Collection of texts published previously.

In this volume, Paul Robertson re-describes the form of the apostle Paul’s letters in a manner that facilitates transparent, empirical comparison with texts not typically treated by biblical scholars. Paul’s letters are best described by a set of literary characteristics shared by certain Greco-Roman texts, particularly those of Epictetus and Philodemus. Paul Robertson theorizes a new taxonomy of Greco-Roman literature that groups Paul’s letters together with certain Greco-Roman, ethical-philosophical texts written at a roughly contemporary time in the ancient Mediterranean. This particular grouping, termed a socio-literary sphere, is defined by the shared form, content, and social purpose of its constituent texts, as well as certain general similarities between their texts’ authors.

How did the mythical story of fallen angels from 1 Enoch influence literature and religious thoughts during the Second Temple period? Loren T. Stuckenbruck explores aspects of this influence in some of the literature and demonstrates how it was reused and adapted to address new cultural and religious contexts.

In this work, Arie W. Zwiep examines the gospel stories of the raising of Jairus's daughter and the healing of the haemorrhaging woman (Mark 5:21-43; Matt 9:18-26; Luke 8:40-56) from a plurality of (sometimes conflicting) interpretive strategies to demonstrate the need and fruitfulness of a multi-perspectival exegetical approach. Among the various (diachronic and synchronic) methods that are being applied in this study are philological criticism, form criticism and structural analysis, tradition- and redaction criticism, orality studies and performance criticism, narrative analysis, textual criticism and the study of intertextuality. Such a comprehensive approach, it is argued, leads to an increased knowledge and a deepened understanding of the ancient texts in question and to a sharpened awareness of the applicability of current scholarly research instruments to unlock documents from the past.

While the early Christian texts discussed in this book are often treated as "gnostic" ones, they are here approached as witnesses to the views of educated Christians engaged in dialogue with philosophical traditions. Following the idea that ancient philosophical schools provided their adherents with ways of life, Ismo Dunderberg explores issues related to morality and lifestyle in non-canonical gospels and among groups that were gradually denounced as heretical in the church. He deals with the soul's progress from material concerns to a life dominated by spirit, the control of emotions, the avoidance of luxury, the ideal "perfect human" as a tool in moral instruction, classifications of humankind into distinct groups based on their moral advancement, and Christian debates about the value of martyrdom. In addition, he offers a critical review of some recent trends and attitudes in New Testament scholarship.

Makes more widely available and accessible the research behind Keener's monumental, acclaimed, 4500-page commentary on Acts.

Using a similar method to Kennard’s biblical theology of Jesus, Hebrews, Isaiah, and Peter, Kennard’s Petrine Studies fills out background issues, narrative biographical theology and practical life concerns from Mark. The companion volume, Petrine Theology, makes contributions to Peter’s theology, including: Peter’s Jewish heritage, bridging from Jesus to Paul, expressing compatible sovereignty and free will, high Christology, missional Trinity, Hebraic anthropology, Jewish atonement, redemption and new exodus, gospel as allegiance to Christ, contextual sociological ecclesiology, suffering and spiritual warfare in a narrow virtuous way to kingdom, and nuanced consistent eschatology. Following a combination of Mark, Peter’s sermons in Acts and Petrine epistles, Gene Green claims that Petrine Theology makes unique contributions to Christian theology. Pheme Perkins concurs, “Peter is the universal ‘foundation’ for all the churches…There is no figure who compasses more of that diversity than Peter.” F. J. Foakes-Jackson concluded, “the very fact that Peter was singled out by the unanimous voice of the writers of the NT for pre-eminence is sufficient reason why he should demand our serious attention.” James Dunn celebrated, “Peter was probably in fact and effect the bridge-man (pontifex maximus!) who did more than any other to hold together the diversity of first-century Christianity.”

Using a similar method to Kennard’s biblical theology of Jesus, Hebrews, and Isaiah, Kennard’s Petrine Theology makes contributions to Peter’s theology, including: Peter’s Jewish heritage, bridging from Jesus to Paul, expressing compatible sovereignty and free will, high Christology, missional Trinity, Hebraic anthropology, Jewish atonement, redemption and new exodus, gospel as allegiance to Christ, contextual sociological ecclesiology, suffering and spiritual warfare in a narrow virtuous way to kingdom, and nuanced consistent eschatology. The companion volume, Petrine Studies, fills out background issues, narrative biographical theology, and practical life concerns from Mark. Following a combination of Mark, Peter’s sermons in Acts and Petrine epistles, Gene Green claims that Petrine theology makes unique contributions to Christian theology. Pheme Perkins concurs, “Peter is the universal ‘foundation’ for all the churches . . . There is no figure who compasses more of that diversity than Peter.” F. J. Foakes-Jackson concluded, “the very fact that Peter was singled out by the unanimous voice of the writers of the NT for pre-eminence is sufficient reason why he should demand our serious attention.” James Dunn celebrated, “Peter was probably in fact and effect the bridge-man (pontifex maximus!) who did more than any other to hold together the diversity of first-century Christianity.”

This book is about stating gospel, especially in the Bible. After surveying historical statements of gospel within their respective soteriology, biblical contexts are explored that identify either: 1) as gospel; 2) promise forgiveness; 3) promise everlasting life; 4) promise kingdom; or 5) promise resurrection with Christ. These five statements indicate the outcomes that are normally associated with the gospel across Christendom. This framework provides legitimate biblical gospel statements within exclusive salvation in Christ. This volume presents and appropriates biblical gospel patterns as a new reformation for fullness of salvation in Christ and His earthly kingdom. This variety of biblical gospel statements provoke: 1) unity around Jesus Christ and God’s gracious salvation; 2) toleration concerning rival statements of Christian gospel; and 3) jettisoning unsupported traditional frameworks. For example, ticket Christianity with little or no life change except past faith and an experience prepare Jesus Christ to say to a major section of the church, “Depart from Me, I never knew you!” Better to hear the eschatological Christ say, “Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world . . . because to the extent that you did to these brothers of Mine, even the least, you did to Me.”

A collection of articles published previously.