Gospel Interpretation and Christian Life by Francis J. Moloney, SDB

Abstract

Reviewed by: Gospel Interpretation and Christian Life by Francis J. Moloney, SDB Donald Senior C.P. francis j. moloney, sdb, Gospel Interpretation and Christian Life (Adelaide: ATF Press, 2017). Pp. xiv + 421. Paper $33.71. This is a collection of sixteen previously published essays and presentations by the distinguished Australian biblical scholar Francis J. Moloney. Except for a few minor stylistic adaptations, the essays remain in their original formats. The structure of the collection is twofold: the first nine essays falling under the heading "Gospel Interpretation": "Mark 6:6b-30: The Twelve, Mission, and Failure"; "Following Jesus into Radical Discipleship: [End Page 346] A Reading of Mark 8:14–9:29"; "Marriage and Wealth: A Study of Mark 10:1-31"; "Literary Strategies in the Markan Passion Narrative: Mark 14:1–15:47"; "'He Is Going before You into Galilee': Mark 16:6-8 and the Christian Community"; "God's Gift of Servant Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark"; "Matthew 5:17-18 and the Matthean Use of 'Righteousness'"; "Luke 22:14-38: Eucharist and Mission"; and "When Is John Talking about Sacraments?" The remaining seven essays are included under the heading "Christian Life": "Sacred Scripture and the Magisterium: A Restless Relationship?"; "Sacred Scripture at Vatican II"; "The Gospel of Creation: A Biblical Response to Laudato Si' "; "A New Testament Hermeneutic for Divorce and Remarriage in the Catholic Tradition"; "On the Writing of The Gospel According to Judas: Some Theological and Pastoral Reflections"; "The Word of God, Jesus Christ, and the Eucharist: Christian Hope in a Secularized World"; and "The Word in the World: Then and Now." As the author himself notes, however, this boundary is somewhat porous since many of his more explicit exegetical essays in the first half also lead to theological and pastoral conclusions. A feature of this collection is its "autobiographical" cast. As the author explains in an introductory essay, "The Story behind the Book," he has enjoyed a varied academic journey, with his doctoral studies in Oxford and then a stretch of teaching at theological schools in Australia, followed by a period as professor of biblical studies at Catholic University of America and his eventual appointment as Dean of the School of Theology and Religious studies there. Later he would be called back to Australia to serve as provincial superior of his Salesian religious community and to resume his teaching career there. Along the way, he also served as a member of the Pontifical Theological Commission. His selection of exegetical essays reflects this mix of both academic responsibilities and immersion in the pastoral life of the church. The essays in the first half draw primarily on M.'s interest in the Gospel of Mark. Explorations of Matthew, Luke and John have one essay each, although the author is probably most well known for his publications on the Gospel of John. His interest in Mark's Gospel was developed especially during his time at Catholic University and supplemented his original (and continuing) interest in Johannine theology. The six essays on Mark have a strong emphasis on Mark's portrayal of discipleship, including the fate of the disciples in the context of the passion narrative. M. subscribes to the view that the evangelist presents a decidedly negative view of the disciples, including the response of the women at the empty tomb—an emphasis on the failure of the disciples crafted by Mark for pastoral purposes that, in fact, was darker than the historical reality of the original disciples' relationship to Jesus. The essay on Matthew's Gospel traces the meaning of the key term of diakosynē, or "righteousness," which M. defines as living in accord with the fullness of righteousness revealed by Jesus himself. The essays on Luke and John both deal with sacramental tones in these Gospels. In Luke, M. traces the evangelist's portrayal of Jesus's many meals, climaxing in the final Passover meal; there is an essential link in Luke's Gospel between the eucharistic meal and mission. In his essay on John, the earliest of the essays in the collection, composed in 1982, M. reviews the perennial debate about whether there is a sacramental perspective in the Fourth Gospel, concluding cautiously that...