The Historical Character of Jesus: Canonical Insights from Outside the Gospels - Softcover

Allen, David M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0281064709 ISBN 13: 9780281064700

Publisher: SPCK Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

By their very nature, historical Jesus studies inevitably focus on the Gospel accounts, canonical and non-canonical alike. Scholarly portrayals so generated may vary, but the 'source material' tends to be restricted to Gospel texts, with the other NT testimony rendered secondary as result, and its 'value' limited by either genre or late dating. This book responds to this neglect by focusing specifically on non-Gospel material to see how the other texts of the NT contribute to the picture of Jesus. The book helpfully collates and reflects on the historical significance of key NT texts in relation to their presentation of Jesus, bringing them together in one place, and generating fresh perspectives on the early Jesus movement.

About this title

Review:

'How is the earthly Jesus remembered in the New Testament documents before and beyond the Gospels? Was their writers human Jesus simply constructed to serve theological and pastoral needs? What is the significance of both what they say and what they fail to say about Jesus? How does their material relate to what can be discovered by study of the Gospel narratives? For exploring such questions Allen's thoughtful exposition and discussion will provide a very helpful, clear and accessible orientation.' --Andrew T. Lincoln, Professor of New Testament, University of Gloucestershire

'Historical Jesus studies are in tension today, and their dizzying array of methods on a spectrum from believe your reconstructions to there is no consensus to caution, caution, caution have led a number of scholars to enter the fray from a different location. David Allen has turned the remembered Jesus inside out to suggest that the historical character of Christ takes on a kaleidoscope of options and theologies. In this book, historical Jesus studies learn to become Christology.' --Scot McKnight, Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary, Illinois

'What can we learn from the New Testament about the earthly Jesus apart from the Gospels? David M. Allen poses this seldom-asked question and then proceeds to answer it with clarity and care . . . His findings are both constructive and instructive. Take up and read!' --Todd D. Still, Professor of Christian Scriptures, Baylor University, Texas

From the Author:

David M. Allen is Tutor in New Testament and Director of Studies at the Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, Birmingham, and European representative for the Anglican Communion's 'Bible in the Life of the Church' project.

About this edition

• Publisher: SPCK Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0281064709
• ISBN 13: 9780281064700
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224