Why is the New Testament Called “New Testament”?
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Tomas Bokedal
Abstract
This chapter offers an account as to why the New Testament book collection is labelled “New Testament.” It argues that the original Greek title ἡ καινὴ διαθήκη (Latin novum testamentum) is deeply historically, theologically and editorially rooted, and that it therefore continues to play a key role as the latter half of the dual title “Old” and “New Testament.” The following explanations for the collective title are explored: (I) it is a neutral label without any particular meaning - the New Testament just happens to be called “the New Testament”; (II) it is the traditional and, reception-historically, most popular designation; (III) it reflects the two-covenant theology prevalent at the time of its adoption; (IV) as an intrascriptural link to “new covenant” language, influential Christian editors introduced the title into the biblical manuscript tradition to provide an overall designation for the specifically Christian portion of the Scriptures; and (V) as part of the canon formation, it helped presenting the Christian Bible as a book in two parts, with each part relating to the Christ event in its own unique way. Building on and critiquing previous scholarly contributions, the chapter elaborates on these explanations, suggesting the relevance of all five explanations (but especially II-V) for a comprehensive understanding of the title.
Abstract
This chapter offers an account as to why the New Testament book collection is labelled “New Testament.” It argues that the original Greek title ἡ καινὴ διαθήκη (Latin novum testamentum) is deeply historically, theologically and editorially rooted, and that it therefore continues to play a key role as the latter half of the dual title “Old” and “New Testament.” The following explanations for the collective title are explored: (I) it is a neutral label without any particular meaning - the New Testament just happens to be called “the New Testament”; (II) it is the traditional and, reception-historically, most popular designation; (III) it reflects the two-covenant theology prevalent at the time of its adoption; (IV) as an intrascriptural link to “new covenant” language, influential Christian editors introduced the title into the biblical manuscript tradition to provide an overall designation for the specifically Christian portion of the Scriptures; and (V) as part of the canon formation, it helped presenting the Christian Bible as a book in two parts, with each part relating to the Christ event in its own unique way. Building on and critiquing previous scholarly contributions, the chapter elaborates on these explanations, suggesting the relevance of all five explanations (but especially II-V) for a comprehensive understanding of the title.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Foreword VII
- Scripture and Theology in Context: An Introduction 1
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Part 1: Scripture and the Web of Meanings
- An Anthropological Analysis of Ezekiel 13:17–21 35
- Messiahs and Redeemer Figures in Postexilic Texts 57
- Early Divine Christology: Scripture, Narrativity and Confession in Luke-Acts 89
- Why is the New Testament Called “New Testament”? 119
- Disassembling Provenance: Origin Stories and Why They Matter for Scripture 149
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Part 2: The Bible at Work: Historical Case Studies
- Power Dynamics in the Preached Word: A Fourth Century Case Study 165
- Augustine without a Theodicy of a Condemning God 195
- Philosophy in Aquinas’ Exegetical Work and Its Meta-Theological Implications 235
- Hamann between Luther and Hume 261
- Let Everything that Hath Breath Praise the Lord 283
- The Divine Forwards: Karl Barth’s Early Exegesis of the Pauline Epistles 305
- Karl Rahner’s Use of the Bible 327
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Part 3: Informing Theological Discourse: Systematic Perspectives
- Canonical Theology, Social Location and the Search for Global Theological Method 345
- Quadriga without Platonism 375
- Reinventing the Quadriga 397
- The Theological Art of Scriptural Interpretation: Lessons from von Balthasar 415
- The Holy Scriptures as a Recognition- and Witnessing-Authority 433
- The Relationship of Scripture and Tradition in the Light of God’s Revelation 453
- Deriving Theology from Scripture 473
- List of Contributors 487
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Foreword VII
- Scripture and Theology in Context: An Introduction 1
-
Part 1: Scripture and the Web of Meanings
- An Anthropological Analysis of Ezekiel 13:17–21 35
- Messiahs and Redeemer Figures in Postexilic Texts 57
- Early Divine Christology: Scripture, Narrativity and Confession in Luke-Acts 89
- Why is the New Testament Called “New Testament”? 119
- Disassembling Provenance: Origin Stories and Why They Matter for Scripture 149
-
Part 2: The Bible at Work: Historical Case Studies
- Power Dynamics in the Preached Word: A Fourth Century Case Study 165
- Augustine without a Theodicy of a Condemning God 195
- Philosophy in Aquinas’ Exegetical Work and Its Meta-Theological Implications 235
- Hamann between Luther and Hume 261
- Let Everything that Hath Breath Praise the Lord 283
- The Divine Forwards: Karl Barth’s Early Exegesis of the Pauline Epistles 305
- Karl Rahner’s Use of the Bible 327
-
Part 3: Informing Theological Discourse: Systematic Perspectives
- Canonical Theology, Social Location and the Search for Global Theological Method 345
- Quadriga without Platonism 375
- Reinventing the Quadriga 397
- The Theological Art of Scriptural Interpretation: Lessons from von Balthasar 415
- The Holy Scriptures as a Recognition- and Witnessing-Authority 433
- The Relationship of Scripture and Tradition in the Light of God’s Revelation 453
- Deriving Theology from Scripture 473
- List of Contributors 487
