The Fifth Gospel: Isaiah in the History of Christianity

by John F. A. Sawyer

Overview

This is a new type of commentary on some of the most familiar language and imagery in the Bible, showing how Isaiah has been used by Christians in all kinds of contexts up to the present. There is much interest in reader-response, the history of interpretation and the sociology of sacred texts—in what the text does as much as what it means. With full documentation and illustrations, Sawyer gives an insight into Isaiah's influence, from the cult of the Virgin Mary and anti-Semitism to Christian feminism and liberation theology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521565967
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/21/1996
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	332
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Isaiah and Christian origins; 3. The early Church; 4. The cult of the Virgin Mary; 5. The Man of Sorrows; 6. Isaiah and the Jews; 7. The Reformation; 8. The Evangelical tradition; 9. Isaiah in literature and music; 10. The quest for the historical Isaiah; 11. Women and Isaiah; 12. The peaceable kingdom; 13. Conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

"...Sawyer's new book is unusually important for at least two reasons. In the first place Sawyer presents a fascinating survey of the book of Isaiah's contribution to Christian history....At the same time, Sawyer pushes the boundaries of traditional biblical studies by pursuing Isaiah in terms not of its original meanings, but of its influence as Christian literature....one can easily lose oneself in the sheer volume of evidence Sawyer introduces. In this case, losing oneself can be a joy due to the richness of Sawyer's sources and the artful way he weaves them together." Catholic Issues

"[Sawyer's] coverage is extensive, his mastery of varied material is impressive, and he is laudably sensitive to the issue of anti-Jewish polemic....should be added to all collections that support serious study of the bible as a document of multiple meanings and continuing relevance." Choice

"The Fifth Gospel is a success. It is clearly written, informative, and a pleasure to browse. The reader will certainly share Sawyer's hope that the book will prod future writers to expand the conception of the critical biblical commentary to include, in some fashion, the histroy of interpretation....the book offers a pleasurable window onto the riches of biblical in the Christian tradition, one that will prove attractive to clergy, laity, student, and teacher alike. The handsomely produced book includes 38 black-and-white plates, and a useful index of biblical passages that allows the reader to investigate the interpretation of nearly every verse in the book of Isaiah." R. Kendall Soulen, Anglican Theological Review

"Enthusiatically recommended to theologians and church historians, as well as the biblical scholars for whom it was intended." Barbara Pitkin, Religious Studies Review

"...Sawyer has produced an extremely useful book for both pastors and teachers. The book contains a vast amount of information about the interpretation of both individual texts and larger sections of the prophecy which will be of use to pastors as they prepare sermons and especially Bible classes." Tim Saleska, Concordia

From the Publisher