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2020, Matthew Within Judaism: Israel and the Nations in the First Gospel
AI
This paper examines the historical and methodological developments in the interpretation of parables in the Gospel of Matthew, particularly in the context of anti-Judaism and merit. It critiques the foundational work of Jülicher and subsequent scholars such as Dodd and Wright, addressing assumptions made in their interpretations and emphasizing the need for a reassessment of parable scholarship.
Rivista Biblica, 2018
The present study enquires if and how the major scholars of the parables have tackled the question of their authenticity and so into the contribution which the parables can make to the reconstruction of the «Historical Jesus», and, in particular, of his teaching. The study starts with the pioneering work of Jülicher (1886-1889) and ends up with the recent publication of J.P. Meier, the fifth volume of his A Marginal Jew (2016). The latter is devoted precisely to assessing whether the individual parables can be attributed to the earthly Jesus. It poses incisive criticism at the belief that the parables are the most reliable material for getting near to the preaching of Jesus. It thus represents a turning point in the history of interpretation. In this contribution, we pay due attention to the evolution of the so-called «criteria of historicity» and to the use made of them by individual authors as well as to comparison with the rabbinic parables. The final part takes a position with regard to Meier’s work with critical observations and candid questions.
Christianity & Literature, 2018
In The Parables after Jesus, biblical scholar David B. Gowler ambitiously attempts to present the imaginative receptions of Jesus' parables from the second century AD into the current millennium. Gowler covers-largely successfully-a wide sweep of imaginative receptions, including how Jesus' parables have been depicted in media as varied as sermons, poetry, fiction, drama, visual art, and hymn and blues lyrics. Golwer's book offers in chronological order more than 50 entries that focus on the work of particular authors or artists. Throughout his coverage, Gowler emphasizes depictions of parables that emphasize the need for compassion and justice, taking pains to represent voices who represent traditionally marginalized groups. In this review, I will focus on those entries most germane to readers of Christianity and Literature. Chapter 1, "The Afterlives of Jesus's Parables in Antiquity (to ca. 550 CE)," discusses several prominent church fathers. Gowler emphasizes their tendency to read Jesus' parables allegorically, although he notes that some-including Origen, Clement of Alexandria, and sometimes Augustine-used allegory more elaborately, detailing that various characters, animals, and inanimate objects each signified deeper spiritual truths; while others-including Irenaeus, Tertullian, and John Chrysostom-were more restrained in their approach. Nonetheless, Gowler observes that all these fathers employed allegory to mine the hidden spiritual riches of the parables. Chapter 1 also discusses Macrina the Younger, the older sister of Gregory of Nyssa, who describes, in his On the Soul and the Resurrection, his conversation with Macrina on her deathbed. Gowler states that Gregory's treatise "functions as a Christian Phaedrus," with Gregory's student role paralleling Plato's and with Macrina resembling "Socrates on his deathbed arguing for the immortality of the soul" (44). Within the treatise, Macrina employs allegorical readings of the parable of the wheat and weeds and the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Chapter 2, "The Afterlives of Jesus's Parables in the Middle Ages (ca. 550-1500 CE)," discusses both the continuation of allegorical interpretations within the homilies of Pope Gregory the Great and of the visionary Benedictine nun Hildegard of Bingen, and the more cautious approach of Thomas Aquinas, who
Acta Theologica, 2009
Research history on parable studies, new Definition and methodology how to Interpret New Testament parables
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 2006
The parables of Jesus recorded in the Gospels are profoundly challenging, not only as far as their original audience is concerned, but equally so as far as present day readers, hoping to fully grasp their meaning, are concerned. Renewed efforts to interpret these parables were made by a number of first-rate scholars, who published their research results in a book entitled “The challenge of Jesus parables”, which forms part of the McMaster New Testament Studies Series. This review essay focuses on some of the book’s main characteristics, in particular the resurgence of allegory, the Gospel contextualization of the parables and their application to contemporary issues of life.
Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2001
This article responds to Ruben Zimmermann’s latest book, Puzzling the Parables of Jesus (2015). In particular, one aspect of his proposed method is challenged, namely, his conscious attempt to do away with considerations of the pre-Easter context when interpreting the parables. The article finishes by proposing a variant methodology of parable interpretation, featuring the parable of the Good Samaritan as a working example.
Acta Theologica, 2017
Overview on the Parables in the first Gospel (list), Analysis of selected examples from the Quadrupel, triple, double and single Tradition, Function and Theology against the Background of Matthean Theology
SAPIENTIA GLOBAL JOURNAL OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, 2020
The Parables of Jesus are the essential part of his teachings as well as the aspect which has suffered a lot of misunderstanding. The argument of this paper is that Jesus used his parables to convey his message in such a way that it would leave lasting impression on those who heard him. His primary purpose was to communicate and not conceal his message. Understanding his parables requires a holistic approach which entails coming to grips with, not only the meaning, nature, characteristics and literary purpose of parable in Jewish culture but also with how they function in the teachings of Jesus and how they are adapted by the evangelists.
Jewish and Christian Perspectives 39, 2024
Case studies and methodology on the comparative study of parables in Synoptic, Rabbinic, and Early Christian sources. Papers delivered at the Utrecht 201i9 closing Conference of the project Parables and the Partings of the Ways (2014-2020)
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 2002
During the past decades scholars have endeavoured to read Jesus’ parables as metaphorical stories. This article provides a theoretical overview of the ongoing debate, reflecting both on past claims and present criticism. The assertion is made that the use of the metaphor as a model to read and study the parables of Jesus, remains valid and should be expanded to include the parables in their particular Gospel settings.
Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2018
The gospel parables are part of the broader genre of Jewish story-parables found in rabbinic literature. In the first half of this article seven preliminary characteristics of Jewish parables are presented, some of which challenge our widely accepted assumptions regarding gospel parables. For example, although there is near scholarly consensus that Jesus told his parables in Aramaic, we do not have a single Aramaic story-parable in Jewish literature in Roman antiquity. All are in Hebrew. In the second half of the study, an example is given of how twin parables are used to convey a novel idea that emerged in Judaism of the Hellenistic period – the value of the human individual because they have been created in the image of God – to demonstrate that Jesus not only embraced this innovative Jewish humanistic approach, but also how he did so with parables.
Open Theology, 2021
This article addresses the topic of parables in the Stromateis of Clement of Alexandria. The broad thesis is that New Testament scholarship can help clarify early Christian interpretation of the New Testament. Clement of Alexandria has a very precise definition of the genre of parable. This definition is compared with various literary definitions found in the work of the grammarian Trypho of Alexandria and with one modern definition. Both of these comparisons bring out the precision, clarity, and usefulness of Clement's definition for understanding the function of parables. The discussion then turns to the grounding of Clement's definition in the saving mission of the Son. Since Clement closely links parables with prophecy and redemptive suffering, John Meier's exposition of the Parable of the Wicked Tenants is introduced to show how parables can concretely express the redemptive suffering of the Son. Meier also demonstrates how the disciples were themselves involved in writing and completing this parable, so the article closes with an analysis of one of Clement's interpretations of a parable, his own contribution to the tradition of parabolic speech.
Neotestamentica, 2017
Papyri from early Roman Egypt that are contemporaneous with firstcentury Palestine provide ancient comparanda of the economic and social practices and realities presupposed by the sayings and parables of Jesus. As such, these papyri, where applicable, provide a window through which the realism of Jesus' parables can be assessed. In this paper, a summary is given of some recent work done on the realism of the parables of Jesus using Graeco-Egyptian papyri. A preliminary reading of the parable of the Wise Steward (Luke 16:1-8a) is also given, paying particular attention to the possible reality underlying this parable. This reading indicates that the use of Graeco-Egyptian papyri can enhance a social-scientific reading of the parables.
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