This study begins by offering an introduction to the neglected role of Wirkungs geschichte in biblical interpretation, developing reflections on appropriate methods and approaches in dialogue with the work of Heikki Räisänen and especially Ulrich Luz. It is argued that the modern meaning of a biblical text cannot be fully elucidated without reference to the history of both its meaning and its effects in the period between the ancient author and the modern interpreter. Turning to the effective history of Paul's letter to the Philippians, the article then examines both the influence of the letter as a whole and that of three particular passages (1.21-23; 2.5-11; 3.20). It is suggested that the genre of the commentary is particularly well suited to a running account of the place and presence of biblical books within the history of our civilization, which could provide vital tools for the construction of a hermeneutical bridge from the world of the text to the world of the Christian reader and his or her community
In the long-standing debate between universalist and particularist interpretations of Jesus, recent years have witnessed the relentless rise of the idea that his was a socially radical and subversive gospel ahead of its time, fully in keeping with contemporary cultural agendas of “inclusion” or “inclusiveness”. The present study attempts to contextualize this “inclusive Jesus” within New Testament studies by means of three angles of approach: (1) recent work on the “inclusive”ethics of Jesus, (2) Jacob Neusner’s critique of New Testament scholarship on Jewish particularism and Christian universalism, and (3) the reception in current debate of Joachim Jeremias’ interpretation of Jesus’ view of Gentiles. In view of the overwhelming evidence that Jesus was “inclusive” as well as “exclusive” in both theology and praxis, Concluding Observations stress the location of this problem within a wider understanding of the biblical view of Election, and identify the Israelite particularity of Jesus as essential to his mission on behalf of Israel as well as the nations.
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