Charles B. Puskas
Autore di An Introduction to the Gospels and Acts
Sull'Autore
Charles B. Puskas has extensive experience in university and seminary teaching, academic publishing, and parish ministry. He is the author of The Conclusion of Luke-Acts (Pickwick, 2009), An Introduction to the New Testament (2nd ed. with C. Michael Robbins; Cascade, 2011), and The Letters of Paul mostra altro (2nd ed. with Mark Reasoner, 2013). mostra meno
Opere di Charles B. Puskas
Etichette
Informazioni generali
- Nome canonico
- Puskas, Charles B.
- Nome legale
- Puskas, Charles Barto
- Data di nascita
- 1951-11-03
- Sesso
- male
- Luogo di residenza
- USA
- Istruzione
- Saint Louis University (Ph.D.)
Wheaton College (M.A.) - Attività lavorative
- professor
pastor
editor
academic - Organizzazioni
- Society of Biblical Literature
Catholic Biblical Association - Premi e riconoscimenti
- ESTARL Award for Religious Leadership (1972-77)
- Breve biografia
- Author and co-author of four books and numerous articles in biblical studies. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, 1951, son of a steel worker, Charles Sr. (Republic Steel, foreman, supervisor, superintendent) and tailor/seamstress, Eve. Married to a medical technologist/clinical chemist, Susan, one adult daughter, Rita, and son, Bart. Earned an M.A. (Wheaton) and Ph.D. (SLU) in Religious Studies. Taught at 4 college/university for 10 years, served in 3 United Methodist congregations for 6 years, worked at 3 academic & religious publishing companies for 12 years.
Utenti
Recensioni
Summary: A study of the words and texts in which they are used referring to hardness of heart holding in tension both the refusal to heed God and the purpose of God in the hardening of hearts.
In reading the Exodus narratives, we read both that Pharaoh hardens his heart and that God hardens Pharaoh’s heart. There is both a what seems a purposive failure to communicate and a willful refusal and resistance to what is communicated. We want to ask which is it? Charles B. Puskas shows that this is a pattern that recurs both in many Old and New Testament texts. Later in the Old Testament, it is Israel that is hardened. In the New Testament, there is a similar phenomenon with the hearers of Jesus who see but do not see, hear but do not hear. At times, even the disciples hearts are hard, but do not remain so. Later, the apostle Paul speaks in Romans of the hardening of the Jews until the full number of Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:26).
Puskas takes us through a careful study of the words used and the various texts in both literary and historical context, looking at both the world behind the texts and their reception, and subsequent interpretation. One of the observations he makes is that hardness is not limited to hearts, but also to ears, eyes, face and forehead, neck, shoulder, and back. He considers the question of what hope there is for the hard of heart with a God who would have none perish. And he wrestles with the questions of free will and predestination.
What I appreciate in this study is that Puskas conclusion is that we see both human willful refusal and failure of communication that reflects the hardening purpose of God. He cites the work of John Feinberg arguing for free will within divine causation. He also points out that it is God who takes away hearts of stone and replaces them with hearts of flesh, that is, receptive hearts. Hardening as God’s purpose is to fulfill his saving purposes, whether it is the deliverance of Israel, or later the salvation of Gentiles. But Puskas never resolves the tension between free will and predestination with regard to hardening, Do humans harden their hearts? Does God? Puskas would say “yes.”
In an appendix, he discusses Romans 9-11 further and advances the argument of Robert Jenson against supersessionism–“the idea ‘that the church succeeds Israel in such a fashion as to displace from the status of God’s people those Jews who do not enter the church.’ ” He concludes with his own translation of Romans 11:17-18 as the Jews being “some of the branches [were] bent down.” The tone and inference here is an irenic one of hopefulness for Israel with deep regard for honest and respectful dialogue.
This work, derived from a doctoral thesis, is a careful piece of scholarship. I appreciate Puskas’ restraint in being governed by the textual evidence, as complex as this may be. In the end, he reminds us of our utter dependence on the sovereign purposes and great mercy of a God who not only may harden a heart but also make it receptive.
____________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.… (altro)
In reading the Exodus narratives, we read both that Pharaoh hardens his heart and that God hardens Pharaoh’s heart. There is both a what seems a purposive failure to communicate and a willful refusal and resistance to what is communicated. We want to ask which is it? Charles B. Puskas shows that this is a pattern that recurs both in many Old and New Testament texts. Later in the Old Testament, it is Israel that is hardened. In the New Testament, there is a similar phenomenon with the hearers of Jesus who see but do not see, hear but do not hear. At times, even the disciples hearts are hard, but do not remain so. Later, the apostle Paul speaks in Romans of the hardening of the Jews until the full number of Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:26).
Puskas takes us through a careful study of the words used and the various texts in both literary and historical context, looking at both the world behind the texts and their reception, and subsequent interpretation. One of the observations he makes is that hardness is not limited to hearts, but also to ears, eyes, face and forehead, neck, shoulder, and back. He considers the question of what hope there is for the hard of heart with a God who would have none perish. And he wrestles with the questions of free will and predestination.
What I appreciate in this study is that Puskas conclusion is that we see both human willful refusal and failure of communication that reflects the hardening purpose of God. He cites the work of John Feinberg arguing for free will within divine causation. He also points out that it is God who takes away hearts of stone and replaces them with hearts of flesh, that is, receptive hearts. Hardening as God’s purpose is to fulfill his saving purposes, whether it is the deliverance of Israel, or later the salvation of Gentiles. But Puskas never resolves the tension between free will and predestination with regard to hardening, Do humans harden their hearts? Does God? Puskas would say “yes.”
In an appendix, he discusses Romans 9-11 further and advances the argument of Robert Jenson against supersessionism–“the idea ‘that the church succeeds Israel in such a fashion as to displace from the status of God’s people those Jews who do not enter the church.’ ” He concludes with his own translation of Romans 11:17-18 as the Jews being “some of the branches [were] bent down.” The tone and inference here is an irenic one of hopefulness for Israel with deep regard for honest and respectful dialogue.
This work, derived from a doctoral thesis, is a careful piece of scholarship. I appreciate Puskas’ restraint in being governed by the textual evidence, as complex as this may be. In the end, he reminds us of our utter dependence on the sovereign purposes and great mercy of a God who not only may harden a heart but also make it receptive.
____________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.… (altro)
In this book Charles Puskas and David Crump provide a solid introduction to the four Gospels and the book of Acts. The authors lead readers through the texts, highlighting the various literary devices and themes, and pointing out the historical and cultural contexts. The coverage of the Gospels and Acts is comprehensive and well documented. Maps, charts, outlines, and tables round out the wealth of information offered here.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.… (altro)
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.… (altro)
Questa recensione è stata scritta dall'autore.
Charles B. Puskas and C. Michael Robbins write this second edition which seeks to understand the nature and characteristics of the New Testament writings in their original contexts with special attention to new interpretations and insights including more primary resources and recent secondary studies. The first edition was in print for twenty years!
Statistiche
- Opere
- 9
- Utenti
- 142
- Popolarità
- #144,865
- Voto
- 4.2
- Recensioni
- 6
- ISBN
- 21
The author explain their purpose: they are considering all the possible allusions and references which can be discerned in the Fourth Gospel from all kinds of various sources.
The author then explore the rest of the New Testament, the Greek Septuagint, apocryphal and pseudepigraphal literature, the Targumim and other aspects of early rabbinic Judaism, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo, certain Greek works like the Bacchae, the Nag Hammadi library, and especially the Gospel of Thomas. The author then considers the influence of the Fourth Gospel on early patristic authors.
Most of the work involves 2 column comparisons between statements in the Fourth Gospel and from these other texts for consideration. Some explanation of texts and summary conclusions are made.
The author ultimately concludes the Fourth Gospel bears witness to the pervasive influences in Second Temple Jewish and Greco-Roman society.
A good resource for deep intertextual study.… (altro)