Reviewed Book: Ladd, George Eldon. A theology of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993

Buck, Erwin

English

Scholars Commons

Consensus
Volume 20
Issue 2 In Praise of Valiant Women Article 17
11-1-1994
A theology of the New Testament
Erwin Buck
Follow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus
This Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by an
authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.
Recommended Citation
Buck, Erwin (1994) "A theology of the New Testament," Consensus: Vol. 20 : Iss. 2 , Article 17.
Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol20/iss2/17
162 Consensus
Reimer writes with enthusiasm and with love of the sul)ject and his
approach is contagious. It is a thesis, however, and not a narrative that is
easy to read. It requires study, and rewards the effort.
Brian Peckam
Regis College, University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ontario
A Theology of the New Testament
|
George Eldon Ladd
|
Revised by Donald A. Hagner
jl
Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1993 (1974)
l
719 pp. + Indices $34.99 U.S. paper
j
In view of the erosion of scholarly consensus in biblical studies, the
writing of a New Testament theology has become extremely difficult. Many
regard it as an impossible undertaking, while others (notably Goppelt, Hub-
ner, and Stuhlmacher) have courageously approached the task anew. Ladd’s r
is the only contemporary comprehensive NT theology by a North American, f
In this book the renowned former professor of New Testament at Fuller
Theological Seminary does not purport to make an original contribution or
to solve difficult problems. He modestly offers a (not the) NT theology.
From a survey of a vast amount of scholarly research (much of it drawn
from Kittel’s TDNT), Ladd has compiled those scholarly conclusions which I
seemed most persuasive to him and to others who stand in the tradition '
of American Evangelicalism. Throughout the book he has attempted to
face critical questions openly and to represent fairly the views of those with
whom he disagrees.
The iDook is intended for beginners, primarily for seminary students,
and it has been “especially instrumental in helping many fundamentalists to '
see for the first time not merely the acceptability, but the inclispensability, ;
of historical criticism” (p. 19). Since its initiad publication in 1974, it has i :
exerted immense influence, especial^ in conservative circles. Its merits and
shortcomings are well known.
The core material ha,s been arranged in six sections: 1) The Synop- l <
tic Gospels, 2) The Fourth Gospd, 3) The Primitive Church, 4) Paul, 5) I ;
Hebrews and the G(ui('ral Epistk's, and G) The Apocalypse.
,ji
Although Ladd asst'rts that th(' gosi)(ds are both history and theolog}^ v
he uses the Synoptic Gospds priniaril)^ as sources for information about e„
the life and teaching of .Jesus, lu'gk'cting their own theological contribution, ^
whereas he examines the Fourth Gosixl primarily for its theological content,
The discussion of Acts (pp. .347- 350) is surprisingly brief. The chief L
objective here api)ea,rs to b(' a. defense of the historical accuracy of the j
Book Reviews 163
content of Acts, including the speeches. The theology of the Apocalypse,
likewise (pp. 669-683), is barely delineated.
The section on Paul (pp. 397-614), by contrast, is very comprehensive,
but is marred by a rather trifling handling of the authorship question. Ac-
cording to Ladd, all NT documents have been written by the persons who
are traditionally regarded as their authors. Although Ladd acknowledges
difficulties in maintaining such a view, he assures the reader that “conser-
vative scholars have not found these difficulties insurmountable” (p. 648).
He rarely informs the reader about what those difficulties are and why in
: his opinion it is safe to make light of them.
Ladd is well aware of the great diversity in the content of the NT.
Nevertheless, he insists that a genuine unity pervades the whole. Sometimes
it appears that he achieves the impression of such a unity by glossing over
[
some serious tensions in the texts.
' Donald Hagner, the editor of the revised edition, holds the G.E. Ladd
B chair in New Testament at Fuller. He enlisted the help of R.T. France and
D. Wenham to remedy two deficiencies which Ladd himself had intended to
K address before his death in 1980 (delineating the theologies of the Synoptic
B Gospels [ch. 16] and a more detailed discussion of unity and diversity in
1 the NT [appendix] respectively).
Other improvements of the revised edition include: 1) an essay by Hag-
ner sketching the more recent developments in the discipline, 2) a subject
index, 3) the use of more inclusive language, and 4) updated bibliographies
[ which allow the reader to gain information about developments which have
i taken place since the completion of Ladd’s original edition. In all other
respects the revised edition replicates the original, except that in some one
j
dozen places Hagner has added his own brief footnotes to redress certain
I imbalances in the original text.
In his essay on recent developments in NT theology Hagner observes
that several of the newer methods employed in biblical studies (such as
reader-response theory, structuralism, and deconstruction), are problematic
.
for the writing of a NT theology. Historical-critical study, he contends, must
remain the indispensable basis for the interpretation of biblical documents.
NT theology is a “descriptive” discipline, concerned with what the text
“meant”. As such it cannot afford to side-step historical questions.
R.T. France has contributed a good summary of the distinctive features
of each Synoptic Gospel. He maintains that a NT theology which ignores
•
1 the theological contributions of each Gospel writer would be incomplete.
The pre-Matthean tradition and Matthew’s own interpretation of that tra-
dition constitute “two stages of revelation”, both of them canonical, and
'
I
each of them an essential part of NT theology (p. 215). France is quick to
111
'I
assert, however, that those who believe in the inspiration of scripture must
I ij maintain that the gospel writers are not merely fallible or even tendentious
nl
;j
reporters of the words and deeds of Jesus.
lid J Since the task of writing a NT theology is one of relating the various
tkl parts to the whole, the diversity of the NT witnesses presents a major
164 Consensus
problem. In the Appendix Wenham acknowledges that considerable tension
did exist in the early church. He agrees with Dunn that theology was in J
a state of flux and that “there was not a single worked-out orthodoxy in i
the New Testament period” (p. 716). He even seems ready to concede that
|
authentic Christian faith can express itself in several different theologies, .
as redaction-critical studies indicate (p. 686). But he cannot agree with |
Dunn that “certain New Testament authors deliberately reject the ideas |
and views of other New Testament authors” (p. 686). To do so would call
j
into question the doctrine of the divine inspiration of scripture. Wenham
j
prefers to think that “the evidence of diversity is far less than has often |
]:>een suggested” (p. 702). i
In this reviewer’s opinion Ladd’s New Testament Theology is a very I
^'aluable resource for the intended audience. The reader would be well !
advised, however, to make extensive use of the ample bibliographies in
|
order to get a fuller picture of the views which Ladd and his revisers reject. ^
The issues are much more complex than even the much improved revision '
of Ladd’s book suggests. Little wonder that so few scholars attempt to
|
write a New Testament theology! Ladd and his revisers deserve credit and I
thanks for tackling so momentous a task. !
Erwin Buck
Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon
The New Testament and the People of God
Nicholas T. Wright
Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1989
476 pp.
The subject of Christian origins has been a lively academic arena ever
since the horrors of the Holocaust shocked theologians into probing what
there is in our Christian inheritance that might possibly have contributed
to this tragedy.
N.T. AVright has taken upon himself the task of developing “a consistent
hyi)othesis on the origin of Christianity” (p. xiv), and he gallops into
this mc'iia, with the combativeness of a jousting knight. But Wright is not
phiying games. The metaphor of warfare is his own choice to describe this
d('l)ate (p. .3) and it is not fanciful to portray this first volume of a planned
fiv('- volume project as a counter-attack, using hand-to-hand combat against
most rc'cf'iit scholarship. (The bibliography is 27 pages long!)
In Part I, the author introduces the questions to be addressed: “(1).
How did Christianity begin, and why did it take the shape that it did?
and (2) Whaf, does Christianity believe, and does it make sense?” (p. 10)'
He then sketches contemporary critical methods in each of the fields of
I
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i«'C
jl»ll
'b


A theology of the New Testament

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 20Issue 2 In Praise of Valiant Women Article 1711-1-1994A theology of the New TestamentErwin BuckFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationBuck, Erwin (1994) "A theology of the New Testament," Consensus: Vol. 20 : Iss. 2 , Article 17.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol20/iss2/17162 ConsensusReimer writes with enthusiasm and with love of the sul)ject and hisapproach is contagious. It is a thesis, however, and not a narrative that iseasy to read. It requires study, and rewards the effort.Brian PeckamRegis College, University of Toronto,Toronto, OntarioA Theology of the New Testament|George Eldon Ladd|Revised by Donald A. HagnerjlGrand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1993 (1974)l719 pp. + Indices $34.99 U.S. paperjIn view of the erosion of scholarly consensus in biblical studies, thewriting of a New Testament theology has become extremely difficult. Manyregard it as an impossible undertaking, while others (notably Goppelt, Hub-ner, and Stuhlmacher) have courageously approached the task anew. Ladd’s ris the only contemporary comprehensive NT theology by a North American, fIn this book the renowned former professor of New Testament at FullerTheological Seminary does not purport to make an original contribution orto solve difficult problems. He modestly offers a (not the) NT theology.From a survey of a vast amount of scholarly research (much of it drawnfrom Kittel’s TDNT), Ladd has compiled those scholarly conclusions which Iseemed most persuasive to him and to others who stand in the tradition 'of American Evangelicalism. Throughout the book he has attempted toface critical questions openly and to represent fairly the views of those withwhom he disagrees.The iDook is intended for beginners, primarily for seminary students,and it has been “especially instrumental in helping many fundamentalists to 'see for the first time not merely the acceptability, but the inclispensability, ;of historical criticism” (p. 19). Since its initiad publication in 1974, it has i :exerted immense influence, especial^ in conservative circles. Its merits andshortcomings are well known.The core material ha,s been arranged in six sections: 1) The Synop- l <tic Gospels, 2) The Fourth Gospd, 3) The Primitive Church, 4) Paul, 5) I ;Hebrews and the G(ui('ral Epistk's, and G) The Apocalypse.,jiAlthough Ladd asst'rts that th(' gosi)(ds are both history and theolog}^ vhe uses the Synoptic Gospds priniaril)^ as sources for information about e„the life and teaching of .Jesus, lu'gk'cting their own theological contribution, ^whereas he examines the Fourth Gosixl primarily for its theological content,The discussion of Acts (pp. .347- 350) is surprisingly brief. The chief Lobjective here api)ea,rs to b(' a. defense of the historical accuracy of the jBook Reviews 163content of Acts, including the speeches. The theology of the Apocalypse,likewise (pp. 669-683), is barely delineated.The section on Paul (pp. 397-614), by contrast, is very comprehensive,but is marred by a rather trifling handling of the authorship question. Ac-cording to Ladd, all NT documents have been written by the persons whoare traditionally regarded as their authors. Although Ladd acknowledgesdifficulties in maintaining such a view, he assures the reader that “conser-vative scholars have not found these difficulties insurmountable” (p. 648).He rarely informs the reader about what those difficulties are and why in: his opinion it is safe to make light of them.Ladd is well aware of the great diversity in the content of the NT.Nevertheless, he insists that a genuine unity pervades the whole. Sometimesit appears that he achieves the impression of such a unity by glossing over[some serious tensions in the texts.' Donald Hagner, the editor of the revised edition, holds the G.E. LaddB chair in New Testament at Fuller. He enlisted the help of R.T. France andD. Wenham to remedy two deficiencies which Ladd himself had intended toK address before his death in 1980 (delineating the theologies of the SynopticB Gospels [ch. 16] and a more detailed discussion of unity and diversity in1 the NT [appendix] respectively).Other improvements of the revised edition include: 1) an essay by Hag-ner sketching the more recent developments in the discipline, 2) a subjectindex, 3) the use of more inclusive language, and 4) updated bibliographies[ which allow the reader to gain information about developments which havei taken place since the completion of Ladd’s original edition. In all otherrespects the revised edition replicates the original, except that in some onejdozen places Hagner has added his own brief footnotes to redress certainI imbalances in the original text.In his essay on recent developments in NT theology Hagner observesthat several of the newer methods employed in biblical studies (such asreader-response theory, structuralism, and deconstruction), are problematic.for the writing of a NT theology. Historical-critical study, he contends, mustremain the indispensable basis for the interpretation of biblical documents.NT theology is a “descriptive” discipline, concerned with what the text“meant”. As such it cannot afford to side-step historical questions.R.T. France has contributed a good summary of the distinctive featuresof each Synoptic Gospel. He maintains that a NT theology which ignores•1 the theological contributions of each Gospel writer would be incomplete.The pre-Matthean tradition and Matthew’s own interpretation of that tra-dition constitute “two stages of revelation”, both of them canonical, and'Ieach of them an essential part of NT theology (p. 215). France is quick to111'Iassert, however, that those who believe in the inspiration of scripture mustI ij maintain that the gospel writers are not merely fallible or even tendentiousnl;jreporters of the words and deeds of Jesus.lid J Since the task of writing a NT theology is one of relating the varioustkl parts to the whole, the diversity of the NT witnesses presents a major164 Consensusproblem. In the Appendix Wenham acknowledges that considerable tensiondid exist in the early church. He agrees with Dunn that theology was in Ja state of flux and that “there was not a single worked-out orthodoxy in ithe New Testament period” (p. 716). He even seems ready to concede that|authentic Christian faith can express itself in several different theologies, .as redaction-critical studies indicate (p. 686). But he cannot agree with |Dunn that “certain New Testament authors deliberately reject the ideas |and views of other New Testament authors” (p. 686). To do so would calljinto question the doctrine of the divine inspiration of scripture. Wenhamjprefers to think that “the evidence of diversity is far less than has often |]:>een suggested” (p. 702). iIn this reviewer’s opinion Ladd’s New Testament Theology is a very I^'aluable resource for the intended audience. The reader would be well !advised, however, to make extensive use of the ample bibliographies in|order to get a fuller picture of the views which Ladd and his revisers reject. ^The issues are much more complex than even the much improved revision 'of Ladd’s book suggests. Little wonder that so few scholars attempt to|write a New Testament theology! Ladd and his revisers deserve credit and Ithanks for tackling so momentous a task. !Erwin BuckLutheran Theological Seminary, SaskatoonThe New Testament and the People of GodNicholas T. WrightMinneapolis: Fortress Press, 1989476 pp.The subject of Christian origins has been a lively academic arena eversince the horrors of the Holocaust shocked theologians into probing whatthere is in our Christian inheritance that might possibly have contributedto this tragedy.N.T. AVright has taken upon himself the task of developing “a consistenthyi)othesis on the origin of Christianity” (p. xiv), and he gallops intothis mc'iia, with the combativeness of a jousting knight. But Wright is notphiying games. The metaphor of warfare is his own choice to describe thisd('l)ate (p. .3) and it is not fanciful to portray this first volume of a plannedfiv('- volume project as a counter-attack, using hand-to-hand combat againstmost rc'cf'iit scholarship. (The bibliography is 27 pages long!)In Part I, the author introduces the questions to be addressed: “(1).How did Christianity begin, and why did it take the shape that it did?and (2) Whaf, does Christianity believe, and does it make sense?” (p. 10)'He then sketches contemporary critical methods in each of the fields ofI:aili«'Cjl»ll'b

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A theology of the New Testament

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