Discovering Matthew: Content, Interpretation, Reception (Discovering Series) - Softcover

'Ian Boxall's Discovering Matthew has everything a serious student would want or need to learn about the First Gospel. Not only does he deal with source, form and redaction criticism, but also narrative, feminist, post-colonial and other current approaches, all set against the background of pre-critical patristic and medieval treatments. A remarkable even-handedness characterizes the discussion of disputed points, and Boxall has packed all this information into his book with a tight but limpid writing style. It would be hard to recommend, or even to imagine, a better contemporary introduction to the Gospel according to Matthew.' Robert H. Gundry, Scholar-in-Residence and Professor Emeritus, Westmont College, California 'Ian Boxall demonstrates in Discovering Matthew why he is one of the best New Testament exegetes around. He is well read in contemporary historical critical scholarship, but this is matched by a knowledge and sensitivity to the reception history of the Gospel, which brilliantly illuminates his exegesis. The book is a model of the way reception history can fructify biblical exegesis.' Christopher Rowland, Professor of Exegesis of Holy Scripture, University of Oxford 'Ian Boxall has produced another outstanding book ... full of thoughtful judgements, enabling even the experienced reader to see the text in a quite different way.' Nicholas King SJ, Fellow in New Testament, Campion Hall, University of Oxford 'A wide-ranging and insightful discussion of Matthew's Gospel that engages contemporary interpretations as well as those from across the ages. The result is a rich tapestry of readings that elaborate this complex, tensive and multivalent Gospel.' Warren Carter, Professor of New Testament, Brite Divinity School, Texas 'No serious student of Matthew's Gospel should be without a copy.' Paula Gooder, Theologian in Residence, Bible Society

This introduction to the interpretation of Matthew aims to encourage in-depth study of the text, and genuine grappling with the theological and historical questions raised, by providing a 'map' to the Gospel as a whole, and to key interpreters and interpretative debates. It draws on a range of methodological approaches (author-, text- and reader-centred), as complementary rather than mutually exclusive ways of interpreting the text. In particular, this new introduction reflects the growing scholarly attention to the reception history of biblical texts, increasingly viewed as a vital aspect of interpretation rather than an optional extra.