'Faithfulness and the Purpose of Hebrews' offers fresh answers to unresolved questions by employing that branch of social psychology known as social identity theory. Who were the addressees? With the categories of social identity theory, this study argues that the addressees arranged the world into two groups: 'us' and 'them'. They understood their group, the 'us', to be the 'faithful'. They understood 'them' (a symbolic outgroup of 'all others') to be the 'unfaithful'. Faithfulness, then, is the primary identity descriptor for the addressees and plays an essential role throughout the text. How did the addressees understand the faithfulness of Jesus? The author of Hebrews describes the faithfulness of Jesus as 'prototypical'. The faithfulness of all others is described in relation to Jesus' faith, and together they are integrated into an ongoing narrative of devotion. What is the meaning of the promised 'rest'? Utilizing a model of present temporal orientation, the study interprets the dynamic relationship between the 'antecedent' faithfulness of many witnesses and the 'forthcoming' promised rest of the addressees. The addressees of Hebrews were encouraged to 'understand their futures by looking to the past.' What is the purpose of the text? Social identity theorists explain that groups with a negative social identity have two broad options: social mobility or social change. The study concludes that the author of Hebrews provides internal constraints in order to prevent social mobility. Marohl uses social creativity (an aspect of social change) to provide a positive social identity for the addressees. 'Marohl's welcome study represents an accomplished application of social identity theory to the text of Hebrews. His methodological attentiveness is mature and responsible, resulting in an articulate analysis that recognises the faithfulness of Jesus to be the theological centre that informs the socio-religious programme advocated by the author of Hebrews.' - Bruce Longenecker, University of St. Andrews Matthew J. Marohl teaches New Testament at Augustana College, Illinois and is the author of 'Joseph's Dilemma: Honour Killing in the Birth Narrative of Matthew'.

The story of the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is told in eight verses. Embedded in this short narrative is "Joseph's dilemma." Listeners are told that, "When Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit" (1:18). What happens next has long been debated. We are made to assume that Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant, but that he does not yet know that she is with child from the Holy Spirit. This information is made known to Joseph later by an angel of the Lord who appeared to him in a dream. We are told, "Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly" (1:19). The discussion of this verse generally focuses on two questions: did Joseph suspect Mary of adultery, and if so, what were his options? While there is some diversity in the way that these questions are answered, the majority of modern interpreters envision only one option - that of divorce. The dilemma, then, is whether Joseph will divorce Mary "publicly" or "privately." While these questions are important, neither adequately addresses Joseph's dilemma. Marohl argues that early Christ-followers understood Joseph's dilemma to involve an assumption of adultery and the subsequent possibility of the slaying of Mary - an "honour killing." If Joseph reveals that Mary is pregnant she will be killed. If he conceals Mary's pregnancy, he will be opposing the law of the Lord. What is a "righteous" man to do? Matthew J. Marohl teaches New Testament at Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. He holds a PhD in New Testament from the University of St. Andrews and is the author of 'Faithfulness and the Purpose of Hebrews: A Social Identity Approach' also published by James Clarke & Co. "Books that bring a new slant to bear on old disputed texts and unresolved issues are always welcomed. Matthew Marohl's study of the heated debate concerning the circumstances surrounding Jesus' conception and birth is such a new slant on a highly controverted story. It is sure to broaden our cultural vista, shed light on an overlooked aspect of Joseph's dilemma, and rustle not a few feathers along the way." - JOHN H. ELLIOTT, Professor Emeritus, University of San Francisco "Marohl's systematic analysis of the cultural presuppositions of Matthew's presentation of Mary's shameful pregnancy leads him to conclude that Joseph contemplated killing Mary which, while shocking, reveals a narrative pattern that is evident throughout the gospel - 'from unexpected death comes unexpected, new life'. It is a pattern that is to be replicated in the lives of the Jesus followers. Marohl's unique combination of cultural anthropology and honour killings casts new light on the Gospel's meaning and intended outcome." - DIETMAR NEUFELD, Professor of Christian Origins, University of British Columbia

Synopsis: ." . . from expected death comes unexpected new life " The Gospel of Matthew does not shy away from the realities of struggle, suffering, doubt, and death. Yet, from the first names in the genealogy to the last words spoken by Jesus, the Gospel testifies to the promise that from expected death comes unexpected new life. Through the actions of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, we experience the expectation of death and the promise of unexpected new life. In the birth story of Jesus, Joseph suspects Mary of committing adultery. It is this dilemma that is the focus of the narrative. If he reveals her pregnancy, she could be killed. If he conceals her pregnancy, he will be going against the law of the Lord. What is a righteous man to do? In Joseph's dilemma, this experience of expected death, the Gospel of Matthew proclaims the promise of unexpected new life. The promise of unexpected new life is a theme that continues throughout Matthew's Gospel in the life and ministry of Jesus. The call of his disciples is a call from death to new life. The teaching of Jesus focuses on the experience of death and the promise of new life. In both healing and curing, Jesus brings unexpected new life to those who face death. But it is the death and resurrection of Jesus that is the climax of unexpected new life in the Gospel of Matthew. Even as Jesus experiences a most horrific and humiliating death in the crucifixion, death and the grave do not have the final say. In bearing witness to Jesus' resurrection, the Gospel of Matthew proclaims the magnificent promise of unexpected new life. Matthew J. Marohl invites you in these pages to read the Gospel of Matthew in a new way, from a fresh perspective. Integrating insights from the study of Mediterranean anthropology, Marohl makes the cultural world of the Gospel come alive, so that as you read Matthew again (or perhaps for the first time) you will certainly experience the powerful promise that from expected death comes unexpected new life Endorsement: "Unexpected New Life has short, readable chapters that will compel the independent reader to rethink the birth story, and also provide fascinating material for rich discussions in adult education classes in community or church programs. Because of the flexible format of this excellent resource, one chapter could be the basis of a single discussion, or the entire book could serve as a guide for a series of classes." -Katie Hanson Board president, CommUniversity, a community education program Author Biography: Matthew J. Marohl is a pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa, and teaches courses at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. He holds a PhD in New Testament from the University of St. Andrews and is the author of Joseph's Dilemma: "Honor Killing" in the Birth Narrative of Matthew (Cascade, 2009) and Faithfulness and the Purpose of Hebrews: A Social Identity Approach (Pickwick, 2008).

Description: The story of the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is told in eight verses. Embedded in this short narrative is ""Joseph's dilemma."" Listeners are told that, ""When Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit"" (1:18). What happens next has long been debated. We are made to assume that Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant, but that he does not know that she is with child from the Holy Spirit. This information is made known to Joseph later by an angel of the Lord who appeared to him in a dream. In the meantime, Joseph must decide what he will do with Mary. We are told, ""Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly"" (1:19). The discussion of this verse generally focuses on two questions. First, did Joseph suspect Mary of adultery? Second, if he did suspect Mary of adultery, what were his options? While there is some diversity in the way that these questions are answered, the majority of modern interpreters envision only one option--that of divorce. The dilemma, then, is whether Joseph will divorce Mary ""publicly"" or ""privately."" While these questions are important, neither adequately addresses Joseph's dilemma. In this book, Matthew J. Marohl argues that early Christ-followers understood Joseph's dilemma to involve an assumption of adultery and the subsequent possibility of the killing of Mary. Worded differently, Joseph's dilemma involves the possibility of an honor killing. If Joseph reveals that Mary is pregnant she will be killed. If Joseph conceals Mary's pregnancy, he will be opposing the law of the Lord. What is a ""righteous"" man to do? Endorsements: ""Books that bring a new slant to bear on old disputed texts and unresolved issues are always welcomed. Matthew Marohl's study of the heated debate concerning the circumstances surrounding Jesus's conception and birth is such a new slant on a highly controverted story. It is sure to broaden our cultural vista, shed light on an overlooked aspect of Joseph's dilemma, and rustle not a few feathers along the way."" --John H. Elliott, Professor Emeritus, University of San Francisco ""Marohl's study of honor killings, be they modern or ancient, opens up new avenues of interpretation for the Gospel of Matthew's infancy narrative. Taking into consideration that honor and shame were pivotal values of the social world in question, this study demonstrates that Mary's pregnancy, as well as Joseph's initial reaction to it, originally invoked the familiar social dimensions of damaging and protecting family honor, something now lost to modern readers."" --Markus Cromhout, Department of New Testament Studies, University of Pretoria. ""Marohl's systematic analysis of the cultural presuppositions of Matthew's presentation of Mary's shameful pregnancy leads him to conclude that Joseph contemplated killing Mary which, while shocking, reveals a narrative pattern that is evident throughout the gospel--'from unexpected death comes unexpected, new life.' It is a pattern that is to be replicated in the lives of the Jesus followers. Marohl's unique combination of cultural anthropology and honor killings casts new light on the Gospel's meaning and intended outcome."" --Dietmar Neufeld, Professor of Christian Origins, University of British Columbia About the Contributor(s): Matthew J. Marohl teaches New Testament at Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. He holds a PhD in New Testament from the University of St. Andrews and is the author of Faithfulness and the Purpose of Hebrews: A Social Identity Approach (Pickwick, 2008).