A fresh reading of the letters of Paul, bringing to light their literary texture
“Hays has without doubt posed the right question at the right time within the horizon of a particularly important problematic. . . . A new beginning for the question concerning the reception of the Old Testament in the New.”—Hans Hübner, Theologische Literaturzeitung
Paul’s letters, the earliest writings in the New Testament, are filled with allusions, images, and quotations from the Old Testament, or, as Paul called it, Scripture. In this book, Richard B. Hays investigates Paul’s appropriation of Scripture from a perspective based on literary-critical studies of intertextuality. His uncovering of scriptural echoes in Paul’s language enriches our appreciation of the complex literary texture of Paul’s letters and offers new insights into his message.
Review
The conclusions [Hays] draws will empower contemporary believers to see the messianic threads of the Bible as an ongoing mission. This is a fine, convincing work of scholarship on a delicate theological topic. ― Publishers Weekly
A lucid, perceptive, well-researched, and accessible book ― Choice
In this much anticipated project, Hays does for the Gospels what he previously and famously did for Paul. He investigates how the four evangelists, each in a distinctive way, operated as biblical interpreters, bearing witness to Jesus and his gospel in light of the Old Testament’s witness. ― The Christian Century
This is a book to be savored, not rushed through like fast food. At one point, Hays describes the benefit of reading John's narrative 'attentively.' This book demonstrates Hays's attentive reading of the evangelists interpreting and using Scripture… Hays's work will be useful for those studying one or more of the Gospels and for those researching the use of the Scriptures of Israel in the NT. Failure to engage with Hays would be a mistake. -- Kenneth D. Litwak ― Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
A precious book that presents a learned proposal for the figural interpretation of the Synoptics and John. -- Boris Paschke ― Evangelical Review of Theology
Everyone should read Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels; it is a masterpiece in figural interpretation. -- Dean Deppe ― Calvin Theological Journal
Hays promises the reader an examination of the Evangelists' hermeneutics and delivers so much more--the veritable foundation, outline and central details for a biblical theology of the Gospels. -- Craig L. Blomberg ― Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies
What cannot be overstated about Hays' book is the fresh way in which his methodology elucidates nuanced meaning in the Gospels as echoes of the larger story of Israel while also offering plain interpretation of standard passages. Hays' work in figural echoing is innovative, whisking a Gospel reader into other parts of scripture against standard hermeneutical practice such as grammatical-historic approaches. -- Thomas J. Savage ― European Journal of Theology
This is a remarkable book for the many fresh lines of interpretative possibilities that Hays presents. -- Peter R. Rodgers ― Novum Testamentum
Combined with the detailed analysis of possible verbal correspondences in various texts, Hays offers a richly theological reading of the Gospels that will be of great benefit to preachers. -- Alistair I. Wilson ― Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology
There is subtlety and depth here, achieved only through extensive awareness of Israel’s Scriptures and the ways they can be reconfigured in the Gospels. -- Micah D. Kiel ― Catholic Biblical Quarterly
…Hays offers both an enormously rich, sensitive and holistic reading of each of the canonical gospels, and a vitally important reminder to all Christians of the Jewish and scriptural roots of their faith -- Susan Docherty ― Modern Believing
Review
A masterful achievement by a great scholar at the peak of his powers, Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels is a book that I expect to be revisiting for the rest of my life. Richard Hays traces with both depth and clarity the diverse uses the evangelists make of the Hebrew scriptures. His conclusion draws its title from the Emmaus Road story: 'Did not our hearts burn within us?' Indeed they did, and do. -- Alan Jacobs, Distinguished Professor of Humanities in the Honors Program, Baylor University