9780130991645

This new edition from Marla J. Selvidge retains the wide range of international perspectives on the New Testament, juxtaposing ancient texts with contemporary issues to offer students a distinctive, fresh approach to understanding the New Testament. Unlike other introductory texts, Selvidge incorporates not only historical and literary-critical approaches but also feminist interpretations often ignored in other texts. Selvidge demonstrates her commitment to have students appreciate "the New Testament as a timeless document" for all peoples. New to this Edition bull; bull;Extensive reorganization of contents bull;New scholarship on the historical Jesus bull;New links and references to important online resources bull;New photographs throughout text bull;Updated list of recommended readings

Preface

xix

Introduction

xxi

Figures and Tables

xxv

Suggested Web Sites

xxix

Abbreviations

xxxi

A Stranger in a Strange hand

1

(20)

A Timeless Books for All Peoples

1

(1)

Reading the New Testament: Who Is the Stranger?

2

(2)

Popular Views of the New Testament

4

(1)

A Political Tool of the Faithful and Not So Faithful

5

(5)

The New Testament: What Is It?

10

(5)

Interpreting the Text: Hermeneutics

15

(6)

Cultural Heritage of the New Testament

21

(28)

Living in the Roman Empire

21

(3)

Greek and Roman philosophies

24

(4)

State Religions

28

(1)

Popular Religions in the Roman Empire

28

(3)

Worship of Goddesses

31

(3)

Judaism and the Roman Empire

34

(5)

A Closer Look at Jewish Heritage

39

(6)

Guide to Palestine: The Landscape

45

(4)

The Unexpected. News of Jesus

49

(35)

Introduction

49

(3)

The Gospel Genre

52

(1)

The Synoptic Problem

53

(7)

The Historical Jesus

60

(24)

A Humble Community Anticipating a Hopeful Future: The Gospel of Mark

84

(1)

Introduction

63

(1)

Location and Audience

64

(1)

Authorship

65

(1)

Reasons for Creating Mark

66

(1)

Dating the Gospel

67

(3)

Content and Characters

70

(9)

The Secret Messiah

79

(1)

Geography as Political Statement

80

(5)

A Traditional Community Facing Change: The Gospel of Matthew

85

(20)

Introduction

85

Location, Audience, Date, and Authorship

81

(7)

Special Literary Features

88

(4)

Characters

92

(5)

Jesus and women

97

(3)

Special Emphases of Matthew

100

(5)

A Diverse Community Engaged in Social Reform : The Gospel of Luke

105

(20)

Introduction

105

(1)

Authorship, Date, Location, and Recipients

106

(2)

Reasons for Writing the Gospel

108

(1)

Sources

109

(1)

Organizational Structure

110

(1)

Characters

111

(9)

Androgyny: Partnership and Friendship

120

(1)

Political Operatives

121

(4)

A Troubled Community in Search of the Truth: The Gospel of John

125

(28)

Introduction

125

(1)

Authorship, Date, and Audience

126

(3)

Literary Influences

129

(6)

Reasons for Writing the Gospel

135

(3)

Characters and Analysis

138

(5)

Women Characters

143

(4)

Special Features

147

(6)

Christianity, a World. Religion: The Acts of the Apostles

153

(28)

Introduction

153

(1)

Authorship and Sources

154

(2)

Title, Date, and Content

156

(3)

Reasons for Creating the facts of the Apostles

159

(4)

Genre

163

(4)

Characters

167

(7)

Special Features

174

(7)

Early Pauline Documents: 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Galatians, and, Philippians

181

(40)

The Life and Works of Paul

181

(12)

A Zealous Missionary

181

(1)

Paul in the Acts of the Apostles

182

(1)

Cultural Influences

183

(1)

Dates of Paul's Life

184

(2)

The Letters: Date and Authorship

186

(2)

In the Name of Paul

188

(1)

Form of the Letters

189

(2)

Sources of the Letters

191

(2)

1 Thessalonians: The End, of the World?

193

(7)

Introduction

193

(1)

Date, Authorship, Location, and Audience

194

(1)

Why Did Paul Write to the Thessalonians

195

(2)

Characters: Paul Jesus, and God

197

(1)

The Demonic Myth about the Jews

198

(2)

2 Thessalonians: A Second. Pauline Letter?

200

(5)

Introduction

200

(1)

Authorship and Date

200

(1)

Reasons for Writing the Letter

201

(1)

Identity of the Lawless One

202

(1)

Apocalyptic Foundations

202

(1)

Similarities and Differences of 1 and 2 Thessalonians

203

(2)

Galatians: A Global and. Eternal Egalitarianism

205

(9)

Introduction

205

(1)

Location of Galatia

205

(1)

Topics of the Letter

206

(3)

Characters, Geography, and political Groups

209

(3)

Acts and Galatians

212

(1)

Sources and Literary Forms

213

(1)

Philippians: A Love Letter to the Macedonians

214

(7)

Introduction

214

(1)

Date, Authorship, Location

214

(1)

The City of Philippi

215

(1)

The Acts of the Apostles and Philippi

215

(1)

Reasons for Writing the Letter(s)

216

(1)

Characters

216

(2)

Literary Foundations

218

(3)

Later Pauline Documents: Romans, Philemon, 1 and 2 Corinthians

221

(38)

Romans: Fostering Ethnic Equality and Harmony

221

(19)

Introduction

221

(1)

Authorship, Form, Date

222

(2)

The City of Rome and Readers

224

(3)

Reasons for Writing Romans

227

(1)

The Acts of the Apostles and Romans

228

(1)

Content of Romans

229

(1)

Literary Foundations

230

(1)

Prominent Characters

231

(3)

Important Theological Issues

234

(6)

Philemon: A Letter of Mediation

240

(5)

Introduction

240

(1)

Author and Date

240

(1)

Readers and Reasons for Writing the Letter

240

(2)

Slavery in the Empire and the Pauline Works

242

(3)

1 Corinthians: A Catalogue of Questions and Opinions

245

(10)

Introduction

245

(1)

Date and Authorship

245

(1)

The City, Corinth

246

(1)

The Acts of the Apostles and Corinth

247

(1)

Reasons for Writing the Letter(s): Corinthian Questions

248

(7)

2 Corinthians: An Angry Paul and the Super Apostles

255

(4)

Date, Authorship, Audience

255

(1)

Paul and the Corinthians

255

(1)

The Super Apostles

256

(1)

Other Issues

256

(3)

Documents Written in the Name of Paul: Colossians and. Ephesians

259

(16)

Colossians: The Universal and Cosmic Messiah

259

(8)

Introduction

259

(1)

Colossae and Laodicea

260

(1)

Date and Authorship

260

(1)

Reasons for writing the Letter

261

(1)

Characters

262

(1)

Sources and Literary Features

262

(1)

The Literary Paul and Colossians

263

(1)

Cosmic Mythology

264

(1)

Female Saints

265

(1)

The House Laws or Household Codes

265

(2)

Ephesians: A Predestined, United, and Orderly Church

267

(8)

Introduction

267

(1)

The City of Ephesus and the Acts of the Apostles

267

(2)

Date, Authorship, Sources

269

(2)

Form and Reasons for the Creation of Ephesians

271

(1)

Central Theme: One New Humanity

272

(1)

Prominent Characters

273

(2)

Letters Written in the Name of Paul: 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus

275

(18)

Introduction to the pastorals

275

(1)

Authorship and Date

276

(2)

1 Timothy: Implosion and the Gospel of Order

278

(8)

Introduction

278

(1)

Reasons for Writing the Letter

278

(1)

Characters

279

(5)

Organizational Chart

284

(1)

Literary Foundations

285

(1)

2 Timothy: A Suffering Apostle

286

(3)

Introduction

286

(1)

Reasons for Writing the Letter

286

(1)

Prominent Characters

287

(1)

Literary Characteristics

288

(1)

Titus: A Dangerous and Stressful Assignment

289

(4)

Introduction

289

(1)

Paul and Reasons for Writing the Letter

289

(1)

Titus, the Loyal Child

289

(1)

Problems and Organizational Structure

290

(1)

Literary and Theological Foundations

291

(2)

Struggling with a New Religion: Hebrews and James

293

(20)

Hebrews: A Sermon on Martyrdom

294

(10)

Introduction

294

(1)

Authorship, Location, Audience, and Date

295

(1)

Reasons for Creating Hebrews

296

(1)

Community Issue: Finances

297

(1)

Prominent Characters

298

(3)

Literary Foundations

301

(3)

James: An Egalitarian Philosophy of Life

304

(9)

Introduction

304

(1)

Author Date, and Recipients

304

(2)

Genre of James

306

(1)

Reasons for Writing the Book of James

306

(1)

Community Issues

307

(1)

Literary Strategies

308

(3)

Prominent Characters

311

(2)

Documents to Friends in Far-Away Places: 1 and 2 Peter and. Jude

313

(24)

1 Peter: Suffering, Sacrifice, and Baptism

314

(10)

Introduction

314

(1)

Authorship, Date, Location

314

(3)

Reasons for Writing 1 Peter

317

(1)

Prominent Characters

318

(2)

Literary Foundations

320

(4)

2 Peter: Apostolic versus Individual Interpretation

324

(8)

Introduction

324

(1)

Author Date, Readers, Genre

324

(1)

Purpose of the Works

325

(2)

Prominent Characters

327

(2)

Literary Foundations

329

(3)

Jude: Wandering Stars and the Faith

332

(5)

Introduction

332

(1)

Author Date, Readers, Genre

332

(1)

Reasons for Writing the Book

333

(1)

Literary Foundations

334

(3)

Conflict and Christianity: 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation

337

(36)

1 John: Love Your Friends

339

(9)

Introduction

339

(1)

Author, Date, Readers

339

(2)

Reasons for the Writing of 1 John

341

(1)

Issues Dividing the Christians

342

(3)

Literary Foundations

345

(1)

Characters

346

(2)

2 John: A Qualified Love

348

(1)

Introduction

348

(1)

Authorship and Recipients

348

(1)

Issues Facing the Elect Lady

348

(1)

3 John: Financing the Missionaries

349

(2)

Introduction

349

(1)

Reasons of Writing the Letter

349

(2)

Revelation: Politics of the Last Resort

351

(22)

Introduction

351

(1)

The Apocalypse

352

(2)

Authorship, Date, and Original Readers

354

(1)

An Encyclical

355

(2)

Reasons for Writing the Book of Revelation

357

(1)

Interpreting the Apocalypse

358

(1)

Scholarly Approaches

359

(6)

Characters or Symbols

365

(4)

The Mythological Rattle

369

(4)

Glossary

373

(26)

Works Consulted

399

(20)

Index

419

What is included with this book?

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There must have been something in the coffee we shared (Ted Bolen and I) that afternoon, because I agreed to create a proposal (for a New Testament texbook). In the previous volume, I set my standards high. I wanted to develop a text that would reflect the diversity of approaches and voices that have become part of an international dialogue about the New Testament. During the past thirty years of teaching the New Testament, I have changed, my students have changed, and so has the academy. But the amount of diverse material I added to the last volume proved to be too much for the average student to digest in one semester. This volume continues my original goal of diversity. It incorporates not only historical and literary-critical research but also a host of feminist voices that are often ignored by other New Testament texts. New Testament introductions rarely discuss the effects of the New Testament on our culture and especially, how it has been used by people in both a negative and positive way. As professors, I think we have to recognize that many students in our classrooms have never read the New Testament, yet it influences them in myriad ways every day of their lives. We should address the New Testament honestly, without leaving an impression with students that the contents are neutral. While it is literature, the effect on world cultures has been and is profound. This volume does not leave the text timebound. It reaches out to whomever wants to read it with, hopefully, relevant words that continue to make the New Testament a timeless document. Many people have contributed to the creation of this text. Without their encouragement and enthusiasm, this book would not exist. Many thanks to Anne Connole for reading the manuscript with a proofreader's eye. Thanks also must go to Ella Connole, Julie Kendall, and C.J. Peacock for all of the office support during the preparation of the second edition. The library at St. Paul School of Theology became my entry way to the world of scholarship. Thanks to Logan Wright for his help and kindness in loaning rare books to me. Thanks also to Terry McNeeley and Jeremy Butt for assistance in production. Many reviewers suggested helpful remarks that have strengthened this volume. I appreciate all the thoughtful energy that went into their criticisms. Hopefully, they have helped to make this text more useful in the classroom. I am grateful to: Ira J. Jolivet, Jr., Pepperdine University; Mark D. Given, Southwest Missouri State University; and Susan Calef, Creighton University. Once again I must thank my anchor, companion world traveler, and golf buddy, Thomas C. Hemling, Ph.D., whose confidence and love have made this task possible. We are all a product of those around us who have touched our lives. The revision of this textbook is dedicated to many of my beloved friends and relatives who shared their lives with me in an unselfish way, and who, sadly, have departed this life since the printing of the first edition. Marla J. Selvidge, Ph.D. Central Missouri State University

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Exploring the New Testament

Exploring the New Testament

0130991643

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