Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation

About this book

Perhaps one of the most challenging hurdles facing the NT interpreter is becoming familiar with the ancient primary sources from the countless Greco-Roman Jewish and Pagan works. From the Paraphrase of Shem to Pesiqta Rabbati scholars and students alike must have a fundamental understanding of these documents content provenance and place in NT interpretation. Unfortunately achieving even an elementary facility with this literature has in the past depended on either years of experience or a photographic memory. Now Craig A. Evans pulls together the essentials of date language text and translations and general bibliography. He also evaluates the materials relevance for interpreting the NT. Six appendixes including a list of quotations allusions and parallels to the NT and a comparison of Jesus parables with those of the rabbis are designed to further save the interpreter hours of precious time. This volume stands in line to become a standard text in NT courses and its usefulness to anyone interested in seriously studying the NT will become readily apparent.