Review in: Interpretation
2009 63: 180
Review door: John Y.
H. YiehGevonden op: http://int.sagepub.com/content/63/2/180.full.pdf+html
Matthew 1-7: A Commentary
by Ulrich Luz Hermeneia, Fortress, Minneapolis, 2007.
432 pp. $75.00 (cloth). ISBN 978-0-8006-6099-4.
THIS NEW RELEASE COMPLETES the
Hermeneia edition (three volumes) of Ulrich Luz's critically acclaimed
commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, originally published in the German
Evangelisch-Katholischer Kommentar series (four volumes). This volume (Matthew
1-7) is based on the thoroughly revised fifth German edition of Vol. 1
(finished in 2000 and published by Benziger and Neukirchener in 2002). It
replaces an earlier English edition in the Continental Commentary series
(Fortress, 1989), which was translated from the first German edition of 1985.
One might ask why there is a need for
a new translation. The main reason is that the revised fifth edition in German
has grown from 420 pages in the first edition to 553 pages. The twenty-five
percent increase in content includes not only clarifications and corrections of
Luz's earlier notes and positions, but also new discussions of Matthew's texts
from narrative-critical, sociological, and reader-oriented exegeses. These
thoughtful revisions reflect Luz's genuine appreciation of recent
methodological advances and his honest interaction with critical reviews from
colleagues over the past fifteen years. As a result, he offers new insights
gleaned from current Matthean scholarship.
More importantly, Luz has had more time to explore and develop the
so-called "history of the text's influence" (Wirkungsgeschichte) approach
that he adopted from Hans Georg Gadamer, a philosophical hermeneutician, and
began to apply to his reading of Matthew in the first edition. This approach
attends not only to what biblical texts might have meant to their first readers
in historical contexts, but also seeks to find well-reasoned ways to make sense
of their meaning for the present time. It assumes that every reader comes to
biblical texts with presuppositions and perspectives formed and shaped in
different ecclesial and interpretive traditions (e.g., Orthodox, Roman
Catholic, Reformed, Anabaptist, or Pentecostal). Thus, critical reflection on
influential expositions of Matthew's themes in major commentaries and
theological writings across denominations, as well as a text's influence in
such popular forms as sermons, hymns, and the arts throughout history may
provide the reader with ecumenical insights and corrective examples for
consideration. In order to bring "the biblical texts of the past into the
present" and in so doing bring some "judgments about the
present" (p. 65), Luz adds to his exegetical comments on each pericope of
the Gospel a section entitled
"History of Interpretation," in which he surveys church history to
highlight contested interpretations of the texts and discusses their
theological implications, pastoral relevance, and social consequences. These
discussions help the reader compare, contrast, and discern what
"directional meaning" might be appropriately drawn from Matthew's
texts for the purpose of theologizing, preaching, or teaching today. This
innovative section is a characteristic of Luz's commentary and is particularly
important for an age that has often forgotten the lessons of history.
A fascinating feature of this new
edition is Luz's use of Christian arts to illustrate changing views of
Matthew's nativity stories in the history of the church. Indeed, paintings
reflect an individual artist's view of the nativity stories, but also create
new understandings of the texts for the viewing audience and function for many
as a pictorial Bible. A critical survey of paintings reveals the variety of
interpretations (e.g., christological, salvation-historical,
pietistic-exemplar, and political) that circulated in the church in different
times and settings. Readers are thus presented with multiple meanings that may
speak to their special concerns and interests. Those willing to learn from
historical interpretations (textual, artistic, liturgical, and life) and
critically assess their impact (positive and negative on individuals and
society) will find assistance as they seek to bring out potential meanings of
the texts appropriate for new situations. Hindsight can be very instructive
when making new interpretive decisions.
This volume is a must read for serious
students of Matthew, especially preachers and teachers, for other compelling
reasons. First, as Vol. 1 of a three-volume commentary, it provides judicious
and updated introductory materials on the literary character, source
traditions, and historical situations of Matthew's Gospel, from one of the best
Matthean scholars. This material presents a clear picture of recent scholarship
and sets up signposts for current debates on critical issues in Matthean
studies. Most remarkable in the introduction is Luz's succinct definition and
discussion of the "history of the text's influence" approach he has
pioneered in recent years. Distinguishing WirkungsgeschichtefromAuslegungsgeschichte
and Rezeptionsgeschichte, Luz makes it clear that his purpose is to
discern the "effective power of the texts themselves" rather than the
people who receive the texts (p. 61). His interest goes beyond the realm of
history to the practice of hermeneutics. Luz is unable to discuss all of
Matthew's texts in detail and explains why he favors some texts "whose
later influences paradig-matically form and illuminate the present situation of
churches, confessions, and Christians" (p. 62). This approach, he insists,
reminds us of the "abundance of the meaning potential in biblical texts"
and helps us learn from "successful and unsuccessful realization of
biblical texts" in our attempt to preach and teach Matthew with integrity
today (pp. 64r-65). Readers interested in further exploration of this approach
may consult two other perceptive books by Luz: Matthew in History:
Interpretation, Influence, and Effects (Fortress, 1994) and Studies in
Matthew (Eerdmans, 2005), in which he explains the rationale, methods, and
significance of this approach.
Moreover,
this volume covers the first seven chapters of Matthew's Gospel, so it contains
gospel traditions peculiar to Matthew (i.e., the nativity stories and the
Sermon on the Mount). The importance of Jesus' virgin birth for christological
discussion and the significance of the magi's visit for Christmas celebration
go without saying. How have Christians made sense of Jesus' divine origin in
the early church and in a post-Enlightenment era? As mentioned above, Luz's
attention to Christian art sheds new light on this question. What about the Sermon
on the Mount? How did godly and intelligent people in the past wrestle with its
high moral demands? In much of his discussion of the "History of
Interpretation," Luz brings the reader face to face with the radical
discipleship commanded by Jesus. Is the Sermon on the Mount a new law to be
obeyed, as assumed in the ancient church, or a preparation for the gospel, as
suggested by Luther? How can one follow such exhortations not to resist
evil-doers and to love one's enemies in a time of terrorism and war (even
though the Anabaptists and Ghandi have done so)? Can one trust in the loving
care of God the heavenly Father so much that there is no need to save money for
emergency or retirement in a capitalist society? The Sermon on the Mount is
extremely challenging for any reader serious about discipleship. Luz's
commentary is a superb resource for serious reflection and critical
discernment.
Also noteworthy and useful are excurses on the
fulfillment quotations and concepts such as righteousness, Son of God,
disciple, and false prophets. In these short essays, Luz offers lucid
explanations of key themes and motifs in Matthew's Gospel to help the reader
better understand Matthew's narrative logic and theological convictions. Since
Luz writes this commentary particularly for preachers and teachers, his
insights on "preaching and teaching" in Matthew's Gospel (pp.
168-169) and his reflection on the "praxis of the Sermon on the Mount today"
(pp. 395-400) are particularly noteworthy.
With his meticulous exegesis, precise exposition,
and theological acumen on the history of interpretation and the history of the
text's influence, Luz has made Matthew's Gospel understandable and relevant to
contemporary Christian faith and discipleship. Moreover, as he explains
Matthew's texts and intentions, he urges thoughtful readers to exercise
critical discernment and responsible judgment as they prepare to preach and
teach Matthew's Gospel. Any serious scholar, preacher, or teacher who wishes to
explore the abundant meaning and vital relevance of Matthew's Gospel for the
faith and life of the church, or who wants to learn about the "history of
the text's influence" approach as a way to bring biblical texts of the
past into the present, cannot afford to miss this new classic on the Gospel of
Matthew. It sets a very high standard for any Bible commentary yet to be
written.
JohnY.H.Yieh
VIRGINIA
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten