New Testament Theology and Ethics, By Ben Witherington III

New Testament Theology and Ethics

New Testament Theology and Ethics

1

by Ben Witherington III

New Testament Theology and Ethics
paperback
  • Length: 856 pages
  • Dimensions: 6 × 9 in
  • Published: March 03, 2016
  • Imprint: IVP Academic
  • Item Code: 5133
  • ISBN: 9780830851331

*affiliate partner

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."

Previously published as The Indelible Image, Volume 1, Witherington 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.

"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

"The Indelible Image is a welcome addition to the study of NT theology and ethics. It represents a solidly evangelical introduction to both the NT and various debates current in NT studies."

Clarence DeWitt Agan III, Presbyterion, Fall 2010

"Serious readers of this first of two volumes are in for a treat. . . Witherington resolutely pursues his thesis in a coherent, engaging manner. . . Witherington is well versed in popular culture in general, especially in music and film, and this awareness graces his lively prose. . . A rich resource for preaching and teaching."

Larry R. Helyer, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, September 2010

"What makes Witherington's massive work different from many other similar books is the author's insistence that tehology not be divorced from ethics. Highly recommended."

D. Ingolfsland, Choice, April 2010
More

CONTENTS

Contents
List of Tables and Figures
Preface
The Overture: The Grand Story of the Divine Image

Prologue: Guiding Principles for New Testament Theology and Ethics
Why Privilege the New Testament Documents?
The Role of Divine Revelation in New Testament Theology and Ethics
Problems with Reader-Response Criticism and Canonical Interpretation
The Relation of Biblical Theology to New Testament Theology
Problems with Postmodern Interpretation
The Importance of Original Context
Problems with the Intentional Fallacy Theory
The Meaning of the New Testament Texts and Their Significance for Us Today
The Relation of New Testament Theology and Ethics to Later Theological and Ethical Formulations
The Importance of Genre
New Testament Theology and Ethics and the Christian Bible
History and the Story of the New Testament
The Christological Indicative and Imperative
Historical Jesus Versus Christ of Faith?
The Role of Intellect and Imagination in New Testament Theology and Ethics

1 Jesus: The Alpha and Omega of New Testament Thought
Beginning with Jesus
Jesus in Historical Context: Early Jewish Messianism
The Person and Identity of Jesus
Beginning with Jesus for New Testament Ethics
Summary

2 Paul: The Paradigm Setter of New Testament Thought
Paul?s Narrative Thought World: The Contemporary Discussion
Five Stories That Shaped Paul?s Worldview
The Eschatological Worldviews of Jesus and Paul
Righteousness, Salvation, and Election in Pauline Thought
The New Perspective on Paul
Last Adam Christology in the Pauline Corpus
Paul?s Ethic
Summary

3 Jude, James, and Peter: Bridging the Ministry of Jesus and the Apostolic Church
Who Were James and Jude?
Jude: Theology and Ethics in Issues of Heresy and Apostasy
James: The Theology and Ethics of Impartiality
1 Peter: Theological and Ethical Principles for Suffering Christians
Summary

4 Hebrews: "Looking unto Jesus" in the Pauline Tradition
The Background of Hebrews
Hebrews 1:1-4: A Christological Hymn Fragment
Hebrews 1:5-14: Christ Contrasted with Angels
Hebrews 2:1-4: The Ethical Implications of Christocentric Thinking
Hebrews 2:5-18: Creative Christological Use of the Psalms
Hebrews 4:14--5:10: Christ, the Human Heavenly High Priest
Hebrews 5:11--6:12: The Possibility of Apostasy
Hebrews 7--10: Christ as High Priest Revisited
Hebrews 11--12: In Praise of Faith
Summary

5 John: Eyewitness Testimony from "the One Whom Jesus Loved"
Historical Issues in the Johannine Corpus
1 John: The Sermon of the Beloved Disciple
2-3 John: Fighting Heresy and Schism in the Johannine Community
The Gospel of John: God?s Wisdom Made Flesh

6 Mark, Matthew, and Luke-Acts: Retrospective Portraits of Jesus and His Gospel
The Gospel of Mark: Jesus as Exorcist, Seer, Christ, Son of God
The Gospel of Matthew: Immanuel, God?s Wisdom Walking Among Us
Luke-Acts: A Two-Volume Chronicle of Salvation History

7 Revelation and 2 Peter: Transitioning from the Apostolic to Postapostolic Church
The Book of Revelation: Following the Slain but Triumphant Lamb
2 Peter: Weaving Together the Apostolic Tradition
Rewind: A Brief Synopsis of Volume One

Subject Index
Name Index
Scripture Index

More

You May Also Like

Ben Witherington III

Ben Witherington III (PhD, University of Durham) is a prominent evangelical scholar and Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. 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.

Read Witherington's Patheos blog The Bible and Culture.