B RIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN BIBLICAL scholarship and the larger enterprise of Chris-tian theology, this new and refreshing approach to 2 Corinthians shows how exegesis of a New Testa-ment writing can result in theology that is relevant to today.

Beginning with an account of the essential thrust of the text, Frances Young and David Ford argue for the unity of the letter, setting it against both its Jewish and Hellenistic backgrounds, and examining ques-tions of meaning and reference in the interpretation of particular passages. They then consider how the text can be illuminated by the modern study of hermeneu-tics, as well as by new sociological approaches.

The book culminates in an assessment of Paul's authority then and now, and the importance of what he says about God. Finally the authors provide their own vivid and compelling translation of Paul's words, inviting a complete reading of the letter in the light of all that has gone before.