(1 Thess. 2:8)

Contents

Dedication

Preface

Introduction: The Task of New Testament Ethics

New Testament Ethics As a Problem

The Fourfold Task of New Testament Ethics

Possible Objections

PART ONE
The Descriptive Task: Visions of the Moral Life in the New Testament

1. Paul: The Koinnia of His Sufferings

Is Paul’s Ethic Theologically Grounded?

The Theological Framework for Pauline Ethics

Paul’s Moral Logic: Warrants, Norms, and Power

Appendix: Paul on the Relation between Men and Women

2. Developments of the Pauline Tradition

Witnesses to the Legacy of Paul

Ephesians: Cosmic Ecclesiology

1 Timothy: How to Behave in the Household of God

3. The Gospel of Mark: Taking Up the Cross

Finding “Ethics” in the Story of Jesus: Reflections on Method

Mark’s Christology: A Story of the Crucified Messiah

Discipleship: Following the Crucified Messiah

Eschatological Expectation in Mark: “Keep Awake,”

Mark’s Narrative World As Context for Action

4. The Gospel of Matthew: Training for the Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew’s Christology: Jesus As Teacher

Training for the Kingdom

Matthew’s Eschatology: “I am with you always, to the end of the age,”

Historical Setting: Matthew As Ecclesiastical Diplomat

Matthew’s Narrative World As Context for Action

5. Luke-Acts: Liberation through the Power of the Spirit

Luke’s Christology: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,”

The Church in the Power of the Spirit

Luke’s Eschatology: “Why do you stand looking up toward heaven?,”

Luke’s Narrative World As Context for Action

6. The Gospel and Epistles of John: Loving One Another

John’s Christology: The Man from Heaven

Loving One Another: The Friends of Jesus

Johannine Eschatology: “We know that we have passed from death to life,”

John’s Narrative World As Context for Action

7. Excursus: The Role of “the Historical Jesus” in New Testament Ethics

Why Not Begin with Jesus?

Methods for the Quest

The Life and Teachings of Jesus: A Proposed Reconstruction

Implications for Christian Ethics

8. Revelation: Resisting the Beast

Apocalyptic Symbolism: The Interpretive Choice

The Lamb That Was Slaughtered

The Vocation of the Saints

A New Heaven and a New Earth

The Narrative World of the Apocalypse As Context for Action

PART TWO
The Synthetic Task: Finding Coherence in the Moral Vision of the New Testament

9. Diverse Voices in the New Testament Canon

Cacophony or Polyphony?

Three Procedural Guidelines

10. Three Focal Images: Community, Cross, New Creation

Community

Cross

New Creation

Why Love and Liberation Are Not Sufficient

PART THREE
The Hermeneutical Task: The Use of the New Testament in Christian Ethics

11. How Do Ethicists Use Scripture? Diagnostic Questions

Modes of Appeal to Scripture

Other Sources of Authority

The Enactment of the Word

A Diagnostic Checklist

12. Five Representative Hermeneutical ...