Overview

Benjamin Sargent offers a detailed examination of the use of scriptural quotations and allusions in the letters of Ignatius, employing methods used in the study of the use of Scripture in the New Testament. He aims to define an Ignatian ‘hermeneutic’ whilst also using a more accurate picture of interpretation in Ignatius to consider its significance in early Christianity. Sargent first focuses on the seven letters of the middle recension, as well as the long and short recensions, situating the use of Scripture in the letters within their historical context and positing that Ignatius possessed a real interest in the Scriptures of Israel rather than merely making a dismissive appeal to history. After these surveys, Sargent further examines the salvation historical narrative into which Scripture is placed by Ignatius, again noting a similarity with the types of eschatological narrative substructures found in Paul and 1 Peter. He finally compares the hermeneutics employed in the middle recension letters to those of other early Christian texts, arguing that Ignatius’ approach to interpretation shares many of the hermeneutical assumptions seen in early Christian texts which are closest to apocalyptic Judaism.

Full Product Details

Author:   Revd Dr Benjamin Sargent (Wycliffe Hall, Oxford)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   T.& T.Clark Ltd
Dimensions:   Width: 16.40cm , Height: 1.80cm , Length: 23.60cm
Weight:   0.480kg
ISBN:  

9780567715975

ISBN 10:   0567715973
Pages:   216
Publication Date:   05 February 2026
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction Chapter One: The Scriptures of Israel in the Letter to the Ephesians Chapter Two: The Scriptures of Israel in the Letter to the Magnesians Chapter Three: The Scriptures of Israel in the Letter to the Trallians Chapter Four: The Scriptures of Israel in the Letter to the Romans Chapter Five: The Scriptures of Israel in the Letter to the Philadelphians Chapter Six: The Scriptures of Israel in the Letter to the Smyrneans Chapter Seven: The Scriptures of Israel in the Letter of Polycarp Chapter Eight: The use of 4 Maccabees in the Middle Recension Chapter Nine: Scripture, Narrative and History in Ignatius Chapter Ten: Ignatius’ hermeneutics in the context of early Christianity and Judaism Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Author Information

Benjamin Sargent is the Dean of Chapel at Winchester College, UK.

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