Synopses & Reviews
When the ancients talked about messiah, what did they picture? Did that term refer to a stately figure who would rule, to a militant who would rescue, or to a variety of roles held by many? While Christians have traditionally equated the word messiah with Jesus, the discussion is far more complex. This volume contributes significantly to that discussion. Ten expert scholars here address questions surrounding the concept of messiah and clarify what it means to call Jesus messiah. The book comprises two main parts, first treating those writers who preceded or surrounded the New Testament (two essays on the Old Testament and two on extrabiblical literature) and then discussing the writers of the New Testament. Concluding the volume is a critical response by Craig Evans to both sections. This volume will be helpful to pastors and laypersons wanting to explore the nature and identity of the Messiah in the Old and New Testament in order to better understand Jesus as Messiah.
Synopsis
When the ancients discussed "Messiah," what did they picture? Did it refer to a stately figure to rule, a militant to rescue, or a term to describe a variety of roles held by many? While Christians have traditionally equated the word with Jesus, the discussion is far more complex. "The Messiah in the Old and New Testament" is the culmination of that discussion.In this excellent collection Stanley Porter has gathered a host of experts to address the questions surrounding the concept of messiah, in order to clarify what it means to call Jesus "messiah." Divided into two parts -- writers who preceded or surrounded the New Testament and writers of the New Testament -- and followed by a complete response to both sections from Craig A. Evans, any student of the New Testament will find this book a useful tool for sparking further discussion and understanding the past.
Table of Contents
Introduction: the Messiah in the Old and New Testaments / Stanley E. Porter -- Part I: Old Testament and related perspective -- The Messiah: explorations in the Law and writings / Tremper Longman III -- Figuring the future: the Prophets and Messiah / Mark J. Boda -- The Messiah in the Qumran documents / Al Wolters -- Messianic ideas in the Apocalyptic and related literature of early Judaism / Loren T. Stuckenbruck -- Part II: New Testament perspective -- Jesus as Messiah in Mark and Matthew / I. Howard Marshall -- The Messiah in Luke and Acts: forgiveness for the captives / Stanley E. Porter -- Remembering Jesus: John's negative Christology / Tom Thatcher -- Divine life and corporate Christology: God, Messiah Jesus, and the covenant community in Paul / S. A. Cummins -- Messianic themes of temple, enthronement, and victory in Hebrews and the General Epistles / Cynthia Long Westfall -- The Messiah in the Old and New Testaments: a response / Craig A. Evans.