Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Volume II: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1–2 Peter
Overview
Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Volume 2 is the third of three volumes extending Ben Witherington's innovative socio-rhetorical analysis of New Testament books to the latter-Pauline and non-Pauline corpora. By dividing the volumes according to the socioreligious contexts for which they were written, Witherington sheds fresh light on the documents, their provenance, character and importance.
Throughout, Witherington shows his thorough knowledge of recent literature on these texts and focuses his attention on the unique insights brought about through socio-rhetorical analysis that either reinforces or corrects those gleaned from other approaches.
"Bridging the Horizons" sections point to the relevance of the text for believers today, making this volume of special value to pastors and general readers as well as to students and scholars.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
If you like this resource be sure to check out IVP New Testament Studies Collection (14 vols.).
Key Features
- Focuses on unique insights brought about through socio-rhetorical analysis
- Addresses the latter-Pauline and non-Pauline corpora.
- Reveals the text’s relevancy for today’s readers
Praise for the Print Edition
This commentary format allows Witherington to showcase his greatest strengths as an exegete—his familiarity with ancient rhetoric, his vast knowledge of both Greco-Roman and Jewish backgrounds, and his keen and creative historical imagination.
—Kelly David Liebengood, for Midwestern Journal of Theology, Fall 2008
Witherington writes clearly, interacting with other scholarly viewpoints in a fair manner and providing the reader with a thoughtful and theologically rich commentary.
—The Bible Today, March 2008
Product Details
- Title: Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Vol. 2: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1–2 Peter
- Author: Ben Witherington III
- Publisher: IVP
- Publication Date: 2008
- Pages: 432
- Resource Type: Monographs
- Topic: Biblical Studies
About Ben Witherington
Ben Witherington III (PhD, University of Durham, England) is Professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of many books on the New Testament, including Women and the Genesis of Christianity, Jesus the Sage, The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest. A frequent contributor to Beliefnet.com, Witherington has also appeared on numerous TV news programs such as Dateline, 60 Minutes, 20/20 and the Peter Jennings ABC special Jesus and Paul—The Word and the Witness
Top Highlights
“There is a delicate balance, a tightrope he wants the audience to walk: they are to be in the world, do good to the world, convert the pagan world, but without being of the world and being assimilated to various of the dominant values and moral lifestyle of that world.” (Page 127)
“We have arrived now at the heart of the discourse and argumentation, with all the more general and preparatory discussion left behind. It becomes clear that Peter is especially concerned about two sticky subjects—submission to authority and suffering, and how one can endure both of these conditions in a manner that is in accord with Christian holiness. Submission is the easier of the two subjects to address in Peter’s world, and so he tackles it first under the broader rubric of ways one can live an honorable life, being a good witness, and doing good to others.” (Page 126)
“He is not interested in merely endorsing a conservative household code; he is interested in constructing the Christian household and individual Christian behavior in a more Christlike manner. We need to be asking questions about what sort of social networks and social relationships the author envisions Christians being involved in, and how their faith affects their behavior in these relationships.” (Page 23)
“Peter is concerned that they not merely avoid bad behavior, but that they actually, to the extent they are able, seek the good of their city or town by doing good deeds and even blessing those who misuse them.” (Pages 126–127)
“We will be arguing that the early church fathers were right that 1 Peter is written by Peter to Jewish Christians” (Page 17)
- Title: Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Volume II: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1–2 Peter
- Author: Ben Witherington III
- Series: Letters and Homilies
- Publishers: Apollos, IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2007
- Logos Release Date: 2011
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. 1 Peter › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 1 Peter › Socio-rhetorical criticism; Bible. N.T. 2 Peter › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 2 Peter › Socio-rhetorical criticism
- ISBNs: 9780830867226, 9780830829316, 9780830829330, 9781844741434, 0830867228, 0830829318, 0830829334, 1844741435
- Resource ID: LLS:LETTERSHOMILIES02
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:09:43Z
Ben Witherington III (PhD, University of Durham) is Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. A prominent evangelical scholar, he is also on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. Witherington has written over forty books, including The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest, both of which were selected as top biblical studies works by Christianity Today. His other works include The Indelible Image, Women and the Genesis of Christianity, The Gospel Code, A Week in the Life of Corinth and commentaries on the entire New Testament. He also writes for many church and scholarly publications and is a frequent contributor to Patheos and Beliefnet. Witherington is an elected member of the prestigious Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, a society dedicated to New Testament studies. He is a John Wesley Fellow for Life, a research fellow at Cambridge University and a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Society of Biblical Literature, Society for the Study of the New Testament and the Institute for Biblical Research. He previously taught at institutions like Ashland Theological Seminary, Vanderbilt University, Duke Divinity School and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. An ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church and a popular lecturer, Witherington has presented seminars for churches, colleges and biblical meetings around the world. He has led numerous study tours through the lands of the Bible and is known for bringing the text to life through incisive historical and cultural analysis. Along with many interviews on radio and television networks across the country, Witherington has been seen in programs such as 60 Minutes, 20/20, Dateline and the Peter Jennings ABC special Jesus and Paul—The Word and the Witness
