Evoking Scripture explores, in clear and lucid prose, the literary and theological frameworks that lie behind the various quotations from, and allusions to, the Old Testament in the New Testament. Steve Moyise in a series of case studies from Mark, Romans, Galatians, 1 Peter and Revelation raises key questions about the author’s hermeneutical stance as well as the methods and assumptions of those who study them. Engaging in debate with scholars such as Christopher Stanley, Richard Hays and Francis Watson, Evoking Scripture draws on the insights of both author-centered and reader-centered approaches, while also offering a critique of them.

Each chapter focuses on a particular question. For example, is the opening quotation of Mark’s Gospel intended to evoke a prophetic framework for understanding the rest of the book? Does Paul quote Habakkuk in order to evoke its ‘theodicy’ theme or as a summary of ‘righteousness by faith’? Does the prophecy theory of 1 Peter 1:10-12 (‘the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be made yours made careful search ’) explain the author’s actual uses of Scripture? The results are brought together in a final chapter which explores the literary and theological frameworks of the New Testament authors and of the scholars who study them.

1. Introduction

2. Evoking a scriptural framework for understanding Jesus? Mk 1.2-3

3. Evoking a legal framework in order to undermine it? Mk 2.27; 7.15-19; 10.2- 9; 12.33

4. Evoking an Isaiah framework for understanding Romans? Rom. 2:24

5. Evoking a hermeneutical principle for interpreting Romans? Rom. 1.16-17

6. Evoking a false legal framework? Gal. 3.10-14

7. Evoking a theory of prophecy? 1 Pet. 1.10-12

8. Evoking a powerful image in order to replace it? Rev. 5.5-6

9. Evoking the wrong texts? Rev. 15.3-4

10. Literary and theological reflections