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From Hebrews to Revelation: A Theological Introduction
In this clearly written introduction to the latter half of the New Testament, Lewis Donelson begins by asking, if we read this text in this way, what voices do we hear? Such a reading strategy requires historical imagination because the documents are separated from us by time, space, language, and culture. It also requires making these texts conversation partners in our understanding about God and ourselves.
- GenresTheology
Paperback
First published November 1, 2000
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September 19, 2023
Final review, edited January 2024.
From Hebrews to Revelation: A Theological Introduction by theologian and scholar Lewis R. Donelson is designed as an introduction for the theology student and the lay-person to the latter writings of the New Testament. It will engage the reader in an intense study of the biblical books and will utilize a historical-critical method of analysis. Rev. Dr Donelson explains that “we shall proceed throughout under the assumption that one of the tasks of a ‘theological’ reading is to understand the theological ideas of the text in their original setting.”
From Hebrews to Revelation: A Theological Introduction is a detailed study text and will require close attention to the Biblical texts as well as a knowledge of basic theological premises and a willingness to probe deeply into the theology of these books.
I have decided to edit my review of this scholarly study of the last books of the New Testament. Dr. Donelson described his work as a series of essays. However, his formatting of the text allowed me to review it as a book. Here is my reaction to the entire text.
Each of the books of Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, Jude and 2 Peter, The Letters of John (treated as a unit), and Revelation is treated separately by Lewis R. Donelson. His Preface and Introduction explain fully the historical-critical reading of the Bible, and they are extremely valuable to the reader to understand before approaching the main text. Modern and ancient theological controversies are not avoided but are discussed when relevant to understanding the purpose and intent of each book.
I found the author's detailed commentaries on each book of the Bible to be penetrating, exhaustive and scholarly. Every point made by the author is supported by a reference to the text of the Bible so that the reader can do his own examination of the scriptures. Each book of the Bible is presented with an introduction by Dr. Donelson and a detailed outline of the book. The main sections of the books are separated and an outline is provided.
For example, these are the topical headings for 1 Peter.
* OUTLINE
* The Particular Voice of 1 Peter
* New Birth
* Exiles and Aliens
* The Good Outsider
* Wives and Slaves
* Necessary Suffering
* Be Holy: Love for the Community
* The Universality of the Gospel
* Conclusion.
The conclusion of From Hebrews to Revelation: A Theological Introduction includes a helpful Suggestions for Further Reading with a listing of recommended introductory books regarding the Biblical books studied in this text. Lewis R. Donelson does not leave you to fumble with drawing conclusions after reading, for example, the Book of 1 Peter. We travel with Professor Donelson through the text, line by line, keyword by keyword. The historical setting of this book, written by the Apostle Peter, is discussed along with an examination of how Peter's epistle can be applied to modern Christians. We examine the literary images, the structure of the Greek text and compare it to Pauline theology. We search for the "original" author of 1 Peter, as theologians today understand that we do not receive modern translations of the Bible untouched or unedited from the primary author, in this specific instance probably writing in the late 80's, 1st century AD.
The lack of a final, overall conclusion to his valuable study is explained in the Preface by Lewis R. Donelson . Each section of this volume was originally conceived as an essay. However, the themes and analytical approach to his work provokes the reader to view it as a scholarly book or treatise. These final books of the New Testament take us deeply into the theology of early Christianity, and are important as being texts separate from the Paul texts so abundant in the middle section of the New Testament. Therefore, given the critical approach of this study and the substantial commentaries of the author, I felt the lack of a final discourse on this intellectual and spiritual examination of the books and pervasive themes of Hebrews through Revelation was disappointing.
As a former student of Dr Donelson, I can promise the reader an intense experience in encountering new impressions and insights into books of the Bible you only thought that you knew. Dr. Lewis R. Donelson, retired Professor of New Testament at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
From Hebrews to Revelation: A Theological Introduction by theologian and scholar Lewis R. Donelson is designed as an introduction for the theology student and the lay-person to the latter writings of the New Testament. It will engage the reader in an intense study of the biblical books and will utilize a historical-critical method of analysis. Rev. Dr Donelson explains that “we shall proceed throughout under the assumption that one of the tasks of a ‘theological’ reading is to understand the theological ideas of the text in their original setting.”
From Hebrews to Revelation: A Theological Introduction is a detailed study text and will require close attention to the Biblical texts as well as a knowledge of basic theological premises and a willingness to probe deeply into the theology of these books.
I have decided to edit my review of this scholarly study of the last books of the New Testament. Dr. Donelson described his work as a series of essays. However, his formatting of the text allowed me to review it as a book. Here is my reaction to the entire text.
Each of the books of Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, Jude and 2 Peter, The Letters of John (treated as a unit), and Revelation is treated separately by Lewis R. Donelson. His Preface and Introduction explain fully the historical-critical reading of the Bible, and they are extremely valuable to the reader to understand before approaching the main text. Modern and ancient theological controversies are not avoided but are discussed when relevant to understanding the purpose and intent of each book.
I found the author's detailed commentaries on each book of the Bible to be penetrating, exhaustive and scholarly. Every point made by the author is supported by a reference to the text of the Bible so that the reader can do his own examination of the scriptures. Each book of the Bible is presented with an introduction by Dr. Donelson and a detailed outline of the book. The main sections of the books are separated and an outline is provided.
For example, these are the topical headings for 1 Peter.
* OUTLINE
* The Particular Voice of 1 Peter
* New Birth
* Exiles and Aliens
* The Good Outsider
* Wives and Slaves
* Necessary Suffering
* Be Holy: Love for the Community
* The Universality of the Gospel
* Conclusion.
The conclusion of From Hebrews to Revelation: A Theological Introduction includes a helpful Suggestions for Further Reading with a listing of recommended introductory books regarding the Biblical books studied in this text. Lewis R. Donelson does not leave you to fumble with drawing conclusions after reading, for example, the Book of 1 Peter. We travel with Professor Donelson through the text, line by line, keyword by keyword. The historical setting of this book, written by the Apostle Peter, is discussed along with an examination of how Peter's epistle can be applied to modern Christians. We examine the literary images, the structure of the Greek text and compare it to Pauline theology. We search for the "original" author of 1 Peter, as theologians today understand that we do not receive modern translations of the Bible untouched or unedited from the primary author, in this specific instance probably writing in the late 80's, 1st century AD.
The lack of a final, overall conclusion to his valuable study is explained in the Preface by Lewis R. Donelson . Each section of this volume was originally conceived as an essay. However, the themes and analytical approach to his work provokes the reader to view it as a scholarly book or treatise. These final books of the New Testament take us deeply into the theology of early Christianity, and are important as being texts separate from the Paul texts so abundant in the middle section of the New Testament. Therefore, given the critical approach of this study and the substantial commentaries of the author, I felt the lack of a final discourse on this intellectual and spiritual examination of the books and pervasive themes of Hebrews through Revelation was disappointing.
As a former student of Dr Donelson, I can promise the reader an intense experience in encountering new impressions and insights into books of the Bible you only thought that you knew. Dr. Lewis R. Donelson, retired Professor of New Testament at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
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