Jesus, History, and Revelation

“Praise for Jesus, History, and Revelation This is an astonishingly thorough treatment of two major figures who have often been taken as standing at polar opposites, especially when it comes to the place of historical investigation in the enterprise of theology. Hardly a theological stone is left unturned. In a style that is consistently calm, focused, and lucid, Mallary argues that Barth and Wright have far more in common than many suppose. Whether or not one agrees with all his conclusions, anyone who cares about the future of theology will benefit enormously from this remarkable study.”

Jeremy Begbie

“unhelpful polemics. This book has the potential to break through all that, as it lifts the conversation to a new level. Charitable in its interpretations, yet firm in its observations and conclusions, and remarkably clear and convincing in its arguments, it can help both exegetes and theologians to gain a new perspective on what Barth and Wright really say about revelation and history.”

Edwin Chr. van Driel

“What has Barth got to do with Wright? Are they Athens and Jerusalem, oil and water? As someone with a proclivity for theologically textured readings of Paul in a broadly Barth-inspired key, I am drawn to apocalyptic readings, at least in their more recent iterations. But were many of my own consequent criticisms of Wright off-target? Mallary has provided us with a profoundly learned, deeply researched, and charitable reading of both Barth and Wright that reveals they share far more in common than many of us have been willing to admit, and which thereby helps us talk about what actually separates them. But this book is not merely a critique of how scholarly caricatures are lazily mobilized to easily dismiss an “opponent.” It offers its own constructive case that builds on a wide array of scholarship relating to both Barth and Wright. Moreover, and precisely on the overlap of Jesus, history, and revelation, Mallary shows that there is ground for a far more fruitful reconsideration of the constructive overlap and differences between the two. I am left with some hesitations, lots of useful questions, a sharper set of criticisms of both Wright and Barth, yet also a deep admiration for arguably the finest scholarship on the relation between Barth and Wright ever penned. If that were not enough, Mallary also succeeds—and with skill and finesse—in demonstrating what charitable, yet vigorously incisive, scholarship can look like.”

Chris Tilling

“A thoughtful and insightful study. Mallary's reflections on Barth and Wright are consistently illuminating, and the conversation he facilitates breathes new life into debates about Scripture, historical research, revelation, and the vital task of christological reflection. Highly recommended.”

Paul Dafydd Jones

“Few, if any, New Testament scholars have been read more widely than N. T. Wright, who is widely considered one of the most influential Christian intellectuals since C. S. Lewis. Karl Barth is arguably the greatest theologian of the modern era whose thought is as relevant to the contemporary world as it was last century. To provide a convincing critical comparison of the approaches of these great thinkers to the place of history in Christian theology is no less ambitious than it is profoundly worthwhile. Mitchell Mallary undertakes this task with intellectual rigor, careful scholarship, and informed theological insight. Arguing that what unites these two figures runs deeper than is often assumed, he challenges widespread misunderstandings of both scholars while remaining unafraid to raise key critical questions. This lucid and well-written monograph constitutes an admirable contribution to a particularly important contemporary debate.”

Alan J. Torrance