Irenaeus, the Scriptures, and the Apostolic Writings: Reevaluating the Status of the New Testament Writings at the End of the Second Century: 659 (The Library of New Testament Studies) - Hardcover

Laing, Kenneth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 056770193X ISBN 13: 9780567701930

Publisher: T&T Clark, 2022

Synopsis

Kenneth Laing challenges the concept of Irenaeus as the primary witness to the point at which the New Testament achieved scriptural status, and calls into question some of the most basic conclusions and assumptions of New Testament canon formation scholarship. Laing proposes a new interpretation of Irenaeus’ understanding of the nature and basis of authority of the New Testament writings, based on his christocentric theology of revelation. By exploring the texts themselves, the concept of authority, scriptural tradition and the question of inspiration, Laing argues that while the writings possess authority equal to the Jewish scriptures, it is their apostolic origin and the apostles' relationship to Christ – not inspiration – which forms the basis of the unique revelatory authority of the New Testament writings. Laing thus stresses that Irenaeus regards the New Testament writings as a written record of the apostolic tradition and the primary means of accessing its content, rather than as a purely scriptural text.

About this title

About the Author

<b>Kenneth Laing</b> is Instructor of Religious Studies at Trinity Western University, Canada.

Edition details

• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 056770193X
• ISBN 13: 9780567701930
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224