Christopher W. Skinner
Loyola University Chicago, Theology, Faculty Member
- Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mark, New Testament Narrative Criticism, Gospel of John, Literary Approaches to Biblical Studies, Historical Jesus, and 9 moreChristianity, Early Christianity, New Testament Textual Criticism, Biblical Interpretation, New Testament and Christian Origins, New Testament, Biblical Studies, Synoptic Gospels, and Koine Greek languageedit
- Dr. Christopher W. Skinner is Professor of New Testament & Early Christianity at Loyola University Chicago. He holds ... moreDr. Christopher W. Skinner is Professor of New Testament & Early Christianity at Loyola University Chicago. He holds a PhD in Biblical Studies from the Catholic University of America (2008). From 2005 to 2010, he served as Instructor of Biblical Studies at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore Maryland, where he was the Dunning Distinguished Lecturer for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship during the 2008-2009 academic year. In the years just prior to his arrival at Loyola he was Associate Professor of Religion and Director of the Honors Program at Mount Olive College in North Carolina (2010-2016) where he was voted the 2013-2014 Professor of the Year. He has also taught previously at East Carolina University (2014-2015) and Loyola University Maryland (2008-2009).
To date, Dr. Skinner has published nearly three dozen articles and chapters in various books and journals and has authored or edited eleven books. His work explores the intersection of literary and historical questions in the narratives about Jesus both within and outside the New Testament. His books include Johannine Ethics: The Moral World of the Gospel and Epistles of John (with Sherri Brown; Fortress, 2018), Reading John (Cascade, 2015), Characters and Characterization in the Gospel of John (Bloomsbury/T & T Clark, 2013), What are They Saying About the Gospel of Thomas? (Paulist, 2012), and Mark as Story: Retrospect and Prospect (with Kelly R. Iverson; Society of Biblical Literature, 2011).
He is currently working on projects related to Markan Christology and scholarly views on the Johannine community. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association of America, the Chicago Society for Biblical Research, and the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas. He formerly served on the editorial boards for both the Catholic Biblical Quarterly and the Bulletin for Biblical Research.edit
The Gospel of John is often found at the center of discussions about the Bible and its relation to Christian theology. It is difficult to quantify the impact John’s Gospel has had on both the historical development of Christian doctrine... more
The Gospel of John is often found at the center of discussions about the Bible and its relation to Christian theology. It is difficult to quantify the impact John’s Gospel has had on both the historical development of Christian doctrine and the various expressions of Christian devotion. All too often, however, readers have failed to understand the gospel as an autonomous text with its own unique story to tell. More often than not, the Gospel of John is swept into a reading approach that either conflates or attempts to harmonize with other accounts of Jesus’ life. This book emphasizes the uniqueness of John’s story of Jesus and attempts to provide readers with a road map for appreciating the historical context and literary features of the text. The aim of this book is to produce better, more perceptive readers of the Gospel of John, with an ability to trace the rhetoric of the narrative from beginning to end.
Characters in the Second Gospel are analysed and an in-depth look at different approaches currently employed by scholars working with literary and reader-oriented methods of analysis is provided. The first section consists of essays on... more
Characters in the Second Gospel are analysed and an in-depth look at different approaches currently employed by scholars working with literary and reader-oriented methods of analysis is provided. The first section consists of essays on method/theory, and the second consists of seven exegetical character studies using a literary or reader-oriented method. All contributors work from a literary, narrative-critical, reader-oriented, or related methodology.
The book summarizes the state of the discussion and examines obstacles to arriving at a comprehensive theory of character in the Second Gospel. Specific contributions include analyses of the representation of women, God, Jesus, Satan, Gentiles, and the Roman authorities of Mark's Gospel. This work is both an exploration of theories of character, and a study in the application of those theories.
The book summarizes the state of the discussion and examines obstacles to arriving at a comprehensive theory of character in the Second Gospel. Specific contributions include analyses of the representation of women, God, Jesus, Satan, Gentiles, and the Roman authorities of Mark's Gospel. This work is both an exploration of theories of character, and a study in the application of those theories.
This volume examines characters in the Fourth Gospel and provides an in-depth look at different approaches currently employed by scholars working with literary and reader-oriented methods. Divided into two sections, the book first... more
This volume examines characters in the Fourth Gospel and provides an in-depth look at different approaches currently employed by scholars working with literary and reader-oriented methods. Divided into two sections, the book first considers method and theory, followed by exegetical character studies using a literary or reader-oriented method. It summarizes the state of the discussion, examines obstacles to arriving at a comprehensive theory of character in the Fourth Gospel, compares different approaches, and compiles the diverse methodologies into one comparative study. Through this detailed exegesis, the various theories will come alive, and the merits or deficiencies of each approach will be available to the reader. This volume is both a comprehensive study in narrative/reader-oriented theories, and a study in the application of those theories as they apply to characterization. Summing up current research on characters and characterization in the Fourth Gospel, this book also provides a comprehensive presentation of different approaches to character that have developed in recent years.
This volume addresses the perennial issue of unity and diversity in the New Testament canon. Celebrating the academic legacy of Fr. Frank J. Matera, colleagues and friends interact with elements of his many important works. Scholars and... more
This volume addresses the perennial issue of unity and diversity in the New Testament canon. Celebrating the academic legacy of Fr. Frank J. Matera, colleagues and friends interact with elements of his many important works. Scholars and students alike will find fresh and stimulating discussions that navigate the turbulent waters between the Gospels and Paul, ranging from questions of Matthew's so-called anti-Pauline polemic to cruciform teaching in the New Testament. The volume includes contributions from leading scholars in the field, offering a rich array of insights on issues such as Christology, social ethics, soteriology, and more. The contributors are Paul J. Achtemeier, Sherri Brown, Raymond F. Collins, A. Andrew Das, John R. Donahue, S.J., Francis T. Gignac, S.J., Michael J. Gorman, Kelly R. Iverson, Luke Timothy Johnson, Jack Dean Kingsbury, William S. Kurz, S.J., John P. Meier, Francis J. Moloney, S.D.B., Christopher W. Skinner, and Matt Whitlock.
Since its discovery the Gospel of Thomas has been the subject of intense study for those with interests in the developments of earliest Christianity. Three questions remain unanswered in contemporary scholarship: (1) When was Thomas... more
Since its discovery the Gospel of Thomas has been the subject of intense study for those with interests in the developments of earliest Christianity. Three questions remain unanswered in contemporary scholarship: (1) When was Thomas composed?; (2) What is the relationship between Thomas and the canonical Gospels?; (3) What theological outlook is presented in the Gospel of Thomas? This volume provides a comprehensive overview of recent scholarly opinions on these three questions.
Mark as Story: An Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel, originally published in 1982 and extensively revised in 1999, was a turning point in Gospel studies, both for the contribution it made to Markan scholarship and for the... more
Mark as Story: An Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel, originally published in 1982 and extensively revised in 1999, was a turning point in Gospel studies, both for the contribution it made to Markan scholarship and for the methodological insights that it advanced. This volume celebrates Mark as Story and offers critique, engagement, and exploration of the new hermeneutical vistas that emerged in the wake of this pioneering study. In these essays, leading international Markan scholars discuss various texts and themes in the Second Gospel, reflect upon the rise of narrative criticism, and offer a glimpse at future trends in Gospels research. The contributors are Christopher W. Skinner; Mark Allan Powell; Elizabeth Struthers Malbon; Stephen D. Moore; Francis J. Moloney, S.D.B.; Thomas E. Boomershine; R. Alan Culpepper; Morna D. Hooker; Kelly R. Iverson; Holly E. Hearon; Robert M. Fowler; and David Rhoads, Joanna Dewey, and Donald Michie.
The hypothesis that the Fourth Gospel is a theological response to the Gospel of Thomas is a recent development in the study of the New Testament and early Christianity. Assuming an early date for the Gospel of Thomas, the proponents of... more
The hypothesis that the Fourth Gospel is a theological response to the Gospel of Thomas is a recent development in the study of the New Testament and early Christianity. Assuming an early date for the Gospel of Thomas, the proponents of this hypothesis argue that the supposed "polemical" presentation of Thomas in the Fourth Gospel is evidence of a conflict between the early communities associated respectively with John and Thomas. However, a detailed narrative study reveals that the Fourth Gospel portrays a host of characters--disciples and non-disciples--in an equally unflattering light where an understanding of Jesus's origins, message, and mission are concerned. The present study attempts to demonstrate that the Fourth Gospel's presentation of Thomas is part and parcel of its treatment of "uncomprehending" characters. If this thesis is correct, it poses a significant challenge to the assumption that the Fourth Gospel contains a polemic against Thomas, or that it was written in response to the Gospel of Thomas or the community associated with Thomas.
Special issue co-edited with Zach Eberhart: “Narrative and Performance Criticisms—A Difference of Degree or Kind?” (contributors: Zach Eberhart, Nick Elder, William Shiell, Megan Wines, Jonathan Homringhausen, Paul Wheatley, among others).
Forum focused on Richard B. Hays’s book, Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels (contributors: Eric Barreto, Jonathan Bernier, Rebekah Eklund, and Rafael Rodriguez, with responses from Richard Hays).
The regular use of the ἐγώ εἰμι formulation is a critical component of the Fourth Gospel’s Christological presentation and has long been regarded as uniquely Johannine. Renewed focus on the possibility that John knew and reworked Mark has... more
The regular use of the ἐγώ εἰμι formulation is a critical component of the Fourth Gospel’s Christological presentation and has long been regarded as uniquely Johannine. Renewed focus on the possibility that John knew and reworked Mark has opened new vistas for thinking about John’s employment and reshaping of his received materials. Against that backdrop, this article suggests that Mark 6:45-52—the scene in which Jesus walks on water and includes one of three ἐγώ εἰμι pronouncements in Mark—is a clear theophany and is ultimately foundational for the development of John’s broader Christological vision.
The third fascicle of New Testament Studies in 2017 contained an article by Urban C. von Wahlde in which he critiqued contemporary narrative readings of the religious authorities in the Fourth Gospel. In this article, I respond to some of... more
The third fascicle of New Testament Studies in 2017 contained an article by Urban C. von Wahlde in which he critiqued contemporary narrative readings of the religious authorities in the Fourth Gospel. In this article, I respond to some of his claims by (1) pointing out specific concerns he has overlooked, and (2) providing a counterpoint to some of his broad claims about contemporary narrative-critical readings of the Fourth Gospel.
For decades the scholarly consensus held that the Fourth Gospel was either devoid of ethics or that its ethical material was narrow, exclusive, and sectarian. In recent years, that consensus has begun to show signs of wear. This article... more
For decades the scholarly consensus held that the Fourth Gospel was either devoid of ethics or that its ethical material was narrow, exclusive, and sectarian. In recent years, that consensus has begun to show signs of wear. This article examines the more recent turn to 'implied' ethics by looking at four English-language books on the subject published in the past four years. This examination is undertaken with a view to tracing a newly emerging consensus, which holds that (1) the Gospel of John has ethical material, and (2) that material must be taken seriously by those reflecting on ancient ethical systems in general and New Testament ethics in particular. Further, the emerging consensus holds that the implied ethics of the Fourth Gospel, far from being strictly sectarian, are useful for reflecting on and/or constructing models of normative Christian behavior. A Brief Look at the Old Consensus The last decade witnessed a surge of interest in the question of Johannine ethics. Eschewing the long-held consensus that the Fourth Gospel lacks ethical material, contemporary treatments have approached the subject with greater nuance and a more robust scholarly imagination than in previous decades. Recognizing that the gospel lacks the same type of ethical discourse as the Pauline correspondence or the Synoptic Gospels, previous commentators had dismissed the gospel
It is often said that the Johannine Jesus never utters a narrative parable like those that are so ubiquitous throughout the Synoptics. However, in John 10, we have the closest parallel in the so-called “Good Shepherd” discourse, where... more
It is often said that the Johannine Jesus never utters a narrative parable like those that are so ubiquitous throughout the Synoptics. However, in John 10, we have the closest parallel in the so-called “Good Shepherd” discourse, where Jesus uses a “figure of speech” (παροιμία) to compare himself to a benevolent or noble shepherd. This article will explore this παροιμία in light of the unfolding narrative Christology over the first nine chapters. Against that backdrop, we will examine the questions: “What historical information can reasonably be inferred as part of the literary construct known as the implied audience?,” and “How has the implied audience been prepared by the narrator to receive this metaphorical speech?”
Scholars have long recognized that the Good Shepherd discourse reflects a realistic picture of the ancient Palestinian shepherd and his relationship to the flock. But how far should the details in this metaphor be pressed? It is often... more
Scholars have long recognized that the Good Shepherd discourse reflects a realistic picture of the ancient Palestinian shepherd and his relationship to the flock. But how far should the details in this metaphor be pressed? It is often asserted that any halfway decent shepherd would have been willing to die on behalf of his flock and that Jesus’ statement to that effect (10:11, 15, 17) reflects a common expectation. However, this scenario would actually leave a flock more exposed to danger. Thus, it is appropriate to understand Jesus’ pronouncement as falling outside the realm of historical verisimilitude and better to regard the “laying down of the shepherd’s life” as the singular element of the discourse that is intended to advance the story’s Christological agenda.
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A reasoned-eclectic approach to NT textual criticism examines both external and internal evidence when evaluating textual problems. This study explores the value of narrative criticism as another internal criterion when discussing... more
A reasoned-eclectic approach to NT textual criticism examines both external and internal evidence when evaluating textual problems. This study explores the value of narrative criticism as another internal criterion when discussing intrinsic probabilities; specific attention is given to resolving the textual problem in John 1:34 (“Son of God” versus “God’s chosen one”). After examining the external evidence, the discussion turns to the motif of incomplete understanding that emerges over the first four days of the narrative proper (1:19–51). Against the backdrop of the Johannine prologue (1:1–18), which provides the literary audience with a complete description of Jesus’ identity, this pattern of misunderstanding suggests that “God’s chosen one”—an otherwise unattested term in the Fourth Gospel—is to be preferred over the “Son of God” reading.
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Research Interests:
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This is a vocabulary list taken from the first 15 chapters of Bentley Layton's Coptic in 20 Lessons.