Christian Origins and the New Testament in the Greco-Roman Context

This volume, the inaugural volume in Claremont's series on the New Testament and Christian Origins, celebrates the distinguished career of Dr. Dennis R. MacDonald. As students and scholars of the New Testament will know, MacDonald almost single- handedly established the discipline of Mimesis Criticism. However, MacDonald's scholarly achievements far exceed his role in establishing that emerging discipline within New Testament studies. MacDonald's scholarship and interests range widely over the entire discipline of Christian origins. His work has striven above all to situate the New Testament within the historical, social and literary contexts of the Greco-Roman world.The scholars -both junior and senior-in this volume participate in MacDonald's quest to locate the New Testament texts within their proper historical framework. The essays in this volume range from the Hebrew origins of the New Testament to Platonic influence on the New Testament, from Homeric imitation to the semantic domain of James, and from fresh readings of Mark to revisionist histories of Paul. There is something here for everyone. The essays are original, the arguments fresh and the language crisp. Every student of the New Testament will want to spend time with this wide-ranging celebration of MacDonald's intellectual prowess and academic career.