An Introduction to the Catholic Epistles

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This book introduces the Epistles and discusses the different interpretive approaches which have been used to gain a clearer understanding of them. An introductory chapter defines the Epistles and describes the history of their canonization, following chapters are devoted to each of the texts with each chapter including: 1) historical-cultural background; 2) the social-scientific context; 3) social-rhetorical purposes; 4) narrative discourse; 5) postcolonial and 6) feminist insights; and finally 7) theological perspectives. At the end of each chapter there are suggestions for further reading and a list of reflection questions. Several chapters include a section or two considering a particular interpretive issue especially relevant to the particular text. After taking up each text, Lockett considers again whether the Epistles are a unified whole or to be heard as individual voices. Here the book interacts with some of the ideas of Rob Wall and David Nienhuis regarding the various thematic/theological connections running through the texts. A final chapter takes up the relationship between the Pauline Epistles and the Catholic Epistles within the New Testament.

Reviews

This is a concise, well-written introduction to the study of an all-too-often neglected corpus of New Testament texts. Lockett's insightful examination of the historical-critical issues that pertain to James, 1-2 Peter, and Jude is augmented with an illuminating exploration of new methodological approaches that have been appropriated in the study of the Catholic Epistles. What may be the most stimulating feature of this book is Lockett's discussion regarding the canonical shaping and function of these texts. A new generation of students will benefit greatly from this well-informed appraisal of Catholic Epistles scholarship. - Kelly D. Liebengood, LeTourneau University, USA. -- Kelly D. Liebengood
Throughout the history of modern New Testament scholarship the Catholic Epistles have been the most neglected part of the New Testament canon, and this remains the case today despite some excellent recent work on them. Many students probably learn little about them. Darian Lockett's book will certainly help to remedy this situation. It is accessible to students and to a wider interested readership and opens up for them the scholarship on these books in a lucid and comprehensive way. He deals not only with the usual introductory questions and the standard historical critical studies, but also with the contributions of the newer methodologies: social scientific criticism, narrative criticism and canonical criticism. He considers the Catholic Epistles not only as individual texts, but also as forming a canonical collection. On the many disputed issues, he sets out the various arguments, leaving readers to reach their own conclusions. He presents the material in a way that will spark readers' interest and stimulate them to engage with the Catholic Epistles for themselves.' - Richard Bauckham, UK. -- Richard Bauckham
Summarized. * New Testament Abstracts *

Author Bio

Darian Lockett is Assistant Professor of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, CA, USA.