Reading Backwards by Richard B. Hays (English) Paperback Book

Description: Reading Backwards by Richard B. Hays An investigation into how the four Gospel writers drew on the Old Testament to demonstrate their belief that Jesus was nothing less than the embodiment of Israels God. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description The claim that the events of Jesus life, death, and resurrection took place according to the Scriptures stands at the heart of the New Testaments earliest message. All four canonical Gospels declare that the Torah, Prophets and Psalms mysteriously prefigure Jesus. In this ground-breaking new book, Hays traces the strategies the Gospel writers employ to read backwards, showing how the Old Testament figuratively discloses the astonishing truth about Jesus identity. Notes Traces the strategies of the Gospel writers to read backwards, showing how the Old Testament figuratively discloses the astonishing truth about Jesuss identity, the embodiment of Israels God. The sequel to Echoes Of Scripture In The Letters Of Paul. Author Biography Richard B. Hays is Dean and Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School. His previous publications include Reading the Bible Intertextually (2009), The Moral Vison of the New Testament (1997), First Corinthians (Interpretation Bible Commentaries, 1997) and Echoes of Scripture in the Letters of Paul (1993). Review · Hays opens new and striking vistas on texts we thoughtwe knew—and, particularly, on the early churchs remarkable belief in Jesus as the embodiment of Israels God. -- N. T. WrightYou might have seen Richard Hays Reading Backwards: Figural Christology and the Fourfold Gospel Witness with a different cover. Originally published by Baylor University Press, there is now a paperback edition courtesy of SPCK and they graciously sent me a copy. I hadnt read any of Hays works, but I see his name frequently and N. T. Wright did dedicate PFG to him. Sometimes I get bored with regular reading so the opportunity to learn a new skill intrigued me.The book itself is derived from a series of lectures Hays delivered at Cambridge in 2013 and 2014. It is a preview of a Gospel focused sequel he is working on toEchoes of Scripture in the Letters of Paul. In his preface, Hays mentions several forerunners to the type of work he is doing (Dodd, Wright, Hurtado, Bauckham, to name a few). He then offers an introductory chapter on figural reading, which as you might have figured, is the backwards reading the title refers to. There then follows a short chapter on each Gospel writers strategy of doing this. The final chapter offers summary thoughts on retrospective readings and the challenge and benefit of Gospel-shaped hermeneutics.If you leave out the front and back matter, the body of this book (chapters 1-6) is just over 100 pages. As such, it is quick read but a slow digest on reading the Old Testament in light of Christ. It is thought provoking and nowhere near a final word on the method of reading this way. After reading it, Id like to go back and dig into some of Hays other works and Ill look forward to the full length title that this book previews.Richard B Hays, Reading Backwards: Figural Christology and the Fourfold Gospel Witness. London: SPCK, May 2015. 155 + xxii pp. Paperback, $26.73.Buy it: AmazonVisit the publishers pageThanks to SPCK for the review copy! -- Nathaniel Claiborne * / *After Hayss enormously influential book, Echoes of Scripture in the Letters of Paul (1989), readers have eagerly anticipated a companion volume on the Gospels. This is not it, as Hays says in the Introduction, but it is offered as an interim statement until time permits a fuller study. The book has an introduction, where the concept of figural reading or reading backwards is expounded, a chapter on each of the canonical Gospels, and a concluding reflection which sums up the thesis of the book, Retrospective Reading: The Challenges of Gospel-Shaped Hermeneutics. Historical-critical scholars have long pointed out that the New Testament authors interpreted the Scriptures in the light of their Christian beliefs and criticized them for doing so. Conservative scholars responded by trying to show that such beliefs were at least implicit in the ancient texts (latent is becoming a popular word). Hays, however, accepts the point but denies the criticism, stating that in light of the unfolding story of Jesus, it is both right and illuminating to read backwards and to discover in the Law and the Prophets an unexpected foreshadowing of the later story (p. 94). The problem with historical-critical scholarship is that, once an element of dissonance has been discerned, it fails to dig deeper. Hays attempts to correct this by offering fresh readings of the Gospels, where careful attention to echoes and allusions not only brings new insights but also challenges a number of critical consensuses.For example, Mark is said to have a low Christology but Hays argues that the text invites readers to search the Scriptures to answer such questions as: Who is the Kyrios? (1.2–3); Who can forgive sins but God alone? (2.7); Who is the shepherd of Israel? (6.34); Who walks on the sea? (6.45–52). The answer in each case is Israels God, and so while it is true that Mark is not as explicit about Jesus divinity as Johns Gospel he is hinting that Jesus is the mysteriously embodied presence of Israels God (p. 26). Hays does not wish to neglect the many features of Mark that could imply Jesus non-identity with God (p. 27) and concludes that we are drawn into the contemplation of a paradoxical revelation that shatters our categories and exceeds our understanding (p. 32). He is less comfortable with Matthew since his editorial proof-texts are precisely what he wishes to challenge but he does seek to show that there are riches to discover if the wider context of the citations is explored.As one has come to expect from Hayss writings, the book is a joy to read and will prompt much discussion. For example, on what basis are echoes and allusions of divine identity (he records his debt to Bauckham here) given greater weight than explicit quotations that identify Jesus with the anointed prophet (Luke 4.16–21) or servant of God (Matt. 12.17–21)? Can Job 9.8, which poetically describes God as the one who trampled the waves of the sea really be the key to understanding Marks walking on the water episode? -- Steve Moyise * Theology journal * Promotional An investigation into how the four Gospel writers drew on the Old Testament to demonstrate their belief that Jesus was nothing less than the embodiment of Israels God. Details ISBN0281074089 Year 2015 ISBN-10 0281074089 ISBN-13 9780281074082 Format Paperback Publication Date 2015-05-21 Media Book Language English UK Release Date 2015-05-21 Pages 180 Imprint SPCK Publishing Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom AU Release Date 2015-05-21 NZ Release Date 2015-05-21 Author Richard B. Hays Publisher SPCK Publishing DEWEY 225.6 Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 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