at Boston College and the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Massachusetts. He wrote numerous scholarly works, including What Are We Hoping For? New Testament Images, The Gospel of Mark, Jesus Ben Sira of Jerusalem: A Biblical Guide to Living Wisely, and The Letter to the Hebrews, all published by Liturgical Press. He served as editor of New Testament Abstracts from 1972 until his death.
Content
Contents
Introduction ix
1. Literary Criticism in Genera l 1
A. The New Testament Literature 1
B. Examples of Literary Criticism 5
C. Literary Expression and Theological Content 12
2. Textual Criticism 16
A. Principles of Textual Criticism 16
B. Examples of Textual Criticism 21
3. Translations 25
A. Six Modem English Translations 25
B. Examples of Modem English Translations 29
C. Using the Translations Effectively 37
4. Words and Motifs 42
A. The Language of the New Testament 42
B. Examples of Word Studies 49
5. Source Criticism 56
A. Detecting Sources in New Testament Documents 56
B. Examples of Source Criticism 64
6. Form Criticism 70
A. Form Criticism in General 70
B. Discourse Forms in the Synoptic Gospels 72
C. Narrative Forms in the Synoptic Gospels 75
D. Parables in the Synoptic Tradition 79
E. Forms in Other Parts of the New Testament 81
7. Historical Criticism 85
A. Historical Criticism and the Gospels 85
B. Examples of Historical Criticism 90
8. Redaction Criticism 96
A. Principles of Redaction Criticism 96
B. Examples of Redaction Criticism 100
9. Parallels 108
A. Using Literary Parallels 108
B. Jewish History From Alexander the Great to A.D. 100 109
C. Primary Sources for Literary Parallels to the New Testament 113
D. Examples of Literary Parallels 117
10. The Meaning of the Text 124
A. What the Text Says 124
B. What Others Have Brought to the Text (The History of Interpretation) 126
C. What We Bring to the Text 130
D. What It Means Today (Preaching on Biblical Texts) 134
E. Exegesis and Spirituality 142
Appendix One: The Dating of the New Testament Books 146
Appendix Two: Questions in Exegesis 148
Introduction ix
1. Literary Criticism in Genera l 1
A. The New Testament Literature 1
B. Examples of Literary Criticism 5
C. Literary Expression and Theological Content 12
2. Textual Criticism 16
A. Principles of Textual Criticism 16
B. Examples of Textual Criticism 21
3. Translations 25
A. Six Modem English Translations 25
B. Examples of Modem English Translations 29
C. Using the Translations Effectively 37
4. Words and Motifs 42
A. The Language of the New Testament 42
B. Examples of Word Studies 49
5. Source Criticism 56
A. Detecting Sources in New Testament Documents 56
B. Examples of Source Criticism 64
6. Form Criticism 70
A. Form Criticism in General 70
B. Discourse Forms in the Synoptic Gospels 72
C. Narrative Forms in the Synoptic Gospels 75
D. Parables in the Synoptic Tradition 79
E. Forms in Other Parts of the New Testament 81
7. Historical Criticism 85
A. Historical Criticism and the Gospels 85
B. Examples of Historical Criticism 90
8. Redaction Criticism 96
A. Principles of Redaction Criticism 96
B. Examples of Redaction Criticism 100
9. Parallels 108
A. Using Literary Parallels 108
B. Jewish History From Alexander the Great to A.D. 100 109
C. Primary Sources for Literary Parallels to the New Testament 113
D. Examples of Literary Parallels 117
10. The Meaning of the Text 124
A. What the Text Says 124
B. What Others Have Brought to the Text (The History of Interpretation) 126
C. What We Bring to the Text 130
D. What It Means Today (Preaching on Biblical Texts) 134
E. Exegesis and Spirituality 142
Appendix One: The Dating of the New Testament Books 146
Appendix Two: Questions in Exegesis 148