Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Gospels as narrated history -- Multiple text and the singular Gospel -- Literal sense, authorial intention, objective interpretation: in defense of some unfashionable concepts -- Erasing the text : readings in Neo-Marcionism -- Old Testament theology as a Christian theological enterprise -- Creation in the beginning -- In the image of God -- Scripture in dialog : a study in early Christian Old Testament interpretation.

WJC Memorial to Gregory Wirt class of 1980.

"The disciplines of biblical studies and systematic theology have in modern times been practised in relative isolation from one another. Francis Watson argues that the separate development of Old and New Testament studies and systematic theology impoverishes all three disciplines and distorts the object of their study." "In the past, a 'biblical theology' that took seriously the theological responsibilities of the biblical interpreter was criticised by some scholars as detrimental to the practice of both the exegetical and the theological disciplines. Here Francis Watson argues for more theological involvement with exegesis and hermeneutics rather than less: biblical theology, he contends, must be practised in an interdisciplinary approach that can draw freely on the resources and perspectives of the two exegetical disciplines and of systematic theology."--Jacket.