Peter G. Bolt

Reading Matthew as the Climactic Fulfillment of the Hebrew Story

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Reading Matthew as the Climactic Fulfilment of the Hebrew Story can be commended for three broad features. First, the book pays careful attention to Matthew as a holistic narrative, drawing its thesis out of the rich narrative tapestry that is Matthew’s Gospel. Although not often explicitly referring explicitly to the kind of narrative and reader-oriented devices Matthew uses to make an impact upon its readers, the book vigilantly reads each paragraph in the light of the whole Gospel and within the flow of Matthew’s unfolding drama of Jesus.” “... perhaps most pertinently for Martin’s major thesis, the book takes seriously Matthew’s overt desire to explain the coming of Jesus Christ amongst first-century Israel as the climax and fulfillment of the Hebrew story, and of the Hebrew Scriptures. Perhaps it is here that Spadaro is at his best. Guiding the reader through Matthew’s narrative about Jesus, he persuasively points out texts or patterns from the Hebrew Scriptures upon which Matthew potentially riffs.”

The Gospel, Freedom, and the Sacraments

Theology

“This is a courageous book. It invites readers to humbly consider how the teaching of the Bible must not be held captive to even the best of human traditions. Is it possible that some historic Christian beliefs and practices have been built on fundamental misunderstandings? Of course it is. Can we today listen afresh to the Word of God? In this book, Dr. Newman helps us to do just that. Be brave: read it!" John W. Woodhouse, Former Principal, Moore Theological College "Through the entertaining genre of a dialogue, this book asks whether the Scriptures call for the two Protestant sacraments to be further reformed. It is a great question.”