Exploring the New Testament, Volume 2
A Guide to the Letters and Revelation, Third Edition
3rd Edition
Published on 29. April 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-0-281-08464-7 (ISBN)
Description
'An invaluable resource for both students and teachers.'
Dr Lucy Peppiatt
Tried, tested and trusted by students and teachers across the world, this widely respected study guide enables the reader to engage with an array of essential topics, including:
? the Greco-Roman background to ancient letter writing
? the content and major themes of Paul's life, mission and theology
? issues of authorship, date and setting
? well established and newer methods of study
? the intersection of New Testament studies with contemporary issues of faith and culture
Now in its third edition, this popular textbook has been fully revised and updated, and includes new sections on:
? the theological links between Jesus and Paul
? major recent discussions on Pauline theology
? developments in scholarship of the New Testament
? updated bibliographies, highlighting the most important and influential works published in the past decade
Drawing on the authors' decades of experience in teaching these topics, this comprehensive textbook gives students a strong understanding and a solid foundation for further study.
Dr Lucy Peppiatt
Tried, tested and trusted by students and teachers across the world, this widely respected study guide enables the reader to engage with an array of essential topics, including:
? the Greco-Roman background to ancient letter writing
? the content and major themes of Paul's life, mission and theology
? issues of authorship, date and setting
? well established and newer methods of study
? the intersection of New Testament studies with contemporary issues of faith and culture
Now in its third edition, this popular textbook has been fully revised and updated, and includes new sections on:
? the theological links between Jesus and Paul
? major recent discussions on Pauline theology
? developments in scholarship of the New Testament
? updated bibliographies, highlighting the most important and influential works published in the past decade
Drawing on the authors' decades of experience in teaching these topics, this comprehensive textbook gives students a strong understanding and a solid foundation for further study.
Reviews / Votes
'Readers are given a wealth of resources for study, including historical background, context, scholarly discussions, theological reflections and essay questions. I recommend this book to anyone involved in theological education.' * Dr Lucy Peppiatt, Principal, Westminster Theological Centre * 'Avoids the twin dangers of overwhelming the student with detail and oversimplifying complex issues.' * Michael B. Thompson, former Associate Principal, Ridley Hall, Cambridge * A well-proportioned overview of background material, introductory detail and controversial issues. * James D. G. Dunn, Emeritus Lightfoot Professor of Divinity, Durham University * I know no better book for its purpose. * Richard Bauckham, Professor Emeritus of New Testament Studies, University of St Andrews *More details
Series
Edition
3rd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 189 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
801 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-281-08464-7 (9780281084647)
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
Howard Marshall | Ian Paul
Exploring the New Testament, Volume 2
A Guide to the Letters and Revelation, Third Edition
E-Book
04/2021
SPCK Publishing
€22.49
Available for download
Persons
Howard Marshall (1934-2015) was Professor Emeritus of New Testament Interpretation at the University of Aberdeen.
Ian Paul is Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary, California. His recent publications include The Book of Revelation Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (IVP, 2018) and How to Interpret the Bible (Grove, 2017).
Stephen Travis is a former Vice Principal and Lecturer in New Testament at St John's College, Nottingham. His recent publications include But What About God's Wrath? (IVP, 2019), co-authored with Kevin Kinghorn.
Ian Paul is Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary, California. His recent publications include The Book of Revelation Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (IVP, 2018) and How to Interpret the Bible (Grove, 2017).
Stephen Travis is a former Vice Principal and Lecturer in New Testament at St John's College, Nottingham. His recent publications include But What About God's Wrath? (IVP, 2019), co-authored with Kevin Kinghorn.
Content
How to use this bookxi
A.SETTING THE SCENE
The world of first-century Christians3
How do we know what we know?3
The emergence of Roman power4
A century of civil conflict4
Augustus' successors6
The Julio-Claudian dynasty6
The Flavian dynasty6
Government of the empire8
The provinces8
Client kingdoms9
Cities and colonies9
The power of propaganda9
The army10
The legions10
Auxiliaries10
The praetorian guard10
Roman society10
Citizenship10
Classes11
Women12
Patrons and clients12
Language and culture13
Entertainment13
Religion and philosophy14
Traditional religion14
Healing cults15
Mystery religions15
Fate, astrology and magic16
The imperial cult16
Cynics, Stoics and Epicureans17
Romans, Jews and Christians18
Essay topics20
Further reading20
B.PAUL AND HIS LETTERS
Letters in the New Testament23
Ancient letter-writing23
The format of letters24
The format of Paul's letters25
Letters of recommendation or introduction28
Other New Testament letters28
Further reading29
Paul, his letters and his life 31
Where can we learn about Paul?31
Material from outside the New Testament32
The Acts of the Apostles32
The letters of Paul34
Difficulties in the Pauline letters34
Were the letters all written by Paul?34
Do we have the letters in their original form?36
Is Paul a reliable informant about himself?36
Early days36
Paul's call and conversion38
Paul as a missionary39
Paul the captive41
Problems of chronology42
Essay topics44
Further reading44
The letter to the Galatians47
What led to the writing of the letter?47
The structure of the letter49
Paul's argument in the letter50
'New Perspective' readings of Paul52
Was the letter effective?53
To whom was the letter sent?55
When was the letter written?57
Consequences for the date of the letter60
For today's Galatians60
Essay topics61
Further reading61
The letters to the Thessalonians63
Paul and Thessalonica63
The contents of 1 Thessalonians65
The contents of 2 Thessalonians69
Problems in 2 Thessalonians72
For today's Thessalonians74
Essay topics74
Further reading74
The 'first' letter to the Corinthians77
Paul's mission77
The 'previous' letter78
Getting behind the second (first) letter79
Continuing immorality80
Party squabbles in the congregation80
The rich and the poor81
'Strong' and 'weak' believers82
Spiritual superiority and inferiority83
Questions about the resurrection84
Surveying 1 Corinthians84
Party spirit85
Immorality and litigation86
Sexual and marital issues87
Food offered to idols88
Congregational meetings90
Spiritual gifts91
The resurrection92
In conclusion92
For today's Corinthians93
Essay topics93
Further reading94
The 'second' letter to the Corinthians95
An overview of the problems95
The events leading up to 2 Corinthians 1-796
Identifying the tearful letter97
Survey of 2 Corinthians 1-799
Thanksgiving(Berakah)99
The rift with the congregation100
The nature of apostleship101
Resuming the story102
Corinthians 8 and 9103
More fragmentary letters?104
The problem of 2 Corinthians 10-13104
The occasion of 2 Corinthians 10-13107
For today's Corinthians108
Essay topics108
Further reading109
The letter to the Romans111
The purpose of the letter111
The nature of the argument in the letter114
An overview of the letter115
The opening (and the closing) (Rom. 1:1-15; 15:14-16:27)115
The text is announced! (Rom. 1:16-17)116
Universal sin and guilt (Rom. 1:18-3:20)116
The main proposition (Rom. 3:21-31)117
Abraham as an example of faith (Rom. 4:1-25)118
The results of justification (Rom. 5:1-11)118
Christ contrasted with Adam (Rom. 5:12-21)119
No longer under sin and under the law (Rom. 6:1-23)120
The law is good - but impotent (Rom. 7:1-25)121
New life by the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-39)122
The problem of Jewish unbelief in the gospel (Rom. 9-11)123
Practical implications of the new life (Rom. 12-13)126
Jews and Gentiles living together in the same congregation (Rom. 14:1-15:13)126
Paul's mission - to Rome and beyond (Rom. 15:14-33)127
Closing greetings (Rom. 16:1-27)127
Scribes do strange things128
Again - the purpose of the letter130
The composition of Romans130
The problems of Romans 16132
Two versions of one letter132
Two separate letters133
For today's Romans134
Essay topics134
Further reading135
The letter to the Philippians137
Paul and the congregation at Philippi137
Paul's situation138
The situation and needs of the church141
Attacks on the church141
Tensions within the church141
A rival version of the gospel141
The structure of the letter142
Philippians as a letter143
Philippians as an example of rhetoric143
The development of the message145
Philippians - one letter or several fragments?147
For today's Philippians148
Essay topics149
Further reading149
The letter to Philemon151
Paul, Philemon and Onesimus151
The structure of the letter155
The outcome 155
For a twenty-first-century Philemon156
Essay topics156
Further reading157
The letter to the Colossians159
The planting of the congregation159
Why was the letter written?159
The 'philosophy'160
The structure of the letter162
Paul's teaching in the letter162
Paul's circumstances166
Other possible places of origin166
Did Paul write Colossians?167
Arguments against Pauline authorship167
Arguments in favour of Pauline authorship168
For today's Colossians168
Essay topics169
Further reading169
The letter to the Ephesians171
To whom was the letter sent?172
What is the letter?173
The unity of the church174
'Power' language174
The structure of the letter175
A quick survey of the letter175
Who wrote the letter?177
Arguments against Pauline authorship177
Arguments for Pauline authorship179
Weighing the probabilities179
For today's Ephesians180
Essay topics181
Further reading181
The letters to Timothy and Titus183
Letters that are somehow different183
The problem of non-Pauline authorship184
To whom were the letters written?185
When were the letters written?186
What are the letters about?187
The structure of the letter to Titus187
An overview of Titus187
The structure of 1 Timothy188
An overview of 1 Timothy189
The structure of 2 Timothy191
An overview of 2 Timothy191
What is the situation reflected in the letters?193
Opposition and heresy193
The development of church order194
Christian living and pastoral care195
Language and style196
The theology and the way it is expressed196
Evaluating the evidence197
Not by Paul?197
Written or dictated by Paul?198
A middle way?198
For today's congregational leaders199
Essay topics199
Further reading199
Paul - the missionary theologian201Paul as an apostle201Humanity and its need202Creation202Human nature202Sin203Getting right with God204Justification by works204Covenantal nomism204The marks of belonging204Paul's radical alternative205The language of salvation205Sacrifice205Justification205Redemption206Reconciliation206Salvation206Faith206The new life of believers207God as Father207'In Christ'208The work of the Spirit210Theological implications for Paul's understanding of God211The community of believers212Ministry and the functions of the church213What principles shape Christian behaviour?215Five general principles215The new way of life216Some specific areas of concern217Relations between men and women217Slavery217The state217Money and possessions217The future for the world and believers217The missionary obligation219Essay topics219Further reading21915New Testament letters - interpretation and authorship221Understanding what we read in New Testament letters221 viiiTwo related activities223Speeches in the form of letters?227Entering into the situation228Getting the message230Critical methods in the study of the New Testament232Historical criticism232Form criticism232Source criticism232Redaction criticism232Textual criticism232Canonical criticism233Literary criticism233Socio-rhetorical criticism233Reception history and reader-response criticism233Ideology criticism233The question of pseudonymity234The traditional view235Alternative suggestions236Further reactions237Essay topics238Further reading238.
C. LETTERS BY OTHER CHURCH LEADERS
The letter to the Hebrews243Clues about the recipients243What kind of a document?244The structure and argument of Hebrews245Theological themes of Hebrews250The high priest and his sacrifice250Other perspectives on Jesus251Salvation and the Christian hope251Discipleship252Special issues252The author's thought-world252Is Hebrews anti-Jewish?254Where were the readers located?254Who wrote the letter?256Some issues for today257Essay topics259Further reading26017The letter of James261The character of the letter of James261James as exhortation or 'parenesis'262James as wisdom262James as a letter263The structure of the letter263Who wrote the letter?264To whom was the letter addressed? Why, and when?266Jewish Christians in Palestine?266Jewish Christians in the Dispersion?267James and the teaching of Jesus267James and Paul268Themes in James270God270Jesus270Living with integrity270The law271The testing of faith271Poverty and wealth272Some issues for today273Essay topics273Further reading27418The first letter of Peter277Outline of the letter277The situation of the recipients278What was the nature of their suffering?280The letter's message to the churches281Christian existence in a hostile environment282The grace of God in Christ282The household of God282God's people282Facing suffering284Christian responsibilities284Who wrote 1 Peter?285Assessing the arguments287Some issues for today288Essay topics289Further reading29019The second letter of Peter and the letter of Jude291What do these letters have in common?291The letter of Jude - its purpose293The false teachers293Jude's strategy for advising his readers294Who wrote this letter?2952 Peter - genre and outline2962 Peter - the problem of authorship298The false teachers in 2 Peter300The purpose and theology of 2 Peter301The hope of Christ's coming301Some issues for today302Essay topics303Further reading304 ix20The letters of John3051 John - background and authorship305Is the author of 1 John the same as the author of the Fourth Gospel?306The location of the author and his readers307The circumstances addressed in 1 John308The nature of the false teaching308John's response to the false teaching310The purpose and shape of 1 John311Some issues for today3132 and 3 John - their relation to 1 John313The context and content of 2 John314Hospitality to missionaries314The context and content of 3 John3153 John - evidence of an emerging pattern of church leadership?316Essay topics318Further reading318
D.APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE
The Revelation to John323Language and genre324Historical context and dating326Dating326Authorship328Context328Theological perspectives331God331Jesus331The Spirit332The followers of the Lamb332Mythological context and emperor worship333Use of the Old Testament335Some examples336Structure and composition337Numbers and their meaning338Phrase repetition and word frequencies338Numerology339Words and their numbers340The decoding of 666 (Rev. 13:18)341Interpretative issues342Traditional approaches342Image, symbol and metaphor342Some issues for today344Essay topics344Further reading345Glossary347Index351
A.SETTING THE SCENE
The world of first-century Christians3
How do we know what we know?3
The emergence of Roman power4
A century of civil conflict4
Augustus' successors6
The Julio-Claudian dynasty6
The Flavian dynasty6
Government of the empire8
The provinces8
Client kingdoms9
Cities and colonies9
The power of propaganda9
The army10
The legions10
Auxiliaries10
The praetorian guard10
Roman society10
Citizenship10
Classes11
Women12
Patrons and clients12
Language and culture13
Entertainment13
Religion and philosophy14
Traditional religion14
Healing cults15
Mystery religions15
Fate, astrology and magic16
The imperial cult16
Cynics, Stoics and Epicureans17
Romans, Jews and Christians18
Essay topics20
Further reading20
B.PAUL AND HIS LETTERS
Letters in the New Testament23
Ancient letter-writing23
The format of letters24
The format of Paul's letters25
Letters of recommendation or introduction28
Other New Testament letters28
Further reading29
Paul, his letters and his life 31
Where can we learn about Paul?31
Material from outside the New Testament32
The Acts of the Apostles32
The letters of Paul34
Difficulties in the Pauline letters34
Were the letters all written by Paul?34
Do we have the letters in their original form?36
Is Paul a reliable informant about himself?36
Early days36
Paul's call and conversion38
Paul as a missionary39
Paul the captive41
Problems of chronology42
Essay topics44
Further reading44
The letter to the Galatians47
What led to the writing of the letter?47
The structure of the letter49
Paul's argument in the letter50
'New Perspective' readings of Paul52
Was the letter effective?53
To whom was the letter sent?55
When was the letter written?57
Consequences for the date of the letter60
For today's Galatians60
Essay topics61
Further reading61
The letters to the Thessalonians63
Paul and Thessalonica63
The contents of 1 Thessalonians65
The contents of 2 Thessalonians69
Problems in 2 Thessalonians72
For today's Thessalonians74
Essay topics74
Further reading74
The 'first' letter to the Corinthians77
Paul's mission77
The 'previous' letter78
Getting behind the second (first) letter79
Continuing immorality80
Party squabbles in the congregation80
The rich and the poor81
'Strong' and 'weak' believers82
Spiritual superiority and inferiority83
Questions about the resurrection84
Surveying 1 Corinthians84
Party spirit85
Immorality and litigation86
Sexual and marital issues87
Food offered to idols88
Congregational meetings90
Spiritual gifts91
The resurrection92
In conclusion92
For today's Corinthians93
Essay topics93
Further reading94
The 'second' letter to the Corinthians95
An overview of the problems95
The events leading up to 2 Corinthians 1-796
Identifying the tearful letter97
Survey of 2 Corinthians 1-799
Thanksgiving(Berakah)99
The rift with the congregation100
The nature of apostleship101
Resuming the story102
Corinthians 8 and 9103
More fragmentary letters?104
The problem of 2 Corinthians 10-13104
The occasion of 2 Corinthians 10-13107
For today's Corinthians108
Essay topics108
Further reading109
The letter to the Romans111
The purpose of the letter111
The nature of the argument in the letter114
An overview of the letter115
The opening (and the closing) (Rom. 1:1-15; 15:14-16:27)115
The text is announced! (Rom. 1:16-17)116
Universal sin and guilt (Rom. 1:18-3:20)116
The main proposition (Rom. 3:21-31)117
Abraham as an example of faith (Rom. 4:1-25)118
The results of justification (Rom. 5:1-11)118
Christ contrasted with Adam (Rom. 5:12-21)119
No longer under sin and under the law (Rom. 6:1-23)120
The law is good - but impotent (Rom. 7:1-25)121
New life by the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-39)122
The problem of Jewish unbelief in the gospel (Rom. 9-11)123
Practical implications of the new life (Rom. 12-13)126
Jews and Gentiles living together in the same congregation (Rom. 14:1-15:13)126
Paul's mission - to Rome and beyond (Rom. 15:14-33)127
Closing greetings (Rom. 16:1-27)127
Scribes do strange things128
Again - the purpose of the letter130
The composition of Romans130
The problems of Romans 16132
Two versions of one letter132
Two separate letters133
For today's Romans134
Essay topics134
Further reading135
The letter to the Philippians137
Paul and the congregation at Philippi137
Paul's situation138
The situation and needs of the church141
Attacks on the church141
Tensions within the church141
A rival version of the gospel141
The structure of the letter142
Philippians as a letter143
Philippians as an example of rhetoric143
The development of the message145
Philippians - one letter or several fragments?147
For today's Philippians148
Essay topics149
Further reading149
The letter to Philemon151
Paul, Philemon and Onesimus151
The structure of the letter155
The outcome 155
For a twenty-first-century Philemon156
Essay topics156
Further reading157
The letter to the Colossians159
The planting of the congregation159
Why was the letter written?159
The 'philosophy'160
The structure of the letter162
Paul's teaching in the letter162
Paul's circumstances166
Other possible places of origin166
Did Paul write Colossians?167
Arguments against Pauline authorship167
Arguments in favour of Pauline authorship168
For today's Colossians168
Essay topics169
Further reading169
The letter to the Ephesians171
To whom was the letter sent?172
What is the letter?173
The unity of the church174
'Power' language174
The structure of the letter175
A quick survey of the letter175
Who wrote the letter?177
Arguments against Pauline authorship177
Arguments for Pauline authorship179
Weighing the probabilities179
For today's Ephesians180
Essay topics181
Further reading181
The letters to Timothy and Titus183
Letters that are somehow different183
The problem of non-Pauline authorship184
To whom were the letters written?185
When were the letters written?186
What are the letters about?187
The structure of the letter to Titus187
An overview of Titus187
The structure of 1 Timothy188
An overview of 1 Timothy189
The structure of 2 Timothy191
An overview of 2 Timothy191
What is the situation reflected in the letters?193
Opposition and heresy193
The development of church order194
Christian living and pastoral care195
Language and style196
The theology and the way it is expressed196
Evaluating the evidence197
Not by Paul?197
Written or dictated by Paul?198
A middle way?198
For today's congregational leaders199
Essay topics199
Further reading199
Paul - the missionary theologian201Paul as an apostle201Humanity and its need202Creation202Human nature202Sin203Getting right with God204Justification by works204Covenantal nomism204The marks of belonging204Paul's radical alternative205The language of salvation205Sacrifice205Justification205Redemption206Reconciliation206Salvation206Faith206The new life of believers207God as Father207'In Christ'208The work of the Spirit210Theological implications for Paul's understanding of God211The community of believers212Ministry and the functions of the church213What principles shape Christian behaviour?215Five general principles215The new way of life216Some specific areas of concern217Relations between men and women217Slavery217The state217Money and possessions217The future for the world and believers217The missionary obligation219Essay topics219Further reading21915New Testament letters - interpretation and authorship221Understanding what we read in New Testament letters221 viiiTwo related activities223Speeches in the form of letters?227Entering into the situation228Getting the message230Critical methods in the study of the New Testament232Historical criticism232Form criticism232Source criticism232Redaction criticism232Textual criticism232Canonical criticism233Literary criticism233Socio-rhetorical criticism233Reception history and reader-response criticism233Ideology criticism233The question of pseudonymity234The traditional view235Alternative suggestions236Further reactions237Essay topics238Further reading238.
C. LETTERS BY OTHER CHURCH LEADERS
The letter to the Hebrews243Clues about the recipients243What kind of a document?244The structure and argument of Hebrews245Theological themes of Hebrews250The high priest and his sacrifice250Other perspectives on Jesus251Salvation and the Christian hope251Discipleship252Special issues252The author's thought-world252Is Hebrews anti-Jewish?254Where were the readers located?254Who wrote the letter?256Some issues for today257Essay topics259Further reading26017The letter of James261The character of the letter of James261James as exhortation or 'parenesis'262James as wisdom262James as a letter263The structure of the letter263Who wrote the letter?264To whom was the letter addressed? Why, and when?266Jewish Christians in Palestine?266Jewish Christians in the Dispersion?267James and the teaching of Jesus267James and Paul268Themes in James270God270Jesus270Living with integrity270The law271The testing of faith271Poverty and wealth272Some issues for today273Essay topics273Further reading27418The first letter of Peter277Outline of the letter277The situation of the recipients278What was the nature of their suffering?280The letter's message to the churches281Christian existence in a hostile environment282The grace of God in Christ282The household of God282God's people282Facing suffering284Christian responsibilities284Who wrote 1 Peter?285Assessing the arguments287Some issues for today288Essay topics289Further reading29019The second letter of Peter and the letter of Jude291What do these letters have in common?291The letter of Jude - its purpose293The false teachers293Jude's strategy for advising his readers294Who wrote this letter?2952 Peter - genre and outline2962 Peter - the problem of authorship298The false teachers in 2 Peter300The purpose and theology of 2 Peter301The hope of Christ's coming301Some issues for today302Essay topics303Further reading304 ix20The letters of John3051 John - background and authorship305Is the author of 1 John the same as the author of the Fourth Gospel?306The location of the author and his readers307The circumstances addressed in 1 John308The nature of the false teaching308John's response to the false teaching310The purpose and shape of 1 John311Some issues for today3132 and 3 John - their relation to 1 John313The context and content of 2 John314Hospitality to missionaries314The context and content of 3 John3153 John - evidence of an emerging pattern of church leadership?316Essay topics318Further reading318
D.APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE
The Revelation to John323Language and genre324Historical context and dating326Dating326Authorship328Context328Theological perspectives331God331Jesus331The Spirit332The followers of the Lamb332Mythological context and emperor worship333Use of the Old Testament335Some examples336Structure and composition337Numbers and their meaning338Phrase repetition and word frequencies338Numerology339Words and their numbers340The decoding of 666 (Rev. 13:18)341Interpretative issues342Traditional approaches342Image, symbol and metaphor342Some issues for today344Essay topics344Further reading345Glossary347Index351