Matthew, a Commentary: The Churchbook, Matthew 13-28 - Tapa dura

Bruner's work is at once broadly historical and deeply theological. It is historical in its use of great church teachers through the centuries -- particularly Chrysostom, Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Henry, Bengal, and Schlatter -- as well as of the classical Christian creeds and confessions. It is theological in that it seeks after the doctrines in each passage, chapter, and section of the Gospel. Consciously attempting to bridge past and present, Bruner asks both what Matthew's Gospel said to its first hearers and what it says to readers today.

The first volume is called "The Christbook because Bruner sees Matthew 1-12 as focused on the nature and work of Christ. The second volume, titled "The Churchbook, presents the final chapters of Matthew as concerned primarily with the life of the church and personal discipleship. For Bruner, then, the Gospel of Matthew is profoundly relevant to contemporary congregations and to the pastors and theologians who guide them. His new work now stands among the best in the field.