Gospel Reading and Reception in Early Christian Literature

Gospel writing always follows Gospel reading, a complex literary act of reception that interprets the theological significance of Jesus.

Madison N. Pierce (Edited by), Andrew J. Byers (Edited by), Simon Gathercole (Edited by)

9781316514467, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 February 2022

275 pages
22.3 x 14.4 x 2.5 cm, 0.53 kg

Before 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.

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.

Subject Areas: Theology [HRLB], Christian theology [HRCM], New Testaments [HRCF2], Bibles [HRCF], Christianity [HRC]