Abstract:
The past century has seen various studies on the nature of Matthew’s community, and
conclusions are still being debated. The study on which this article is based acknowledges the
past studies, but further proposes that the nature of the Matthean community was one of
coexistence. The Matthean community implied in the book of Matthew coexisted in three
ways. Firstly, Jews and Gentiles coexisted within the community: the Jewish–Christian-centred
community had started to accept Gentiles and became a community where Gentiles and Jews
lived together. Secondly, the community was in a state where both the Jewish law and the
teachings of Jesus were followed. Finally, the community tended to set both Jews and Gentiles
as targets for the mission. This means that there was missionary coexistence within the
community. These three main reasons are the basis for the claim that the Matthean community
maintained the nature of coexistence.
Description:
Prof. Dr Shin is participating
in the research project,
‘Biblical Theology and
Hermeneutics’, directed by
Prof. Dr Andries van Aarde,
Post Retirement Professor
and Senior Research Fellow
in the Dean’s Office, Faculty
of Theology and Religion,
University of Pretoria.
