Letters and Homilies for Jewish Christians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Hebrews, James and Jude
Overview
In this commentary on Hebrews, James and Jude, Ben Witherington applies his socio-rhetorical method to elucidate these letters within their primarily Jewish context, probing the social setting of the readers and the rhetorical strategies of the authors of the letters. Witherington examines the rhetorical and social sciences from a historical viewpoint and seeks to avoid most of the dangers of anachronism by limiting his "rhetorical commentary" to early Jewish rhetoric and Greco-Roman rhetoric which existed during the time. This book also features "Bridging the Horizon" sections to help readers assess the contemporary relevance of these ancient texts, and "Closer Look" sections that explore contemporary issues in more detail.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
If you like this resource be sure to check out IVP New Testament Studies Collection (14 vols.).
Key Features
- Provides commentary from a prominent New Testament scholar
- Features a fresh look at Hebrews, James and Jude in light of recent study and socio-rhetorical concerns
- Includes “Bridging the Horizon” sections to help readers assess the contemporary relevance of these ancient texts
Praise for the Print Edition
A perfect volume for those who might want to teach or preach from—but not necessarily specialize in—one of these letters, this commentary serves as an excellent basic reference for these often less familiar and under-appreciated New Testament sermons.
—Amy L. Peeler, for Koinonia, 2009
The value of this book is that Witherington offers a helpful exegesis of the text and wrestles with the issues that each book raises resulting in a commendable resource for students and pastors.
—Michael F. Bird, lecturer in theology, Crossway College
Product Details
- Title: Letters and Homilies for Jewish Christians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Hebrews, James and Jude
- Author: Ben Witherington III
- Publisher: IVP
- Publication Date: 2007
- Pages: 656
- Resource Type: Monographs
- Topic: Biblical Studies
About Paul Barnett
Paul Barnett (PhD, University of Durham, England) is Professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of many books on the New Testament, including Women and the Genesis of Christianity, Jesus the Sage, The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest. A frequent contributor to Beliefnet.com, Witherington has also appeared on numerous TV news programs such as Dateline, 60 Minutes, 20/20 and the Peter Jennings ABC special Jesus and Paul—The Word and the Witness.
Top Highlights
“We must conclude then that this discourse is in no way a polemic directly attacking Judaism but rather a completionist argument. It is an argument directed to Jewish Christians to make clear that going back to non-Christian Judaism is not an option for them any more than going forward into paganism is.” (Page 26)
“His use of the Old Testament is complex and frequently christological and typological in character.42” (Page 36)
“Without question, the major christological category or terminology in Hebrews and the term used to cover the scope of Christ’s work is Son. In this regard the usage is very similar to that in the Pauline Letters, where the same term describes the preincarnate, earthly and postincarnate stages of Christ’s career. Hebrew also contains the distinctive notion that Christ is the believer’s high priest, the heavenly high priest still at work for the believer in the ultimate holy of holies—in heaven.” (Pages 59–60)
“We now know for sure, however, that Paul’s name was directly appended to this document only after the second century, otherwise we would not have the conjectures of Tertullian, Origen and others suggesting other authors such as Barnabas or Luke or an unknown one. Origen famously said that ‘God only knows’ who wrote this document (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 6.25.13).” (Pages 18–19)
“One reason there were doubts about this document was doctrinal: Hebrews 6:4–6, especially after the Decian persecutions of the third century, which led to some Christians recanting their faith, seemed to suggest that there could be no readmission of such a person into the Christian fold.” (Page 19)
- Title: Letters and Homilies for Jewish Christians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Hebrews, James and Jude
- Author: Ben Witherington III
- Series: Letters and Homilies
- Publishers: IVP Academic, Apollos
- Print Publication Date: 2007
- Logos Release Date: 2011
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. Hebrews › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Hebrews › Socio-rhetorical criticism; Bible. N.T. James › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. James › Socio-rhetorical criticism; Bible. N.T. Jude › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Jude › Socio-rhetorical criticism
- ISBNs: 9780830867233, 9781844741984, 9780830824502, 9780830829323, 0830867236, 1844741982, 0830824502, 0830829326
- Resource ID: LLS:LETTERSHOMILIESHEB
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:09:44Z
Ben Witherington III (PhD, University of Durham) is Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. A prominent evangelical scholar, he is also on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. Witherington has written over forty books, including The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest, both of which were selected as top biblical studies works by Christianity Today. His other works include The Indelible Image, Women and the Genesis of Christianity, The Gospel Code, A Week in the Life of Corinth and commentaries on the entire New Testament. He also writes for many church and scholarly publications and is a frequent contributor to Patheos and Beliefnet. Witherington is an elected member of the prestigious Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, a society dedicated to New Testament studies. He is a John Wesley Fellow for Life, a research fellow at Cambridge University and a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Society of Biblical Literature, Society for the Study of the New Testament and the Institute for Biblical Research. He previously taught at institutions like Ashland Theological Seminary, Vanderbilt University, Duke Divinity School and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. An ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church and a popular lecturer, Witherington has presented seminars for churches, colleges and biblical meetings around the world. He has led numerous study tours through the lands of the Bible and is known for bringing the text to life through incisive historical and cultural analysis. Along with many interviews on radio and television networks across the country, Witherington has been seen in programs such as 60 Minutes, 20/20, Dateline and the Peter Jennings ABC special Jesus and Paul—The Word and the Witness
Reviews
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Christopher B
12/21/2017
This promising looking volume was written by Prof Ben Witherington III, but the "About" paragraph at the end offers a biographical sketch of Dr. Paul Barnett. I am writing to enquire whether Faithlife has any plans to employ any freelance proof-readers, or if there is a "Spot the Deliberate Mistake Prize". ;) Joking apart, please accept my thanks for your excellent service and wide range of publications, together with my very best wishes for a truly blessed Christmas and New Year.
