Significance of the Dead Sea scrolls and other essays [electronic resource] : Biblical and early Christianity studies from Malawi / Jonathan S. Nkhoma ; with a contribution by Hilary B.P. Mijoga.

Issued as part of UPCC book collections on Project MUSE.

Includes bibliographical references.

Preface -- Significance of the Dead Sea scrolls : history and practice of the Qumran community -- Significance of the Dead Sea scrolls : theology of the Qumran community -- Old Testament and Jewish hermeneutics -- New Testament exegesis of the Old Testament -- Discipleship in Matthew: a redaction-critical study -- "Love your enemies" : a study of Luke 6:27-35 -- Table fellowship in Luke -- Acts as history in ancient historiography -- History of the Johannine community -- Water as a revelatory symbol in Kohn 1-12 -- Ignatius : martyrdom or suicide? : a study in light of his Letter to the Romans -- Martyrdom of Perpetua : public spaces and the early Christian martyrs -- Ritual and symbolism as hermeneutical approach -- The use of 'hallelujah!' and the Malawian context -- Gender differentiation in the Bible : created and recognized / by Hilary B.P. Mijoga.

Jonathan Nkhoma, in this scholarly collection of essays, enriches the reader with different interesting windows on how one can unearth the riches contained in some of the New Testament writings. The first two essays underscore the importance of placing the New Testament in a proper context and attempt to construct this context by discussing the historical background and the theological understanding of the Qumran Covenanters as derived from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Jonathan Nkhoma treats many aspects touching the proper interpretation of the New Testament writings. For example, he shows how the sacramental rituals of washing and eating together in the Qumran Community add meaning to the same rituals carried over to the New Testament. The significance of table fellowship is treated in greater depth in a subsequent essay. Throughout the various essays the question of the historicity of the various texts is treated in a succinct way and the author is able to come to some helpful conclusions drawing on the previous work of many well know scholars. The later essays tackle the very difficult question of martyrdom and Jonathan Nkhoma delves into the history of two particular cases in order to shed light on this difficult subject. All essays are written in impeccable English which flows in an easy style. This collection of essays would be invaluable to anyone who would wish to make a serious study of the New Testament writings.

Description based on print version record.