Review of Larry J. Kreitzer.Philemon. Readings: A New Biblical Commentary: (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2008)
R. Seesengood
Oct 1, 2010
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Journal
The Bible and Critical Theory
Full text
Semantic Scholar
Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: Kreitzer's commentary on Philemon highlights current trends in biblical studies, demonstrating his broad erudition and provocative exegesis of the text, while also highlighting the use of biblical texts in popular culture and politics.
Abstract
Kreitzer's commentary on Philemon marks the latest milestone in multiple current trends in biblical studies. First, it is the latest work by Professor Kreitzer and, as one would expect from his former work, it is another virtuosic display of his broad erudition and his eclectic but always provocative exegesis of biblical text. Second, the volume marks the latest entry in Sheffield Phoenix's new ‘Readings’ series (under the general editorship of John Jarick). As such, it adds to the series in every way, producing a commentary series that is more than ‘just the same’ repackaged footnotes and arguments and adds to an increasingly engaging catalogue for Sheffield Phoenix; this press, in a relatively short time span, has quickly become one of the presses worth watching closely. Third, the commentary is the latest in a slight upsurge in interest in Philemon, particularly since the publication of Markus Barth and Helmut Blanke’s Letter to Philemon (Eerdmans Critical Commentary, 2000). Finally, this volume is an excellent example of a current trend in New Testament studies toward analysis of the use of biblical text in popular culture and politics (as well as analysis of reception history or biblical ‘afterlives’). Kreitzer, long at the vanguard of such work, has produced a commentary that is very BOOK REVIEWS