Redraws the map of the New Testament and Christian origins confronting much of the scepticism of recent New Testament scholarship to offer a new understanding of Resurrection, Christology, atonement and parousia.
Margaret Barker is a British Methodist preacher and biblical scholar recognized for her pioneering contributions to the study of early Christianity. Educated in theology at the University of Cambridge, she devoted her career to exploring the roots of Christian thought through what she terms Temple Theology, an approach tracing many aspects of early Christian liturgy and doctrine back to the worship of Solomon’s Temple. In 1998 she served as president of the Society for Old Testament Study, and in 2008 she was awarded the Lambeth Doctor of Divinity by the Archbishop of Canterbury in recognition of her scholarly achievements. Her influential works, including The Great High Priest (2003) and Temple Theology (2004), emphasize the enduring legacy of Temple worship, arguing that it shaped Christianity as deeply as Hellenistic and synagogue traditions. Drawing on sources ranging from the Hebrew Bible and Septuagint to the Dead Sea Scrolls, Gnostic writings, and early Christian texts, Barker’s research highlights the mystical dimensions of ancient worship and their relevance for understanding early Christian belief. Her work has been both praised for originality and critiqued within mainstream scholarship, yet remains highly influential across diverse theological traditions.
More technical than her other books so far that I've read. There are more footnotes on most pages than original writ from her, but as always, it made me seriously critically think. It continues to keep me thinking about the meaning of resurrection and placed an enormous bump in my theological road regarding the Apostle Paul. Read it and you'll see what I mean and then maybe we can discuss it further. Fascinating information as usual from my favorite biblical scholar.