This book introduces the Epistles and discussesA the different interpretive approaches which have been used to gain a clearer understanding of them. An introductory chapter defines the Epistles and describes the history of their canonization, A following chapters areA devoted to each of the textsA with each chapterA including: 1) historical-cultural background; 2) the social-scientific context; 3) social-rhetorical purposes; 4) narrative discourse; 5) postcolonial and 6) feminist insights; and finally 7) theological perspectives. At the end of each chapter thereA are suggestions for further reading and a list of reflection questions. Several chapters include a sectionA or two considering a particular interpretive issue especially relevant to the particular text. After taking up each text, A Lockett considers again whether theA Epistles are a unified whole or to be heard as individual voices. Here the bookA interacts with some of the ideas of Rob Wall and David Nienhuis regarding the various thematic/theological connections running through the texts. A final chapterA takes up the relationship between the Pauline Epistles and the Catholic Epistles within the New Testament.
