Imitating Jesus: And Inclusive Approach to New Testament Ethics

Front Cover
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, Oct 22, 2007 - Religion - 490 pages
In contrast to many studies of New Testament ethics, which treat the New Testament in general and Paul in particular, this book focuses on the person of Jesus himself. Richard Burridge maintains that imitating Jesus means following both his words -- which are very demanding ethical teachings -- and his deeds and example of being inclusive and accepting of everyone.

Burridge carefully and systematically traces that combination of rigorous ethical instruction and inclusive community through the letters of Paul and the four Gospels, treating specific ethical issues pertaining to each part of Scripture. The book culminates with a chapter on apartheid as an ethical challenge to reading the New Testament; using South Africa as a contemporary case study enables Burridge to highlight and further apply his previous discussion and conclusions.

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Contents

b South Africa
17
Great Moral Teacher or Friend of Sinners?
33
xx
110
Ethical issues in early Pauline communities
116
Conclusion
154
b Forgiveness and repentance
159
46
173
Conclusion
184
62
246
Imitating Jesus the friend of sinners
274
Conclusion
282
Johns Christology
292
Johns setting and eschatology
307
An Ethical and Generic Challenge
347
Looking for principles and universal values
368
Embracing an overall symbolic worldview
382

49
194
50
203
22
209
13
217
Conclusion
224
A Universal Concern
227
Reading together in an inclusive community
388
Conclusion
406
Indexes
457
Biblical References and Ancient Sources
471
Copyright

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About the author (2007)

Richard A. Burridge is dean of King's College London, where he is also professor of biblical interpretation anddirector of New Testament studies.

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