Gospel Writing
A Canonical Perspective
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- USD 54.99
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- USD 54.99
Descripción editorial
That there are four canonical versions of the one gospel story is often seen as a problem for Christian faith: where gospels multiply, so too do apparent contradictions that may seem to undermine their truth claims. In Gospel Writing Francis Watson argues that differences and tensions between canonical gospels represent opportunities for theological reflection, not problems for apologetics.
Watson presents the formation of the fourfold gospel as the defining moment in the reception of early gospel literature -- and also of Jesus himself as the subject matter of that literature. As the canonical division sets four gospel texts alongside one another, the canon also creates a new, complex, textual entity more than the sum of its parts. A canonical gospel can no longer be regarded as a definitive, self-sufficient account of its subject matter. It must play its part within an intricate fourfold polyphony, and its meaning and significance are thereby transformed.
In elaborating these claims, Watson proposes nothing less than a new paradigm for gospel studies — one that engages fully with the available noncanonical material so as to illuminate the historical and theological significance of the canonical.
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Granberg-Michaelson says the 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act, which reformed immigration law in America, has had far-reaching spiritual impact on the world. He examines it as one of several examples of geopolitical events that he argues have unleashed a wave of non-Western migration in which every Christian migrant is a potential missionary. He says modern Western cultures are witnessing a major non-Western missionary movement in the world . . . as the West becomes post-Christian, non-Western Christianity is coming to the West. He reviews statistics on world migration and puts these movements in the context of Christian witness, with implications for worldwide Christianity, unity, and practice. Calling for ethnic unity, he gives examples of successful multi-ethnic churches. Also prescribes action steps for churches to live out the mercy and justice of God that will leads to more multi-ethnic churches. His ecumenism will ultimately include not only diverse denominations but all ethnicities. With 40,000 Christian sects and thousands of them claiming to be the true and pure church, such religious chauvinism makes an utter and ludicrous mockery of Christian witness. Granberg-Michaelson, former general secretary of the Reformed Church in America and a former official with the World Council of Churches, leaves no doubt that he believes the world is changing radically, backing it with research, church council opinions, personal experiences, and case studies. Churches will either wake up to this reality or be out of touch as the new Non-Western church meets the Post-Christian West.
