NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY PB

Philip Esler offers fresh thinking about New Testament theology in light of the early social history of Christian communities. Focusing on the understanding of God implicit in the religious life of early Christians, Philip Esler carries the discipline of New Testament Theology back to its theological core, while highlighting its contemporary relevance. Praise for New Testament Theology: 'This whole project fills me with enthusiasm. Philip Esler is developing a genuinely alternative way of carrying out the aims of New Testament theology.' Robert Morgan, Linacre College, Oxford. 'Esler tackles questions that most historically oriented scholars avoid with a passion: How can authors from the past be engaged? What would interpersonal communication with long-dead authors look like? How can the New Testament more fruitfully become a resource for contemporary Christian living? ... His creative and fertile mind stretches and challenges the reader to re-evaluate cherished and usually unexamined ways of approaching the Bible.' Walter F. Taylor Jr, Professor of New Testament Studies, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio. 'Esler's fresh approach to the relationship between New Testament scholarship and the concerns of Christian discipleship inaugurates a new departure in biblical theology. His novel and challenging engagement with questions of method, social history, hermeneutics, theology, identity and conflict, and christian community urges the reader to thing beyond paralysing divisions in historical and theological research ... This work offers a critical, constructive and much welcome proposal for the renewal of both theological scholarship and the Christian church.' Werner G. Jeanrond, Professor of Systematic Theology Lund University, Sweden.