Summarizes the scholarship on the origins, nature, and history of the Bible; and evaluates the major critiques of it as an authoritative guide for modern living. A rationalist, humanist treatment that draws personal conclusions, but neither preaches nor condemns. More for general readers than for b
A comprehensive history of the development of Judaeo-Christian god-mythology. This work traces the beginning of the "god" concept, the evolution of Judaism to the first century, and the evolution of Christianity from its monotheistic beginnings to its emergence as a three-god creed in AD 325.
A hallmark of American black religion is its distinctive use of the Bible in creating community, resisting oppression, and fomenting social change. What can critical biblical studies learn from the African American experience with the Bible, and vice versa?This singular volume marks the emergence of a critical mass of black biblical scholars. ......
Explores the reasons for social ministry as they arise in the witness of Scripture-not only the usual "justice" texts but also those that seem to counter this position. Shows how the Bible addresses practical, contemporary concerns and fears.
Examining the scriptural underpinnings of occult and supernaturalistic notions that survive in contemporary society, this book is based on the author's knowledge of the history of ancient Near-Eastern cultures and their mythology.
The first nontechnical description of the principles and procedures of narrative criticism. Written for students' and pastors' use in their own exegesis. With great clarity Powell outlines the principles and procedures that narrative critics follow in exegesis of gospel texts and explains concepts such as "point of view," "narration," "irony," ......
Two times govern Paul's thought world: the death and resurrection of Jesus, marking the origin of the believer's life; and Christ's return or parousia, culminating God's purposes with this world. Between these two times Paul is concerned about how believers behave-how they walk. J. Paul Sampley provides a guidebook for all who want to understand ......
Presents authors ideas on characters, events, and books of the Scriptures. This book draws on the expertise of biblical scholars, theologians, and philosophers to demonstrate that fundamentalist assumptions about the reliability and authenticity of the Bible as the inviolable Word of God simply have no rational or factual basis.
In Paul's epistles the crucifixion story reveals a God who is free and in no way bound by human categories or expectations. Yet God in Christ chooses to be engaged in the very depths of the human predicament. The message of the crucifixion is that God's power is manifested in weakness, not in strength. The author believes that this "weakness as ......
The Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament Series (ACNT) is written for laypeople, students, and pastors. Laypeople will use it as a resource for Bible study at home and at church. Students and instructors will read it to probe the basic message of the books of the New Testament. And pastors will find it to be a valuable aid for sermon and ......
In the second volume of his thorough commentary on the Psalms, Professor Kraus turns his attention to Psalms 60-150, takes each Psalm in turn, offers a fresh translation, a bibliography, linguistic notes, discussion of the form and origin of the passage, a verse-by-verse commentary, and a summary of the particular Psalm's main theological points. ......
In this distinguished commentary, Wolff's task is to defend Haggai as much more than a minor prophet. He was a man whose feet were placed firmly on the ground, one of the dominating figures of the postexilic community, the main instigator of the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple, and so responsible for inaugurating a new era in Jewish history.
"Freed from contemporary theological categories that have been informed by ideological and psychological issues, but ever mindful of the social location of gender analysis, these essays provide fresh and exciting looks at otherwise unfamiliar texts. They jar our minds and our biases.... This book is a valuable contribution to gender-oriented ......
The first major and comprehensive English- language commentary on Hebrews in over fifty years. Presents a balanced and richly documented interpretation.
A Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, Chapters 26-52
Includes a full introduction, which deals with the development of the text and the literary development from the earlist dictated scrolls to its final form.
