An Introduction to the Catholic Epistles

This book introduces the Epistles and discussesthe 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 aredevoted to each of the textswith each chapterincluding: 1) historical-cultural background; 2) the social-scientific context; 3) social-rhetorical purposes; 4) narrative discourse; 5) postcolonial and 6) feminist insights; and finally 7) theological perspectives. At the end of each chapter thereare suggestions for further reading and a list of reflection questions. Several chapters include a sectionor two considering a particular interpretive issue especially relevant to the particular text. After taking up each text,Lockett considers again whether theEpistles are a unified whole or to be heard as individual voices. Here the bookinteracts with some of the ideas of Rob Wall and David Nienhuis regarding the various thematic/theological connections running

through the texts. A final chaptertakes up the relationship between the Pauline Epistles and the Catholic Epistles within the New Testament. [Publisher's text].

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