Historical Theology
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 57, No. 2 – Spring 2015
Managing Editor: Terry L. Wilder
By Warren Carter. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013. xxi + 162 pages. Paperback, $21.99.
Warren Carter is currently professor of New Testament at Brite Divinity School. This work provides a stimulating format for an introduction to the historical, social, and religious background of the NT. Carter arranges the book around seven “events” (some are actually processes) that significantly shaped the ancient world in which the church began and grew. These events are (1) the death of Alexander the Great, (2) the translation of the Septuagint, (3) the rededication of the Jerusalem temple in 164 BC, (4) the Roman occupation of Judea, (5) the crucifixion of Jesus, (6) the writing of the NT texts, and (7) the “closing” of the NT canon. Carter uses each event as a launch pad for discussing historical, social, or religious factors that shaped the NT world.
Chapter 1 explains Alexander’s legacy as the spread of Hellenistic culture, which was a two-way road (8). The division of his kingdom was important, as was his example of manliness, which became a model for later Roman leaders (17-18). In chapter 2, Carter focuses on Jew-Gentile relations and how these two ethnicities were brought closer together through cultural assimilation in the process of the translation of the Septuagint (27-34). He also emphasizes the importance of the Septuagint for the NT writers and the early church, who he repeatedly says read the LXX with “Jesus-glasses” (35-41). In retelling the story of the Maccabees in chapter 3, he argues that Judaism exhibited varied responses to foreign oppression (50-55). First Maccabees prefers Jews to take up arms; Second Maccabees prefers pietistic martyrdom; Daniel advocates waiting for an eschatological deliverance from God. In explaining the significance of this event, he lays out the basic tenets of E. P. Sanders’ thesis of covenantal nomism and follows by expounding the New Perspective on Paul (56-64).
In chapter 4, Carter explains the various political dynasties that are relevant for the NT. Two responses to these oppressive dynasties were to await a Messianic deliverer, or to rebel and fight for freedom (74-79). So also in the NT the writers espoused different and contradictory (82) attitudes toward the Empire (80-85). In chapter five, Carter emphasizes it was only slaves, criminals, and seditious revels who were crucified (89-94). He suggests Jesus was crucified because of his kingdom proclamation, his confrontation with Jewish leaders allied with Rome, and eschatological threats against the Empire (94-100). The crucifixion is interpreted variously in the NT (Rom 3:25; 1 Cor 1:23; Gal 3:13; Gospel of Matthew). In chapter 6, Carter first accepts only the seven undisputed Pauline letters (108-11). He dates the rest of the NT documents late (117-32). In chapter 7, he argues that the canon was openended until it was basically closed at the Council of Carthage in AD 397 (133-49).
Thus, “the church produced the canon” (133).
Carter’s writing style is engaging and the organization of the book is helpful. The beginning student can easily remember these seven events and use them as pegs on which to hang NT background information. The work is meant to be used as a textbook for beginning NT students. Thus, disagreements will be on the level of details. Some of these disagreements will be determined by confessional lines. For example, some professors will not utilize a textbook for beginning NT students that denies Pauline authorship to six of his letters, emphasizes diversity and contradictions within the NT, distinguishes sharply between the Paul of Acts and the Paul of his letters (13), suggests universal salvation (44), negatively critiques the NT writings (108, 122), dates prophecies ex eventu (125), and states that the NT is sometimes ethically backwards and can be ignored (156). The fact that many of these positions are explained in an isolated discussion box with no connection at all to the topic at hand will put off some readers even more (13, 44).
Some disagreements will fall more along the lines of debatable details. Carter lays out Sanders’ thesis and the NPP, but he only asserts it. He does not mention any challenges to these positions (62-64). It also seems to be a forced implication of the Roman occupation of Judea, so why it is included there is a bit confusing. Moreover, in places Carter assumes one interpretation of a passage while ignoring the traditional interpretation, with the result that his interpretation of Galatians 3:13 flatly contradicts Galatians 3:10 (103), and his interpretation of Galatians 3:28 leads him to assert Paul contradicts himself (158). Carter either neglects or does not believe in Jesus’ post-resurrection ministry, since he says the apostles had to work out the significance of Christ’s death on their own (100). He also strangely denies the “already” to Paul’s eschatology (119). Lastly, his statements are often one sided. For example, he says the Gospels address the “specific situations and needs of their communities of Jesus-believers” (124), that they “are not eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ ministry” (126), and that they are written after AD 70 because they foretell the destruction of Jerusalem (125). These positions ignore recent scholarship that emphasizes a wide intended audience for the Gospels, their eyewitness nature, and the apocalyptic language rather than historical language used to describe the destruction of Jerusalem, which suggests the authenticity of the prophecy from Jesus. Thus, while some disagreements will stem from confessional differences, some perspectives in this work may be challenged on the basis of recent research and discussions. The idea of the book is in itself insightful and creative. Whether one adopts such a textbook will depend on one’s own agreements or disagreements with Carter’s positions.
