Da Silva, David. (2004) an

Da Silva, David. (2004) an Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation. New York: Intervarsity Press. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation by David DaSilva presents not simply an excellent overview of the Bible as a literary and historical work, as its title might suggest. It also provides a refreshing combination of scholarly insight and deeply felt exegesis about the ministry and teaching methods of the figure of Jesus, and how to interpret this figure in a series of different gospel contexts.

Evidently, the author does not see exegetical scholarship about the literary historical context of the Bible as anathema to Christian belief and counseling. DaSilva begins his work by painting a multifaceted portrait of the Roman world of Jesus' time, including the debates within Judaism of Jesus' day, and the contrasting ancient Roman and Greek pagan beliefs. Before even beginning to analyze the Bible, DaSilva helps readers understand the often-fraught world that produced the Bible, and the culture that produced the Hebraic texts before the New Testament books were written.

However, for a reader seeking to formulate biblical approach to counseling, the most instructive aspect of the text is the way DaSilva's exegetical interpretation is both historically and textually based, yet still grounded in a coherent theology of the figure of Christ. The author does not deny the differences of intent and material of the four gospel narratives.

DaSilva isolates how Matthew deviates from Mark in content, such as through Matthew's inclusion of the "Sermon on the Mount." (248) He offers, thus, a way to marry intellect with feeling upon the part of a student of theology. But more than that, DaSilva provides a helpful rubric of analysis, that Mark, Matthew, Luke and John's 'Jesus' are not different versions of Christianity, but simply different ways of looking at the same figure in a historical Christian context. A balanced and psychologically astute understanding of Christ emerges from his text.

DaSilva calls Mark's gospel narrative the narrative of Jesus' following the way of the cross. This is the Jesus that cries out to God in his suffering from upon the cross and seeks, but often fails to find, understanding of his mission. (194) in apparent contrast to Mark, Matthew provides the most 'Jewish' or Messianic version of all the gospels.

Hence this Jesus of Matthew is shown to be a fulfillment of past prophesy of the royal house of David and Matthew's Jesus stands example of historical consistence and teaching through the use of text and words. (234) Matthew, true to the Jewish tradition, stresses verbal as opposed to 'felt' or physical interpretations of human missions in life, like the suffering of Jesus in Mark. Luke is the most interior of all the gospels, stressing the need for Jesus to remain following the heart of the Father in heaven.

(298) the gospel narrative according to the apostle John calls upon Jesus to follow the one from above, a concept that is complementary in spirit to Luke, but painted using completely different metaphors of the Word, the Light, and ascension. (398) the only non-synoptic gospel narrative, John in contrast to the synoptic Mark, Matthew, and Luke is a testimony both to the diversity and plurality of vision in Early Christianity in Christian history.

DaSilva's analysis of the figure of Jesus in these tales illustrates the historical context and exegetical differences of these books, and his interpretation also implies that the fullest vision of contemporary Christianity is one that embraces all versions of Christ across all four gospel narratives. For example, an individual seeking Biblical counseling may first find psychological respite in the image of Mark of the suffering Christ, crying out in despair upon the Cross.

Next, there is an attempt, as in Matthew, to tie an individual's mission, suffering, and life to a larger familial and national tradition of hope, of fulfillment, faith, and redemption, through talking and emotional healing. Then, through discussing the Jesus as presented in Luke, the heart in a less intellectual and verbal fashion is opened up, to a mission of forgiveness and hope and return to the Father anew.

And finally, a greater understanding of the self in a larger context of a relationship of earth to heaven is achieved through discussing an individual's problems in context of the book of John. Through diversity of understanding of the figure of Jesus, comes strength in the Christian mission, and one's personal mission, and this is why Jesus' words and deeds were recorded in such a pluralistic fashion.

DaSilva also gives considerable attention to other redemptive figures in the New Testament, such as the story of Paul, once the persecutor Saul, who became the missionary of the word to the gentiles. In all of the gospels, the figure of John the Baptist is given equally great attention as a kind of conduit figure between ordinary people and Jesus, an interpretive, even counseling presence that provides understanding. And the tale of establishing the Early Christian faith is itself instructive, as it shows how the.