Matthew in History: Interpretation, Influence, and Effects

by Ulrich Luz

In this provocative book, Ulrich Luz points the way beyond the limitations of the historical-critical method as it has been practiced during the past two centuries. He demonstrates the richness of the insights that can be gained when the interpreter considers a variety of effects and influences that a text has had in subsequent history, a method of inquiry he calls Wirkungsgeschichte. This distinctive approach, which Luz so brilliantly exhibits in his multi-volume commentary on Matthew, is here applied to the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 10, and Matthew 16:18. Insights from the ancient fathers, from Scholastics, from Reformers and Anabaptists, and from many others are adduced to demonstrate the importance of the history of Christian thought for the interpretation of biblical texts.

122 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

Reviews

[Seandots On · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luz, in this short brief book explains the chaos of historical-critical method. Luz is an influential Matthean scholar and the pulse he gives in this book is we need to rely on the Spirit and understand history.

[Sanjuro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luz is one of the most important Matthean interpreters of the 20th century. In this short book, which he considers a companion to his commentary, Luz explores the ramifications of the history of Matthean interpretation on our understanding of the text. In this book, he effectively and appropriately questions the effectiveness and intent of historical critical scholarship, while offering a way forward in the use of Matthew and the Bible as a whole for the church today.

I liked most things about this book. I share Luz's concerns regarding historical critical scholarship, and some of the exegesis he offers is very insightful. However, I was hoping for more of a reception history of Matthew, with detailed analysis of various interpreters over the years, and Luz actually offers much less insight into reception history than the title and description suggests. The book is, in many ways, bogged down by Luz's own philosophical approach to hermeneutics, much of which is helpful, but some of which is an overreaction to the failings of historical criticism.

Overall, a helpful book.