IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD… JOHN 1:1

And – it could be argued  – from the beginning there have been interpreters of the Word; or even that the entire New Testament is itself a series of interpretations of the Word.

New Testament Matters: Biblical & Theological Essays – One by internationally acclaimed biblical scholar Francis Moloney SDB assumes this age-long understanding that the various writings of the New Testament were written for particular readers, not primarily to remind them simply of events in the life of Jesus of Nazareth but that what he taught and what he preached mattered to them in their lives then – in first century communities. And matters to us now – in our lives, in our churches, in our witness.

While the book is a series of chapters originally published in various academic journals, its purpose remains primarily an invitation and an encouragement to understand and appreciate how various key passages emerged within that early tradition and how contemporary insights continue the ancient openness to new ways of understanding the text in preaching, teaching  and  personal reflection.

The entire Bible is central to our tradition, our worship and our living and while in some ways the book reflects the personal and professional journey of its celebrated author, its purpose is to strengthen all who believe, particularly  that the New Testament matters for those who consider themselves disciples of the Word.