Introduction1. "The Manger in Which Christ Lies": Figural Readings of Israel's ScriptureThe Fourfold Witness2. Figuring the Mystery: Reading Scripture with Mark3. Torah Transfigured: Reading Scripture with Matthew4. The One Who Redeems Israel: Reading Scripture with Luke5. The Temple Transfigured: Reading Scripture with JohnConclusion6. Retrospective Reading: The Challenges of Gospel-Shaped Hermeneutics
Richard B. Hays (Ph.D., Emory University) is Dean and George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament, Duke Divinity School. His publications include Reading the Bible Intertextually (edited with Stefan Alkier and Leroy A. Huizenga, 2009) and Revelation and the Politics of Apocalyptic Interpretation (edited with Stefan Alkier, 2012).
Twenty-five years ago Richard Hays launched a quiet but highly
effective revolution on how Paul read Israels scripture. Now he
turns his attention to the four gospels, and we may confidently
predict similar results. With his characteristic blend of biblical
and literary scholarship, Hays opens new and striking vistas on
texts we thought we knewand, particularly, on the early churchs
remarkable belief in Jesus as the embodiment of Israels God. N.T.
Wright, Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity,
University of St Andrews
Few people are better qualified than Hays to take us right inside
the ways the Gospels interpret the Old Testament. And, as though
that were not enough for one short book, his hermeneutical quest
also delivers a christological result. He shows how, precisely in
their reading of the Old Testament, each of the Gospels in its own
distinctive way presents Jesus as the very embodiment of the God of
Israel. Intertextuality and high christology turn out to be two
sides of a coin. Richard Bauckham, Emeritus Professor, University
of St Andrews
Hays thesis is as simple as it is ground-shifting: that the Gospel
writers portraits of Jesus depend on their hermeneutical
appropriation of Israels Scripture. And his approach is disarmingly
straightforward: a sympathetic reading of the Gospels calibrated to
hear both explicit and implicit scriptural resonances. With
transparent exegesis and lucid prose, Hays persuasively challenges
some of the basic assumptions and arguments in modern biblical
studies. Joel B. Green, Dean of the School of Theology and
Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Fuller Theological
Seminary
This is an exceptionally rich study, illustrating how early
Christianity and, in particular, the four evangelists "read
backwards" in their portrayal of Jesus' divine identity. -- Donald
Senior, CP, Catholic Theological Union in Chicago -- The Bible
Today
This is a rich, rewarding, and challenging work. The main substance
of Hays' argument is not only convincing but nourishing to
Christian faith: many of Hays' readings undermine those of more
skeptical scholars and align precisely with the instincts of
faithful though not learned Christians. -- Bobby Jamieson,
University of Cambridge -- Credo Magazine
Reading Backwards is a wonderful book, offering the reader a
succinct but potent experience with a contemporary and refined
hermeneutical approach to Scripture that holds in tension critical
and pre-critical sensibilities. -- Edward W. Klink III, Pastor of
Hope Evangelical Free Church in Roscoe, Illinois -- Books at a
Glance
A masterpiece. -- Scot McKnight, Northern Seminary -- Books &
Culture
This book is such a gem that it may prove more widely influential
than anything Hays has done yet. -- Jason Byassee, Senior Pastor at
Boone United Methodist Church in North Carolina -- The Christian
Century
A beautiful book. -- Stephen Finlan -- Catholic Biblical
Quarterly
Reading Backwards successfully demonstrates that Jesus is indeed
Israelâs Lord incarnate. The genius of this short volume lies in
Haysâ deft appropriation of Old Testament texts in the Gospels. He
pays attention to often overlooked details in specific Old
Testament texts, teasing out some of the nooks and crannies, and
then weaves these insights into the Gospels. The book not only
demonstrates how the Evangelists read the Old Testament, it also
serves as a model for us to do the same. -- Benjamin L. Gladd --
Reformed Faith & Practice: The Journal of Reformed Theological
Seminary
This is an encouraging, intriguing, and stimulating book. Readers
who are interested in interpretation and in learning lessons from
the Bible itself about the nature of interpretation will find this
a valuable companion for their reflections. -- Church Times
The strengths of Reading Backwards are obvious, and it will prove
fruitful for anyone interested in Gospel studies, but also for
studies in biblical theology and Christology more generally, as
well as modern debates over what stratum of the Christian tradition
first recognized Jesusâ divinity. -- Nicholas G. Piotrowski --
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Reading Backwards is an enormously enriching examination of the
Christology of the four gospels. -- Sam Emadi -- Books at a
Glance
Hays has made an excellent study of this subject. His insights are
rich and interpretations are clear. His style of writing is
appealing and the illustrations he gives are truly convincing. Yes,
the Old Testament teaches us how to read the Gospels and likewise
the Gospels teach us how to read the Old Testament. -- Dominic
Mendonca -- Revue Biblique
Professor Hays is to be congratulated upon offering in this brief
book a great deal more substantive scholarship than is provided in
most books many times the length. -- Simon Gathercole --
Reformation21
Ask a Question About this Product More... |