The Great Reversal: Ethics and the New Testament

by Allen Verhey

There is no denying, writes Allen Verhey, that churches today are called to discern shape and style of life “worthy of the gospel of Christ” in the twentieth century. Even in the face of changing situations and new moral problems to address, the contemporary church stands self-consciously in a tradition of which the New Testament is a normative part. / In this major new study of New Testament ethics, Verhey examines first of all the ethic of Jesus, for it is there that the tradition begins. He then analyzes the different forms in which the early church handed down the memory of Jesus' words and deeds in the development of a moral tradition. Next he deals with that tradition as it came to canonical expression in the New Testament writings. / In the last part of the book Verhey focuses on the use of the New Testament in the continuing moral tradition of the church, surveying proposals for the use of Scripture, identifying the critical methodological questions, and defending a “modest proposal” for the use of Scripture.

Paperback

First published June 19, 1984

Reviews

[Tristan Sherwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verhey’s work is definitely insightful, and offers some interesting perceptions on the ethical purposes of the writers of the New Testament as they write to the respective audiences. However, although Verhey presents his (and his opponent’s) arguments with clarity, there are a couple of sections in this book which assume that the reader has already dipped their toe within these waters enough to have a basic familiarity with the ideas and methods in view.

Having said that, for those who don’t mind something at a slightly deeper level, there’s some great gems here. And personally, Verhey’s discussion on the nature of Scripture (which subsequently determines how we engage with Scripture) within Section C of chapter four (“A Modest Proposal”)—where he applies a Chacheldonian outlook, maintaining that it is both the Word of God and the words of humanity—is worth the price tag alone.