Daniel Patte

In the first of a three-volume work, Daniel Patte presents three very different critical exegeses of Romans 1, arguing that all are equally legitimate and hermeneutically plausible. By expanding upon and respecting the exegeses of many erudite scholars of the last two centuries, Patte concludes that three families of vastly different critical interpretations are fully justified: traditional philological and epistolary studies; rhetorical and sociocultural studies; and figurative studies of the “coherence” of Paul’s teaching.Arising from a long-standing interdisciplinary investigation of many receptions of Romans in light of recent diversification of exegetical methodologies, Patte concludes that the interpretation of a scriptural text necessarily involves making a choice among equally legitimate and plausible alternatives; and second, that this choice is always contextual and ethical. When these points are denied (by failing to respect the interpretations of others and absolutizing one’s interpretation), instead of being a scriptural blessing, Romans becomes a deadly weapon against others – heretics, Jews (Shoah), and many others. The result is a threefold commentary of Romans 1 that is unique in its scope and thorough-going exegesis.

In the first of a three-volume work, Daniel Patte presents three very different critical exegeses of Romans 1, arguing that all are equally legitimate and hermeneutically plausible. By expanding upon and respecting the exegeses of many erudite scholars of the last two centuries, Patte concludes that three families of vastly different critical interpretations are fully justified: traditional philological and epistolary studies; rhetorical and sociocultural studies; and figurative studies of the “coherence” of Paul’s teaching.Arising from a long-standing interdisciplinary investigation of many receptions of Romans in light of recent diversification of exegetical methodologies, Patte concludes that the interpretation of a scriptural text necessarily involves making a choice among equally legitimate and plausible alternatives; and second, that this choice is always contextual and ethical. When these points are denied (by failing to respect the interpretations of others and absolutizing one’s interpretation), instead of being a scriptural blessing, Romans becomes a deadly weapon against others – heretics, Jews (Shoah), and many others. The result is a threefold commentary of Romans 1 that is unique in its scope and thorough-going exegesis.

Daniel Patte here offers a fresh literary-critical introduction to the dominant literature of the New Testament, the major letters of the apostle Paul: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Patte invites the reader to explore these letters through several readings: an historical reading in which he reviews and critiques the results of traditional interpretations, and structural readings in which he elucidates the main characteristics of Paul's faith and discerns a system of convictions that supports Paul's theology and gives it coherence. Through this novel literary approach, Professor Patte leads the reader of these letters to a better understanding of the power of the Gospel, the relation of the Gospel to Judaism, and Paul's interpersonal view of faith. Here is an invitation to rediscover Paul's faith in all its richness ""I recommend this work with enthusiasm. It is important for two reasons: First, it is the most thorough application of structuralist method to the Pauline epistles as a whole. The application of structuralist categories turns out to be illuminating and fresh. On literary grounds alone this volume is likely to be significant. Second, the theological insights that Patte presents are sometimes of staggering originality and certainly very challenging. They are particularly so at this time when the problem of the finality and uniqueness of Christ is being re-examined. In this respect Patte's work could be seminal."" --W. D. Davies Professor Emeritus, Duke University Visiting University Professor, Texas Christian University Daniel Patte is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Vanderbilt University.

The Global Bible Commentary invites its users to expand their horizon by reading the Bible with scholars from all over the world and from different religious persuasions. These scholars have approaches and concerns that often are poles apart. Yet they share two basic convictions: biblical interpretation always matters; and reading the Bible "with others" is highly rewarding. Each of the short commentaries of the Global Bible Commentary is a readily accessible guide for reading a biblical book. Written for undergraduate and seminary students and their teachers, as well as for pastors, priests, and Adult Sunday School classes, it introduces the users to the main features of the biblical book and its content. Yet each short commentary does more. It also brings us a precious gift, namely the opportunity of reading this biblical book as if for the first time. By making explicit the specific context and the concerns from which she/he reads the Bible, the scholar points out to us the significance of aspects of the biblical text that we simply took for granted or overlooked."If any book demonstrates the value of cultural criticism and the importance of particularity in interpretation, this is it! Scholars from diverse social locations in every continent bring their distinctive context to bear on the act of interpreting. In so doing, they shed eye-opening light on the biblical texts. The resulting critical dialogue with the Bible exposes the oppressive as well as the liberating dynamics of the texts while at the same time showing how the Bible might address the social, political, cultural, and economic dynamics of our world today. This collection can change the way you read the Bible-scholars and students, clergy and laity alike." -David Rhoads, Professor of New Testament, Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, IL

Two of the primary aims of most Bible teachers, expecially those in colleges and seminaries, are very nearly contradictory: 1) the teacher wants the student to gain perspective, to learn the limitations of his or her own understanding of the biblical text by encountering divergent viewpoints and 2) the teacher wants the student to gain confidence in his or her own ability to interpret the biblical text responsibly. This introduction to the book of Matthew assists the instructor with these two primary aims by: 1. Introducing the student to the wide variety of claims that are being made about the meaning of the Gospel of Matthew. 2. Introducing the student to ways of assessing these claims. 3. Leading the student to take responsibility within a group context for the choices he or she will make between these competing claims as an interpreter of the biblical text (church leader, preacher, or teacher). The book introduces the main themes and issues in the interpretation of the Gospel of Mathhew in a student- (and Instructor-) friendly format. This Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew also exemplifies a new direction in biblical interpretation being used at seminaries in the U. S.The method is comparative cultural and religious interpretation, using existing scholarly and popular interpretations as exemplars for study and student discussion.

This book invites readers to assume responsibility for their own interpretations of the Sermon on the Mount through a practice of "critical study of the Bible as scripture." Such a practice takes as a starting point the conclusions about "the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount for believers today," which Christian believers of all walks of life formulate for themselves, which non-Christian ordinary readers readily envision as they observe Christians, and which scholars imply in their sophisticated interpretations. Assuming responsibility for one's interpretation involves becoming aware that it results from a series of choices among equally legitimate and plausible options, and self-consciously deciding whether or not one wants to claim "it is the best for believers today" - or, for Christian interpreters, "I believe (credo) it is Word of God for us today."Through a series of exercises, readers - whether simple believers or scholars -- are invited first to formulate their own conclusions about teachings in the Sermon on the Mount and then to recognize the choices implied in their interpretations by comparing them with five kinds of readings proposed by scholars. "Daniel Patte shows respect for every interpretation, be it those of 'ordinary people' or those of scholars, and clarifies underlying presuppositions of each option. In a fascinating and new way, he relates critical insights to matters of faith, ultimately to help Christians affirm their credo as truly theirs." -- Christina Grenholm, Uppsala UniversityDaniel M. Patte is Professor of New Testament at Vanderbilt University and the author of Discipleship according to the Sermon on the Mount (Trinity 1996).>

Daniel Patte argues here that when male European-American scholars interpret the Bible to produce a universally legitimate reading, they silence the Bible itself. Their reading practices exclude feminist, African American, and other so-called "minority" readings, as well as the interpretations of conservative and liberal laity. He further claims that ethical accountability requires recognizing that all exegesis consists of bringing critical understanding to ordinary readings, especially faith interpretations. Patte concludes that biblical studies must affirm the legitimacy of diverse ordinary readings and lead to an open discussion of the relative value of these readings.