Review in: The Journal of Religion
Gevonden op: http://www.academicroom.com/bookreview/theology-shorter-pauline-letters
DONFRIED, KARL P.
and MARSHALL, I. HOWARD. The Theology of the Shorter Pauline Letters (New
Testament Theology), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991. pp. xii+208.
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The avowed aim of
the new series to which this volume belongs is to allow New Testament scholars
"to write at greater length than is usually possible in the introductions
to commentaries or as part of other New Testament (NT) theologies, and explore
the theological themes and issues of their chosen books without being tied to a
commentary format, or to a thematic structure drawn from elsewhere" (p.
iv). The series is geared in particular to serve the needs of students "who
already have one or two years of full-time New Testament and theological study
behind them" (p. x). Given this aim and orientation, the present volume, coauthored
by two well-known NT scholars, can be pronounced a success.
Karl P. Donfried is
responsible for eight short chapters (four each devoted to 1 and 2
Thessalonians, respectively) that deal in turn with the setting, theology, relation
to other NT writings, and contemporary significance of the two letters. Donfried
opts for an early date for 1 Thessalonians ( 41 -44 c.E.) and sketches the specific
background of the letter in terms of ad hoc persecution. An otherwise fine
sense for the rhetorical strategy of the letter is remarkable for its silence
on the contributions of Abraham Malherbe. The section devoted to the theology
of 1 Thessalonians is solid, but a section on the relation of the Pauline
corpus and Acts is based on a distinction between "the early and the late
Paul" that many interpreters continue to find dubious. A brief chapter on
"The Significance of 1 Thessalonians for Today" issues in some rather
facile comparisons between the situation faced by the addressees of the letter
and that of contemporary Christians. The four chapters devoted to 2
Thessalonians follow the same organization as those for 1 Thessalonians.
Donfried maintains that 2 Thessalonians is addressed to the same Christian
community as 1 Thessalonians, not long after the writing of the first letter.
He identifies the author as a coworker of Paul's, "probably Timothy"
(p. 86). Following the lead of Charles H. Giblin, Donfried defines the
problematic ??? of 2 Thess. 2:6,7 as
"a seizing or possessing power, some 'pseudocharismatic spirit or agent'
that is 'a false imitation of spiritual illumination and inspiration' and that
has seized power" (pp. 88-89).
I. Howard Marshall
devotes six short chapters to the theology of Philippians and one brief chapter
to the theology of Philemon. In his treatment of Philippians he deals first
with the introductory issues of the letter's unity, social setting, and literary
structure. The famous christological hymn in Phil. 25-1 1 receives a chapter
all to itself, in which Marshall argues, less than persuasively, that the
passage was composed by Paul himself "with a deliberate ethical intent
rather than as a statement of soteriology" (p. 135). Successive chapters
then treat the letter's christological formulations ("in Christ,"
"with Christ," and "knowing Christ"), ecclesiology,
relation to other NT christologies, and relevance to contemporary Christian
thought and life. Finally, in a quick thirteen pages, Marshall covers the background,
rhetorical structure, theological position, and contemporary relevance of the
letter to Philemon. Both letters are ably handled by Marshall in a highly
readable style that is sure to be accessible to the intended audience of the series.
A select bibliography and a full set of indexes round out the volume. The series
meets a real need, and this volume lives up to the advance billing.
DANIEL C. HARLOW,
Calvin College.
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