This is a long-awaited and monumental achievement for an evangelical press: a substantial commentary with multiple contributors who represent marginalized scholars in the field of New Testament studies. I read a good amount of it in pre-publication form, and now that I can hold it in my hands and thumb through it, it is even more impressive.
I can’t tell you how many times seminary students have reached out to me asking for solid scholarship from minoritized scholars; in the past, I have offered a list of disparate sources here and there, but even in some of those cases the scholars were pressured to conform to majority (white male) scholarship standards or expectations. Here in The New Testament in Color, scholars were not just invited to bring into the conversation their identities and cultures, but encouraged to do so.
But don’t get me wrong: The New Testament in Color is not just a book that gives you an “African-American” perspective or “Asian” perspective to add to “traditional exegesis.” The scholars in this volume offer well-rounded scholarship that combines historical criticism, literary analysis, theological interpretation, sociological exegesis, and a variety of situational, perspectival, heritage and ethnicity-illuminated perspectives. This is a great commentary to use in general. In fact, I hope this work inspires other (current) commentary series to broaden their contributor list so all series can be “in color”! To the revolution!
Below you can find my personal endorsement for the book, as well as the TOC and contributor list. Folks: this is a must-have volume, kudos to IVP and the editors for recognizing a clear need and filling it with excellence and style!
THIS BOOK RELEASES AUGUST 6, 2024
You can find a 15-page sample (pdf) HERE.
"In my own theological education, I was pressured to suppress my ethnic perspective and experiences, to conform to some sort of disembodied neutrality. Since then I have come to learn that my background, culture, and reading lens can actually enhance my ability to understand Scripture. I am thrilled to recommend The New Testament in Color because this 'library-in-a-book' reflects the beautiful mosaic of a many-colored hermeneutic. I wish someone had handed this book to me twenty-five years ago, and I hope many will read it now."
Nijay Gupta, Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary
Table of Contents and List of Contributors
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Esau D. McCaulley
African American Biblical Interpretation
Esau D. McCaulley
Asian American Biblical Interpretation
Janette H. Ok
Hispanic Biblical Interpretation
Osvaldo Padilla
Turtle Island Biblical Interpretation
T. Christopher Hoklotubbe (Choctaw) and H. Daniel Zacharias (Cree-Anishinaabe)
Majority-Culture Biblical Interpretation: Reading While White
Michael J. Gorman
Gospel of Matthew
H. Daniel Zacharias
Gospel of Mark
Kay Higuera Smith
Gospel of Luke
Diane G. Chen
Gospel of John
Miguel G. Echevarria
Gender in the New Testament
Lisa M. Bowens and Amy Peeler
Acts
Jordan J. Cruz Ryan
Letter to the Romans
Jarvis J. Williams
First Letter to the Corinthians
Gene L. Green
Second Letter to the Corinthians
Julie Newberry
Letter to the Galatians
Eric C. Redmond
Letter to the Ephesians
Esau D. McCaulley
Letter to the Philippians
M. Sydney Park
Letter to the Colossians
Dennis R. Edwards
Letters to the Thessalonians
Marcus Jerkins
Pastoral Letters
Osvaldo Padilla
Letter to Philemon
Dennis R. Edwards
Letter to the Hebrews
Madison N. Pierce
Resources for the Mental Health of the Oppressed in the New Testament: A Contemporary Reading of Ancient Teachings
Cristin J. Fort
Multilingualism in the New Testament
Ekaputra Tupamahu
Immigrants and the Kingdom of God: Do They Have a Home in God's City?
Rodolfo Galvan Estrada III
Letter of James
Daniel K. Eng
First Letter of Peter
Janette H. Ok
Second Letter of Peter
Mateus F. de Campos
Letters of John
Miguel G. Echevarria
Letter of Jude
Mateus F. de Campos
Revelation
Daniel I. Morrison