Overview
When Christians speak of ""the gospels"" they're usually referring to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Other ancient writings about the life of Jesus are generally considered noncanonical or heretical. But what if these other gospel writings--including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Judas, and the Protevangelium of James--aren't fundamentally different from the four canonical gospels? In this follow-up to Gospel Writing: A Canonical Perspective, noted biblical scholar Francis Watson makes the case that viewing early gospel literature as a unified genre--sharing significant similarities in sources, content, and goals--allows us to discern important interrelated aspects that are lost amid the usual categories. Watson's critical approach enables modern readers of the Bible to break free of fraught scholarly assumptions in order to better understand early Christian identity formation and beliefs.
Full Product Details
Author: Francis Watson
Publisher: William B Eerdmans Publishing Co
Imprint: William B Eerdmans Publishing Co
Dimensions:
Width: 15.00cm
, Height: 3.60cm
, Length: 21.60cm
Weight: 0.612kg
ISBN: 9780802872920
ISBN 10: 0802872921
Pages: 356
Publication Date: 24 May 2022
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
"Journal for the Study of the New Testament Booklist ""This sequel to Gospel Writing poses a bold and provocative answer to the question of its title. . . . Through lively and elegant scholarship, Watson presents the authors of the canonical gospels within a diverse but ultimately unified literary endeavour in which new attempts to capture 'the gospel' involve rewriting previous works."" Religious Studies Review ""Watson displays an impressive command over ancient and modern literature as well as boldness for creative solutions to complex issues. Overall, this volume challenges readers to rethink the hard line drawn between canonical and non-canonical gospel texts when investigating how early Christians told and retold the story of Jesus."""
"Interpretation ""The book's great contribution lies in its ability to expand our ways of thinking about early Christian gospels, both canonical and noncanonical. By exploring issues of genre, the essays challenge readers to reconsider what they understand to be a gospel and to appreciate the diversity of texts that should be included in this category and consider how they mutually inform one another."" Journal for the Study of the New Testament Booklist ""This sequel to Gospel Writing poses a bold and provocative answer to the question of its title. . . . Through lively and elegant scholarship, Watson presents the authors of the canonical gospels within a diverse but ultimately unified literary endeavour in which new attempts to capture 'the gospel' involve rewriting previous works."" Religious Studies Review ""Watson displays an impressive command over ancient and modern literature as well as boldness for creative solutions to complex issues. Overall, this volume challenges readers to rethink the hard line drawn between canonical and non-canonical gospel texts when investigating how early Christians told and retold the story of Jesus."""
"Religious Studies Review ""Watson displays an impressive command over ancient and modern literature as well as boldness for creative solutions to complex issues. Overall, this volume challenges readers to rethink the hard line drawn between canonical and non-canonical gospel texts when investigating how early Christians told and retold the story of Jesus."""
Author Information
Francis Watson holds a research chair in biblical interpretation at Durham University, England. Well known for his work in both theological interpretation and Pauline studies, he is also the author of Paul and the Hermeneutics of Faith.
