Introduction
Hays proposes using figural interpretation (images and not rationality.) The gospel writer’s were concerned to show how Jesus’ teaching and actions were the continuation and climax of the ancient biblical story.
Scope of the book:
- This is not a book about the historical Jesus.
- It is not about the social context of the communities that produced the traditions.
- It does not attempt to explain how early Christians cam to develop their beliefs and Jesus.
- it is a book that show how the four gospel writers reread Israel’s scripture.
Structure. One chapter with 5 sections for each of the Evangelists.
Method. “We can roughly categorize the scriptural intertextual references in the Gospels by employing the terms “quotation,” “allusion,” and “echo.” These terms are approximate markers on the spectrum of intertextual linkage, moving from the most to the least explicit forms of reference.”
Mapping the road ahead. “In order to listen well, we will pose three heuristic questions to each Gospel. (1) We will be asking how each Evangelist carries forward and renarrates the story of Israel through intertextual references to Scripture. (2) We will listen carefully for the ways in which each Evangelist draws on scriptural stories and images to interpret the world-changing significance of Jesus. And finally, (3) we will ask how each of the Evangelists begins to shape the story of the church (i.e., the community of Jesus’ followers) through evoking texts from Israel’s Scripture.”