Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Volume II: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1-2 Peter

by Ben Witherington III

Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Volume 2 is the one of two volumes extending Ben Witherington's innovative socio-rhetorical analysis of New Testament books to the latter-Pauline and non-Pauline corpora. By dividing the volumes according to the socioreligious contexts for which they were written, Witherington sheds fresh light on the documents, their provenance, character and importance. Throughout, Witherington shows his thorough knowledge of recent literature on these texts and focuses his attention on the unique insights brought about through socio-rhetorical analysis that either reinforces or corrects those gleaned from other approaches. "Bridging the Horizons" sections point to the relevance of the text for believers today, making this volume of special value to pastors and general readers as well as to students and scholars.

Genres: Religion

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2008

About the author

Ben Witherington III (PhD, University of Durham) is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and is on the doctoral faculty at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He is the author or coauthor of more than thirty books, including The Jesus Quest, The Paul Quest, and The New York Times bestseller The Brother of Jesus. He has appeared on the History Channel, NBC, ABC, CBS, and CNN.

Reviews

[Jonathan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the commentaries I consulted for the purposes of preaching through 1 Peter recently, Witherington was - as is not unusual - by far the most fruitful. Combining a decent theological mind, awareness of pastoral concerns, copious information about the historical and cultural background (yet succinctly presented), hefty engagement with the text, and an agonizing degree of rhetorical analysis, this is a quite helpful volume. I'd add that, while I'd quibble with a couple minor theological asides here and there, Witherington also offers ingenious reconstructions of the authorship and composition of both 1 Peter and 2 Peter (a rather contested topic). Not a commentary to be missed, this one.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume carries on the same valuable commentary that was found in Volume 1 that covered the Pastoral Epistles and the Epistles of John. In Volume 2 he finishes the letters he feels were especially for Hellenized Christians by giving us this full commentary on I and II Peter. I always marvel at his output as a writer of commentaries and here is another 400+ page commentary.

I must confess that I find myself even in less agreement with him than with Volume 1, and it seems he started in the middle with the Introduction of I Peter. Still, that same good, easy-to-follow writing was present that makes commentary reading more enjoyable.

Conclusions about authorship I found particularly hard to follow, but he continues to present his opinions well and share scholarly thinking up to the present. He continues to see the”household code” just as he did in the Pastorals. His comments on the text still make for lively reading even where one must disagree. Agreement is not essential to gain from a commentary and I’m glad to have this one to use.

All in all, this is a solid commentary.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Steve Penner · Rating 3 out of 5]

In enjoy Witherington's commentaries. He comes out of the Wesleyan tradition and provides a good balance to the Reformed commentators I read as well. In this series he takes a little bit more of historical critical position on authorship and dating of II Peter believing it to be the work of Linus of Rome using first-hand knowledge of Peter's teaching, thus dating it later than Peter's death. But he still sees the letter as authentic Petrine teaching and authoritative. Witherington's intention in this series of commentaries is to show how classical rhetorical patterns of speech are adapted into the catholic epistles and make them somewhat unique. Would recommend this series to pastor's in their sermon preparation.