Apostasy in the New Testament Communities (3 vols.)

by B. J. Oropeza

Publisher:

Cascade Books

, 2011–2012

Overview

C.H. Spurgeon once said, “This would be the first step in apostasy; men first forget the true, and then adore the false.” In this three-volume set, B.J. Oropeza offers a thorough examination of the subject of apostasy in the New Testament. His approach is four-fold. First, to identify the author, audience, and apostates or potential apostates. Next, to examine the perceived nature of apostasy within the communities.Third, to address the perceived consequences of apostasy. And finally, to compare the perspectives on apostasy of the New Testament writers and their communities. Oropeza concludes that the earliest followers of Christ did not all believe and teach the same on the issue of apostasy.

Key Features

• Examines apostasy in the entire New Testament
• Explores the perception of apostasy in each book of the New Testament
• Investigates the idea of restoration for apostatized defectors

Praise for the Print Edition

Professor B.J. Oropeza’s three-volume work on perseverance and apostasy in the New Testament is certain to become the standard in the field for years to come . . . it is thoroughly exegetical, without attempting to promote established theological agendas.

—Don Garlington, author of Studies in the New Perspective on Paul

Professor Oropeza provides readers with a stimulating study of apostasy in early Christian communities. It is an important (and much neglected) topic and warrants a careful, detailed study. What I especially like about Oropeza’s approach is his skillful integration of exegesis, biblical theology, and historical and social contexts . . . Readers will come across a number of interpretive gems.

—Craig A. Evans, Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Acadia Divinity College, Nova Scotia, Canada

Product Details

• Title: Apostasy in the New Testament Communities
• Author: B.J. Oropeza
• Series: Apostasy in the New Testament Communities
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Volumes: 3
• Pages: 1,090
• Resource Type: Monographs
• Topic: Biblical Studies

Apostasy in the New Testament Communities, Volume 1: In the Footsteps of Judas and Other Defectors–The Gospels, Acts, and Johannine Letters

• Author: B.J. Oropeza
• Series: Apostasy in the New Testament Communities
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 322

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

B.J. Oropeza examines each book of the Gospels, Acts, and Johannine letters from an angle that is often neglected—religious aspostasy. He provides a thorough examination of how apostasy is viewed, opening up new veins of discussion on the issue. Looking at authorship, themes, and community affiliations Oropeza gives priority to Mark in the Synoptic Gospels before Matthew, combines Luke and Acts , and includes the Johannine epistles with John’s gospel as he investigates the phenomena regarding apostasy.

By investigating the themes of defection and apostasy, Oropeza develops substantial contextual insights into the texts of the New Testament, the implications of which exegetes will not want their own research to stand apart from consulting.

—Mark D. Nanos, lecturer, University of Kansas

What are the boundaries of Christian community? What might it mean to traverse those boundaries, and what are the consequences of doing so? In this clearly written and well-researched volume, Oropeza begins a journey through the New Testament that will take him, and us, through often familiar territory but from the unique perspective of questions about apostasy or defection among followers of Christ. The result is an uncommon study of early Christianity that invites important theological conversation.

—Joel B. Green, associate dean, Center for Advanced Theological Studies

Apostasy in the New Testament Communities, Volume 2: Jews, Gentiles, and the Opponents of Paul–The Pauline Letters

• Author: B.J. Oropeza
• Series: Apostasy in the New Testament Communities
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 424

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

B.J. Oropeza’s study of the disputed and undisputed Pauline epistles aims to show how the subject of apostasy was perceived in various New Testament communities. The person of Paul is first evaluated in the accusations against his own defection from the Jewish sect of the Pharisees, as narrated in the letter to the Galatians. Oropeza then reviews the Thessalonian letters—Paul’s earliest. The remaining Pauline epistles are covered in the order in which they were written, including the disputed letters of Ephesians and Colossians.

The present book offers a genuine contribution to Pauline studies, not only in its study and analysis of ‘apostasy’ as a socio-religious category addressed within the Pauline tradition but also in its overview of those whose ideas and practices were perceived as a very real threat to the salvific well-being of the churches.

—Loren T. Stuckenbruck, Richard Dearborn Professor of New Testament Studies, Princeton Theological Seminary

Apostasy in the New Testament Communities, Volume 3: Churches under Siege of Persecution and Assimilation–The General Epistles and Revelation

• Author: B.J. Oropeza
• Series: Apostasy in the New Testament Communities
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 344

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In this third and final book of a three-volume series, B.J. Oropeza covers the writings of the General Epistles and the communities in the book of Revelation—the seven churches in Asia Minor. In Hebrews there were warnings of apostasy with no restoration, yet in James there can be restoration of apostates. Peter identifies marginalized Christians and apostate teachers. Jude confronts apostate intruders. Revelation is about overcoming assimilation in the Asia Minor communities.

In the final volume of this major study, B.J. Oropeza completes his survey of the various approaches to apostasy in the New Testament texts and communities. With plenty of insightful observations on each book, and valuable reflections on the similarities and the diversity encountered across the various texts, this work will be a point of reference on this important but somewhat neglected topic for some time to come.

—David G. Horrell, professor of New Testament studies, University of Exeter, United Kingdom

About B.J. Oropeza

B.J. Oropeza is professor of biblical studies at Azusa Pacific University. He is the current founder and chair of the Intertextuality in the New Testament sessions for the Society of Biblical Literature. Among his many publications are Jesus and Paul: Global Perspectives in Honor of James D.G. Dunn, and Paul and Apostasy: Eschatology, Perseverance and Falling away in the Corinthian Congregation.