RT Article
T1 Matthew’s Gospel for today
JF Theology
VO 126
IS 1
SP 3
OP 19
A1 Barton, Stephen C. 1952-
LA English
PB Sage
YR 2023
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1830475061
AB In this article I offer an interpretation of the Gospel of Matthew in its originating context with a view to making some suggestions about how Matthew may still speak today. Working by inference from the shape and content of the Gospel, I suggest that, against the backdrop of the partings of the ways between synagogue and church, Matthew wrote for the following reasons: to establish and display Jesus’ identity; to help his readers understand better who they are; to strengthen his readers’ faith; to provide a warrant for Gentile inclusion in the people of God; and to show how God’s new people are to live. I then reflect on what may be considered responsible ways of appropriating Matthew for today, including the way in which his apocalyptic theology generates an ethos of moral seriousness.
K1 Torah
K1 Synagogue
K1 Pharisees
K1 Mission
K1 Matthew’s Gospel
K1 Jesus
K1 Gentiles
K1 Church
K1 Apocalyptic
DO 10.1177/0040571X221146273