All too often, argues Ben Witherington, the theology of the New Testament has been divorced from its ethics, leaving as isolated abstractions what are fully integrated, dynamic elements within the New Testament itself. As Witherington stresses, "behavior affects and reinforces or undoes belief." Having completed commentaries on all of the New Testament books, a remarkable feat in itself, Witherington now offers the first of a two-volume set on the theological and ethical thought world of the New Testament. The first volume looks at the individual witnesses, while the second examines the collective witness. The New Testament, says Ben Witherington, is "like a smallish choir. All are singing the same cantata, but each has an individual voice and is singing its own parts and notes. If we fail to pay attention to all the voices in the choir, we do not get the entire effect. . . . If this first volume is about closely analyzing the sheet music left to us by which each musician's part is delineated, the second volume will attempt to re-create what it might have sounded like had they ever gotten together and performed their scores to produce a single masterful cantata." What the New Testament authors have in mind, Witherington contends, is that all believers should be conformed in thought, word and deed to the image of Jesus Christ--the indelible image.
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Review
"By insisting that theology be placed in conversation with ethics, Witherington offers numerous insights on the necessary intersection of faith and works, church and society. He and I may disagree on the particulars of Jewish tradition and women's roles in antiquity, but I have learned much from his canonically comprehensive, evangelically committed, historically informed and engagingly presented way of doing theology." (Amy-Jill Levine, Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies, Vanderbilt Divinity School and Graduate Department of Religion )
"Ben Witherington's The Indelible Image is no ordinary theology of the New Testament. From start to finish it is creative and insightful. The entire approach is refreshing, based on an appreciation of the distinctive voices that make up what we might call the theological choir of the early church. Witherington has given proper place to voices not often heard, such as those of James, Jude and Peter. Beginning students and veteran scholars alike will appreciate this remarkable achievement. I give it my highest recommendation." (Craig A. Evans, Payzant Distinguished Professor, Acadia Divinity College )
"Over the course of his academic career Ben Witherington has gone against the stream of increasing specialization in biblical studies, producing commentaries on every document in the New Testament. As a result, Witherington is no 'theological' jack-of-all trades; to the contrary, he has demonstrated his mastery over a variety of subdisciplines in New Testament studies. With The Indelible Image, volume 1, Witherington once again defies the communis opinio that New Testament theology and New Testament ethics must, of necessity, be treated in isolation from each other. Rather, drawing on his previous exegetical work, Witherington establishes that New Testament faith and practice--theology and ethics--are inextricably intertwined and, in order to understand the message of the New Testament, must be treated whole cloth. The Indelible Image is a model of 'theological exegesis' at its stunning best and confirms Witherington's reputation as one of evangelical Christianity's most thoughtful and prolific authors." (Mikeal C. Parsons, Baylor University )
"Fresh from writing major commentaries on each of the New Testament's twenty-seven books, the Methodist exegete Ben Witherington III here sets forth the theological and ethical vision put forward by each of these books. With superb detail, Witherington presents the unified vision of the New Testament: God in Christ communicates his holiness to his people. Learning about God and learning about holiness thus cannot be separated. While Witherington emphasizes the strict necessity of historical-critical tools for every good reading of Scripture, the ecclesially formed reader will note with satisfaction that his key insights are classically Methodist." (Matthew Levering, University of Dayton )
"To discuss the theology and ethics of the New Testament is to dive into a vast ocean of theological reflection from many angles. It would be easy to get lost at sea. That is where a good navigator and cruise director are essential. Ben Witherington takes up both roles and steers us on a solid course through the array of ideas the New Testament treats. He does so with skill, clarity and an eye on what is important. He also notes what dangers lurk in taking a wrong course. In sum, here is a solid introduction to how theology and ethics work together in the New Testament. Enjoy the tour and linger in spots. It will be worth it." (Darrell Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary )
"Ben Witherington is a skilled historical exegete who has, probably uniquely in our generation, pursued his passion for the theological and ethical message of the New Testament through commentaries on every one of the New Testament books. Now he has given us a summation that is even more unusual--a New Testament theology that allows to every one of those books a voice that really counts. A magnificent climax to Witherington's work." (Richard Bauckham, University of St. Andrews )
"Ben Witherington's The Indelible Image is no ordinary theology of the New Testament. From start to finish it is creative and insightful. The entire approach is refreshing, based on an appreciation of the distinctive voices that make up what we might call the theological choir of the early church. Witherington has given proper place to voices not often heard, such as those of James, Jude and Peter. Beginning students and veteran scholars alike will appreciate this remarkable achievement. I give it my highest recommendation." (Craig A. Evans, Payzant Distinguished Professor, Acadia Divinity College )
"Over the course of his academic career Ben Witherington has gone against the stream of increasing specialization in biblical studies, producing commentaries on every document in the New Testament. As a result, Witherington is no 'theological' jack-of-all trades; to the contrary, he has demonstrated his mastery over a variety of subdisciplines in New Testament studies. With The Indelible Image, volume 1, Witherington once again defies the communis opinio that New Testament theology and New Testament ethics must, of necessity, be treated in isolation from each other. Rather, drawing on his previous exegetical work, Witherington establishes that New Testament faith and practice--theology and ethics--are inextricably intertwined and, in order to understand the message of the New Testament, must be treated whole cloth. The Indelible Image is a model of 'theological exegesis' at its stunning best and confirms Witherington's reputation as one of evangelical Christianity's most thoughtful and prolific authors." (Mikeal C. Parsons, Baylor University )
"Fresh from writing major commentaries on each of the New Testament's twenty-seven books, the Methodist exegete Ben Witherington III here sets forth the theological and ethical vision put forward by each of these books. With superb detail, Witherington presents the unified vision of the New Testament: God in Christ communicates his holiness to his people. Learning about God and learning about holiness thus cannot be separated. While Witherington emphasizes the strict necessity of historical-critical tools for every good reading of Scripture, the ecclesially formed reader will note with satisfaction that his key insights are classically Methodist." (Matthew Levering, University of Dayton )
"To discuss the theology and ethics of the New Testament is to dive into a vast ocean of theological reflection from many angles. It would be easy to get lost at sea. That is where a good navigator and cruise director are essential. Ben Witherington takes up both roles and steers us on a solid course through the array of ideas the New Testament treats. He does so with skill, clarity and an eye on what is important. He also notes what dangers lurk in taking a wrong course. In sum, here is a solid introduction to how theology and ethics work together in the New Testament. Enjoy the tour and linger in spots. It will be worth it." (Darrell Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary )
"Ben Witherington is a skilled historical exegete who has, probably uniquely in our generation, pursued his passion for the theological and ethical message of the New Testament through commentaries on every one of the New Testament books. Now he has given us a summation that is even more unusual--a New Testament theology that allows to every one of those books a voice that really counts. A magnificent climax to Witherington's work." (Richard Bauckham, University of St. Andrews )
Review
"Ben Witherington is a skilled historical exegete who has, probably uniquely in our generation, pursued his passion for the theological and ethical message of the New Testament through commentaries on every one of the New Testament books. Now he has given us a summation that is even more unusual--a New Testament theology that allows to every one of those books a voice that really counts. A magnificent climax to Witherington's work."
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Mark Stevens
This would be my most awaited/anticipated book of the year. Witherington's agenda has grown out of his understanding that theology and ethics are intertwined throughout the New testament narrative and can not, and should not be isolated in the manner they often have been. His purpose, as he states in the forward, "First of all, I am writing two large academic volumes, but trying to do so in a lively enough manner that almost anyone can read. And I will not be limiting the discussion to "New Testament theology." I will be talking about both the theologizing and ethicizing of the New Testament writers...Furthermore since context is crucial in dealing with theological and ethical matters, and since what we actually have in the New Testament is not theological or ethical treatises but rather theologizing and ethicizing into specific contexts for specific purposes I have decided by and large not to extract the theology and ethics from the narratives and arguments in the New Testament and cast them upon some sort of Procrustean bed. Instead, I have let the first volume especially be more expositional in character, dealing with theology and ethics as we find them intertwined in contexts offered to us by the individual witnesses." (p.16)
As stated above, this is the first of two volumes, with the intention this installment will give, "the reader a sampling of doing theology and ethics in the twenty-seven books in the New Testament , honoring them as individual witnesses on these subjects" As Matthew Levering notes on the inside dust jacket, Witherington is fresh from writing a commentary on every New Testament book. While some may claim, in this age of increasing specialization, this is not ideal, it has placed him in the envious position of being aware of the whole New Testament narrative.
Finally, it is possible that this could be one of Witherington's most important works. Only time will tell. I am sure over time his conclusions will be accepted and rejected, argued and debated, in the course of scholarly interaction. However, the importance of his approach for Ministers and Seminary students is profound! It seems to me that many in the church consider the field of Biblical Studies as irrelevant to ministry, or heaven forbid the Christian life, because, as Witherington also notes, "All too often....the theology of the New Testament has been divorced from its ethics, leaving as isolated abstractions what are fully integrated, dynamic elements within the New Testament itself. As Witherington stresses, "behavior affects and reinforces or undoes belief." This volume has challenged, informed and encouraged my own approach to theology and ethics.
As stated above, this is the first of two volumes, with the intention this installment will give, "the reader a sampling of doing theology and ethics in the twenty-seven books in the New Testament , honoring them as individual witnesses on these subjects" As Matthew Levering notes on the inside dust jacket, Witherington is fresh from writing a commentary on every New Testament book. While some may claim, in this age of increasing specialization, this is not ideal, it has placed him in the envious position of being aware of the whole New Testament narrative.
Finally, it is possible that this could be one of Witherington's most important works. Only time will tell. I am sure over time his conclusions will be accepted and rejected, argued and debated, in the course of scholarly interaction. However, the importance of his approach for Ministers and Seminary students is profound! It seems to me that many in the church consider the field of Biblical Studies as irrelevant to ministry, or heaven forbid the Christian life, because, as Witherington also notes, "All too often....the theology of the New Testament has been divorced from its ethics, leaving as isolated abstractions what are fully integrated, dynamic elements within the New Testament itself. As Witherington stresses, "behavior affects and reinforces or undoes belief." This volume has challenged, informed and encouraged my own approach to theology and ethics.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
The idea behind this book is to show that you cannot separate believing from behaving. You cannot separate theology and ethics. They are linked together in the New Testament. That's why Ben chose not to survey certain themes in the NT like faith, love, salvation, repentance, kingdom of God, etc. Instead, he allows the individual voices of the New Testament to have their say. he points out that Jesus was heavily influenced by the wisdom tradition in the Hebrew Bible and in texts such as the Wisdom of Solomon and Sirach. He identifies Daniel 7:9-14 as a key text that Jesus used to explain his identity as God's eschatological sage. He prefers the Son of Man moniker because it didn't have the heavy political overtones that the term "Messiah" had, and He could give the term the significance He wanted.
Ben also shows that Jesus' ethics as given in the Sermon on the Mount present a higher standard than what was offered by the teachers of the law.
Later on, when Ben discusses John's Gospel, he points out that for Jesus, believing in Him could also be construed as an ethical act. I also loved the insights Ben gave: Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night while he himself was in the dark. He saw Jesus as a teacher who has come from God, but could not perceive how literally true this was. Ben also shows how Jesus' description of Himself as the Light, the way, the truth, the life (John 14:6) echoes the descriptions of wisdom in the OT wisdom literature (especially Proverbs 8).
Ben also discusses Paul's theologizing and ethicizing. He mentions that Paul is influenced by the story of God, the story of the fall, the story of Christ, and the story of Christians in Christ. He cites Paul in Philippians 2:13 where Paul states that we should work out out our salvation with fear and trembling." For Ben, this summarizes how theology and ethics go together in Paul. He also states that for Paul, you are not eternally secure until you are securely in eternity.
Ben also discusses the theology and ethics of the writer of Hebrews, the Beloved disciple, James, Jude, Peter, Luke, and John the Elder. In each instance, believing in Christ is inexplicable without resulting behavior in Christ. Theology and ethics go together throughout the New Testament. Peter is cited for his unique reflection on Isaiah 53 to portray his theology of the atonement.
I've read most of Ben's commentaries and monographs, and I think it's fair to say that this book could be subtitled "Ben Witherington's Greatest Hits," because he draws on his previous exegetical work and on his Pauline theologies. On the other hand, the work stands on its own because it has its own message and thesis. I should also say that I found the book to not only be very well written, but also very convicting. It made me question whether or not my behavior was in line with my believing. Great book. I'm looking forward to volume two.
Ben also shows that Jesus' ethics as given in the Sermon on the Mount present a higher standard than what was offered by the teachers of the law.
Later on, when Ben discusses John's Gospel, he points out that for Jesus, believing in Him could also be construed as an ethical act. I also loved the insights Ben gave: Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night while he himself was in the dark. He saw Jesus as a teacher who has come from God, but could not perceive how literally true this was. Ben also shows how Jesus' description of Himself as the Light, the way, the truth, the life (John 14:6) echoes the descriptions of wisdom in the OT wisdom literature (especially Proverbs 8).
Ben also discusses Paul's theologizing and ethicizing. He mentions that Paul is influenced by the story of God, the story of the fall, the story of Christ, and the story of Christians in Christ. He cites Paul in Philippians 2:13 where Paul states that we should work out out our salvation with fear and trembling." For Ben, this summarizes how theology and ethics go together in Paul. He also states that for Paul, you are not eternally secure until you are securely in eternity.
Ben also discusses the theology and ethics of the writer of Hebrews, the Beloved disciple, James, Jude, Peter, Luke, and John the Elder. In each instance, believing in Christ is inexplicable without resulting behavior in Christ. Theology and ethics go together throughout the New Testament. Peter is cited for his unique reflection on Isaiah 53 to portray his theology of the atonement.
I've read most of Ben's commentaries and monographs, and I think it's fair to say that this book could be subtitled "Ben Witherington's Greatest Hits," because he draws on his previous exegetical work and on his Pauline theologies. On the other hand, the work stands on its own because it has its own message and thesis. I should also say that I found the book to not only be very well written, but also very convicting. It made me question whether or not my behavior was in line with my believing. Great book. I'm looking forward to volume two.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
It is an impossible feat for a short review to do justice to Ben Witherington's massive (856 page!) work The Indelible Image: The Theological and Ethical Through World of the New Testament (IVP, 2009). Witherington sets out in the first of his two-volume project to investigate each individual New Testament witness through integrative theological and ethical analysis. In doing so, he seeks to correct a lamentable weakness of New Testament studies: the separation of theology and ethics, belief and behavior, into two different spheres, with ethics taking backseat to theology (23). In contrast to this bifurcation, Witherington demonstrates the organic relationship and blending of theology and ethics in each New Testament book, ultimately converging in Christology: the contemplation of and conformation to the indelible image of Christ (53-54).
The Indelible Image progresses chronologically through the New Testament, exploring each book in its context. Before launching into the Pauline corpus, however, Witherington begins with Jesus, examining his beliefs and behaviors. To understand Jesus and the stories that he told, of course, we need to understand Judaism (68). Likewise, in order to grasp the thought world of Paul, it is necessary to understanding "the five stories that shook and shaped Paul's worldviews," including the story of God, humankind, God's people, Christ, and Christians (182-203). Witherington gives a few hints toward the turn to performance and improvisation in Christian theology and ethics, affirming that these stories have a complete outline, but they have a plot that needs to be performed in the present (180). Ethical discernment, therefore, is a matter of improvisation (251). Overall, this ethical discernment involves imitating Christ, walking in the Spirit, and living as a community in unity (244). Witherington also highlights the dependence and closeness of Paul's theology and ethics on Jesus, which are both driven by grace (271-274).
But Jesus and Paul are only the starting point, and it is refreshing for Witherington to demonstrate that Christian theology and ethics should not be based on Paul alone (327). The theology of James, for example, has been insufficiently developed, since "New Testament scholars have not labored long enough in the sapiential vineyard to acquire a taste for its wine. In short, they do not understand how this sort of literature works in the service of theology and ethics" (298-299). Witherington demonstrates how the other NT books "work" in this regard, highlighting themes such as the "christotelic" hermeneutic of Peter (341), the remarkable fusion of theology and ethics in Hebrews (461), the mystery of God's sovereign love and free human response in John nestled in narrative theology and ethics (568, 599), the eschatological theology and ethics of Mark (639), the sapiential Christology of Matthew (646f), the holistic theology and ethics of Luke-Acts (672), and the intertwining of heavenly and earthly realities in Revelation (742).
The Indelible Image is immense both in sheer size and quality of theological-ethical reflection on the New Testament. Written in clear, simple prose, the book reads like a commentary and may be best used for this purpose. A comprehensive Scripture index will guide the reader to find relevant passages, although sometimes the reader will be surprised by passages Witherington chooses to pass over (like John 10). Little rationale is given for this selectivity, and one hopes it is not based on theological preference, especially since it seems that Witherington dismisses Reformed theological perspectives too quickly. Despite this suspicious selectivity, Witherington demonstrates a fitting balance between scholarly exegesis and practical reflection. Footnotes are sparse, which motivates readers to run to his commentaries (and other suggested reading lists at the end of each chapter) for more articulate arguments and insight.
Even though Witherington deals with each New Testament voice on its own, common themes continue to appear, most notably the interrelationship and interdependence of theology and ethics, at the heart of which is the person and work of Jesus Christ. These and other common themes among all New Testament writers prime the pump for the next volume of the Indelible Image series due out in April, focusing on the collective New Testament witness. You won't want to miss it! This first volume has left an indelible mark on our understanding of the theological and ethical thought world of the New Testament.
The Indelible Image progresses chronologically through the New Testament, exploring each book in its context. Before launching into the Pauline corpus, however, Witherington begins with Jesus, examining his beliefs and behaviors. To understand Jesus and the stories that he told, of course, we need to understand Judaism (68). Likewise, in order to grasp the thought world of Paul, it is necessary to understanding "the five stories that shook and shaped Paul's worldviews," including the story of God, humankind, God's people, Christ, and Christians (182-203). Witherington gives a few hints toward the turn to performance and improvisation in Christian theology and ethics, affirming that these stories have a complete outline, but they have a plot that needs to be performed in the present (180). Ethical discernment, therefore, is a matter of improvisation (251). Overall, this ethical discernment involves imitating Christ, walking in the Spirit, and living as a community in unity (244). Witherington also highlights the dependence and closeness of Paul's theology and ethics on Jesus, which are both driven by grace (271-274).
But Jesus and Paul are only the starting point, and it is refreshing for Witherington to demonstrate that Christian theology and ethics should not be based on Paul alone (327). The theology of James, for example, has been insufficiently developed, since "New Testament scholars have not labored long enough in the sapiential vineyard to acquire a taste for its wine. In short, they do not understand how this sort of literature works in the service of theology and ethics" (298-299). Witherington demonstrates how the other NT books "work" in this regard, highlighting themes such as the "christotelic" hermeneutic of Peter (341), the remarkable fusion of theology and ethics in Hebrews (461), the mystery of God's sovereign love and free human response in John nestled in narrative theology and ethics (568, 599), the eschatological theology and ethics of Mark (639), the sapiential Christology of Matthew (646f), the holistic theology and ethics of Luke-Acts (672), and the intertwining of heavenly and earthly realities in Revelation (742).
The Indelible Image is immense both in sheer size and quality of theological-ethical reflection on the New Testament. Written in clear, simple prose, the book reads like a commentary and may be best used for this purpose. A comprehensive Scripture index will guide the reader to find relevant passages, although sometimes the reader will be surprised by passages Witherington chooses to pass over (like John 10). Little rationale is given for this selectivity, and one hopes it is not based on theological preference, especially since it seems that Witherington dismisses Reformed theological perspectives too quickly. Despite this suspicious selectivity, Witherington demonstrates a fitting balance between scholarly exegesis and practical reflection. Footnotes are sparse, which motivates readers to run to his commentaries (and other suggested reading lists at the end of each chapter) for more articulate arguments and insight.
Even though Witherington deals with each New Testament voice on its own, common themes continue to appear, most notably the interrelationship and interdependence of theology and ethics, at the heart of which is the person and work of Jesus Christ. These and other common themes among all New Testament writers prime the pump for the next volume of the Indelible Image series due out in April, focusing on the collective New Testament witness. You won't want to miss it! This first volume has left an indelible mark on our understanding of the theological and ethical thought world of the New Testament.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Book for the Generations at a Much Needed Time
Furthermore, we have seen... that the ethics is well grounded in the eschatological worldview that these authors are enunciating. Read more
Published on May 6, 2010 by Joel L. Watts
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Scholarly Work For The Whole Church
Ben Witherington is one of those rare theologians who, while solidly `orthodox', is refreshingly adventurous, tackling huge ranges of subjects, and even (gently) treading on some... Read more
Published on March 10, 2010 by A. Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Scholar at work
"Scholar at Work" would be an appropriate cover sticker for this book. This might also be the most important reason for reading it. Read more
Published on January 8, 2010 by Michael Dalton
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