The Epistle of Barnabas and the Deuteronomic Tradition
Polemics, Paraenesis, and the Legacy of the Golden-Calf Incident
by James N. Rhodes
The Epistle of Barnabas , an anonymous Christian writing of the late first or early second century C.E., makes a provocative claim: because of its worship of the golden-calf, Israel lost its covenant status forever at Sinai. As a result of this bold assertion, many recent scholars have concluded that Barnabas disinherits the Jews at Sinai and has no notion of salvation history.In this work James N. Rhodes reassesses the theology of the Epistle of Barnabas , seeking to reopen the question of the author’s view of Israel. He claims that recent scholarship has focused too narrowly on Barnabas’s treatment of the golden-calf incident, overlooking the author’s equally strong interest in the death of Jesus and the destruction of Jerusalem.The author suggests that the apostasy at Sinai serves Barnabas as a dramatic illustration of Israel’s failures. It does not, however, mark the end of Israel’s story. He identifies several indications that Barnabas believed Israel’s covenant remained intact long after the golden-calf incident. He further shows how Barnabas subtly but repeatedly links the rejection of Jesus to the destruction of Jerusalem, concluding that this connection is of the highest importance for understanding the author’s view of Israel’s legacy.James N. Rhodes situates the author’s thought within the ongoing Deuteronomistic tradition by comparing the epistle to several Jewish and Christian writings that evince similar interest in the destruction of Jerusalem and the status of Israel’s covenant. He concludes that the Epistle of Barnabas was written in the early second century to warn Gentile Christians of the danger of failing to live up to God’s covenant. The fate of Israel is viewed as a cautionary tale that the privileges of the covenant can indeed be lost.
- By (author) James N Rhodes
Other Titles in this Series
2 Corinthians – a Letter about Reconciliation
A Psychagogical, Epistolographical and Rhetorical Analysis
Volume 239
Die Starken und die Schwachen in Korinth und in Rom
Zu Herkunft und Funktion der Antithese in 1Kor 8,1-11,1 und in Rom 14,1-15,13
Volume 200
Cosmic Christology in Paul and the Pauline School
Colossians and Ephesians in the Context of Graeco-Roman Cosmology, with a New Synopsis of the Greek Texts
Volume 171
The Birth and Death of the PreMarkan Passion Narrative
A History of Form Criticism's Most Assured Result
Volume 608
The Antichrist Tradition in Antiquity
Antimessianism in Second Temple and Early Christian Literature
Volume 532
Der Richter und seine Anklager
Eine narratologische Untersuchung der Rechtsstreit- und Prozessmotivik im Johannesevangelium
Volume 501
Sinners and Sinfulness in Luke
A Study of Direct and Indirect References in the Initial Episodes of Jesus' Activity
Volume 434
Der Heilige Geist bei Lukas
Theologisches Profil, Grund und Intention der lukanischen Pneumatologie
Volume 389
The Ransom Logion in Mark and Matthew
Its Reception and Its Significance for the Study of the Gospels
Volume 327
Allegory Transformed
The Appropriation of Philonic Hermeneutics in the Letter to the Hebrews
Volume 269
Die Wundererzahlungen im Markusevangelium
Eine narratologische Analyse zur Erschliessung eines soteriologischen Erzahlprinzips
Volume 618
Paulus und der Nous
Eine Untersuchung zur paulinischen Anthropologie vor dem Hintergrund hellenistisch-jüdischer und griechisch-römischer Konzeptionen
A Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation of the Letter to Philemon in Light of the New Institutional Economics
An Exhortation to Transform a Master-Slave Economic Relationship into a Brotherly Loving Relationship
Volume 444
Figuren als Handlungsmodelle
Simon Petrus, die samaritische Frau, Judas und Thomas als Zugänge zu einer narrativen Ethik des Johannesevangeliums. Kontexte und Normen neutestamentlicher Ethik / Contexts and Norms of New Testament Ethics. Band VI
What was Mark for Matthew?
An Examination of Matthew's Relationship and Attitude to his Primary Source
Volume 344
Christ as the Telos of Life
Moral Philosophy, Athletic Imagery, and the Aim of Philippians
Volume 371
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