From Synagogue to Ecclesia: Matthew’s Community at the Crossroads

Charles E. Carlston and Craig A. Evans examine in detail five major motifs in the theology of Matthew: Christology, Law, Church, Scripture and Tradition, as well as History and Eschatology. In this study, they reveal a Jewish-Christian author who attempts to mediate the traditions of Judaism and early Christianity to Christian churches in his area that are becoming increasingly composed of former Gentiles. Diversity then, as now, offers both a challenge and an opportunity. The evangelist, moreover, was faced with rejection by the synagogue and strongly voiced skepticism with regard to the proclamation of Jesus as Israel's Messiah. To encourage believers and defend the story of Jesus, the evangelist shows how prophetic Scripture and the demands of Torah have been fulfilled. While not all of the specifics of Matthew's program are immediately usable today, the evangelist offers valuable guidance for the contemporary church in our vastly different historical situation.

Charles E. Carlston, Born 1923; 1955-64 Professor of Church History and New Testament, University of Dubuqe; 1958 PhD; 1964-69 Associate Professor of Religion, University of Iowa; 1969-94 Norris Professor of NT Interpretation, Andover Newton; 1994 Lecturer in New Testament, Yale Divinity School. Norris Professor of New Testament Interpretation emeritus, Andover Newton Theological School. Craig A. Evans, Born 1952; 1980-81 Visiting Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, McMaster University; 1983 PhD from Claremont Graduate University, California; 1987-88 Visiting Fellow, Princeton Theological Seminary; 1981-2002 Professor, Trinity Western University; since 2002 Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Acadia Divinity College; 2009 D. Habil. from Karoli Gaspar Reformatus University, Budapest.