How and when did Jesus and the Spirit come to be regarded as fully God? The Birth of the Trinity offers a new historical approach by exploring the way in which first- and second-century Christians read the Old Testament in order to differentiate the one God as multiple persons. The earliest Christians felt they could metaphorically 'overhear' divine conversations between Father, Son, and Spirit when reading the Old Testament. When these snatches of dialogue are connected and joined, they form a narrative about the unfolding interior divine life as understood by the nascent church. What emerges is not a static portrait of the triune God, but a developing story of divine persons enacting mutual esteem, voiced praise, collaborative strategy, and self-sacrificial love. The presence of divine dialogue in the New Testament and early Christian literature shows that, contrary to the claims of James Dunn and Bart Ehrman (among others), the earliest Christology was the highest Christology, as Jesus was identified as a divine person through Old Testament interpretation. 
<ul>
<li>A new historical proposal for how the doctrine of the Trinity first emerged</li>
<li>Unfolds the story of the God in a uniquely Trinitarian fashion</li>
<li>Exemplifies the theological interpretation of Scripture</li>
<li>Shows how and why one can read the Old Testament and the New Testament together as Christian Scripture</li>
<li>Fresh evidence for an early high Christology</li>
</ul>

The Birth of the Trinity: Jesus, God, and Spirit in New Testament and Early Christian Interpretations of the Old Testament

History

Bates, Matthew W.

Ancient Civilizations

Oxford University Press

How and when did Jesus and the Spirit come to be regarded as fully God? The Birth of the Trinity offers a new historical approach by exploring the way in which first- and second-century Christians read the Old Testament in order to differentiate the one God as multiple persons. The earliest Christians felt they could metaphorically 'overhear' divine conversations between Father, Son, and Spirit when reading the Old Testament. When these snatches of dialogue are connected and joined, they form a narrative about the unfolding interior divine life as understood by the nascent church. What emerges is not a static portrait of the triune God, but a developing story of divine persons enacting mutual esteem, voiced praise, collaborative strategy, and self-sacrificial love. The presence of divine dialogue in the New Testament and early Christian literature shows that, contrary to the claims of James Dunn and Bart Ehrman (among others), the earliest Christology was the highest Christology, as Jesus was identified as a divine person through Old Testament interpretation.

We know what the gospel is—but do we know why it is?  
  
As Christians, we often ask what the gospel is, when we should be asking why it is. Matthew W. Bates has previously demonstrated that the “good news” of the gospel is that Jesus is King. But in his latest book, he explores God’s intentions: why has God issued this royal proclamation? And what role can it play in our everyday lives? 
  
As Bates observes, we find the answer in a simple but challenging realization: “I am a horrible king of my own life.” With examples from Scripture, literature, and personal experience, Bates explains what pledging allegiance to Jesus as ruler of our lives looks like. Living authentically according to God’s reign conforms humanity to the image of Jesus and extends his glory and honor to all creation.  
  
Perfect for church studies, evangelism, or personal spiritual reading, Why the Gospel? invites readers to consider how we can transform our lives and communities through loyalty and devotion to King Jesus. The book includes questions to guide discussion.

Why the Gospel?: Living the Good News of King Jesus with Purpose

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Eerdmans

Against the prevailing models for understanding the Apostle Paul's interpretation and use of scripture, Matthew Bates proposes a fresh approach toward developing a Pauline hermeneutic. He combines historical criticism with an intertextual strategy that takes seriously the work of the early church fathers, and in so doing fills a void in current scholarship. Bates applies his method to both oft-referenced and underutilized passages in the writings of Paul and suggests a new model for Pauline hermeneutics that is centered on the apostolic proclamation of Christ.

The Hermeneutics of the Apostolic Proclamation: The Center of Paul's Method of Scriptural Interpretation

Baylor University Press

Gospel Allegiance: What Faith in Jesus Misses for Salvation in Christ

Challenging popular misconceptions about the biblical gospel, Matthew Bates shows that it is different, wider, and more beautiful than we have been led to believe.

Gospel Allegiance

Brazos Press

The Hermeneutics of the Apostolic Proclamation

A GUIDEBOOK ON DEFINING, SHARING, AND OBEYING THE GOSPEL 
King Jesus is supplying lifeblood. But our insufficient grasp of the gospel is a dangerous blockage. If a heart ailment is treated haphazardly, death follows. People are hurting. Churches are confused. The gospel vaguely won’t suffice. We need clarity, simplicity, and truth—the gospel precisely. 
But followers of Jesus should beware of harmful imitations. The real gospel in its healing fullness—the one taught by Jesus and his apostles—is the one found in the Bible. 
Award-winning author Matthew Bates shows that the gospel is about King Jesus. It is about the cross and resurrection—yet surprisingly much more. Find yourself empowered for discipleship and prepared to share the gospel effectively. Includes resources for personal reflection and group discussion.\nThis book takes the best of Bates’s previous work and makes it even more accessible. Bravo! 
— Scot X. McKnight, Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary 
Christians talk about preaching, presenting, and living the gospel, but we urgently need more precision. Matthew Bates has done the church a service by giving us accessible guidance. 
— Jonathan Storment, author of How to Start a Riot 
The Gospel Precisely delivers biblical depth at the grassroots level with a healthy helping of practical pastoral coaching. 
— Mark E. Moore, author of Core 52 
MATTHEW W. BATES (PhD, Notre Dame University) is an award-winning author and Associate Professor of Theology at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois. His popular books include Gospel Allegiance (Brazos, 2019), Salvation by Allegiance Alone (Baker Academic, 2017), and The Birth of the Trinity (Oxford University Press, 2015). He co-founded and co-hosts the OnScript podcast.

The Gospel Precisely: Surprisingly Good News About Jesus Christ the King (Real Life Theology)

RENEW.org

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bates, Matthew W.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Bates, Matthew W.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bates, Matthew W.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Birth of the Trinity: Jesus, God, and Spirit in New Testament and Early Christian Interpretations of the Old Testament

The Birth of the Trinity: Jesus, God, and Spirit in New Testament and Early Christian Interpretations of the Old Testament

Why the Gospel?: Living the Good News of King Jesus with Purpose

The Hermeneutics of the Apostolic Proclamation: The Center of Paul's Method of Scriptural Interpretation

Gospel Allegiance

The Hermeneutics of the Apostolic Proclamation: The Center of Paul's Method of Scriptural Interpretation

The Gospel Precisely: Surprisingly Good News About Jesus Christ the King (Real Life Theology)