Exile: A Conversation with N. T. Wright

Few New Testament scholars of recent decades have set the pitch for academic discussion and debate in their field like N. T. Wright. His signature contention, that Israel's continuing exile was a pivotal issue in the emergence of Christianity, has found a central place in contemporary New Testament scholarship. Israel had grievously sinned against Yahweh and suffered the judgment of exile from its land. But even though Israel had returned, the majority of Jews of the second temple era regarded themselves in paradoxical exile under Roman rule and still awaiting their full restoration. It was this crisis of exile that reached its climax and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This, according to N. T. Wright, is the controlling narrative that shaped the thinking of Jesus and Paul. While many find this a compelling key to understanding the New Testament, critical responses also abound. This book engages a variety of scholars in conversation with Wright's thesis. The scene is set in an introduction by James M. Scott, who has made significant contributions to the debate. Then, in a programmatic essay, Wright clearly restates his thesis. Next come eleven essays from scholars such as Walter Brueggemann, Philip Alexander, Jörn Kiefer, Dorothy Peters, and Scot McKnight. They interact with Wright's thesis from various perspectives: Hebrew Bible, Septuagint, early Judaism, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the New Testament. Hans Boersma and Ephraim Radner then engage Wright's thesis from theological perspectives. Finally, Wright offers a lively response to his interlocutors. Exile: A Conversation with N. T. Wright takes our understanding of this critical issue to a new level. It is essential reading for anyone engaged with Wright's work and the Jewish setting of Jesus and Paul.

Table of Contents:

Preface

Introduction
N. T. Wright's Hypothesis of an "Ongoing Exile": Issues and Answers (James M. Scott)

Main Paper
Yet the Sun Will Rise Again: Reflections on the Exile and Restoration in Second Temple Judaism, Jesus, Paul, and the Church Today (N. T. Wright)

Part I: Old Testament/Hebrew Bible/Septuagint
1. Wright on Exile: A Response (Walter Brueggemann)
2. Exile and Restoration Terminology in the Septuagint and the New Testament (Robert J. V. Hiebert)
3. Not All Gloom and Doom: Positive Interpretations of Exile and Diaspora in the Hebrew Bible and Early Judaism (Jörn Kiefer)

Part II: Early Judaism
4. Jewish Nationalism from Judah the Maccabee to Judah the Prince and the Problem of "Continuing Exile" (Philip Alexander)
5. Continuing Exile Among the People of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Nuancing N. T. Wright's Hypothesis (Rob Kugler)
6. The Dead Sea Scrolls and Exile's End: Sword and Word and the Execution of Judgment (Dorothy M. Peters)

Part III: New Testament
7. N. T. Wright's Exile Theory as Organic to Judaism (Scot McKnight)
8. Paul, Exile, and the Economy of God (S. A. Cummins)
9. How to Write a Synthesis: Wright and the Problem of Continuity in New Testament Theology (Timo Eskola)

Part IV: Theology
10. Sacramental Interpretation: On the Need for Theological Grounding of Narratival History (Hans Boersma)
11. Exile and Figural History (Ephraim Radner)

Conclusion
Responding to Exile (N. T. Wright)

James M. Scott (DTheol, University of Tübingen) is professor of religious studies at Trinity Western University, British Columbia, Canada. He is the author of Paul and the Nations and Adoption as Sons of God, and is a recognizedexpert on the topic of exile and restoration in Jewish and Christian perspectives.

N. T. Wright is a prolific author and respected theologian. Formerly bishop of Durham in England, he is research professor of New Testament and early Christianity at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. His books include Simply Christian, Jesus and the Victory of God, and the magisterial Paul and the Faithfulness of God.