Matthew V. Novenson

American New Testament scholar and professor at the University of Edinburgh, noted for work on Paul, messianism, and early Christianity; author of Christ Among the Messiahs, The Grammar of Messianism, and Paul, Then and Now.

Books

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  1. 1. Christ Among The Messiahs

    Christ Language in Paul and Messiah Language in Ancient Judaism
    Cover of 'Christ Among The Messiahs' by Matthew V. Novenson

    This study argues that Paul’s use of “Christos” functions as a messianic title rather than a mere proper name and situates his language firmly within the diverse messiah discourse of Second Temple Judaism. Through close philological and historical analysis of Jewish and Greco-Roman sources, it shows how honorific naming practices, scriptural interpretation, and communal worship inform phrases like “in Christ” and other Pauline constructions. Challenging de-messianizing readings of Paul, it portrays early assemblies as messianic communities centered on Jesus as Israel’s anointed ruler while highlighting the plurality of messiah ideas in antiquity.

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