Rereading the Bible An Introduction to the Biblical Story

by Chance, J. Bradley; Horne, Milton P.

• ISBN13: 9780136742760
• ISBN10: 0136742769
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-06-11
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This beginning biblical studies text introduces students to readings of both the Old and New Testament.The authors use an "intertextuality" approach, exploring the Bible by examining individual pieces in depth and considering their relevance and development. This alternative approach to looking at the breadth of the biblestarting with Genesis and moving as far forward as time allowsis gaining popularity in biblical studies, especially with more serious biblical scholars.

Table of Contents

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS	vii	(10)
PROFESSORIAL PREFACE	xvii
Part One: Introduction	1	(50)
1 LEARNING TO REREAD THE BIBLE	2	(24)
What Is the the Bible?	2	(10)
The Old Testament/Hebrew Bible	3	(5)
The New Testament	8	(3)
Terminology	11	(1)
What Is Intertextuality and Rereading?	12	(11)
Literary Text	13	(1)
Social Text	14	(7)
Interpretive Text	21	(2)
Conclusion: Readers and Stories	23	(3)
2 ISRAEL'S DEVELOPING STORY	26	(25)
Introduction	26	(1)
Review	26	(1)
Preview	26	(1)
A Survey of the Biblical Historical Narratives	27	(13)
Introduction to the Biblical Survey	27	(1)
Tetrateuch (and Deuteronomy)	28	(5)
Deuteronomistic History	33	(5)
The Chronicler	38	(1)
Maccabees	38	(2)
Outlining Israel's Story. Nehemiah 9:6-37; Sirach 44-50	40	(9)
Nehemiah 9:6-37: Ezra's Prayer	41	(3)
Influence of Deuteronomic Theology	44	(1)
Sirach 44-50: Sirach's Hymn	45	(2)
Sirach's Priestly Perspective	47	(2)
Conclusion	49	(2)
Part Two: The Hebrew Bible	51	(162)
3 THE STORY BEHIND ISRAEL'S STORY IN EZRA-NEHEMIAH	52	(23)
Introduction	52	(1)
Review	52	(1)
Preview	52	(1)
The Story of the Restoration; Ezra-Nehemiah	53	(7)
The Day They Told the Story	53	(2)
The Celebration in Its Larger Context	55	(5)
Ezra in the Persian Period	60	(7)
The Era of Babylon and Persia	61	(1)
The Persian Setting	62	(5)
Theology and History in Ezra-Nehemiah	67	(6)
Introduction	68	(1)
Ancient Literary Genres	68	(4)
Theology through History	72	(1)
Conclusion	73	(2)
4 THE STORY OF THE LAW	75	(28)
Introduction	75	(1)
Review	75	(1)
Preview	75	(1)
Ezra-Nehemiah Interpreting Law Codes. Nehemiah 7-10	76	(10)
Awareness of the Laws in the Pentateuch	76	(3)
The Law Calls for Reinterpretation	79	(7)
The Story behind the Law Codes of the Pentateuch. Exodus 21:1-23:33	86	(11)
Form and Socio-Historical Context of Law	88	(5)
Redaction and the Literary Context	93	(4)
The Law and the Inheritance of the Land. Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-11; 17:1-8; Deuteronomy 6:10-25	97	(5)
Land as Promise (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-11; 17:1-8)	98	(2)
Land as Contingency (Deuteronomy 6:10-25)	100	(2)
Conclusion	102	(1)
5 THE STORY OF THE PROPHETS	103	(28)
Introduction	103	(1)
Review	103	(1)
Preview	103	(1)
Haggai and Zechariah: Temple and Not Law. Haggai and Zechariah 1-8; Review Ezra 1-6	104	(10)
Prophets in Ezra-Nehemiah	104	(2)
The Prophetic Books of Haggai and Zechariah	106	(8)
Prophets and the Temple: The Heritage of Haggai and Zechariah. Isaiah 56;66; Jeremiah 7;26; Ezekiel 40:1-4; 44:1-14	114	(8)
Isaiah and the Temple: Isaiah 66:1-5	115	(3)
Jeremiah and the Temple: Jeremiah 7:1-7	118	(1)
Ezekiel and the Temple: Ezekiel 44:9-14	119	(3)
Prophecy and the Origins of Apocalypticism. Isaiah 59;65; Daniel 7-12	122	(7)
Apocalyptic Eschatology vs. Prophetic Eschatology	123	(1)
Apocalypticism Expresses Social Conflict, Special Knowledge	124	(1)
Apocalypticism and the Emergence of a Literary Genre	125	(4)
Conclusion	129	(1)
Appendix to Chapter 5	130	(1)
6 THE STORY OF THE TEMPLE	131	(27)
Introduction	131	(1)
Review	131	(1)
Preview	131	(1)
David and the Temple: Ezra-Nehemiah and the Chronicler. l Chronicles 17;22-29; 2 Chronicles l-7. Review Ezra 1-6	132	(9)
Introduction	132	(1)
Summary of the Chronicler's Story of the Temple	133	(4)
The Chronicler's Social Text	137	(4)
The Temple in the Deuteronomistic Historian's View. 2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35; Deuteronomy 12	141	(8)
Josiah and His Reforms: 2 Kings 22-23	142	(4)
The Deuteronomic Law and Centralization: Deuteronomy 12:1-32	146	(3)
The Temple and the Eternal Hope of Restoration. Sirach 50:1-5; Tobit 14:4-5; Selections from the Dead Sea Scrolls	149	(7)
Sirach and Tobit	150	(1)
The Witness of Qumran	151	(5)
Conclusion	156	(2)
7 THE STORY OF KINGSHIP	158	(28)
Introduction	158	(1)
Review	158	(1)
Preview	158	(1)
"I shall build Him a House... " The Davidic Promise. 2 Samuel 7:4-17; 1 Chronicles 17:3-15	159	(9)
The Problem of Restoration	159	(3)
The Chronicler's Interpretation of Nathan's Promise	162	(6)
"I Shall Be his Father, and He Shall Be my Son... " The King as a Sacral Figure. 1 Samuel 8:1-22; Psalms 2,110, 45	168	(8)
The Social and Political Fallout of Kingship	168	(3)
The Elevation to Sonship	171	(5)
"The Throne of his Kingdom Forever": Between Now and Then. Isaiah 7:1-17; 9:1-7; 11: 1-10; Selections from Daniel, The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Pseudepigrapha	176	(8)
The Isaiah Trilogy and Daniel	176	(4)
The Messianic Promise in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Pseudepigrapha	180	(4)
Conclusion	184	(2)
8 THE STORY OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD	186	(27)
Introduction	186	(1)
Review	186	(1)
Preview	186	(1)
Ezra-Nehemiah and the Exiles Ezra 9; Jeremiah 31; Ezekiel 23; Isaiah 49:1-6	187	(8)
Israel; A Remnant of Exiles, Ezra 9	188	(2)
Ezekiel 23, Jeremiah 31, and Deutero-Isaiah	190	(5)
God's People and the Covenant with Abraham. Ezra 9; Nehemiah 10; Genesis 15,17 and 49	195	(7)
The Meaning of Covenant in Ezra and Nehemiah	195	(1)
Genesis 15, and Yahweh's Promise	196	(4)
Genesis 17 Rereads Genesis 15	200	(2)
God's People, Covenant, and the Obligations of the Mosaic Law.Deuteronomy 1-11; 26:16-34:12	202	(8)
The Framework of the Deuteronomic Code	203	(1)
Covenant in the Introduction to the Law: Deuteronomy 6:20-25; Deuteronomy 5:1-4	204	(2)
The Social Text of the Covenant of Obligation	206	(2)
Treaty, Cultic Instruction, Wisdom	208	(2)
Conclusion	210	(3)
Part Three: The Story of Jesus and His Earliest Followers	213	(64)
9 THE WORLD OF JESUS AND HIS FOLLOWERS	214	(27)
Introduction	214	(1)
Review	214	(1)
Preview	214	(1)
Palestine in Jesus' Time. Luke 1-4	215	(7)
Jewish History before the Ministry of Jesus	216	(3)
Palestine in Jesus' Day	219	(3)
The World of Jesus' Followers: Palestine after Jesus. Acts 12; 21; 23-26	222	(5)
The House of Herod	222	(1)
The Successors of Pilate	223	(2)
The Jewish Revolt against Rome	225	(2)
The World beyond Palestine. Acts 17-19	227	(13)
Religion in the Hellenistic World	228	(9)
Judaism of the Diaspora	237	(3)
Conclusion	240	(1)
10 THE STORY OF JESUS AND HIS FOLLOWERS	241	(36)
Introduction	241	(1)
Review and Preview	241	(1)
Introducing Luke-Acts	242	(10)
The Sources behind the New Testament Narratives	243	(3)
The New Testament Narratives as Sources for the History of Jesus and the Early Church	246	(4)
The Authorship and Date of Luke-Acts	250	(2)
Luke's Story of Jesus: The Gospel of Luke	252	(11)
The Births of Jesus and John (Luke 1-2)	252	(1)
The Ministry of John Jesus' Baptism and Temptation (Luke 3:1-4:13)	253	(2)
Jesus' Galilean Ministry (Luke 4:14-9:50)	255	(3)
The Journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-19:44)	258	(3)
Jesus' Ministry at the Temple (Luke 19:45-21:37)	261	(1)
Jesus' Passion (Luke 22-23)	261	(1)
The Resurrection (Luke 24)	262	(1)
Luke's Story of the Early Church: The Acts of the Apostles	263	(6)
The Witness to Jerusalem (Acts 1:1-8:1a)	263	(2)
The Witness to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1b-11;18)	265	(1)
The Witness to the Ends of the Earth (Acts 11:19-28:31)	266	(3)
Excursus. Reading the New Testament Narratives for Historical Information. A Case Study; The Birth of Jesus	269	(2)
Conclusion	271	(6)
Part Four: The Revisitation of Israel's Tradition in the New Testament	277	(134)
11 REREADING THE STORY OF KINGSHIP	278	(31)
Introduction	278	(1)
Review	278	(1)
Preview	278	(1)
"The Kingdom of God is Like... ": Speaking in Parables. Matthew 13; Compare Mark 4	279	(9)
"Hear then the Parable... "	279	(3)
Reading Jesus Rereading the Tradition: The Mustard Seed	282	(6)
"Are You the Messiah?" The Markan Passion Narrative. Mark 14-15	288	(10)
The Text behind the Text of Mark's Passion Narrative	288	(3)
The Literary Text of Mark's Passion Narrative: The Death of the King	291	(7)
All Things under His Feet: Defeating the Enemies of God. 1 Corinthians 1-4;15	298	(8)
Paul and His Letters	298	(1)
The Text behind the Text of 1 Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1-4)	299	(1)
The Resurrection and the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15)	300	(6)
Conclusion	306	(3)
12 REREADING THE STORY OF THE TEMPLE	309	(30)
Introduction	309	(2)
Review	309	(1)
The Story Continues	309	(1)
Preview	310	(1)
Not One Stone on Another: Two Responses to the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple	311	(4)
The Response of 4 Ezra (4 Ezra 3; 9:26-10:59; 13:1-58)	311	(2)
The Response of the Gospel of Luke (Luke 19:41-44;21:5-36)	313	(2)
A Holy Temple to the Lord.Ephesians 2	315	(6)
Rereading the Expectations of a New Temple	316	(1)
Rereading Paul	317	(4)
"You Are a Priest Forever": The New Priesthood and New Covenant. Hebrews l;7:1-28; 8:1-10:18	321	(8)
The Text behind the Text of Hebrews (Hebrews 1)	321	(1)
The New Priesthood (Hebrews 7:1-28)	322	(6)
The New Covenant (Hebrews 8:1-10:18)	328	(1)
A Bride Adorned for Her Husband: The New Jerusalem of Revelation 21-22	329	(8)
Introduction	330	(2)
Rereading Jewish Textual Traditions	332	(5)
Conclusion	337	(2)
13 REREADING THE STORY OF THE LAW	339	(24)
Introduction	339	(1)
Review	339	(1)
Preview	339	(1)
"The Law Was Our Disciplinarian": Paul and the Galatians. Galatians 1:1-5:12	340	(8)
The Text behind the Text of Galatians	340	(2)
"The Promises Were Made to Abraham"	342	(3)
An Allegory based on Sarah and Hagar (4:2-5:1)	345	(3)
Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets: Matthew and the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5-7	348	(13)
The Text behind the Text of the Sermon on the Mount	348	(3)
The Gospel as the Framework for Interpreting the Sermon	351	(1)
Blessing and the Basis of Jesus' Interpretation of the Law (5:3-16)	352	(1)
Conclusion: Doing What God Requires ("Dualing" Pictures) (7:13-27)	353	(1)
Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets (5:17-20)	353	(3)
The Law and the Prophets (Reprise) (7:12)	356	(3)
The New Covenant and the Law (Matt. 1:1-17, 26;26-29)	359	(2)
Conclusion	361	(2)
14 REREADING THE STORY OF PROPHECY AND THE PROPHETS	363	(24)
Introduction	363	(1)
Review	363	(1)
Preview	363	(1)
"This Happened to Fulfill What Was Spoken by the Prophets": Matthew's Rereading of the Prophets. Matthew 1-2	364	(20)
"Look the Virgin Shall Conceive"	365	(2)
Matthew's Way of Interpreting the Scriptures	367	(2)
Jesus: The Prophet like Moses	369	(3)
Prophecy among the Early Christians. 1 Corinthians 11-14; Selections from the Pastoral Epistles	372	(1)
Introduction	373	(1)
Prophecy in Corinth (1 Corinthians 11-14)	373	(7)
Silencing the Prophets: The Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy 2:8-15; Titus 1:5-9)	380	(4)
Conclusion	384	(3)
15 REREADING THE STORY OF THE PEOPLE	387	(24)
Introduction	387	(1)
"Has God Rejected his People?" God's Salvation for Jews and Gentiles. Romans 15:7-13; 9:1-11:36	388	(11)
The Text behind Paul's Letter to the Romans	388	(2)
Approaching Romans 9-11	390	(1)
Reading Romans 9-11	390	(6)
Rereading the Deuteronomistic Pattern	396	(3)
"That They May Be One": The People in the Gospel of John. John 14-17	399	(8)
The Farewell Discourse of Jesus and the People of God	402	(5)
Conclusion: "Disinheriting the Jews?" John 8:31-49	407	(4)
EPILOGUE: THE REREADING CONTINUES	411	(3)
GLOSSARY	414	(13)
INDEX OF TOPICS PERSONS, AND BIBLICAL BOOKS	427	(6)
INDEX OF BIBLICAL TEXTS DISCUSSED	433	(4)
INDEX OF CLOSER LOOK BOXES	437	(1)
INDEX OF MAPS	438