R.T. France on Matthew

Hello All,

A group of men from our local church are teaching consecutively through Matthew's gospel. Each man will take a chapter each week.

Anywho, we were all given a commentary to help us by R.T. France, part of the "New International Commentary on the New Testament", "The Gospel of Matthew".

Coupla questions:

1. Anybody know anything about R.T. France? For instance, liberal, NPP, etc.?

2. Anybody read anything by him?

3. Anybody read this commentary?

4. Any good things to say about the man or his writings?

5. Any bad things to say about the man or his writings?

Cheers,

Chirp.. chirp.. chirp.....

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Originally Posted by Christusregnat

Hello All,

A group of men from our local church are teaching consecutively through Matthew's gospel. Each man will take a chapter each week.

Anywho, we were all given a commentary to help us by R.T. France, part of the "New International Commentary on the New Testament", "The Gospel of Matthew".

Coupla questions:

1. Anybody know anything about R.T. France? For instance, liberal, NPP, etc.?

2. Anybody read anything by him?

3. Anybody read this commentary?

4. Any good things to say about the man or his writings?

5. Any bad things to say about the man or his writings?

Cheers,

---

I found this on a google search. Im still pouring over it, but I hope this helps :)

I have used his commentary on Mark's Gospel.

France is a little loose on some of his views regarding historicity, or the motive of the gospel writers at points, but he is not NPP as far as I know. Of course, NPP wouldn't really be an issue that would make its way into a commentary on the Gospels now, would it? :lol: (but, if you continue to use the NIGTC series, you will run across NPP influenced scholarship in Wanamaker's commentary on the Thessalonian epistles).

However, there was a great deal of good to be found in the commentary, and I would rate it as one of my top two on Mark (along with James Edwards in the Pillar Commentary Series). He has a good eye for bringing out the theological significance of Mark's literary structure, as well as picking up on Exodus themes as they illumine the role of Christ in the Gospel of Mark.

Realize that he says some stupid things once in awhile, and you'll be okay. There is a lot of good stuff in there that you would not want to miss.

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Originally Posted by Archlute

I have used his commentary on Mark's Gospel.

France is a little loose on some of his views regarding historicity, or the motive of the gospel write at points, but he is not NPP as far as I know. Of course, NPP wouldn't really be an issue that would make its way into a commentary on the Gospels now, would it? :lol: (but, if you continue to use the NIGTC series, you will run across NPP influenced scholarship in Wanamaker's commentary on the Thessalonian epistles).

However, there was a great deal of good to be found in the commentary, and I would rate it as one of my top two on Mark (along with James Edwards in the Pillar Commentary Series). He has a good eye for bringing out the theological significance of Mark's literary structure, as well as picking up on Exodus themes as they illumine the role of Christ in the Gospel of Mark.

Realize that he says some stupid things once in awhile, and you'll be okay. There is a lot of good stuff in there that you would not want to miss.

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Excellent info! Thanks Adam.

Sometimes I wonder if scholars pick up on "motifs" because they want to sound like they're smart.... or because they want to pick up on something that nobody else saw before... anywho, I'll keep in mind your cautions and encouragements, Adam.

Adam

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Originally Posted by Josiah

I found this on a google search. Im still pouring over it, but I hope this helps :)

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Very helpful Josiah!

Thanks,

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Originally Posted by Christusregnat

Hello All,

A group of men from our local church are teaching consecutively through Matthew's gospel. Each man will take a chapter each week.

Anywho, we were all given a commentary to help us by R.T. France, part of the "New International Commentary on the New Testament", "The Gospel of Matthew".

Coupla questions:

1. Anybody know anything about R.T. France? For instance, liberal, NPP, etc.?

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Evangelical Anglican in the J. I. Packer tradition.

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4. Any good things to say about the man or his writings?

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Noted for good exegesis.

I have read a good chunk of both of his Matthew commentaries (he wrote one for the Tyndale series as well). I have found him consistently helpful, mostly conservative, and definitely evangelical. I wouldn't agree with everything he wrote. But then, I wouldn't agree with everything Calvin said, either. France will not lead you astray.

Richard Thomas France is a retired Anglican clergyman who lives in Wales. He was Principal of Wycliffe Hall Oxford from 1989 to 1995. He has also worked for the London School of Theology. He was born 2 April 1938, educated at Balliol College, Oxford (MA). He earned his BD at the University of London and his PhD at the University of Bristol.

France's Jesus and the Old Testament contains (in an Appendix) a good exposition of the partial preterist interpretation of the Gospels -- which is his position.