Friday, September 13, 2013

New Testament studies have been shaken … Which book blurb?

Okay, all, which back-cover text would you advise I use, or an alternative? It’s for the forthcoming Beyond Old and New Perspectives on Paul, ed. by me. Needless to say, I’m excited by this book!
Longer:
Douglas Campbell’s ground-breaking, brilliant and controversial work has left many New Testament scholars and theologians reeling. Whether you are interested in justification, debates concerning “old” and “new” perspectives, Paul’s faith-language, interpretation of Romans, Paul’s Christology, ethically responsible reading, paradigms, or theological exegesis, Campbell’s work is essential reading. He tackle all of these issues, and many others besides, in fresh and exciting ways, all the while setting unique and arguably devastating challenges to large swaths of contemporary Pauline scholarship. But far from simply eccentric, Campbell’s work represents the highest level of academic rigour in such a way that also deeply resonates with the Church’s best intuitions. So his arguments demand the serious engagement of both the scholarly and ecclesial communities. This book seeks to facilitate this engagement in a unique way. Not only are chapters devoted to critiquing his proposals, others to summarising them, but Campbell also offers his responses, noting where and how his mind has developed as a result. By doing this – and whether you have begun to read Campbell or not – you the reader are drawn into these many vitally important and exciting conversations. This book therefore sits at the cutting edge of exciting developments in Pauline studies.
Shorter:
New Testament studies have been shaken. Douglas Campbell’s ground-breaking publications have left many scholars reeling. Familiar problems had been tackled in fresh and exciting ways, setting down challenge after challenge to all those involved in Pauline studies. Nothing looks the same. Campbell’s work therefore demands serious engagement. This book seeks to facilitate academic engagement with Campbell’s work in a unique way. It contains numerous chapters critiquing his proposals, whilst other summarise the key themes succinctly. But this book also contains Campbell’s own response to the reception of his work, allowing him space to outline how his thinking his thinking has developed. In so doing, the reader is drawn into a vitally important conversation. This book is academic theology in the making. It constitutes the cutting edge of Pauline studies.
Taking on board some comments here and on Facebook:
New Testament studies are witnessing many exciting developments. And Douglas Campbell’s ground-breaking publications are an important contribution to future discussion relating to Paul. Familiar problems relating to justification, “old” and “new” perspectives, and much more besides, have been tackled in fresh and exciting ways, setting down challenge after challenge to all those involved in Pauline studies. Campbell’s work therefore demands serious engagement. This book seeks to facilitate academic engagement with Campbell’s work in a unique way. It contains numerous chapters critiquing his proposals, whilst others summarise the key themes succinctly. But this book also contains Campbell’s own response to the reception of his work, allowing him space to outline how his thinking has developed. In so doing, the reader is drawn into a vitally important conversation. This book is academic theology in the making. It constitutes the cutting edge of Pauline studies.

6 Comments:

At 9/13/2013 5:04 PM, Blogger Ordinandy said...

2nd one, but both good

 
At 9/13/2013 5:44 PM, Blogger Terry Wright said...

I'd go with the second one, too.

 
At 9/13/2013 6:38 PM, Blogger Andrew Perriman said...

The first one's just a tad over the top, Chris. The second is very good.

 
At 9/13/2013 8:53 PM, Blogger James Goetz said...

I also vote for the second. For example, starting with "New Testament studies have been shaken" has broader appeal then the first copy, especially for those who are not Pauline specialists and unfamiliar with Douglas Campbell.

 
At 9/13/2013 9:17 PM, Blogger Chris Tilling said...

Thanks, all, very helpful. James, the reason I am twitchy with that first line is simply some will question is factual accuracy. That said, I take your point!

 
At 9/14/2013 12:44 PM, Blogger David Mackinder said...

The second ‘blurb’ is the better of the two, but I’d suggest it needs reworking to avoid verbal repetitions (‘exciting . . . exciting’; important . . . important’; ‘engagement . . . engagement’; ‘contains . . . contains’).

Here's a suggested rewording that obviously needs to be augmented by additional descriptive jacket-copy:

Douglas Campbell’s ground-breaking work on Paul’s theology tackles several familiar problems in fresh and exciting ways, and warrants serious engagement. This collection of essays attempts to do just that. Summarising his key ideas, and subjecting his proposals to deep scrutiny, it draws the reader into an academic conversation in which Campbell responds to the critical reception of his work and indicates how his thinking has developed.

 

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