A Narrative Theology of the New Testament

Exploring the Metanarrative of Exile and Restoration

by Timo Eskola

Book cover: A Narrative Theology of the New Testament

Extent: 477 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament

Series volume number: 350

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(April 2018)

ISBN: 9783161562211

Price: $74.00

In stock

Focusing on the metanarrative of exile and restoration Timo Eskola claims that a post-liberal, narrative New Testament theology is both consistent and explanative. Combining a post-New Quest perspective on Jesus with an eschatological reading of Paul, the author states that Jesus’ temple criticism aims at restoration eschatology. Jesus starts a priestly community that expects God’s jubilee to begin with Jesus’ work, and proceed with the preaching of the new gospel.


Focusing on the metanarrative of exile and restoration Timo Eskola claims that a post-liberal, narrative New Testament theology is both consistent and explanative. Combining a post-New Quest perspective on Jesus with an eschatological reading of Paul, the author states that Jesus’ temple criticism aims at restoration eschatology. Jesus starts a priestly community that expects God’s jubilee to begin with Jesus’ work, and proceed with the preaching of the new gospel. The reception of this message in the post-Easter church results in resurrection Christology that proclaims Jesus’ Davidic kingship on God’s throne of glory. Both Paul and Jewish Christian teachers later present Christ’s community as a new temple where believers serve the Lord as priests of the new covenant. Furthermore, restoration eschatology provides a new basis for understanding Paul’s contrast with the words of the law, and his teaching of justification.

  • By (author) Timo Eskola

"A Narrative Theology of the New Testament has the potential to generate helpful and meaningful conversations not only about the temple motif and the exile and restoration eschatology but also about narrative methodology, intertextuality, the theological content and formation of Jesus's teaching and message, its relation to the Old Testament and Second Temple writings, and its appropriation by the early Christian theologians." --Abson Joseph, Indiana Wesleyan University, Review of Biblical Literature 8.3.2017
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