New Testament Theology: The Revival of a Discipline. A Review of Recent Contributions to the Field

Abstract

Testament Theology: Revival of a Discipline A Review of Recent Contributions to the Field Testament theology will never be written. It can never be written, because in principle the discipline . . . Testament theology is never a finally closed book but constitutes a task that continues with us all our days. -Gerhard Ebeling, The Meaning of 'Biblical Theologyr in Word and Faith (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1963), 94 [emphasis original). It has often been thought that since Bultmann's monumental Theology of the Testament Testament Theology (NTT) has become a sterile discipline. It is true that, despite periods of activity after Bultmann, a glance at the state of research over the past fifty years does raise the question of whether or not NTT has ever left its cul-de-sac. In the last decade or so, however, there has been a determined attempt to move forward (see recently Frank J. Matera, New Testament Theology: History, Method, and Identity, CBQ 67 [2005]: 1-21 [6-15]). Thus it is the purpose of this article to review the most significant current work in the field (I) and, on this basis, to identify briefly several areas that offer a sense of the shape and movement of the discipline (II). I grandest of the complete NTTs is Ferdinand Hahn's nearly 2000 page des Neuen Testaments (2 vols.; Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2001, 2005 [1st ed. 2002]). Indeed, in terms of its critical sophistication and attempt at theological synthesis, Hahn's work is the most significant to emerge since Bultmann's. Hahn begins by distinguishing the NT theological task from theology more broadly conceived: Theologie Nachdenken uber den Glauben und damit Nachdenken uber den als gultig anerkannten Wahrheitsanspruch der christlichen Botschaft. des Neuen Testaments konzentriert sich auf Glaubenszeugnis des als solches Grundlage aller christlichen und ist (1:1, emphasis added). In order best to encompass the scope of das Glaubenszeugnis des Urchristentums, Hahn divides his TdNT into two volumes. first volume, Die Vielfalt des Neuen Testaments: Theologiegeschichte des represents a diachronic investigation of the manifold and theologically diverse layers of tradition within the NT. second volume, Die Einheit des Neuen Testaments: Thematische Darstellung, provides a systematic ordering and presentation of the contents of vol. 1. Volume 1 is structured around the Iesustradition und deren Rezeption seitens der nachosterlichen Gemeinde (l:vii). In contrast to Bultmann, Hahn argues that close attention to early NT traditions reveals the interpretive necessity of a nach Jesus: insofar as the NT texts themselves exhibit a deep concern to relate the Christusverkundigung to the Geschichte Jesu, a theology of the NT must take seriously this movement toward the Jesus of history (esp. 1:30-32,40-43). Hahn thus sees the probing of the space between the Proclaimer and the Proclaimed as an essential task of NTT. Indeed, it is only in light of the Ruckfrage that the NT kerygma can be seen in its complexity and depth. significance of Easter not only entails the outward movement of the message about Jesus but also the backward movement toward his earthly life and preaching. Hence, the first volume moves in (fairly standard) chronological order from the Verkundigung und Wirken Jesu through its multifaceted reception in the earliest Christian communities (Aramaic and Greek speaking), to Paul, the Pauline school, the non-Pauline Hellenistic-Jewish writings (James, 1 Peter, Hebrews, and Revelation), the Synoptics (Acts is treated with Luke), the Johannine literature, and finally, the transition to the second century (Jude, 2 Peter, and the Apostolic Fathers). exegetical attempt with each of these textual groups is to discern the diversity in the theological concepts and ecclesial practices that are a response to the Christ-event. …