The New Interpreter's Bible: Matthew - Mark (Volume 8) Review

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(More customer reviews)The New Interpreter's Bible is a twelve-volume series, updating the popular Interpreter's Bible from a few decades ago. There are several key features common to all of the volumes of this series. First, each includes a two-column, double translation of the Biblical text (NIV - New International Version, and NRSV - New Revised Standard Version) arranged by topical unit or story. Then, they provide commentaries that look at the passages as a whole, as well as verse-by-verse. Third, interesting Reflection pieces that relate the passages to each other, to history, and to current concerns occur at the conclusion of each passage. Fourth, introductory articles for each book are provided that discuss transmission, historical background, cultural setting, literary concerns, and current scholarship. Finally, there are general articles about the Bible, each Testament, and various types of literature (Narrative, Gospel, Wisdom Literature, etc.) are provided to give general placement and knowledge about the text overall.
The list of contributors, editors, and consultants on the project is a veritable Who's Who of biblical and theological scholarship, representing all major traditions and schools of thought liberal and conservative. Leander Keck, of the Yale Divinity School, is the primary editor of the series.
The volumes were published individually, and can be purchased individually, which is a good thing, given that they are a bit expensive. But for any serious biblical scholar, preacher, student, or enthusiast, they are invaluable.
--Volume VIII--
The eighth volume of the New Interpreter's Bible is the volume that introduces the New Testament, and the Gospels in particular. After an series of introductory essays concerning New Testament literature and background, the volume continues with the books of Matthew and Mark.
Introductory essays look at the topics of Ancient Texts and different versions of the New Testament, the Greco-Roman cultural setting of the New Testament, the Jewish and Ecclesiastical (Church) settings of the New Testament. It follows up with two essays discussing issues of the gospels - a look at narrative literature, and a look a the image(s) of Jesus presented in the gospels.
Just what type of literature is contained in the Gospels is a subject worthy of study. Preachers explore different aspects of the Gospels because they are open to lending inspiration. But they refuse to be boxed in. Gospels are more than simple histories or biographies. `The genre of the Gospels continues to be a subject of debate. Adela Yarbro Collins, for instance, denies that Mark is a biography. Although it may be concerned with the identity of Jesus and present him as a model, these are not its main purposes. Basically, it records events that changed the world - eschatological events. Thus she classifies it as apocalyptic history.'
M. Eugene Boring of the Brite Divinity School provides the commentary on the gospel of Matthew. The introductory article looks at history, structure, literary criticism, sources, background of textual transmission, and theological emphases. There are interesting charts and graphics as well as outlines showing intricate chiastic structures and triadic patterns.
Pheme Perkins of Boston College addresses the gospel of Mark. Many scholars see Mark as the earliest written gospel, and one that provides a basic framework for Matthew and Luke. Her essay looks at historical background and audience, authorship and composition date, and literary genre issues.
High praise goes to the general editorial staff for working with such strong authors/scholars, that their work fits together well as part of this set while retaining their individual characteristics (much like the writers of the Bible itself!).
--Other volumes available--
The following is a list of each volume in this twelve-volume set, and the contents of each.
Volume I: General Articles on the Bible; General Articles on the Old Testament; Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus
Volume II: Numbers; Deuteronomy; Introduction to Narrative Literature; Joshua; Judges; Ruth; I & II Samuel
Volume III: I & II Kings; I & II Chronicles; Ezra, Nehemiah; Esther; Additions to Esther; Tobit; Judith
Volume IV: I & II Maccabees; Introduction to Hebrew Poetry; Job; Psalms
Volume V: Introduction to Wisdom Literature; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs; Book of Wisdom; Sirach
Volume VI: Introduction to Prophetic Literature; Isaiah; Jeremiah; Baruch; Letter of Jeremiah; Lamentations; Ezekiel
Volume VII: Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature; Daniel; Additions to Daniel; Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Johan; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi
Volume VIII: General Articles on the New Testament; Matthew; Mark
Volume IX: Luke; John
Volume X: Acts; Introduction to Epistolary Literature; Romans, I Corinthians
Volume XI: II Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; I & II Thessalonians; I & II Timothy; Titus; Philemon
Volume XII: Hebrews; James; I & II Peter; I, II & III John; Jude; Revelation

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