Bumper Issue of JSNT (2015)

There are some great articles in the latest issue of Journal for the Study of the New Testament (2015).

Richard Last, “The Social Relationships of Gospel Writers: New Insights from Inscriptions Commending Greek Historiographers,”JSNT 37.3 (2015): 232-52.

This is a good article that is another bullet in the body of the “Gospel communities” hypothesis because it argues that Christian authors were probably part of wider scribal/literary/pedagogical networks in their own city. I think it is important to remember that Christians did not spend all their time being Christian, but had a work-life outside of Sunday morning, and presumably did stuff with non-Christians. The Evangelists, as literary persons, probably had contact with associations and communities where their literary skills were used.

Debbie Hunn, “Galatians 3.10;12: Assumptions and Argumentation,” JSNT 37.3 (2015): 253-66.

Does Gal 3:10-14 assume that no-one perfectly keeps the law? Maybe not according to Debbie Dunn (DTS librarian). She argues:

Major Premise: There are exactly two verdicts possible from the law: either condemnation, resulting in a curse, or justification resulting in life (implicit property of the law, partially stated in v. 10).
Minor Premise: The verdict is not justification (vv. 11-12).
Conclusion: Therefore, the verdict is condemnation with its curse (presupposed in v. 13a).

Benjamin Edsall and Jennifer R. Strawbridge, “The Songs we Used to Sing? Hymn ‘Traditions’and Reception in Pauline Letters,” JSNT 37.3 (2015): 290-311.

You think Col 1.15-20 and Phil 2.5-11 are “hymns,” better think again!

Also, Dale Martin’s article on “Jesus in Jerusalem: Armed and Not Dangerous” comes under critique by Paula Fredriksen and  F. Gerald Downing.