Social-Scientific Approaches to New Testament Interpretation

In the past twenty-five years, New Testament scholars have drawn on the social sciences, especially anthropology and sociology, to develop a variety of new perspectives on early Christianity. David Horrell here gathers together the classic works in this field, including essays by, for example, John Barclay, Philip Esler, Wayne Meeks, Luise Schottroff and Gerd Theissen. For each selection, David Horrell provides a short introduction and suggestions for further reading. He also provides an introduction outlining the development and future prospects of the discipline.An excellent reference and textbook for scholars and students.

About the Author :
David G. Horrell is Professor of New Testament Studies at the University of Exeter, UK. He is the author of several books, including An Introduction to the Study of Paul (T&T Clark, Second Edition 2006) and Solidarity and Difference (T&T Clark, 2005). He was the editor of the Journal for the Study of the New Testament from 2002-2007. He is an active member of the British New Testament Society, having chaired the Social World of the New Testament Seminar from 2001-2006, and is also a member of the Society for Biblical Literature (SBL) and Society for New Testament Studies (SNTS). He completed his PhD at Cambridge on Paul's Corinthian letters and the letter known as 1 Clement.

Review :
'David Horrell has done us all a most valuable service. Not only has he selected nicely varied examples of innovation in the use of social-scientific method in New Testament studies; he has also introduced each essay, and the collection as a whole, with a judicious assessment based on his own acute and comprehensive mastery of this field. New Testament students, teachers and researchers will find here every help and stimulus for a voyage of discovery, guided by a first-rate explorer.' Dr John Barclay, University of Glasgow. 'The editor has managed to select the gems from a vast and growing field within NT scholarship. This book can be recommended as the best of its kind.' Internationale Zeitschriftenschau fur Bibelwissenschaft und Grenzgebiete 'Both in the excellent introduction and in the thirteen carefully-selected studies which follow, it makes a case for social-scientific study as a valid way of interpreting the NT. One may wish to debate issues with individual contributors but one cannot quarrel with the editor, who has provided a first-rate introduction to the field in every respect: by the breadth of studies selected, in the critical introductions to each individual article or extract, and by means of a comprehensive and up-to-date Bibliography.' William Strange, Trinity College Cambridge, Anvio 'The astuteness of David Horrell's introduction, the diversity of interests represented in the thirteen essays he has selected, and the extensive notes and bibliography make this book a powerful new resource for the social-scientific interpretation of the New Testament. Anyone interested in this flourishing field, from beginner to practitioner, will find this an invaluable work.' Professor Philip F. Esler 'David Horrell's collection is... invaluable for mapping out this terrain and assessing the different issues raised by various practitioners. Classic articles which pioneered an approach are reprinted here. [...] The value of each chapter is greatly enhanced by a short critical introduction by the editor. [...] Any process of selection will provoke criticism about omissions and inclusions. But this collection respresents an informed insight over a wise field, so the student is in good hands.' Dr John M Court, Head of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Kent at Canterbury, Church Times '. . . welcome as a timely and necessary contribution to this newly established discipline. In my view, this is an ideal textbook for use in undergraduate teaching and as an introductory text on the subject at postgraduate level.' Anthony Bash, Journal of Theological Literature