Books by Earl Richard

       Prepared as a doctoral dissertation under the direction of J. P. Clifton and presented to the Catholic University of America in 1976, this study of the Stephen material in Acts 6:1-8:4 examines the relation of Stephen's discourse to the OT text [see § 21-805], evaluates the stylistic data perceived throughout the speech and the narratives in 6:1- 7:2a and 7:54-8:4, and reassesses the composition of the entire episode. Richard concludes that the Stephen story is an integral part of Acts, providing scope for the author's vision of early Christianity and its relation to its cultural milieu. Through the figure of Stephen the early community reviewed its Jewish background and realized that the salvation given by God cannot be hindered or limited to any "place."
                                          NTA 23 (1979) 232

     Richard, who teaches at Loyola University in New Orleans, begins his survey of NT Christology with the observation that Christology is the result less of the retelling of a historical event (the one Jesus) than of the manifold claims made on Jesus' behalf by generations of believers (the many images or portraits of the Lord of faith). After introductory chapters on Jesus, the NT, and the development of the Jesus tradition, he discusses the portraits of Jesus in Mark, Matthew, Luke-Acts, and the Johannine writings. Then he deals with Jesus as viewed by Paul and the Paulinist writers, in the general letters and Revelation, and in post-NT times (classical Christology, popular literature). S. M. Dufly has contributed the chapter on classical Christology. 
                                             NTA 33 (1989) 123

     The first three articles in this collection provide a general introduction to Luke's work: Richard on Luke as author and thinker, M. L. Soards on the historical and cultural setting of Lk-Acts, and D. M. Sweetland on Luke the Christian. Then there are four methodological and exegetical studies: J. Kolasny on rhetorical criticism as applied to Lk 4:16-30, T. L. Brodie on Lk-Acts as an imitation and emulation of the Elijah-Elisha narrative, Soards on the literary analysis of the origin and purpose of Luke's account of the mockery of Jesus (Lk 22:63-65) and M.-E. Rosenblatt on recurrent narration as a Lukan literary convention (Acts 22:1-21) Finally there are four theological and thematic essays: Sweetland on discipleship in Lk-Acts, R. L. Mowery on God the Father in Lk-Acts, Richard on Pentecost as a recurrent theme in Lk-Acts, and R. J. Cassidy on the non-Roman opponents of Paul. 
                                             NTA 35 (1991) 246

In his 36-page introduction to Paul's Thessalonian correspondence, Richard, professor of NT at Loyola University in New Orleans, considers the Thessalonian milieu of the Pauline mission, the circumstances according to Acts, new views on the Pauline mission and 1 Thessalonians, the Paulinist character and occasion of 2 Thessalonians, and reading the Thessalonian correspondence. Then he provides for each pericope in 1 and 2 Thessalonians a translation, notes, and interpretation. He discerns in 1 Thessalonians two distinct letters--an exuberant letter of joy in response to Timothy's visit (2:13-4:2), and a later response to the community's concerns (1:1-2:12; 4:3-5:28). He views 2 Thessalonians as a pseudonymous adaptation of the language and themes of 1 Thessalonians to a new ecclesial situation. Throughout his notes and comments, he gives particular attention to the language and rhetoric of these documents. 
                                           NTA 40 (1996) 360
 

     After a five-page general introduction, this volume presents an introduction to 1 Peter (author and audience, composition and content, strategy and message) and an exposition according to the following general outline: opening (1:1-2); through mercy, chosen to be God's people (1:3-2:10); exhortation for resident aliens and religious exiles (2:11-4:11); final considerations and renewed exhortation (4:12-5:11); and closing (5:12-14). Then after an introduction to Jude, it treats the opening (1-3), six alternating patterns regarding false teachers (4-23), and closing (24-25). Finally it considers the redaction of Jude by 2 Peter, provides an introduction to 2 Peter, and presents a commentary under these major headings: opening (1:1-11); true and false prophecy (1:12-2:22); the Lord's day--promise, providence, and power (3:1-16); and closing (3:17-18). Richard, professor of NT at Loyola University in New Orleans, is the author of First and Second Thessalonians (1995) in the Sacra Pagina series. 
                                            NTA 45 (2001) 181