Most of the following essays reveal my interest in the significance of literary forms--both the short literary forms in the Gospels, such as pronouncement stories, and an entire Gospel as a formed narrative. I am interested in the significance of these forms, not just in literary classification systems . . . . I am interested in literary form as a clue to how the text may engage hearers and readers--impact their thought and life--if they are sensitive respondents. The Gospel stories have been shaped in ways that give them particular potentials for significant engagement. Study of literary form can help us recognize these potentials. --from the IntroductionContentsPart I: Gospel Sayings and Stories1 Tension in Synoptic Sayings and Stories2 The Pronouncement Story and Its Types3 Varieties of Synoptic Pronouncement Stories4 Types and Functions of Apophthegms in the Synoptic Gospels5 The Gospels and Narrative Literature6 You Shall Be Complete--If Your Love Includes All (Matthew 5:48)Part II: The Gospel of Mark7 The Disciples in Mark: The Function of a Narrative Role8 The Gospel of Mark as Narrative Christology9 Reading It Whole: The Function of Mark 8:34-35 in Mark''s StoryPart III: Paul''s Gospel10 Paul as Liberator and Oppressor: Evaluating Diverse Views of 1 Corinthians11 Participation in Christ: A Central Theme in Pauline Soteriology

'The Sword of His Mouth' is a study of the rhetorical and poetic form of synoptic sayings which argues that many of these sayings use a "e;depth rhetoric"e; which seeks to challenge the hearer's fixed structures of meaning and value, moving one to new action by awakening new insight. This study brings to light important but neglected features of the texts and demonstrates the value of this new approach for gaining fresh insight into their significance. Special attention is given to pattern and tension. An attempt is made to show how form and content merge in producing utterances with provocative verbal power. Jesus emerges from this study as one whose language must be distinguished from casual speech.

It may seem that so many sermons have been preached on biblical texts that there is nothing new to say. Careful reading and imaginative thought, however, can result in new insights, especially if the biblical text becomes a lens through which we freshly view issues of human life. Larger literary units should be considered, rather than isolated Bible verses, and there is often a development in the text that is suggestive for development of the sermon. Clear thinking is necessary about real issues for people today. Discernment of the link between the ancient text and the challenges we face requires both thought and imagination. The result should be new suggestions for ways of expressing the gospel message, appropriate for our time. These sermons are presented as good examples of biblical preaching. They illustrate the qualities noted above. They can also be used in daily or weekly devotions. They are more challenging than much devotional material, but that may add to their value in nourishing a thoughtful life of faith.

Most of the following essays reveal my interest in the significance of literary forms--both the short literary forms in the Gospels, such as pronouncement stories, and an entire Gospel as a formed narrative. I am interested in the significance of these forms, not just in literary classification systems . . . . I am interested in literary form as a clue to how the text may engage hearers and readers--impact their thought and life--if they are sensitive respondents. The Gospel stories have been shaped in ways that give them particular potentials for significant engagement. Study of literary form can help us recognize these potentials. --from the IntroductionContentsPart I: Gospel Sayings and Stories1 Tension in Synoptic Sayings and Stories2 The Pronouncement Story and Its Types3 Varieties of Synoptic Pronouncement Stories4 Types and Functions of Apophthegms in the Synoptic Gospels5 The Gospels and Narrative Literature6 You Shall Be Complete--If Your Love Includes All (Matthew 5:48)Part II: The Gospel of Mark7 The Disciples in Mark: The Function of a Narrative Role8 The Gospel of Mark as Narrative Christology9 Reading It Whole: The Function of Mark 8:34-35 in Mark''s StoryPart III: Paul''s Gospel10 Paul as Liberator and Oppressor: Evaluating Diverse Views of 1 Corinthians11 Participation in Christ: A Central Theme in Pauline Soteriology

'The Sword of His Mouth' is a study of the rhetorical and poetic form of synoptic sayings which argues that many of these sayings use a "e;depth rhetoric"e; which seeks to challenge the hearer's fixed structures of meaning and value, moving one to new action by awakening new insight. This study brings to light important but neglected features of the texts and demonstrates the value of this new approach for gaining fresh insight into their significance. Special attention is given to pattern and tension. An attempt is made to show how form and content merge in producing utterances with provocative verbal power. Jesus emerges from this study as one whose language must be distinguished from casual speech.

It may seem that so many sermons have been preached on biblical texts that there is nothing new to say. Careful reading and imaginative thought, however, can result in new insights, especially if the biblical text becomes a lens through which we freshly view issues of human life. Larger literary units should be considered, rather than isolated Bible verses, and there is often a development in the text that is suggestive for development of the sermon. Clear thinking is necessary about real issues for people today. Discernment of the link between the ancient text and the challenges we face requires both thought and imagination. The result should be new suggestions for ways of expressing the gospel message, appropriate for our time. These sermons are presented as good examples of biblical preaching. They illustrate the qualities noted above. They can also be used in daily or weekly devotions. They are more challenging than much devotional material, but that may add to their value in nourishing a thoughtful life of faith.