Bring the Word to Life: Engaging the New Testament through Performing It - Softcover

Ward, Richard F.; Trobisch, David J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802868851 ISBN 13: 9780802868855

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2013

Synopsis

The New Testament books were written to be read aloud. The original audiences of these texts would have been unfamiliar with our current practice of reading silently and processing with our eyes rather than our ears, so we can learn much about the New Testament through performing it ourselves.

Richard Ward and David Trobisch are here to help. Bringing the Word to Life walks the reader through what we know about the culture of performance in the first and second centuries, what it took to perform an early New Testament manuscript, the benefits of performance for teaching, and practical suggestions for exploring New Testament texts through performance today.

About this title

About the Author:

Richard F. Ward is Fred B. Craddock Associate Professor ofHomiletics and Worship at Phillips Theological Seminary. Hisother books include Speaking of the Holy: The Art ofCommunication in Preaching.,

David J. Trobisch is internationally recognized as a scholar for his work on Paul's letters, the formation of the Christian Bible, and biblical manuscripts.

Review:

Thomas E. Boomershine
-- founder of Network of Biblical Storytellers
"This is a superbly written and readily accessible introduction to the new framework for the Bible as performance literature. David Trobisch and Richard Ward integrate a comprehensive description of ancient performance of the Bible with clear guidance for the performance of the Bible in the modern world. . . . An ideal required book for college and seminary courses, a great text for study groups in local churches, and a valuable resource for pastors and scholars."

Charles L. Bartow
-- Princeton Theological Seminary
"Bringing the Word to Life is a singularly valuable study of performance as criticism. . . . Ward and Trobisch commend to us a reception of the Holy Scriptures as living literature that moves the human heart to tears and laughter, empathy and compassion, and, not least, faith. Further, they encourage recapture of the nearly lost art of memorization. Scholarly, readable, usable!"

David Rhoads
-- Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
"The book many of us teachers have been waiting for! This dynamic little volume succeeds in overcoming the eclipse of biblical orality and captures an imaginative rethinking of the New Testament writings as performance. . . . Informative for scholars. Essential for teachers and students. Foundational for preachers and worship leaders."

Susan R. Garrett
-- Louisville Presbyterian Seminary
"Scripture comes to life and lives change when Richard Ward and David Trobisch perform it. Here they teach others to bring God's word to people in a way that rivets and regenerates speaker and hearers alike. Under their guidance both the performance and the process of preparation serve to convey Scripture's power. . . . An awesome resource for worship, preaching, and biblical exegesis in church, college, or seminary settings."

Worship Leader
"For most people in the first and second centuries the Scriptures were delivered through performance. Richard Ward and David Trobisch trace the early history and methods of Biblical storytelling and provide guidelines and pointers to revive the practice today. They cover the components of a good story, memorization tips and practical approaches for live performance."
 

About this edition

• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0802868851
• ISBN 13: 9780802868855
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 124