Matthew: Christian Rabbi

Matthew: Christian Rabbi presents a radically different approach to the study and understanding of Matthew and all the Gospels.  Building on ground-breaking scholarship by English theologian Michael Goulder, it presents historical and cultural background, then offers a radical (but highly convincing) scenario for the development of the Gospel: as a cycle of Sabbath readings for use in synagogues (and later, in churches when Christian groups had separated from Jewish congregations).  While taking a historical approach in examining each section of the Gospel in turn, presenting every Biblical source and parallel for each verse, the book discusses significant theological problems and issues.  (Why did Matthew omit Mark’s account of Jesus’ family seeking to have him locked up because they thought he was crazy?  Why do all the Gospels take different approaches to playing down the significance of John the Baptist?)  Suitable for ongoing group study or individual reading.