T&T Clark Social Identity Commentary on the New Testament - by J Brian Tucker & Aaron Kuecker (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The T & T Clark Social Identity Commentary on the New Testament is a one-of-a-kind comprehensive Bible resource that highlights the way the NT seeks to form the social identity of the members of the earliest Christ-movement. By drawing on the interpretive resources of social-scientific theories-especially those related to the formation of identity-interpreters generate new questions that open fruitful identity-related avenues into the text. It provides helpful introductions to each NT book that focus on various social dimensions of the text as well as a commentary structure that illuminates the text as a work of social influence.

The commentary offers methodologically informed discussions of difficult and disputed passages and highlights cultural contexts in theoretically informed ways-drawing on resources from social anthropology, historical sociology, or social identity theory. The innovative but careful scholarship of these writers, most of whom have published monographs on some aspect of social identity within the New Testament, brings to the fore often overlooked social and communal aspects inherent in the NT discourse. The net result is a more concrete articulation of some of the every-day lived experiences of members of the Christ-movement within the Roman Empire, while also offering further insight into the relationship between existing and new identities that produced diverse expressions of the Christ-movement during the first century. The SICNT shows that identity-formation is at the heart of the NT and it offers insights for leaders of faith communities addressing these issues in contemporary contexts.

Review Quotes

The one-volume commentary should provide quick access to a reading of the Bible focused on identity and will be useful for students and pastors.
Proposal Review

This commentary on the New Testament, from the perspective of social-identity theory, is welcome news indeed, providing unique insights into the actions and attitudes of the persons in the biblical narratives, and what motivates them to do what they do and say what they say.
BEN WITHERINGTON, Asbury Theological Seminary, USA

This would be a unique 1-volume resource. Any scholar or student/pastor interested in social-scientific approaches to the biblical texts would want a copy.
Proposal

About the Author

J. Brian Tucker is Professor of New Testament at Moody Theological Seminary, USA, and an external affiliate at The Centre for the Social-Scientific Study of the Bible at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, London.

Aaron Kuecker is Provost and Professor of New Testament at Trinity Christian College, USA, and is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America, USA.