Matthew has been described as an 'inclusive story', in which the experiences of the evangelist's post-Easter church are inscribed in the story of Jesus's earthly ministry. This book explores the inclusive nature of the Gospel by means of reader-response literary criticism. Some recent redaction studies of Matthew are reviewed from the perspective of reader-response criticism. Then, in an attempt to understand the interpretative moves readers make, Matthew's story, story-teller and audience are examined.
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Howell's contribution to the study of Matthew and also to the more general application of literary-critical approaches to gospel studies that is represented in this volume has stayed the course [of the 25 years since the original edition].
Theological Book Review