Karakolis Christos, Issues of Interpretation and Theology in the New Testament, Pournaras Press: Thessaloniki, 2005, pages 325.
The volume contains eleven studies on the New Testament. Specifically, the studies refer to the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of ap. Paul. At the same time, some other vital for the science of the New Testament areas are examined, such as Qumran, Knowledge and the apostolic Fathers. Common frame of all the studies is the interpretation and theology of the New Testament.
The first study is about the death of John the Baptist through the narrative technique and Christology of the Gospel of Mark.
The second study examines manuscript 7Q5 of Qumran, which, as its name states, was found in cave 7 of the archeological site of Qumran and has been identified since 1972 by some specialized scientists with Mk. 6, 52-53.
The third text refers to the parable of the prodigal son. The author attempts a new allegorical interpretation of the parable, according to which, the parable depicts on another level of interpretation an important part of the history of salvation, starting from the beginnings of humanity and reaching the facts described in the book of the Acts.
The fourth study presents the miraculous healing of the paralytic man at the font of Bethesda in the Gospel of John (5, 1-18) and specifically verse 5,14b. This passage is of great theological significance because it causally connects the condition of man’s health with sin.
The fifth study of the volume analyzes the author’s theological and hermeneutic views on the relation of Christ and the “Greeks” in the Gospel of John.
The sixth study refers to Jesus as the Yahweh of the Old Testament epiphanies in the Gospel of John. The study attempts a meaningful step towards the total understanding of John’s idea of Christ’s divinity.
The seventh study presents the author’s position on the theory of dr. H. Warnecke about the identification of Kefallinia with Melita (Acts 28, 1).
The eighth text analyzes the hermeneutic and theological problems of Rom. 6,10. The writer tries to contribute to the full understanding of this small, but particularly interesting and difficult text, pinpointing the various problems connected to it and suggesting solutions with the aim of clarifying its peculiar Christological terminology.
The ninth study of the volume examines the terms “flesh” and “spirit” in the Epistle to the Galatians and Gnosticism. In particular, the author examines passages Gal. 3, 1-5. 4, 6 (in its context) 5, 16-26 and 6,7-10 that give a clear picture of ap. Paul’s views on flesh and spirit.
The tenth study deals with the relation of the Church and the world in the Epistle to the Ephesians, on the basis of (Eph. 1,23b) and its context.
Finally, the eleventh study investigates the meaning of the phrase “coming together for that purpose” (συνερχόμενοιεπίτοαυτό) of the Barnabas Epistle (4,10b). The writer tries to answer the question if it is about a constructive or Eucharistic gathering of believers, concluding the latter.
The book closes with an index of biblical passages.