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Journal for the Study of the New Testament 32.5 (2010)

One of the interesting aspects of this book is the link that is often forged between the traditions under discussion and contemporary devotional practices or theological reflections. Thus, when discussing the assumption, Norelli presents the links with the papal definition made by Pius XII pronouncing the centrality of the assumption as an aspect of Roman Catholic faith. However, the main achievement of the book is setting out the complex and often inter-related textual traditions that coalesce around the figure of Mary from the second century, down to the Middle Ages and beyond. This is a helpful discussion of the relevant textual traditions. Paul Foster Matthew, James, and Didache: Three Related Documents in their Jewish and Christian Settings Huub van de Sandt & Jrgen . Zangenberg, eds.
SYM 45; Atlanta: SBL, 2008, 978-1-58983-358-6, $54.95, xii + 475 pb

After one hundred years without an international conference on the Didache, two come along at once. In 2003 Huub van de Sandt convened a meeting at Tilburg, the Netherlands, the suitably tentative proceedings of which were published as, Matthew and the Didache: Two Documents from the Same Jewish-Christian Milieu? A second Tilburg conference, in 2007, has now given rise to the present volume. It aims to 'explore ways to identify topics common to these three documents [Matthew, James ana Didache], discuss possible implications for a reconstruction of their sociological background and make attempts to describe this "milieu"' (p. 2). The task is tackled by an impressive cohort of international scholars who tackle subjects, such as the interpretation of Torah and the observance ofritual,which might indicate the extent of any common environment. Whilst affirming the general sense that Matthew, James and Didache are related texts, the results of this volume are, if anything, less conclusive than those of its predecessor. The absence of greater precision is perhaps inevitable when one of the projects' foundational presuppositions is taken into account: The likelihood that the relationship between the three writings is one of literary dependence seems negligible' (p. 1). From this starting point any hope of precision in understanding how these texts, and their milieus, relate to one another becomes altogether distant. Instead it is necessary to reconstruct a milieu in which extant authors, despite sharing a common environment and tradition, may only come into contact with their predecessors' work when that work is mediated by a non-extant author. The editors note that the discussion is unfinished; they have a gift for understatement. Alan Garrow Seeking the Imperishable Treasure: Wealth, Wisdom, and a Jesus Saying Steven R. Johnson
Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2008, 978-1-55635-244-7, $23.00, xv + 183 pb

The present volume discusses the tradition-history of Jesus' 'Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth . . .' saying, taking in not only Q/Lk. 12.33, Mt. 6.19-20 and G.Thom. 76.3, but also Jn 6.27, Jas 5.2-3 and even Col. 3.1-2. In sum, the emphasis

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here is on how canonical parallels are to a greater or lesser extent influenced by the Thomasine version. Luke 'recomposed Q 12.53 with the aide of Mk 10.21 and G.Thom. 76.3' (p. 76); Thomas is also the source of some of the Johannine language. The present volume is very much part of the reaction against older scholarship which dismissed Thomas as late and secondary; according to Johnson, 'a mid-to-late first century oral collection or written text of the Gospel of Thomas did exist', even if that was not as extensive as our extant texts (p. 13). No author or subject index is provided, but there are lots of helpful synopses of the relevant passages. Johnson is already the editor of Q 12.33-34 in the Documenta Q series, and so is very well acquainted with all the relevant scholarship on the passage. Perhaps the book's major flaw is its confidence: not only is near-certainty claimed for its retroversion of Thomas, but the reconstructed text of Q goes beyond mere hypothesis and is then the basis upon which further theories are built. Finally, an 'archetype' is reconstructed, 'a pre-Q, pre-Thomas' treasure in heaven saying (chapter 5). The reader might be more hopeful if the work was stronger on philology. Problems arise here, however, e.g., in the retroversion of Coptic G.Thom. 76.3: K C , $ eis (pp. 63,72). The placement of the is puzzling, as is the word-order . Simon J. Gathercole Tradition and Composition in the Epistula Apostolorum, 2nd edn Julian V.Hills
HTS 57; Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 2008 (1990), 978-0-674-02131-0, 22.95, 16.95, xvii + 180 pb

As studies of the second century Epistula Apostolorum are in short supply, it is surprising to see one from 1990 reprinted almost unchanged. In this redaction-critical study Hills tells us that Epistula Apostolorum, preserved only in Coptic and Ethiopie but part of the canon of the Ethiopian Church, could be seen as a letter, a gospel or an apocalypse, but he opts for a revelatory dialogue (pp. 8-9). After the introductory chapter, the subsequent five chapters provide in-depth exegeses of EpAp 4-5, 9-12, 16-19, 41-42 and 43-^5; chapter summaries are included and there is a fourpage conclusion. Hills gives much space to the reconstruction and translation of the text. Per passage he supplies large numbers of parallels from the NT and other early Christian texts, asking himself which elements of Epistula Apostolorum are independent and which traditional. Authorial and redactional intentions are scrutinized. Although the Coptic and Ethiopie are translated, the book is not an easy read, let alone a popular introduction. It is regrettable that, although the bibliography has been slightly updated, it is not exhaustive for publications after 1990. Newer editions of extra-canonical literature have also not been consulted. The secondary literature used for the study of the NT and other early Christian texts must already have been dated when the book first appeared and is now even more so. Thus Hills misses the newer approaches to the NT, which has its consequences for his conclusions. Indexes are sorely missed. Pieter J. Lalleman

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