An Introduction to the Catholic Epistles

Description

This is a new introduction to the “Catholic Epistles”. This book introduces the “Epistles” and discusses the different interpretive approaches which have been used to gain a clearer understanding of them. An introductory chapter defines the “Epistles” and describes the history of their canonization, following chapters are devoted to each of the texts with each chapter including: historical-cultural background; the social-scientific context; social-rhetorical purposes; narrative discourse; postcolonial and feminist insights; and, finally theological perspectives. At the end of each chapter there are suggestions for further reading and a list of reflection questions. Several chapters include a section or two considering a particular interpretive issue especially relevant to the particular text. After taking up each text, Lockett considers again whether the “Epistles” are a unified whole or to be heard as individual voices. Here the book interacts with some of the ideas of Rob Wall and David Nienhuis regarding t