Jude on the Attack - (Library of New Testament Studies) by Alexandra Robinson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Alexandra Robinson examines the letter of Jude in the light of repeated scholarly references to this source as an invective, a polemic, and an attack speech, with a dependence on both Jewish and Greco-Roman sources. Moving beyond the 'Hellenism/Judaism divide', Robinson specifies what these elements are, and how they relate to the harsh nature of the discourse.

This study shows how, where, and why Jude borrows from these contemporary genres, with a detailed survey of Greco-Roman invectives and Jewish judgement oracles; comparing and contrasting them to the epistle of Jude with consideration of structure, aims, themes, and style. Robinson argues that Jude has constructed a 'Jewish invective, ' and that his epistle is a polemical text which takes the form (structure, aims, and style) of a typical Greco-Roman invective but is filled with Jewish content (themes and allusions), drawing on Israel's heritage for the benefit of his primarily Jewish- Christian audience.

Review Quotes

[Robinson's] most helpful contribution alongside bringing the comparative material together for the reader to consider is her observation that the "form (structure, aims, and style) of the epistle is typical of a Greco-Roman invective, while the discourse is filled with Jewish content (themes and stylistic devices)+? (p. 204; emphasis original). Robinson's monograph is well organized and judicious in expression, keeping its focus on the central thesis throughout.
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

About the Author

ALEXANDRA ROBINSON is a Lecturer at St Mark's National Theological Centre, Charles Sturt University, Australia.