The Shepherd of Hermas: A Literary, Historical, and Theological Handbook
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
Jonathon Lookadoo guides readers through the early Christian apocalypse known as the Shepherd of Hermas, providing a clear overview of the numerous literary, historical, and theological insights that this text contains for those researching early Christianity. Dividing his exploration into two sections, Lookadoo first introduces the Shepherd by providing an overview of the text to those with limited familiarity, while also focusing on critical issues such as authorship, date, and the Shepherd’s complex manuscript tradition and reception history. He then moves to examine the interpretation of particular passages in detail, and by close exploration of theological and literary features he is able to contextualize the Shepherd alongside contemporary contexts. This volume covers the important thematic issues in the Shepherd, and also provides a fresh perspective that arises from a thoroughly textual focus; in so doing, Lookadoo enables readers to engage both with the Shepherd itself and the scholarship that surrounds the text.
- Guides readers through the early Christian apocalypse known as the Shepherd of Hermas
- Covers the important thematic issues in the Shepherd
- Provides a fresh perspective that arises from a thoroughly textual focus
- Acknowledgements
- List of Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Part 1-Introducing the Shepherd of Hermas
- Chapter 1: An Overview of the Shepherd
- Chapter 2: How was the Shepherd Preserved?
- Chapter 3: Who Read the Shepherd?
- Chapter 4: Critical Questions for the Shepherd: What, to Whom, Where, When, and Who?
- Part 2-Studying the Shepherd of Hermas
- Chapter 5: Fasting and the Vineyard: Exegeting Similitude 5
- Chapter 6: The Characters in the Shepherd
- Chapter 7: The Shepherd in its Greco-Roman and Early Jewish Settings
- Chapter 8: The Shepherd and Early Christian Literature in the First Two Centuries
- Chapter 9: God in the Shepherd
- Chapter 10: Sin and Repentance
- Chapter 11: Metaphors and Imagery in the Shepherd: The Tower and the House
- Chapter 12: Spirit Language in Mandates 5–11: From Ancient Philosophy to Contemporary Theology
- Bibliography
- Index
For many, the Shepherd of Hermas represents a riddle wrapped in an enigma shrouded in a mystery. Jonathon Lookadoo’s skillful exposition peels away the layers of inexplicability, allowing others to enjoy the fruit of his scholarly labor. Using the rod of contextualization and the staff of exegetical analysis, Lookadoo shepherds the reader toward an enriched understanding of Hermas’ imagery and theology.
―Paul Hartog, Faith Baptist Theological Seminary, USA
Well versed in the broader field of studies devoted to the so-called Apostolic Fathers, Jonathon Lookadoo offers here a highly competent overview of the many problems posed by this quirky early Christian text, astutely advancing the conversation in several directions. Extremely useful for anyone approaching the Shepherd of Hermas.
―Dan Batovici, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
Jonathon Lookadoo has created a perfect companion to the study of the Shepherd of Hermas. As the sole book-length introduction to the Shepherd, it appears at a timely moment when the work is enjoying a renaissance in scholarly study. Lookadoo’s survey of the several areas central to research of the Shepherd is an excellent guide for newcomers to the text, even as it offers experts fresh interpretive insights. I heartily recommend this book.
―Harry O. Meier, Vancouver School of Theology, Canada