Overview

The infancy narratives represent some of the most beautiful and intriguing passages in the Gospels. The stories they relate are also arguably the most well-known in the Christian tradition, from the child in the manger to the Magi paying homage to the infant Jesus. However there have been relatively few attempts to consider the stories of the Nativity from modern academic perspectives, examining them from feminist perspectives, poltical standpoints, in cinematic representations as well as more standard but up-to-date academic approaches. New Perspectives on the Nativity attempts to redress this providing a fresh insights on these crucial Christian texts from a cast of distinguished contributors. At the outset, Henry Wansbrough surveys scholarship on the infancy narratives since Raymond Brown's landmark study, The Birth of the Messiah (2nd edition, 1993). Thereafter, four chapters deal with Luke's infancy story. Ian Boxall demonstrates how the narrative offers subtle foreshadowings of the passion and resurrection. Barbara Reid surveys Luke's portrayal of three female prophets (Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna), who prepare for the later presentation of Jesus as a prophet. Leonard Maluf suggests a new understanding of Zechariah's canticle (the Benedictus), by situating it firmly in its Jewish background. Finally, Nicholas King indicates how the ""inn"" of the nativity prefigures the later journey of the gospel message. The next four contributions are concerned with Matthew's narrative. Warren Carter shows how the conflict between the infant Jesus and the ruling powers is repeated more dramatically in the life and death of the adult Christ. Benedict Viviano proposes that the three stages in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus belong within a grand scheme of seven ages of salvation history. Bernard Robinson investigates Matthew's nativity story within the context of biblical and Greco-Roman history-writing. Christopher Fuller highlights the carnivalesque approach to the Magi story in Pasolini's classic film, The Gospel According to St Matthew. Three final essays focus on the religious value of the infancy stories. Ann Loades reflects on late-20th-century poems dealing with the nativity. John Kaltner explores the references to Jesus' birth found in Islamic tradition. Finally, Thomas O'Loughlin argues that contemporary preoccupations with historical investigation can blind us to the mystery presented in the nativity stories.

Full Product Details

Author:   Dr. Jeremy Corley
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   T.& T.Clark Ltd
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.494kg
ISBN:  

9780567312006

ISBN 10:   0567312003
Pages:   232
Publication Date:   17 September 2009
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.
Language:   English

Table of Contents

Contributors Abbreviations Introduction Jeremy Corley, Ushaw College, Durham, UK The Infancy Stories of the Gospels since Raymond E. Brown Henry Wansbrough, Ampleforth Abbey, York, UK Luke's Nativity Story: A Narrative Reading Ian Boxall, St Stephen's House, Oxford, UK Prophetic Voices of Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna in Luke 1-2 Barbara Reid, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois, USA Zechariah's Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79): A New Look at a Familiar Text Leonard Maluf, Blessed John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Massachusetts, USA On Translating katalyma as Inn within Luke's Infancy Narrative Nicholas King, Campion Hall, Oxford, UK Matthew 1-2 and Roman Power Warren Carter, Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA Making Sense of the Matthean Genealogy: Matthew 1:17 and the Theology of History Benedict Viviano, University of Fribourg, Switzerland Matthew's Nativity Stories: Can we hear his Message Today? Bernard Robinson, emeritus, Ushaw College, Durham, UK The Magi Story through the Eyes of Pasolini: a Bakhtinian Reading Christopher Fuller, Carroll College, Helena, Montana The Nativity in Recent British Poetry Ann Loades emerita, University of Durham, Durham, UK The Muslim Mary John Kaltner, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee, USA Losing Mystery in History: The Challenge of Recalling the Nativity Thomas O'Loughlin, University of Lampeter, Lampeter, Wales, UK Appendix: Resemblances between Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 Patricia McDonald, Ushaw College, Durham, UK Dictionary of Technical Terms, Significant Persons, and Ancient Texts Bibliography Subject Index

Reviews

'Raymond E. Brown's Birth of the Messiah was a milestone and indeed a touchstone in Catholic research on the Infancy Narratives of Matthew and Luke. However, Father Brown never intended his book to be a barrier to further research and reflection, but rather a springboard. It is in that spirit that these essays offer new paths of research and reflection to continue and carry forward our appreciation and appropriation of the message of the Infancy Narratives.' - John Meier, Department of Theology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA - John Meier

Author Information

Dr Jeremy Corley teaches Biblical Studies at Ushaw College, Durham, UK. He is author of Ben Sira's Teaching on Friendship (Brown Judaic Studies, 2002) and more than twenty articles on the New Testament and Second Temple Judaism.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions