Seeing the Word: Refocusing New Testament Study (Studies in Theological Interpretation) [Paperback]

Markus Bockmuehl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0801027616 | ISBN-13: 978-0801027611

At a time of deep disagreements about the nature and purpose of academic biblical studies, Markus Bockmuehl advocates the recovery of a plural but common conversation on the subject of what the New Testament is about.

Seeing the Word begins with an assessment of current New Testament studies, identifying both persistent challenges and some promising proposals. Subsequent chapters explore two such proposals. First, ground for common conversation lies in taking seriously the readers and readings the text implies. Second, Bockmuehl explores the text's early effective history by a study of apostolic memory in the early church.

All serious students of the Bible and theology will find much of interest, and much to discuss, in this first volume in the Studies in Theological Interpretation series.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"What does one do about an academic discipline, 'New Testament studies,' that has almost done away with its own object of study? Markus Bockmuehl's diagnosis and prescription are at once judicious and mordantly witty, properly academic and fun to read."--Robert W. Jenson, Center of Theological Inquiry, retired

"This is a timely prophetic plea for an 'evangelical catholic reading of the text (of Scripture) in our own time.' Every page crackles with the tension created by dialogue between systematic and historical-critical perspectives. The author's amazingly broad learning is worn lightly in this accessible book, written with an elegance few can match. At last, the circle has been squared: it is possible to take Scripture as God's address to us without ducking awkward historical questions."--Graham Stanton, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge

"Markus Bockmuehl's Seeing the Word is essential reading for understanding the confusing state of play in contemporary New Testament studies. His trenchant essays offer us fresh ways of 'seeing' the relation between history and theology. Bockmuehl's constructive proposals address a range of crucial issues: the NT's formation of its implied readers, the significance of the Jewishness of the NT, the reception history of the NT texts, and the hermeneutical significance of the canon. In short, Bockmuehl sees the big picture and offers a penetrating critical perspective on the unexamined assumptions of the field in which he works. On every page he stimulates historically informed reflection about the testimony of the earliest Christian witnesses. Most of all, he calls us to contemplate anew the identity of Jesus of Nazareth, the real-world, Jewish figure to whom these witnesses testify."--Richard B. Hays, George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament, The Divinity School, Duke University

About the Author

Markus Bockmuehl (PhD, University of Cambridge) is a Fellow of Keble College and professor of biblical and early Christian studies at the University of Oxford. His books include Jewish Law in Gentile Churches, Philippians in Black's New Testament Commentary series, and This Jesus: Martyr, Lord, Messiah.

Product Details

• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801027616
• ISBN-13: 978-0801027611
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #547,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Proposals for NT Studies Future, March 30, 2009

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Seeing the Word: Refocusing New Testament Study (Studies in Theological Interpretation) (Paperback)

This is a limited and technical group of people who might be interested in the topic: the state and future of NT Studies. Being part of the academia, it is those who engage themselves in research,publication and debate about NT Studies, or those like this reviewer who hang around with them, are taught by them, and read their output and views.

Bockmuehl is a member of this group, and so writes with passion and knowledge about the topic. He begins by an assessment of the state of the matter, and he assesses that it is turning at this beginning of a new century away from its historical-critical leanings. With this opening, he asserts some new directions that might be fruitful for the discipline. First he proposes that the NT text was meant with an implied reader in mind, one who is engaged in its ecclesial usage, not just an academic/scholarly topic. It further sees NT study as returning to its historical-grammatical foundations, rather than microscopic, critical investiagation.

Truly insightful was his quotation from Hoskyns: "You look down your critical microscope at the NT text with a view to describing the religious life of the first-century Christians, and you find that God is looking back at you through the microscope and declaring you to be a sinner."

In recalled, collective memory that flows from the apostolic eyewitnesses and their students, he sees the NT text as good, reliable history to be trusted. Primarily does he see this as centered on "Jesus the Jew as Messiah and Lord God of Israel,... dead, descendant of David."

With all this, he wants the discipline to focus on the implied readership and reading of "that incarnate Jewish God-child at the heart". He is truly on to something when he solicits "a quantum leap beyond the tired cliches of the 'unity and diversity' problme as it was handled in the past."

Well done, right on, and if implemented by those engaged in this discipline, will provide fruit for the faithful catholic church.