Statt die paulinischen Gerichtsaussagen allein monoperspektivisch auf ihr Verhaltnis zur Rede von der "Rechtfertigung aufgrund von Glauben" hin zu befragen, stellt die vorliegende Studie die Gerichtsaussagen in den Kontext der paulinischen Ekklesiologie und Ethik hinein. Es wird konkret gefragt, wie und in welchen Zusammenhangen Paulus die Gerichtsthematik einsetzt, um Gemeinde zu gestalten oder Wegmarkierungen christlichen Wandels zu setzen. Im Zentrum der Untersuchung stehen dabei der 1. Thessalonicherbrief und der 1. Korintherbrief.

Perhaps the most important discovery in the long history of research on the Gospel of Matthew is that the book represents a self-contained literary whole as it participates in a vibrant intertextual network. Scripture illuminates the gospel story at every step, from the appearance of Jesus to the resistance of the authorities who oppose him. The famed intertextuality of Matthew, when considered alongside the social contexts in which the Matthean community lived, helps us recognize the strategy of this Gospel: the constant references to the scriptural text should assure those addressed that Christ-faithful communities are the true guardians of the theological traditions of Israel. The Gospel according to Matthew provides a comprehensive interpretation of the Gospel of Matthew that draws on the best of modern research. Along with an analysis of the narrative structure, Matthias Konradt discusses the dense network of references to the Scriptures of Israel as well as the historical situation in which the Gospel was composed, namely the conflict between believers in Christ and the predominantly Pharisaic synagogue. Konradt focuses on theological topics such as the narrative unfolding of Jesus' messianic identity as Immanuel, Son of God, and Son of David; Matthew's understanding of discipleship and the church; the role of Israel and the Gentiles; and ethical orientation with its relationship to the Torah. From the richness of Matthew's theological reflection emerges the challenging question of the Gospel's meaning and relevance for today. Modern scholarship has correctly emphasized that Matthew is an inclusive history - it tells the story of the past in a way that reflects and speaks to the experiences of the community. Taking into account a broad sweep of scholarly approaches to this text, Konradt provides a clear outline of the Gospel by tracing the shape of Matthew's masterful narrative dynamics and the evangelist's careful unfolding of theological doctrine.

-Kingdom of God" is one of the key terms of the New Testament but at the same time one of the most controversial.Should we understand God's Kingdom in a dynamic sense as God's present reign or rule, or in a spatial and/or temporal sense as realm and time of salvation? Is the Kingdom already a reality, has it started with Jesus and is in the process of becoming, or is it something that lies still in the future? Is the (be-)coming of the Kingdom a human task or solely God's own activity?This study challenges the prevalent interpretation which understands it predominantly as God's present,-dynamic" rule. Instead, the argument is made in favour of its understanding as the futuric realm and time of salvation and as such closer to-eternal life" than usually thought.