This concise commentary on the Gospels and Acts, excerpted from the Fortress Commentary on the Bible: The New Testament, engages readers in the work of biblical interpretation. Contributors from a rich diversity of perspectives connect historical-critical analysis with sensitivity to current theological, cultural, and interpretive issues.
Introductory articles describe the challenges of reading the New Testament in ancient and contemporary contexts, as well as exploring other themes ranging from the Jewish heritage of early Christianity to the legacy of the Apocalyptic. These are followed by the survey "Jesus and the Christian Gospels." Each chapter (Matthew through Acts) includes an introduction and commentary on the text through the lenses of three critical questions:
The Text in Its Ancient Context. What did the text probably mean in its original historical and cultural context?
The Text in the Interpretive Tradition. How have centuries of reading and interpreting shaped our understanding of the text?
The Text in Contemporary Discussion. What are the unique challenges and interpretive questions that arise for readers and hearers of the text today?
The Gospels and Acts introduces fresh perspectives and draws students, as well as preachers and interested readers, into the challenging work of interpretation.
