Frank J. Matera

Much has been written about the life, ministry, and theology of the apostle Paul. But what about Paul specifically as a preacher? How did he understand his commission from the risen Lord Jesus to preach the gospel, and how did he put it into practice? Further, what lessons can contemporary preachers learn from Paul about the theology and practice of preaching to help them be more faithful messengers of God's Word?As a leading Pauline scholar and practicing pastor, Frank Matera has considered these questions, and he offers this short, accessible book to pastors and students as wise and helpful guidance. Matera explores a Pauline theology of preaching, focusing on three main questions: Why did Paul preach? What did he preach? And how did he preach? He also explores Paul's preaching as the ministry of the new covenant. He identifies and explores seven themes of Paul's preaching, which in turn offer key practical insights for preaching in a Pauline way. Readers are encouraged to "preach from the cross," making the crucified Christ their focus and their model, demonstrating what they preach by their own cruciform lives.

"A carefully nuanced presentation of Paul the preacher and the message he preached"In Preaching from the Cross, Frank Matera explores Paul's understanding of his own preaching and relates Paul's theology of proclamation to preaching today."Anyone who reads and absorbs this small but significant--and deeply spiritual--book will be a better interpreter of Paul the preacher and a better preacher of the powerful gospel of the cross and resurrection that Paul proclaimed."--Michael J. Gorman, St. Mary's Seminary & University"Matera has brought a lifelong passion for Paul to this powerful book, directed to all Christian preachers and readers. The book contains a carefully nuanced presentation of Paul the preacher and the message he preached: the new creation made universally available in and through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ."--Francis J. Moloney, SDB, Catholic Theological College, University of Divinity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia"In this unique, integrative volume, a distinguished biblical theologian and experienced practitioner of preaching articulates the theology of preaching he discerns in the Pauline corpus. Readers called to the ministry of proclamation will come away with a renewed sense of the vital importance of this lifelong and life-changing task and invaluable food for thought about what it means to preach with integrity in a Pauline manner."--Frances Taylor Gench, Union Presbyterian Seminary"This volume explores Paul's preaching from the cross through his theology of proclamation. Focusing on the why, what, and how of Paul's preaching, Matera presents comprehensive theses for integrating Paul's gift of preaching into a necessary challenge for incisive and active homiletics today."--Sherri Brown, Creighton University"An insightful exposition of Paul's theology and practice of preaching, covering all aspects of this significant but overlooked topic. This book should be required reading for all preachers of the Word from any denomination. It also offers a wider audience a superb summary of Paul's unparalleled proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ."--Ronald D. Witherup, PSS, St. Mary's Seminary & University

Universality belongs to the very being of the catholic Church. This claim of the Gospel is rooted in the ministry of Jesus, witnessed to by the canonical Gospels and the other books of the New Testament, all of which present the universal openness of salvation as a fulfillment of the Scriptures of Israel. In this book, after addressing the universality of salvation in the writings of the Old Covenant, we examine the differentiated and concordant witness of the synoptic Gospels, John and Paul, as well as the Letter to the Hebrews and the Apocalypse. In this way, we intend to show how this apostolic witness responds to the will of the Lord Jesus, while highlighting its harmony with Torah, Prophets and Writings.Light for the Nations, by reviewing the main biblical passages on the universal dimension of salvation, aims to show how the fact that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has a claim to universality does not diminish, but rather enhances, the importance of the people of the first Covenant: Israel is called to be an active mediator of salvation. The canonical perspective is based on a differentiated exegetical study of each testimony. The scope is broad, since this theme of biblical theology is also relevant for Christology and soteriology, for anthropology and for ecclesiology. The main contribution lies in showing how the various biblical testimonies, in their diversity (which is fully taken into account), offer at the same time a concurring testimony on this fundamental question of Christian theology, forming a true symphony within its polyphony.

Universality belongs to the very being of the catholic Church. This claim of the Gospel is rooted in the ministry of Jesus, witnessed to by the canonical Gospels and the other books of the New Testament, all of which present the universal openness of salvation as a fulfillment of the Scriptures of Israel. In this book, after addressing the universality of salvation in the writings of the Old Covenant, we examine the differentiated and concordant witness of the synoptic Gospels, John and Paul, as well as the Letter to the Hebrews and the Apocalypse. In this way, we intend to show how this apostolic witness responds to the will of the Lord Jesus, while highlighting its harmony with Torah, Prophets and Writings.Light for the Nations, by reviewing the main biblical passages on the universal dimension of salvation, aims to show how the fact that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has a claim to universality does not diminish, but rather enhances, the importance of the people of the first Covenant: Israel is called to be an active mediator of salvation. The canonical perspective is based on a differentiated exegetical study of each testimony. The scope is broad, since this theme of biblical theology is also relevant for Christology and soteriology, for anthropology and for ecclesiology. The main contribution lies in showing how the various biblical testimonies, in their diversity (which is fully taken into account), offer at the same time a concurring testimony on this fundamental question of Christian theology, forming a true symphony within its polyphony.

In Praying thePsalms in the Voice of Christ, Frank J. Matera offers a way to pray the psalms within the Liturgy of the Hours rooted in the New Testament and the great writers of the early church. Taking his cue from Saint Augustine, Matera demonstrates how to hear the voice of Christ in the psalms so that they can be prayed in the voice of Christ and his Body, the church. In addition to this introduction to a christological reading of the psalms, Matera also provides a commentary on the psalms as they occur in the four weeks of the Divine Office.

A nontechnical overview of New Testament theology that summarizes the diverse theologies in the writings of the New Testament, identifies its overall theological vision, and explains the contribution that New Testament theology can make to the life of the Church and the contribution that the life of the Church can make to it. †

At the heart of the Christian message stands the proclamation of the resurrection: the good news that God raised Jesus from the dead. In Resurrection: The Origin and Goal of the Christian Life, Frank Matera explains why the resurrection was so important to the early church and why it remains important for Christians today. Beginning with the gospels, then moving to the Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline Epistles, and concluding with Hebrews, 1 Peter, 1 John, and the book of Revelation, Matera provides a comprehensive overview of how the different writings of the New Testament proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Written in a clear and accessible manner, Matera presents readers with a way to understand the central message of the New Testament and of Christian faith: God raised Jesus from the dead. Building on this message, he shows that the resurrection of Jesus enables and empowers believers to live in the world today and provides them with the assurance that God will raise them from the dead as well.

This commentary on II Corinthians in the New Testament Library continues the exemplary quality of the series. Frank Matera provides a commentary that is a close study of the backgrounds and language of the text while also providing important theological insights into the message of Paul for his time and for the contemporary church.The New Testament Library offers authoritative commentary on every book and major aspect of the New Testament, as well as classic volumes of scholarship. The commentaries in this series provide fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, offer critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, pay careful attention to their literary design, and present a theologically perceptive exposition of the text.

Saint Augustine once described the Sermon on the Mount as "the perfect measure of the Christian life." Taking his cue from Augustine, Frank Matera provides an exposition of the sermon for contemporary readers who wish to use the sermon as the standard by which they live their lives every day.Matera shows how the Sermon on the Mount summons believers to single-minded devotion and wholehearted service to God. He unfolds the historical and theological background to the sermon. He explores the meaning of the individual Beatitudes, which articulate Jesus' call for a more abundant righteousness, piety without hypocrisy, and the need to become "doers" of the Word.This lively and engaging commentary is an ideal resource for adult education and Bible study groups. It is also ideal for all who want to live their discipleship more fully.

Distinguished biblical scholar Frank Matera here views the theology of the Pauline letters through the lens of the saving grace that Paul experienced at his call and conversion. Focusing on Christology, soteriology, theology, anthropology, ecclesiology, ethics, and eschatology, Matera explores both the unity and the diversity of the thirteen Pauline letters. Written in a clear and coherent style, God's Saving Grace presents students, professors, and pastors with a comprehensive yet concise and accessible overview of the theology found in the entire corpus of Paul's letters.

In this fresh and readable addition to the Paideia series, well-respected New Testament scholar Frank Matera examines cultural context and theological meaning in Romans. Paideia commentaries explore how New Testament texts form Christian readers by• attending to the ancient narrative and rhetorical strategies the text employs• showing how the text shapes theological convictions and moral habits• commenting on the final, canonical form of each New Testament book• focusing on the cultural, literary, and theological settings of the text• making judicious use of maps, photos, and sidebars in a reader-friendly format

In this systematic, book-by-book exploration of the theology of each New Testament writing, Frank J. Matera explores theological diversity and unity in the writings of the New Testament. After an introduction to the history and method of New Testament theology, he explains and describes the theologies of the Synoptic, Pauline, and Johannine traditions, as well as the rich theology of other New Testament voices: Hebrews, the Catholic Epistles, and the book of Revelation. Integrating both Protestant and Catholic approaches, this work provides students, pastors, and scholars a comprehensive view of the New Testament that is rich in exegetical and theological insight.

Paul's Letter to the Galatians has played a major role in the history of theology, especially in the Church's teaching on grace, faith, and justification. This commentary argues that Paul's doctrine of justification by faith is essentially social in nature and has important ecumenical implications for the Church today. In its original setting, Galatians established a foundation for the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians: all are justified by the faith of Jesus Christ.In addition to illuminating the historical situation that led Paul to write his Letter to the Galatians, this commentary pays careful attention to the rhetorical structure of this letter and its theological message. The author provides a fresh translation of Galatians, critical notes on each verse of the text, and a careful commentary of the letter in light of Paul's theology.Theories abound on the question of Galatians, why it was written, what it says, and what the implications of that message are. Yet few scholars have devoted themselves at length to this letter. What sets this work apart is its extent and detail, and its academic rather than popular intent.

This commentary on II Corinthians in the New Testament Library continues the exemplary quality of the series. Frank Matera provides a commentary that is a close study of the backgrounds and language of the text while also providing important theological insights into the message of Paul for his time and for the contemporary church.The New Testament Library offers authoritative commentary on every book and major aspect of the New Testament, as well as classic volumes of scholarship. The commentaries in this series provide fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, offer critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, pay careful attention to their literary design, and present a theologically perceptive exposition of the text.

Nothing is more central to the Church than preaching the gospel, and few have preached the gospel with the intensity and insight of St.Paul. Paul's letters play an important role in the New Testament and in the Roman Lectionary. Yet, despite their importance,Paul's teaching is seldom proclaimed from the pulpit. In Strategies for Preaching Paul, Frank Matera provides preachers with the comprehensive background needed to successfully preach the Pauline readings.More than a collection of homily hints, Strategies for PreachingPaul provides preachers with three strategies for preaching the Pauline readings in the Sunday Lectionary during Ordinary Time. It offers summaries first of the historical setting, then the literary context, and finally the theological themes of all the Pauline readings as well as the readings of the Letter to the Hebrews. Each letter is introduced by explaining the historical circumstances that caused it and its literary structure. Next, each Sunday reading is explained in light of its wider literary context and its historical background, suggesting ways in which preachers might employ the text in the Sunday homily. Finally, after considering the letter, Matera suggests the major Pauline themes of the letter that need to be preached, such as justification by faith, the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the moral life of believers.An exceptional resource for preachers, Strategies for PreachingPaul also serves as an introduction toPaul's thought. It may be used in Lectio divina to reflect upon the Sunday Pauline texts.Chapters are Paul in Ordinary Time, Year A," "Pal in Ordinary Time, Year B," "Pal in Ordinary Time, Year C," "Index of Pauline Readings," and "Index for the Sundays of Ordinary Time."Frank J. Matera, Ph.D., is a priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford. He is professor of New Testament at The Catholic University of America and the author of Galatians from the Sacra Pagina series published by The Liturgical Press.

How should we understand the Christ of the New Testament? What is the biblical framework that theologians and students must master if their systematic Christology is to be rooted in Scripture? In this book, Frank Matera answers these questions through a comprehensive study of the Christology found in the New Testament.

Neither Jesus nor Paul developed a formal ethical system, yet each left a moral legacy that forms the core of New Testament ethics. In this book, Frank Matera examines the ethic found in the teachings of Jesus and Paul. He explores the broad range of moral concerns found in these writings and finds an identifiable unity that underlies the ethical teachings of both.