Before There Was a Bible - by Lee Martin McDonald (Paperback)
$39.95 when purchased online
Target Online store #3991
About this item
Highlights
- How did authority function before the bible as we know it emerged?
- About the Author: Lee Martin McDonald is President Emeritus and Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College, Acadia University, Canada.
- 264 Pages
- Religion + Beliefs, Biblical Studies
Description
About the Book
"How did authority function before the bible as we know it emerged? Lee Martin McDonald examines the authorities that existed from the church's beginning: the appeal to the texts containing the words of Jesus, and that would become the New Testament, the not yet finalized Hebrew Scriptures (referred to mostly in Greek) and the apostolic leadership of the churches"--Book Synopsis
How did authority function before the bible as we know it emerged? Lee Martin McDonald examines the authorities that existed from the Church's beginning: the appeal to the texts containing the words of Jesus, and that would become the New Testament, the not yet finalized Hebrew Scriptures (referred to mostly in Greek) and the apostolic leadership of the churches.
McDonald traces several sacred core traditions that broadly identified the essence of Christianity before there was a bible summarized in early creeds, hymns and spiritual songs, baptismal and Eucharistic affirmations, and in lectionaries and catalogues from the fourth century and following. McDonald shows how those traditions were included in the early Christian writings later recognized as the New Testament. He also shows how Christians were never fully agreed on the scope of their Old Testament canon (Hebrew scriptures) and that it took centuries before there was universal acceptance of all of the books now included in the Christian bible. Further, McDonald shows that whilst writings such as the canonical gospels were read as authoritative texts likely from their beginning, they were not yet called or cited as scripture. What was cited in an authoritative manner were the words of Jesus in those texts, alongside the multiple affirmations and creeds that were circulated in the early Church and formed its key authorities and core sacred traditions.Review Quotes
"This is a good resource for students and scholars of early Christianity, and anyone interested in the development of creed and canon." --The Bible Today
"A good introduction for anyone interested in starting to explore the world of early Christianity." --Review of Biblical LiteratureAbout the Author
Lee Martin McDonald is President Emeritus and Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College, Acadia University, Canada. He is also President of the Institute for Biblical Research.Dimensions (Overall): 9.5 Inches (H) x 6.6 Inches (W) x .6 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.0 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 264
Genre: Religion + Beliefs
Sub-Genre: Biblical Studies
Publisher: T&T Clark
Theme: New Testament, General
Format: Paperback
Author: Lee Martin McDonald
Language: English
Street Date: February 23, 2023
TCIN: 1004092189
UPC: 9780567705785
Item Number (DPCI): 247-16-4586
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
If the item details above aren’t accurate or complete, we want to know about it.
Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 0.6 inches length x 6.6 inches width x 9.5 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1 pounds
We regret that this item cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
This item cannot be shipped to the following locations: American Samoa (see also separate entry under AS), Guam (see also separate entry under GU), Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico (see also separate entry under PR), United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S., APO/FPO
Return details
This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup.
See the return policy for complete information.