Churches Under Siege of Persecution and Assimilation

Synopsis: B. J. Oropeza offers the most thorough examination in recent times on the subject of apostasy in the New Testament. The study examines each book of the New Testament with a fourfold approach that identifies the emerging Christian community in danger, the nature of apostasy that threatens the congregations, and the consequences of defection. Oropeza then compares the various perspectives of the communities in Christ in order to determine the ways in which they perceived apostasy and whether defectors could be restored. In this final book of a three-volume set titled Apostasy in the New Testament Communities, Oropeza focuses on the Christ communities found in the General Epistles and Revelation. Endorsements: "Professor B. J. Oropeza's three-volume work on perseverance and apostasy in the New Testament is certain to become the standard in the field for years to come . . . it is thoroughly exegetical, without attempting to promote established theological agendas." -Don Garlington, author of Studies in the New Perspective on Paul "In the final volume of this major study, B. J. Oropeza completes his survey of the various approaches to apostasy in the New Testament texts and communities. With plenty of insightful observations on each book, and valuable reflections on the similarities and the diversity encountered across the various texts, this work will be a point of reference on this important but somewhat neglected topic for some time to come." -David G. Horrell Professor of New Testament Studies University of Exeter, UK "Professor Oropeza provides readers with a stimulating study of apostasy in early Christian communities. It is an important (and much neglected) topic and warrants a careful, detailed study. What I especially like about Oropeza's approach is his skillful integration of exegesis, biblical theology, and historical and social contexts . . . Readers will come across a number of interpretive gems." - Craig A. Evans Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Acadia Divinity College, Nova Scotia, Canada Author Biography: B. J. Oropeza is Professor of Biblical Studies at Azusa Pacific University. He is the current founder and chair of Intertextuality in the New Testament sessions for the Society of Biblical Literature. Among his many publications are Jesus and Paul: Global Perspectives in Honor of James D. G. Dunn (2009), and Paul and Apostasy: Eschatology, Perseverance and Falling Away in the Corinthian Congregation (2000/2007).