Francis J. Moloney - Böcker

When Raymond E. Brown died in 1998, less than a year after the publication of his masterpiece, An Introduction to the New Testament, he left behind a nearly completed revision of his acclaimed two-volume commentary on the Gospel of John. The manuscript, skillfully edited by Francis J. Moloney, displays the rare combination of meticulous scholarship and clear, engaging writing that made Father Brown’s books consistently outsell other works of biblical scholarship. An Introduction to the Gospel of John represents the culmination of Brown’s long and intense examination of part of the New Testament. One of the most important aspects of this new book, particularly to the scholarly community, is how it differs from the original commentary in several important ways. It presents, for example, a new perspective on the historical development of the Gospels, and shows how Brown decided to open his work to literary readings of the text, rather than relying primarily on the historical, which informed the original volumes. In addition, there is an entire section devoted to Christology, absent in the original, as well as a magisterial new section on the representation of Jews in the Gospel of John.

The earliest and briefest of the four Gospels has traditionally been ascribed to a disciple named Mark In some ages it been overshadowed by its lengthier neighbors in the New Testament, but its pages hold rich rewards for those who ask the right questions. Who was "Mark," and what were his purposes--historical, theological, or otherwise? How does he shape his story of Jesus, and what interpretation of the origins of Christianity does that shaping reveal? More particularly, what is his understanding of his central character, Jesus of Nazareth? And finally, what abiding value does his story hold for those who read this "good news" as a key part of the charter of the Christian church in its life today?Seminarians, other graduate students and advanced undergraduates, pastors, and other readers seeking an introduction to the Gospel of Mark through the lens of sensitive literary, historical, and theological scholarship need look no further. In Mark: Storyteller, Interpreter, Evangelist, Francis J. Moloney offers the fruits of top-level biblical scholarship in a broadly accessible format. Students and professors alike will appreciate and profit from his fresh and lucid presentation of the message of one of the Christian faith's earliest and most enigmatic proponents and the inventor of its most revered literary genre.

Francis Moloney’s new book takes its inspiration from the critically acclaimed publications of the renowned biblical scholar Raymond E. Brown—The Birth of the Messiah and The Death of the Messiah. In The Resurrection of the Messiah, Moloney provides a narrative reading of the resurrection stories in Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John. His focus is almost entirely upon the text itself. Guided by current scholarship, he uncovers the perennial significance of the four resurrection narratives, accepted and read as “Sacred Scripture” in the Christian tradition.Without disregarding the historical background that must be understood for an appreciation of the story, a narrative commentary attempts to trace the intended impact of that story upon its readers. This reading and interpretative process uncovers the literary structure of a passage, and then follows the unfolding of the narrative itself, allowing it to speak for itself. The thrust of the book is to uncover the unique theological and pastoral message communicated by means of the narratives.Moloney concludes that “we rejoice in what Jesus has done for us in and through the resurrection. This is especially true in our current era, when Christian institutions and practice are under threat from many sides, and also from the way Christianity is lived by many of us. The stories of the resurrection of the Messiah assure us that Jesus’ promises come true, that our fears, doubts, failures, and sin are overcome, as we are sent out again and again on mission, accompanied by the never-failing presence of Jesus in the gift of his Spirit.”†

Eminent biblical scholar, Francis J. Moloney, SDB, explores the teaching on mission found in the letters of St Paul, the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Luke-Acts, and the Gospel of John, showing how each inspired author provides unique yet complementary insights into the mission entrusted to the followers of Jesus—a mission ad intra (to the community) and ad Gentes (to the wider world). †

The Gospel of Matthew, like the other Gospels, is a story. The narrative nature of Matthew's account of the life of Jesus unfolds as a plotted sequence of words and events, beginning with his birth and closing with his presence to the disciples as their risen Lord. The location of any single passage within the flow of the unfolding story is a major guide to understanding this Gospel. Matthew is best known for his account of the birth of Jesus (Matt 1—2); Peter's recognition of Jesus as the Son of Man, the Son of God (16:13–20); and the final commission of all the disciples to preach the gospel to all nations (28:16–28). But where do these famous passages appear in the story? What preceded them and what follows? The first Gospel famously highlights five major discourses, during which only Jesus speaks. How do they contribute to Matthew's story of the life of Jesus?The Shape of Matthew's Story focuses upon the temporal and geographical flow of the unfolding narrative, and the interacting roles of the protagonists within it. It traces an early Christian storyteller's single-minded presentation of God, Jesus Christ, the call to discipleship, and the Christian Church.Endorsements:"Throughout his long and productive career, Fr. Francis Moloney has published many works of serious scholarship along with books that address the general public. His ability to speak clearly and intelligently on both levels, often at the same time, is truly remarkable. The Shape of Matthew's Story is a prime example of his making academic research available to the educated laity."—John P. Meier, University of Notre Dame"In typical Moloney fashion, The Shape of Matthew's Story delivers an accessible, insightful, and lucid introduction to the first Gospel. Students and clergy alike will benefit from Moloney's careful attention to the narrative, historical, and theological concerns of the text."—Kelly Iverson, Baylor University"Employing considerable skills as narrative critic, Francis Moloney offers a compelling account of Matthew's story of the Messiah, from birth to death and beyond. With Moloney as reliable guide, Matthew's complex yet profound narrative emerges from the page, inviting the reader into a community of disciples that is taught by Jesus."—Ian Boxall, University of OxfordFrancis J. Moloney, SDB, is a graduate of the Pontifical Biblical Institute and the University of Oxford. He was Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies and Professor of New Testament at the Catholic University of America (1999–2005). Now in semi-retirement, he is a senior professorial fellow of Catholic Theological College, within the University of Divinity, Melbourne, Australia.†

No other book of the New Testament has attracted as much attention from commentators as the Fourth Gospel. It has stirred minds, hearts, and imaginations from Christianity's earliest days. In The Gospel of John, Francis Moloney unfolds the identifiable point of view" of this unique Gospel narrative and offers readers, heirs to its rich and widely varied interpretative traditions, relevance for their lives today.The Gospel of John's significance for Christianity has been obvious from the time of Irenaeus. It was also fundamental in the emergence of Christian theology, especially in the trinitarian and christological debates that produced the great ecumenical Councils, from Nicaea to Chalcedon.What sets this commentary on the Fourth Gospel apart from others is Moloney's particular attention to the narrative design of the Gospel story. He traces the impact the Johannine form of the Jesus story has made on readers and explicates the way in which the author has told the story of Jesus. Through this he demonstrates how the Gospel story articulates a coherent theology, christology, and ecclesiology.

Francis J. Moloneys Stimme hat in der Johannesforschung schon seit vielen Jahren Gewicht. Der Autor eines bekannten Kommentars und wissenschaftlicher Monographien zum vierten Evangelium versammelt in diesem Band kürzere Zeitschriftenartikel vom Anfang seiner Karriere im Jahre 1975 bis hin zu neuen Studien, die hier erstmals veröffentlicht werden. Seine Arbeit befasst sich mit allen Bereichen der Johannesforschung: mit der Welt, in der das vierte Evangelium entstand und rezipiert wurde, mit der Theologie und Christologie des Evangeliums sowie der kritischen Analyse vielfach diskutierter Passagen. Francis J. Moloney ist bekannt für seine umfassende narrative Exegese und Rezeptionskritik. In den letzten Jahren hat er eine Deutung des Evangeliums entwickelt, die nahelegt, dass der Autor oder die Autoren dieser Erzählung ihr Werk als "Vollendung" der Heiligen Schrift betrachteten. Diese einzigartige Sammlung enthält nicht nur die Veröffentlichungen eines wichtigen Johannesforschers, sondern spiegelt auch die Entwicklung der Johannesforschung zwischen 1975 und 2017 wider.