Jesus in Memory: Traditions in Oral and Scribal Perspectives

Description

Few scholars have influenced New Testament scholarship in the areas of orality, memory, and tradition more profoundly than Birger Gerhardsson. Today, as these topics have again become important in biblical scholarship, his pioneering work takes on a new light. Though the esteemed contributors may differ on issues in the burgeoning study, they have all enthusiastically taken on the dual task of evaluating Gerhardsson's contribution anew and bringing his insights up to date within the current debate. Additional contributors are Loveday Alexander (University of Sheffield), David E. Aune (University of Notre Dame), Martin S. Jaffee (University of Washington), Alan Kirk (James Madison University), Terence Mournet (North American Baptist Seminary), and Christopher Tuckett (University of Oxford/Pembroke College). Review ...these essays will invite further reflection about the impact of oral-memory models on contemporary discussions of biblical historicity and authority. (Ritva H. Williams Biblical Theology Bulletin) This volume is ideal for scholars desiring an entrée into Gerhardsson's work or issues of orality, textuality, and memory, as well as scholars who are well versed in these areas. It appropriately offers tribute to Gerhardsson in a manner that makes clear the past, present, and future of an exciting area of NT scholarship he helped create. (Restoration Quarterly) Anyone interested in the work of Gerhardsson, scribal practice, oral tradition, or the gospels in general ought to add this work to their library. (John Walker Freedom in Orthodoxy) Review These essays use Gerhardsson's work as a launching pad to reflect on developments in the field over the past fifty years and to propose new avenues of inquiry. This dual focus gives the proposed book a distinct advantage as a "history of research": building on an established precedent to survey the past while projecting the future. As these scholars are, in fact, leading voices in their respective fields, the collection must be received as an authoritative statement on the topic. (Tom Thatcher, Professor of Biblical Studies, Cincinnati Christian University) Kelber and Byrskog's work is a valuable piece of scholarship on an important topic, one which has raised controversy especially at its beginning. It continues the conversation and work on an important aspect of early Christianity, and introduces a new generation of students to the issues of orality in New Testament studies. (Robert E. Van Voorst, Professor of New Testament, Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan) Gerhardsson's Memory and Manuscript is a landmark in the fields of orality, memory and tradition. Kelber and Byrskog's work serves as a fitting tribute to this movement, simultaneously offering critical assessment and advancing many of his seminal ideas. This volume is without parallel. (Kelly R. Iverson, Lecturer in New Testament, St. Mary's College, University of St. Andrews) Introduction 1 Samuel Byrskog 1 Form Criticism 21 Christopher Tuckett 2 The Jesus Tradition as Oral Tradition 39 Terence C. Mournet 3 Jesus Tradition and the Pauline Letters 63 David E. Aune 4 Honi the Circler in Manuscript and Memory: An Experiment in “Re-Oralizing” the Talmudic Text 87 Martin S. Jaffee 5 Memory and Tradition in the Hellenistic Schools 113 Loveday Alexander 6 Memory 155 Alan Kirk Conclusion: The Work of Birger Gerhardsson in Perspective 173 Werner H. Kelber Notes 207 Bibliography 261 List of Contributors 279 Index of Ancient Sources 281 Index of Modern Authors 288