Gospel Reading and Reception in Early Christian Literature

✍ Scribed by Madison N. Pierce (editor), Andrew J. Byers (editor), Simon Gathercole (editor)

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2022
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 310
• Edition: New
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

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.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Half-title page
Title page
Copyright page
Dedication
Contents
List of Contributors
Foreword: We Are All Gospel Readers
Introduction: Defining Gospel Reading
Part I Reading the Gospel in Israel’s Scriptures
1 Reading the Old Testament Christologically
2 Where Is the “God of Israel” in Paul’s Reading of the Gospel?
3 Gospel Reading and Prosopological Exegesis in Luke-Acts
Part II Gospel Writers as Gospel Readers: Evangelists as Theological Interpreters
4 Why Not Matthew’s Use of Luke?
5 Luke Rewriting Matthew?: The Case of the Sermon on the Plain
6 Reading Mark and Writing John: The Feeding of the 5,000 in Johannine Perspective
7 On Historical Epochê in Gospel Reading as Exemplified by John and the Egerton Papyrus
Part III Gospel Reading as Ecclesial Tradition
8 Generosity without Borders: Reading Gospel-Commands in Early Christianity
9 Johannine Readings of the Johannine Gospel: Reception Theology and Practice in John’s Epistles
10 Severus of Antioch on Gospel Reading with the Eusebian Canon Tables
Afterword:
Reading Gospels with the Gospel of Philip
Bibliography
Index of Ancient Sources
Index of Modern Authors
Index of Subjects