More on Green, 1 Peter..

The commentary on 1 Peter by Joel B. green is published as the fourth volume of a new series called The Two Horizons New Testament Commentary. Its first volume was launched in 2005 (Colossians & Philemon, by Marianne Meye Thompson).Volumes on 2 Peter & Jude and Philippians have also been published by now. The aim of the commentary series is described thus: "Seeking to bridge the existing gap between biblical studies and systematic theology, this distinctive series offers section-by-section exegesis of the New Testament texts in close conversation with theological concerns."
There are by now several commentaries getting published having a comparable focus and aim (see next posting). Loooking over the many commentary series being launched it gives one a certain impression that the whole commentary genre is problematized. Coming from a more traditional historical-critical and linguistic focused commentary to, for instance, this one makes this difference most obvious.

If you are looking for a commentary for students that also need some help with Greek linguistic issues, that also want some religio-historical information provided, I don't think you will find this kind of series sufficient. Now it must be admitted that the publishers of this series have a different aim: their primary interests are on theological readings of texts, with not a little emphasis also on the devotional and practical side.

Concerning 1 Peter, Green is not dealing very much with the traditional introductory matters like author, place, time, etc.see pp. 1-11. He understands the letter to be written from Rome, and favors Peter as its author, buy in facts leves the question of author and time rather open, trying to not let them influence his interpretations.
The commentary is divided into two major sections: The commentary proper (pp. 13-186), and 'Theological Horizons' (pp. 187-288). Green also admits that, although he during the commentary section will refer to Peter's audience, he is also concerned "with whther we are ready to read 1 Peter as a letter addressed to us-".

This emphasis should make the commentary series most helpful for pastors/preachers, that is for those who are not that much interested in historical, historical-religio questions, linguistic issues etc etc.. Students, however, who are to indulge themselves in the various aspects of the text of e.g., 1 Peter, should supplement their library with some other more 'traditional' commentaries. Hence I fully appreciate the kind of commentary this one represent, but not as the only commentary.

What then about the Theological Horizon section? Well, first, the publisher end editor is to be praised that these sections are separated from the commentary proper. Second, the hoorizon dealt with in this commentary is mainly the biblical horizon as the issues dealt with are gather in three large sections related to biblical/NT issues; The Theology of 1 Peter, 1 Peter and the New Testament, and Engaging theology with 1 Peter. I find much in these sections too, however, valuable.