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Trade ReviewWithout doubt Castelo's desire to encourage us to engage more fully with pneumatology is one to be applauded ... [This book] is written to create greater awareness and desire to engage, and this it does well. * Regents Reviews *This book does exactly what it says on the label. It provides a guide for readers to navigate some of the most perplexing issues in pneumatology. It does so with insight and wisdom. In short, it is a most welcome addition to the literature and I expect that it will become a key introductory text for theology students. I commend it most warmly. * Mark Cartledge, University of Birmingham, UK *Daniel Castelo has written a text that is best described as a short but exemplary introduction to pneumatology. In plain speech but without oversimplification and avoidance of controversy, Castelo provides a splendid survey of the field of pneumatology. He begins with a study of the meanings of spirit in Scripture and the distinctions of God’s Spirit (or Holy Spirit) from other realities which are described through use of the term spirit and moves on to an examination of interpretations of the Holy Spirit in the first four centuries of Christianity and the consequence of these early developments for the division of Christianity into East and West, then next to the dialogue between pneumatology and the natural sciences for interpretation of the doctrines of creation and providence, the work of the Holy Spirit in Christian religious life and moral formation, the meanings of Spirit-baptism within the Sacramental, Evangelical, and Pentecostal traditions of Christianity, and ends with suggestions on how to discern the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in the world today. More than just a guide for the perplexed, Castelo’s book is significant for all persons seeking to not only learn more about pneumatology but also to gain a sense of its breadth. * Frederick L. Ware, Howard University School of Divinity, USA *Although unwieldy and often neglected in Christian theology, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is rich with possibility. In this engagingly written book Castelo introduces the historical discussion and offers suggestive hints for future work in pneumatology. At the same time, he retains an appropriate level of perplexity that corresponds to the subject matter and cultivates deeper faith in God. Written with a broad, ecumenical audience in mind, Castelo’s work is a wonderful resource for both beginning students and seasoned scholars who want to be conversant with the latest developments in pneumatology. * Mark E. Powell, Harding School of Theology, USA *This volume is a lovely introduction to the Christian understanding of the Holy Spirit. It is honest about the theological complexities, insightful regarding the different traditions, and creative with its constructive proposals. For those looking for a fresh and contemporary primer on pneumatology, Daniel Castelo has written the ideal companion. * Paul T. Nimmo, University of Aberdeen, UK *Castelo provides a succinct and deep examination of significant questions in pneumatology. This text is ecumenically well grounded in the work of past and contemporary theologians, and constructive in its approaches and insights. -- Amanda C. Osheim, Loras College * Horizons: The Journal of the College Theology Society *[Pneumatology] is a credit to the series - valuable, informative and thought-provoking as [it] invite[s] students old and new to enter into a fresh engagement with [this] doctrinal theme. * Theology Journal *Table of ContentsTable of Contents Acknowledgements Preface Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Facing the Wind: Challenges and Expectations within Pneumatology Chapter 2 - The Shape of Spirit-talk: Biblical Tags, Patterns, and Themes Chapter 3 - The Testimony of the Spirit: Pneumatology in the First Centuries Chapter 4 - Spirit and Life: Creation and Cosmology Chapter 5 - In the Spirit: Mediation and the Economy of Sanctification Chapter 6 - Receiving the Spirit: Spirit-baptism and Subsequence Chapter 7 - Guided by the Spirit: Discernment Bibliography Index

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Trade ReviewHighly recommended, this set of essays is to read in the manner of lectio: slowly, carefully, and attentively. * Reviews in Religion and Theology *All the hallmarks of Webster’s book—clarity, austerity of style, and irrepressible cheerfulness—seem to me to have been magnified in this rich volume. * Anglican Theological Review *A challenging and necessary book. * Theologische Literaturzeitung (Bloomsbury translation) *‘In ten elegantly crafted and precisely written chapters on Scripture and theological reason, John Webster shows himself to be the master of the domain he surveys and serves - and of which he is arguably the prime English-speaking minister. Taken together, these essays represent a bracing manifesto and compelling model of how to do theology with care, competence, and good cheer by situating one's thought in the broader sphere of the triune God's loving address. May its domain (of readers) increase!' - Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Wheaton College Graduate School and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, USA. -- Kevin J. Vanhoozer‘John Webster is a dogmatic theologian in the classic sense: he is seeking God's face. Knowing in faith that God has lovingly addressed us in the Scriptures, he seeks this loving God therein, trusting in the light that shines from the risen Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. Disarmingly modest, wonderfully clear, and always attentive to the human weakness and repentance that accompany theological speech, Webster gives us a taste of the joy that is to be had in knowing and loving the triune God through his Scriptures.' - Matthew Levering, Professor of Theology, University of Dayton, USA. -- Matthew LeveringTable of ContentsTable of Contents Acknowledgments Preface Part One: Scripture 1. The Domain of the Word 2. Resurrection and Scripture 3. Illumination 4. Witness to the Word: Karl Barth's Lectures on the Gospel of John 5. Verbum mirificum. T. F. Torrance on Scripture and Hermeneutics Part 2: Theological Reason 6. Biblical Reasoning 7. Principles of Systematic Theology 8. Theology and the Peace of the Church 9. Regina artium: Theology and the Liberal Arts 10. Curiosity Index

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Book SynopsisA collection of essays on the interpretation of the Old Testament on the topics of law and ethics.Trade Review"This book is a festschrift for the well-known British evangelical OT scholar, Gordon J. Wenham who retired from teaching at the University of Gloucestershire in 2005. Wenham is a prolific writer, widely known for his two-volume commentary on Genesis (1987, 1994), as well as solid commentaries on Leviticus (1979) and Numbers (1981). The bibliography at the end of this volume lists seventeen other books that Wenham has either authored, coauthored, or edited, along with eighty-seven articles and essays written by him...The book is loosely organized around "reading the law" in honor of Wenham's research interest in the Pentateuch. Its eighteen essays deal with aspects of the law in the Pentateuch, the Prophets, and the Writings, though some in the latter categories are at best loosely connected to the theme of law...All in all this is a worthy set of essays collected in honor of a very worthy scholar." -Joe. M. Sprinkle, Stone-Campbell Journal 11, Fall 2008Table of Contents1. Reading the Pentateuch: Pentateuchal criticism, narrative readings, rhetorical-critical readings; 2. Reading the Law: the law codes in historical and/or literary context, anthropological readings, the law in relation to prophets, wisdom, worship; 3. Reading the Bible ethically: e.g. ethics of marriage, war.

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Book SynopsisProvides a "round-table" discussion that examines the thesis that the study of prophetic literature (ie, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve) and the history of Israel are best undertaken in interaction with one another. This book focuses on questions about the usefulness of prophetic texts for reconstructing Israel's history.Trade Review"The book provides a fascinating kaleidoscope of different methods, and the result is, as could be expected, polyvalent. The many different methods and ways of looking at the issue of extracting historical information from the prophetic writings provide valuable insight into epistemology. As such, it is well worth reading." -Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer, Review of Biblical Literature, November 2008Table of ContentsFront Matter Brad E. Kelle and Megan Bishop Moore, Editorial Preface Part One: The Prophets: History as Worldview and Context; J. Gordon McConville, "'How Shall Jacob Stand? He is So Small': The Prophetic Word and the Re-creation of Israel"; Ehud Ben Zvi, "De-historization and Historization in Prophetic Books"; Sara Mandell, "Insiders, Outsiders, and the World of the Prophets"; Carol A. Newsom, "The Book of Daniel and Apocalyptic Historiography"; Brad E. Kelle, "The Prophet as Rhetorical Orator? Earlier Analogies and New Metaphors for Ancient Israelite Prophets"; Yehoshua Gitay, "Biblical Rhetoric: Reconsidered," Abstract TBA; Part Two: The Prophets: Texts, Contexts, and History; J. J. M. Roberts, "Isaiah's Oracles on Egypt and Cush in Their Historical Setting"; Philip Davies, "The Politics of the Servant"; Marvin Sweeney, "The Royal Oracle In Ezekiel 37:15-28: Ezekiel's Reflection On Josiah's Reform"; Julie Galambush, "The Not-so-secret Identity of Gog"; Alice W. Hunt; Stuart A. Irvine, "Relating Prophetic Texts and History: Examples from Hosea"; Peggy Day; Susan Haddox, "May His Soldiers Become Women: The Play of Gender in Hosea and its Political Implications"; Gene Tucker, "Amos in Historical Context"; Marc Zvi Brettler, "Redaction, History, and Redaction-History of Amos in Recent Scholarship"; Bob Becking, "Zechariah 4 and Early Post-Exilic History"; Part Three: The Prophets: Historical Method and Reception J. Maxwell Miller; Megan Bishop Moore, "The Prophets - Israel's Earliest Historians?"; Jeffrey K. Kuan, "Problems and Issues in Interpreting the Neo-Assyrian Eponym Chronicles and Their Implications for the Study of Prophetic Literature."; Brent A. Strawn, "Herodotus' History 2.141 and the Deliverance of Jerusalem: On Parallels, Sources, and Histories of Ancient Israel"; Oded Borowski, "The Biblical mzrq - What Is It?"; David Petersen, "The Ambiguous Role of Moses as Prophet"; Martin J. Buss, "The Place of Hebrew Prophets in Macrohistory" A Select Bibliography of John H. Hayes (Kelle and Moore); End Matter.

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Book SynopsisApplies horror theory to the book of "Jeremiah" and considers the nature of biblical horror and the objects that provoke horror, as well as the ways texts like "Jeremiah" work to elicit horror from their audience.Trade Review...a fresh perspective on the prophetic oracles in the book of Jeremiah... * Expository Times, December 2009 *The volume's interdisciplinary nature, which does not neglect possible theological implications, will benefit both students and scholars, especially those interested in the rhetorical study of the prophets and/or the use of postmodernist literary theory. * Religious Studies Review *A helpful analogy...K.'s very close reading of Jeremiah 6 has much to commend it. * Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, June 2009 *Table of ContentsIntroduction; The Horror; Shock and Shame: The Language of Horror; Shock and Shame: The Images of Horror.; The Horrible; Monstrous God; Monstrous Israel.; A Strategy of Terror: The Rhetoric of Horror in Jeremiah 6.; Fear and Faith: Monsters and Theology in the Book of Jeremiah as a monster?

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewReview ~International Review of Biblical Studies, vol 51, 2004/05'The book is fascinating...It has extensive notes and excellent bibliography which the reader would find very helpful for further research into the topic.' ~ Elsie Maxwell, ANVIL, Vol 32, No 2 -- Elsie Maxwell * ANVIL *"The Lord's Prayer Through North African Eyes is an original and important contribution to schlaroship on early Christian prayer. Brown's thorough reconstruction of the social context of early Christian teachers like Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian of Carthage, as well as of their distinct appreciations of the Lord's Prayer, is a model of scholarly precision and imagination." - LukeTimothy Johnson, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Emory University. -- Luke Timothy Johnson * Blurb from reviewer *"Michael Brown is one of the most creative scholars of early Christian studies around. His book opens new and profound perspectives on the most famous Christian prayer." -- Adela Yarbro Collins, Buckingham Professor of New Testament Criticism and Interpretation, Yale University Divinity School * Blurb from reviewer *"Michael Brown is one of the most creative scholars of early Christian studies around. His book The Lord's Prayer through North African Eyes opens new and profound perspectives on the most famous Christian prayer." -Adela Yarbro Colling, Yale University Divinity School * Blurb from reviewer *"The Lord's Prayer Through North African Eyes is an original an important contribution to scholarship on early Christian prayer. Brown's thorough reconstruction of the social context of early Christian teachers like Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian of Carthage as well as of their distinct appreciation of the Lord's Prayer is a model of scholarly precision and imagination." -Luke Timothy Johnson, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Emory University * Blurb from reviewer *"This laudable effort shows how complicated and difficult some contextualizing can be...Brown provides such extensive background material." -The Catholic Biblical Quarterly * Catholic Biblical Quarterly *Review (German) -- Sandra Leuenberger-Wenger * Theologische Literaturzeitung *"Exceptional!" -Today's Books, May 2005 * Today's Books *Table of ContentsPreface; List of Abbreviations; Chapter 1: The Lord's Prayer through Greco-Roman Eyes and Ears; A Myopic Conversation; A Broader Vision; An Imagined Greco-Roman Hearing of the Lord's Prayer in Matthew; Chapter 2: Greco-Roman Visions of Religion and Prayer; Greco-Roman Culture: A Fusion of Horizons; A Greek Philosophical Perspective; Prayer from a Philosophical Perspective; A Closer Look; A Roman Perspective; A Roman Perspective on Prayer; Chapter 3: The Tableau of Roman Alexandria; Peering through a Stained Glass Window; Egyptian Glass, Greek Colouring, and a Roman Stain; The Political Fragment; The Social Fragment; Alexandria as a Prism; The Church as a Refraction; Chapter 4: Clement of Alexandria's Vision of Prayer; Seeing the Cosmos through Clement's Eyes; Clement and the Alexandrian Jewish Lens; The Diffusion of the Lord's Prayer in the Writings of Clement; Clement's Theological and Literary Vision; The Protrepticus; The Paedagogus; The Stromateis; Stromateis 7; Clement's Theology of Prayer; Clement's Hearing of the Lord's Prayer; Chapter 5: A Picture of Roman Carthage; Re-focusing our Lens; The Translucence of Roman Culture; The Vision of a Colonia; Carthage: A Political and Physical Representation of Rome; Carthage: A Social and Cultural Representation of Africa; The Amalgam of Politics and Religion; Religion in a Roman Mode; Latin Church, African Rigor and Slanderous Images; From Montanism to Donatism: The Dominant Image of the Carthaginian; Christian Community; Contrasting Representations of a Universal Church; Chapter 6: Tertullian of Carthage's Vision of Prayer; A Vision Permeated by the Spirit; Tertullian's Theological and Literary Vision; The Praescriptio; Adversus Praxeam; De Anima; De Baptismo; De Oratione; Tertullian's Hermeneutics; Looking at Clement and Tertullian Side by Side; Tertullian's Theology of Prayer; Tertullian's Reading of the Lord's Prayer; Chapter 7: Two Visions of Prayer in Early Christian Discourse; Like the Rays of the Sun; The Central Vision of this Book; Their Perspectives on the Lord's Prayer; The Alexandrian Perspective and its Trajectory; The Carthaginian Perspective and its Trajectory; From Myopia to Hyperopia

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Book SynopsisKarl Barth's Church Dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century. The Swiss-German theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968) was the most original and significant Reformed theologian of the twentieth century. This title, assembled in 14 volumes, provides a translation of Greek, Latin, Hebrew and French passages into English.Trade Review"'He undoubtedly is one of the giants in the history of theology.'- Christianity Today"Table of ContentsSection 13. God's Freedom for Man; 1. Jesus Christ the Objective / Reality of Revelation; 2. Jesus Christ the Objective Possibility of Revelation; section 14. The Time of Revelation; 1. God's Time and Our Time; 2. The Time of Expectation; 3. The Time of Recollection; section 15. The Mystery of Revelation; 1. The Problem of Christology; 2. Very God and Very Man; 3. The Miracle of Christmas.

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Book SynopsisJesus remains a popular figure in contemporary culture. This book focuses on the historical Jesus and eschatology, concluding that the Jesus was not a Hellenistic wonder worker or teacher of pious morality but an apocalyptic prophet. It captures the history of the search for the historical Jesus.Trade Review'...a truly amazing tour de force.' 'Allison is a fair and judicious scholar, who is prepared to interact as much with evangelical scholarship as with more liberal-minded critics and will not dismiss anything out of hand without a thorough examination. This is a scholar's book, but will bring great rewards to those who persevere in reading it.' -- Reg Luhman"This is the most interesting and illuminating piece of writing on the resurrection of Jesus that I have ever read." -Dr. Joel Marcus, Professor of New Testament & Christian Origins, Duke Divinity School * Blurb from reviewer *"Dale Allison is one the very best Jesus scholars of our time. The six essays in this volume show him to be the master of the pertinent Gospel and early Jewish texts, modern biblical scholarship, and everything from patristics to modern psychology and theology. Moreover, they sparkle with his intellectual independence, fresh insights, and good judgment." --Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, MA * Blurb from reviewer *"Dale Allison is one of the very few scholars today to whom each us must listen. Some think Jesus was bodily raised, some think resurrection is the explanation of encounters with Jesus after his death, and others think it is all balderdash. Resurrecting Jesus is one book that honest people must read. Belief in the resurrection, as Allison argues, is less a product of eschatological dissonance and more likely the cause of that dissonance, and resurrection language among Jews (as others have argued) transcends belief in the afterlife. This debate is not likely to die out soon and it will surely take place with Resurrecting Jesus in hand." Scot McKnight, Ph.D. Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies North Park University * Blurb from reviewer *"In these six essays, Dale Allison addresses some of the most important issues in contemporary research on the historical Jesus. The essays consistently raise and explore the theological issues that are related to the historical debates. Allison's breadth of knowledge, independence of judgment, and intellectual candor make these essays as stimulating as they are refreshing. The essays are a worthy companion volume to his earlier Jesus of Nazareth: Millenarian Prophet."--Gregory E. Sterling, Associate Dean of the Faculty, Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, The Univeristy of Notre Dame -- Greg Sterling * Blurb from reviewer *"Professor Dale Allison's learned work offers an impressive contribution to the most important questions regarding Jesus and Christian origins. Rich with literary and historical detail, finely nuanced in its assessment of complicted and often very contentious issues, and here and there written from an autobiographical perspective, Resurrecting Jesus is a joy to read. Beginning students and learned scholars alike will gain much from this engaging book." --Craig A. Evans, Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Acadia Divinity College, Wolfvillle, Nova Scotia -- Craig Evans * Blurb from reviewer *"Dale Allison has given us a fine and penetrating new assessment of some vexatious old problems. With characteristic candour he has blown fresh air into the discussions of Jesus and his audiences, and the themes of judgement, the Torah and apocalyptic, not to mention the fantasy of a ‘third quest'. But above all, by drawing on widespread evidence of reports of post-mortem apparitions and responses to bereavement, he has broken new ground in the study of the claim that Jesus was raised from the dead. For its carefulness in respect of what an historian may or may not legitimately claim, as well as for its combination of vigour and rigour, this book is a delight. Very hard to put down!"--David Catchpole, Professor Emeritus of Theological Studies, University of Exeter, UK -- David Cathpole * Blurb from reviewer *"Dale Allison has been one of the most stimulating and provocative contributors to the contemporary debate about (the historical) Jesus. You may not agree with all his interpretations of motifs and texts, but you certainly cannot ignore them, since they are invariably backed by extensive knowledge of historical and social, textual and bibliographic data, and they challenge any reader to look afresh at the evidence, and often from a new angle. Here he dispels the myth of a 'no quest for Jesus' between 1907 and 1953, presses the implications of Jesus having said different things to different people, challenges the refusal of the very idea that Jesus could have believed in hell and the polarisation of the debate about Jesus' attitude to the law, and in an almost book length treatment of Jesus' resurrection dispels any easy assumption that the debate on Jesus' resurrection can be reduced to a sequence of simple either-ors. And all this with some fascinating excursions into the byways and cul-de-sacs of the quest and an engagingly fresh and self-critical honesty."--James D.G. Dunn, Emeritus Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at the University of Durham, England. -- James D.G. Dunn * Blurb from reviewer *"In this important collection of six essays, Allison (holding firm to his conception of Jesus as a millennial prophet) deals in a masterful way with several important critical issues and conundrums in the teaching of Jesus, the Gospels and modern Jesus scholarship, producing consistently competent, insightful and convincing results. In dialog with an amazing number of post-enlightenment authors and an unusually large array of patristic works, Allison exhibits a striking degree of critical candor and historical humility in pursuing his historical and exegetical inquiries, providing occasional autobiographical glimpses of his own intellectual struggles and faith commitment. Since excellent books are rare, I would counsel you to go, sell all that thou hast, and buy this one!"--David E. Aune, Professor of New Testament, University of Notre Dame -- David E. Aune * Blurb from reviewer *Table of ContentsPreface; 1. Secularizing Jesus; 2. The Problem of Audience; 3. The Problem of Gehenna Excursus I: Percy Bysshe Shelley and the Historical Jesus; 4. Apocalyptic, Polemic, Apologetics; 5. Torah, Urzeit, Endzeit; 6. Resurrecting Jesus Excursus II: Joseph of Arimathea Excursus III: The Disciples and Bereavement; Index of Scripture; Index of Modern Names.

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Book SynopsisDr. Ronald T. Michener is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Chair of the Department of Systematic Theology Evangelische Theologische Faculteit in Leuven, Belgium.Trade ReviewNo one seeking to do theology today should be unaware of postliberalism; this text overall does a fine job of granting access to this school. -- Mark Mattes * Lutheran Quarterly *Table of ContentsI. Introduction: What Is Postliberal Theology?; A. Philosophical Background: Ludwig Wittgenstein, Alistair McIntyre, Clifford Geertz (anthropology); B. Theological Background: Karl Barth; II. Theological Exponents; A. Yale School: George Lindbeck, Hans Frei, David Kelsey; B. Stanley Hauerwas; C. Other voices: Ronald Theimann, William Placher, Kathryn Turner, Garrett Green, George Hunsinger, Peter Ochs (Jewish perspective); III. Problems and Criticisms of Postliberalism; A. The Question of Truth Bruce Marshall: Trinity and Truth; B. Religious Diversity and Tolerance; IV. Prospects and Proposals for Postliberal Theology Today.

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Book SynopsisIs stewardship a useful way of regarding our relationship with our environment - or is it a dangerous excuse for plunder? Is it possible for us to be effective stewards? This book gathers together expositions of stewardship with criticisms of the concept and adds other contributions written especially for this collection.Trade Review 'This book will be essential reading for any student interested in exploring environmental stewardship from a Christian perspective.' 'The galaxy of well established authors R.J. Berry has gathered for this collection will not dissapoint' 'Environmental Stewardship is a particularly valuable collection of essays, especially for students considering the benefits or otherwise of stewardship models.' 'We can thank the editor for being open enough to include a spectrum of views so that the reader can make up their own mind as to how they perceive stewardship. We could ask for no less in an edited collection.' - Celia Deane-Drummond, International Journal of Systematic Theology (IJST) -- Celia Deane-Drummond"Many of the articles are nuanced, carefully crafted, and clearly advance specific arguments in the field of environmental ethics...The text will appeal to undergraduate students in ecology and religion classes or to seminarians searching for general synopsis of this conversation."— Daniel McFee, Religious Studies Review, Vol. 33, No. 3, July 2007 -- Daniel McFeeTable of ContentsForeword, Sir Ghillean Prance (former Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew); Introduction and Background, R.J. Berry (University College London, UK); I. History of the Idea; 1. Having Dominion: Genesis and the mastery of nature, Peter Harrison (Bond University, Western Australia); 2. The Concept of Stewardship, John Black (University of Edinburgh, UK). 3. Why St Francis?, Jan Boersema (Free University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands); 4. Environmental sensitivity and critiques of stewardship, Robin Attfield (Cardiff University, UK); 5. Human authority in creation, Richard Bauckham (University of St Andrews, UK); 6. A theology for the Earth, Joseph Sittler (University of Chicago, USA); II. Application and Criticism; 7. The fallible concept of the stewardship of the Earth, Jim Lovelock (independent scientist); 8. Religion and the environment, Crispin Tickell (Director of the Climate Change Institute, Green College, Oxford, UK); 9. The significance of evolutionary theory for environmental ethics, Lisa Sideris (McGill University, USA); 10. Ethics and the environment, Chris Patten (European Commissioner); 11. The stewardship of creation, Alister McGrath (University of Oxford, UK); III. Theological Debate; 12. Stewardship: a case study in environmental ethics, Clare Palmer (Lancaster University, UK); 13. Stewardship as a key to a theology of nature, Douglas Hall (McGill University, USA); 14. Partnership with nature according to the scripture: beyond the theology of stewardship, Paul Santmire (Akron, Ohio, USA); 15. Tensions in a stewardship paradigm, Bruce Reichenbach (Augsburg College, Minneapolis, USA) and Elving Anderson (University of Minnesota, USA); 16. To render praise: humanity in God's world, Murray Rae (King's College London, UK); 17. From ecological lament to a sustainable oikos, Anne Clifford (Duquesne University, USA); 18. Stewardship and its competitors: a spectrum of relationships between humans and the non-human creation, Chris Southgate (University of Exeter, UK); 19. The fellowship of all creation, Ruth Page (University of Edinburgh, UK); IV. Relevance; 20. Caring for the Earth, Martin Holdgate (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). 21. Soil, stewardship and spirit in the era of chemical agriculture, Michael Northcott (University of Edinburgh, UK); 22. Sauce for the goose, Derek Osborn (UK Environmental Stakeholders Forum); 23. Sea stewards and the sabbath, Susan Bratton (Baylor University, USA); 24. Stewardship: responding appropriately to the consequences of human action in the world, Calvin DeWitt (University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA); 25. Preserving God's creation, Metropolitan John of Pergamon [Zizioulas]; 26. Steward, Larry Rasmussen (Union Theological Seminary, USA); Conclusion, John Houghton (formerly Director of the Meteorological Office); Index.

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Book SynopsisOffers an introduction to feminist and gender-critical perspectives on the New Testament and other early Christian writings. This book sets out the methodology and hermeneutical issues and gives examples of how gender-critical exegesis affects the reading of texts.Trade Review‘Caroline Vander Stichele and Todd Penner are arguably the most creative and learned intellectual partnership in contemporary New Testament and Christian origins scholarship. Both are rightly known for their wide-ranging knowledge of critical theory, Christian origins scholarship and ancient sources. Contextualizing Gender in Early Christian Discourse is a predictably impressive addition to their published work but this time with a more introductory focus. In addition to functioning as a first-class introductory text, this book moves beyond standard introductions to the New Testament and Christian origins in that it offers readers valuable summaries of prominent thinkers (e.g. Foucault, Butler, Said, Bhabha), interwoven with their influence and potential applications in the study of the New Testament and Christian origins. There is a common and not unfair complaint that works grounded in contemporary critical theory can have a tendency to be near-impossible to understand for those outside the discourse. These authors, however, could not legitimately be accused of such a thing. Their book is clearly written, neatly laid out and full of valuable and creative examples from sources ancient and modern, both famous and not-so-famous. Not only does Contextualizing Gender in Early Christian Discourse deserve to be on the bibliography for New Testament and/or Christian origins courses, it would make a perfect entry point for more experienced scholars unfamiliar or out-of-touch with contemporary ideological criticism and critical theory. As the book contains plenty of original insights, seasoned ideological critics will also discover a thing or two. While we could all learn from the chapters in this book, the chapter on ‘Gender and the Modern Interpreter' really ought to be read by all scholars in the guild, no matter what their favoured approaches may be, because it constitutes an accurate, incisive, morally-charged, and potentially revolutionary critique of the academic discipline of biblical studies.' - James Crossley, Department of Biblical Studies, University of Sheffield, UK -- James Crossley‘In this very accessible, well-written and engaging book, the authors address early Christianity as discourse and locate gender as a core dynamic in that discourse by drawing on an impressive range of feminist theory. The book is a highly successful attempt to conceptualise Early Christian studies as part of a broader Humanities curriculum. They see as the vital issue of our time to reestablish critical-thinking engagement in our classrooms and institutions, and they contribute massively towards that goal.' - Jorunn Økland, Centre for Gender Research, University of Oslo, Norway. -- Jorunn Økland‘As two of the more accomplished and compelling editors, organizers, collaborators and thinkers (in their own right), Caroline Vander Stichele and Todd Penner have done it again. In getting us to "think beyond Thecla," their intersectional and boundary-crossing approach moves beyond biblical studies to grapple with some of the more important figures in the humanities (including Foucault, Butler, and Said among many others). Like so many manifestations and constructions of gender, their argument is complicated, yet accessible and insistently relevant. Such matters are important to learn and think about—something I aspire to do with students and colleagues alike... with, through, and beyond this book!' - Joseph Marchal, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA -- Joseph Marchal‘Navigating the intersections of biblical, ancient, and gender studies can often put the student of early Christian literature in a space reminiscent of a circus hall of mirrors. In this short and stunning book, Caroline Vander Stichele and Todd Penner offer rare theoretical and methodological clarity and transparency, as well as substantial resources for renegotiating, and reconfiguring, such difficult terrain without relying on easy assumptions about ancient or modern texts, contexts, and histories of interpretation. Contextualizing Gender in Early Christian Discourse is not only an eagerly anticipated contribution to professional gender-critical conversations in the field—it is also an eminently teachable book that engages students and teachers about shared material, and our shared enterprise, as learners and scholars in the world today. Incisive and accessible, concerned with the past and forward-thinking, collaboratively written, politically transparent: this book represents a powerful dedication to imagining what can be possible, and invites readers to similarly commit to such imagination.' - Davina C. Lopez, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL, USA -- Davina C. Lopez"This gender-critical approach introduced in this volume seeks to situate the NT and early Christian writings in the broader context of ancient literary and religious traditions, to focus on discourse as a constituent aspect of identity formation, to foster an appreciation for gender issues, to continue to value a historical approach, to stress the role of ideology in the formation of the worlds of the text as well as ancient and modern readers, and to highlight the colonizing nature of empire. After a ten-page introduction, it introduces a gender-critical approach, contextualizes gender in the Greco-Roman world, discusses boundaries and bodies in early Christian discourse, reflects on gender and the modern interpreter, and considers reading (for) gender. Vander Stichele, university docent in religious studies at the University of Amsterdam, and Penner, professor of religious studies at Austin College in Sherman, TX, conclude that thinking beyond Thecla entails giving serious consideration to the structures and mechanisms of boundary-crossing, which is one of the critical components of their gender-critical approach." -New Testament Abstracts, Vol. 54This book is highly recommended for students, but will also be of interest to more established scholars seeking to apply ideology-critical approaches to ancient texts. -- Journal for the Study of The New Testament, Volume 33 Number 5 ‘Students of all ages and occupations will benefit form Vander Stichele and Penner's clear, concise prose and their frequent summaries and reviews of important, current scholarship...Those who desire a greater understanding of the gender-critical approach and who appreciate Foucault's thought will find this book a useful tool with which to explore early Christian discourses and our own world.' —Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology'Contextualising Gender in Early Christian Discourse is a comprehensive survey of early Christian discourse of gender in scripture. The book draws on a remarkable range of feminist theory, briefly considering the history of the New Testament interpretation, its role in the Christian canon, and its major theologies related to a gender-critical approach. The purpose of Contextualising Gender is to analyze different aspects of the representation of gender, sex, and sexuality in early Christian texts, with attention to their historical and contemporary significance.' - Igal German, Wycliffe College (Toronto School of Theology), Cananda -- Igal German * Theological Book Review *Table of Contents1.Gender: Old and New; 2.Canon in Context; 3.Methods and Meaning; 4.In Our Image; 5.Gender-Critical Readings.

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Book SynopsisA guide to the Gospel and letters of John introducing readers to some of the key issues arising from historical, literary, ideological and theological approaches to the Johannine literature. This work examines historical approaches to the texts, considering theories about origins of the material and the notion of a distinct Johannine community.Trade Review"Van der Watt succeeds in summarizing a great deal of material without bogging down in detail. He also shows a talent for explaining basic terms of biblical scholarship without disrupting the overall flow of the topic at hand. In short, the book is helpful in summarizing issues of Johannine scholarship while remaining accessible to those with no background in terminology or methodologies of biblical studies...Van der Watt demonstrates a gift for covering a lot of ground while illuminating that ground clearly, concisely, and engagingly. He also succeeds in showing how issues typically associated with scholarly study have an impact on practical issues of interpretation. Overall, this is an excellent introduction to Johannine studies for students or for congregational ministers seeking an acquaintance with the trends and overall sweep of Johannine scholarship." -Milton Stanley, Stone-Campbell Journal 11, Fall 2008‘This would make a fine textbook or reference book for an introductory class on John at a seminary or within other academic environments. It would also make an excellent leader's reference for a pastor or other experienced lay reader teaching an adult class on John.' -- Trinity Seminary Review"Jan van der Watt has laboured long in the Johannine vineyard and his most recent book, 'An Introduction to the Johannine Gospel and Letters' shows the ripe fruit of that labour. Not only are the issues of Introduction addressed here but also various of the major theological, ethical and social issues are illuminated in this reader friendly study. Highly recommended." - Ben Witherington III, Asbury Theological Seminary, USA -- Ben Witherington III"Jan van der Watt has provided us with a splendid textbook to the Gospel and the three letters of John. His book masterfully combines the quest of the historical origin of these New Testament writings, an exposition of their literary relationship and structure, and the theological analysis of the Johannine writings. The book has succeeded in conjoining two virtues which are often considered as being incompatible: It is written at the highest scholarly stage and it is easy to read. This makes the book important and useful not only for academic people - experts and novices as well -, but also for everybody who is interested in the history and theology of the most fascinating New Testament writings." - Michael Wolter, University of Bonn, Germany"This fine introduction to the Gospel and the Letters of John results quite obviously from long years of hard labour that its author has invested in researching the Johannine writings. All the basic issues are covered: structure, content, source theories, composition history, social world, relationship to the Synoptics and the Old Testament, the link to Gnosticism, and so on. The often conflicting views of other prominent scholars are always presented in a very fair way. The author usually opts for more complex and balanced solutions, which I mostly share. A number of charts help the reader to get a firm grasp of the argument. Special features of the Gospel like irony and imagery are discussed, and a solid overview of its theology is given. This study is highly recommended as a textbook for classes on John. I am sure that the students will just love it." - Hans-Josef Klauck, Naomi Shenstone Donnelley Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Literature, The University of Chicago, Divinity SchoolMention - New Testament Abstracts, Vol. 52 No. 3, 2008"This is a crisp, succinct, and well-informed introduction to the Johannine literature..." -Donald Senior, C.P., The Bible Today, September 2008 -- Donald Senior * Bible Today, The *"The author admirably fulfils his purpose of introducing students to the diverse ways of approaching these texts and of relating them to one another, thus bringing out their multifaceted nature. He employs a vivid style and incorporates helpful excurses and diagrams into his text to explain and illustrate particular points under discussion... In sum, we have here as useful and comprehensive an introduction to the subject, for teachers and students alike, as any encountered by me over many years of teaching in the field." Journal for the Study of the New Testament Booklist 2009 -- John Tudno Williams * Journal for the Study of the New Testament *"...this book abounds in insight and many helpful ways of putting things. It is sufficiently comprehensive that it surveys many positions from which van der Watt himself demurs, but sufficiently a reflection of van der Watt' own views that the book avoids the temptation to be ridiculously bland." -- D. A. Carson * RBL *Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Historical approaches; Chapter 3: Literary approaches; Chapter 4: Ideological approaches (reader response/ contextual readings); Chapter 5: Theological approaches (Key elements).

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Book SynopsisExamining four major examples of the fantastic genre: the "Harry Potter" series, "His Dark Materials", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the "Earthsea cycle", this book argues that the production and consumption of the fantastic in popular culture offers an illuminating window onto spiritual trends and conditions.Trade Review‘This is a fascinating book that would appeal to both academic and general readers.' -- Theological Books ReviewTable of Contents1. Spirituality in the Twenty-First Century; 2. Tripping the Light Fantastic; 3. Hero-Pest, Hero-Quest: The Transforming Self; 4. The Good and the Monstrous; 5. Sacrifice and Redemption; 6. The Nature and Limits of Personhood; 7. And They All Lived (Un)happily Ever After; 8. Conclusions: Shadows of the Divine.

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Book SynopsisCreative imitation (Gk, mimesis; Lt, imitatio) was the primary literary convention of the ancient world of the first century CE. This book demonstrates that it was the principal means by which classical authors such as Virgil, Seneca, Plutarch, and Livy, composed their works. It provides an approach to scripture scholarship.Trade Review"'This is an imaginative, careful, and impressive work. With its analyses of the process of rewriting in Greco-Roman, Jewish, and early Christian works it breaks new ground and has relevance for all of New Testament study. It greatly illumines how and why Matthew used Mark as a source, and as a starting point for his own distinctive portrait of Jesus.' Prof. Daniel Harrington, S.J., Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A FF"Table of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgements; List of Abbreviations; Introduction; PART I: Use of sources in Graeso-Roman antiquity: Towards a context and criteria for examining Matthew's Use of Mark as Source.; Use of Sources in Graeco-Roman Antiquity; The Context: Widespread Practice of Literary Borrowing; The Theory and Practice of Rewriting; Criteria for Establishing Literary Dependence; 2. Rewriting: Evidence from Graeco-Roman; Virgil's Use of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and Apollonius; 3. Rewriting: Evidence from Jewish Texts; PART II: MATTHEW'S USE OF MARK AS A SOURCE; 4. Matthew's Use of Mark as a Source; Matthew and Mark: The Same Genre and Sub-Genre; Matthew Rewrites Mark; 5. Matthew's Judaization of Mark; 6. Matthew; 7 Torahizing of Mark in Two Key Texts 8A Ready Harvest; 8 Becoming; As the Least; Materially (Mt. 10.5-14 // Mk 6.7-; Becoming As the Least; Socially (Mt 10.17-25 // Mk 13.9-13 and 10.43-44) Becoming; As the Least; Spiritually (Mt. 10.40-42 // Mk 9.37b, 41; 9 The Temple Tithe Issue Deuteronomized (Mt 17.22-27; 10 Becoming as a Little Child (Mt. 18.1-10; Mk 9.34, 36, 10.15 9.42a, 43, 45, 47; 14.21, in that order Deuteronomized (Mt. 18.15); Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisRefers to a group of miscellaneous Christian writings produced in the first and second centuries. This work features chapters which offer a treatment of the most controversial aspects of each text and discusses the theology of each of the writings in order to orient readers to the development of Christian thinking in the second century.Trade Review'This volume is perfect for classroom use, and highly recommended as a convenient entry point into recent research conducted on these important ancient authors and writings.' April D. DeConick, Religious Studies Review, 2008"This excellent collection brings togheter a set of introductory articles" "this is a very useful, up-to-date handbook on the texts" Journal for the stuy of the New Testament, 30 May 2008 -- Peter Oakes'This is a very useful collection and it will provide an invaluable resource ... The editor and publisher are to be warmly thanked for making these articles available to a wider audience and readership.' Christopher Tuckett, Oxford, Expository Times"All the articles are both very informative and engaging. Bibliographical references in the footnotes are on the whole concise and up to date...This is a well-conceived introduction to the writings of the apostolic fathers, and it should be recommended to students and scholars who do not specialize in this field...nonspecialists will find this introduction particularly helpful." -Taras Khomych, Review of Biblical Literature, November 2008 * Review of Biblical Literature *"The authors of the articles obviously appreciate the documents they are studying and want to invite readers into them. The chapter on Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians, by Michael Holmes, is an especially good example but not the only one in this reliable volume." -- Walter F. Taylor, Jr. Ogram Professor of New Testament Studies, Trinity Seminary Review -- Walter F. Taylor, Jr. Ogram Professor of New Testament Studies * Trinity Seminary Review *Table of ContentsChapter 1. The Apostolic Fathers and the Struggle for Christian Identity- Prof. Helmut Koester, Harvard University, USA.; Chapter 2. The Didache- Prof. Jonathan Draper, University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa; Chapter 3. 1 Clement- Dr Andrew Gregory, University of Oxford, UK.; Chapter 4. 2 Clement- Dr Paul Parvis, University of Edinburgh, UK. Chapter 5. The Fragments of Papias- Prof. Charles Hill, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida, USA.; Chapter 6. The Apology of Quadratus- Dr Paul Foster, University of Edinburgh, UK.; Chapter 7. The Shepherd of Hermas- Prof. Joseph Verheyden, University of Leuven, The Netherlands;.Chapter 8. The Epistle of Barnabas- Dr James Carleton-Paget, University of Cambridge, UK.; Chapter 9. The Epistles of Ignatius- Dr Paul Foster, University of Edinburgh, UK.; Chapter 10. The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians- Prof. Michael Holmes, Bethel University, USA.; Chapter 11. The Martyrdom of Polycarp- Dr Sara Parvis, University of Edinburgh, UK.; Chapter 12. The Epistle of Diognetus- Dr Paul Foster, Edinburgh, UK.

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Book SynopsisArgues that, in the Gospel of Mark, Gentiles are recipients of Jesus' compassion and are typically depicted as desperate individuals who exhibit faith and understanding. This work shows how the theological reversal gains clarity when the narrative shifts to Jerusalem.Table of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction, Assumptions, and Starting Points; Chapter 2. The First Journey into Gentile Territory; Chapter 3. The Third Journey into Gentile Territory; Chapter 4. The Fourth Journey into Gentile Territory; Chapter 5. The Final Encounter with Gentiles; Chapter 6. Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisLooks at the influential metaphor of describing sin as 'homo incurvatus in se' (humanity being curved in on oneself) from its origins in Augustine to Luther, Barth and the Feminist theology. This book argues that the image of being 'curved in on oneself' is the best paradigm for understanding sin relationally.Trade Review'Jenson offers a lively and learned analysis of the theme of sin as introversion and loss of relation; he has a good eye for the place of Christian teaching about sin in the corpus of Christian doctrine, a wide knowledge of modern theology, and a sure touch in exposition and critique. This is an intelligent piece of constructive theology, and it deserves many readers.' John Webster, Professor of Systematic Theology, King's College, University of Aberdeen -- John Webster, Professor of Systematic Theology, King's College, University of Aberdeen'A quite exceptional book, beautifully written, with lucidity and considerable eloquence. I can imagine it being read by professors as well as bright undergraduates, and to the considerable benefit of both. Jenson is advancing an impressive and compelling line on the doctrine of sin that made me re-think many of the classic debates.' Professor Jeremy Begbie, Ridley Hall, Cambridge and University of St Andrews -- Professor Jeremy Begbie, Ridley Hall, Cambridge and University of St Andrews"A very rare combination of academic rigour with real clarity and absence of obfuscation by insight. It is likely to be the first of many publications by a scholar with a very bright future." -- Alistair McFadyen, Head of Dept of Theology, Leeds University'Here is a superb study of one of the most crucial yet contested concepts in Christian anthropology--'homo incurvatus in se.' Jenson traces the development of this idea through Augustine, Luther, and Barth and also brings it into fruitful dialogue with recent feminist concerns. A great example of dogmatic retrieval in the service of theological renewal.' Timothy George, Dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, and an executive editor of Christianity Today -- Timothy George, Dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, and an executive editor of Christianity Today"The Gravity of Sin is a stimulating and lucid account of Christian talk about sin, and it's a welcome contribution to the contemporary retrieval of this doctrinal theme." -- Ben Myers, Faith and Theology (faith-theology.blogspot.com)"This is a fascinating and instructive study. The book is straightforward and clear in structure and prose...and Jenson wields a respectable command of the texts in question. Yet even if one were to differ regarding some aspect of his interpretations of Augustine, Luther, or Barth, the book's overall argument - regarding the merit of incurvature as an image of sin - is highly compelling." Brian Gregor, Heythrop Journal -- Brian Gregor, Heythrop Journal "This is an extremely well-written books that covers some important ground. a good work of theology with a solid historical underpinning, clear analysis and contemporary relevance. It deserves to be read" Theolgical Book Review Vol.19 No.2 2007 -- Kennetth G C Newport"This is an original and important book, which ought to be read by all theologians interested in theological anthropology in general, and the doctrine of sin in particular. Jenson writes clearly, carefully and with an eye to the detail of the positions he expounds and seeks to engage." Journal of Reformed Theology 3, 2009"Jenson's book assists us in having a broader understanding of sin, capable of guiding us to a fuller understanding of freedom from the bondage of sin in the person and work of Jesus Christ." -Adam J. Johnson, ThemeliosTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Augustine's inward turn: An ambiguous beginning; Love makes the city; The goodness of the garden; Participation and relationality; Civic foundations; What happened? The beginning of sin; Falsehood; Pride; Isolation; Falling into slavery; The call to humility; Augustine's ambiguous inwardness in The Trinity; A conclusion; 2. Luther's radical and religious invurvature. Setting the task; Simus iustus et peccator; Fuel to the fire: The persistence of the fomes; Copernicux Redux; The logic of person and works; Totus homo? The postures of death and spirit; Incurvatus in se as ignorance: The critique of natural understanding; Using, enjoying: Incurvatus in se as egoism; Homo religiosus as Homo incurvatus in se; The violation of vocation: Transgressing the limits of calling; Conclusion: Augustine versus Luther?; 3. (How) Do women sin? Daphne Hampson and the Feminist critique of Luther; Introduction; Hampson's critique of Luther on sin, incurvatus in se and the self; Hampson's alternative; Transition: Key questions; Problems with a gendered approach to sin; Hampson's account of sin per se and the controlling factor of continuity; On the explanatory sufficiency of incurvatus in se; 4. Broadening the range of the metaphor: Barth's threefold description of sin; Introduction; A brief apology for paradigms; Sin Christologically defined; Humanity through a Christological lens: A closer look; Sin as pride; Sin as falsehood; Sin as sloth; Hampson and Barth: A tale of two sloths; Conclusion; Coda; Select Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisCommunion and otherness: how can these be reconciled? This work seeks to answer the question. It probes the Christian tradition and highlights the existential concerns that already underlay the writings of the Greek fathers and the definitions of the early ecumenical councils.Trade Review"...This volume, along with Being as Communion, provides one of the most insightful, contemporary and accessible accounts of Orthodoxy available." — Thomas Finger, Christian Century, May 20, 2008 -- Thomas Finger"This work is highly recommended for the upper level student, professor, and churchman or churchwoman seeking a deeper understanding of these important topics. Truly a challenging work." -Catholic Library World -- Cecil R. White"As with most creative theological proposals, readers likely will find much with which to disagree. Yet, if one takes the time to engage and not simply dismiss, this volume will pay handsome dividends...Those interested in ecclesial theology will find in this volume much worth contemplating and an able dialogue partner." Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology'On page after page of this outstanding book, our assumptions are challenged and our minds led back to the most deeply significant aspects of Christian faith, and to the conceptual and practical map drawn not only in Scripture but in the Greek Fathers, including the fathers of the desert and their teaching on practice and prayer. Few will read this book without sensing that they have been invited to rediscover Christianity itself in its richest traditional form.' -- Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury'I'm now reading what I take to be the best book written by an Orthodox theologian in the last 20 years...John Zizioulas' Communion and Otherness is a masterpiece that is not only beautifully Eastern, but philosophically erudite and which engages meaningfully with Western theology. Herein Zizioulas further develops, refines, and defends his relational ontology of personhood that he first put forth in Being as Communion.' Halden, Inhabitatio Dei Website Review -- Halden, Inhabitatio Dei Website Review'John Zizioulas is always a challenging, but rewarding read. His theology of personhood and the implications it has for the doctrine of the Trinity, the church, the human being are difficult to match and his theology will continue to be one that others find helpful. He has done us a great service in drawing Western theology back to the Cappadocian Fathers. Communion and Otherness will surely join Being as Communion as a much read and much quoted book.' Andy Goodliff -- Andy Goodliff"John Zizioulas, one of the most prominent contemporary Orthodox theologians, continues to develop his understanding of the relation between personhood and communion in eight essays, three published here for the first time. His thesis is that perfect union does not destroy but rather affirms otherness in the triune God, in the relationship between God and human persons and among the members of the Church...A 'must have' for personal and institutional libraries, this book should be used primarily in graduate studies. Zizioulas demonstrates that he is among the first-ranked contemporary theologians and that Orthodox theology is at a time of development influenced by its return to biblical, patristic, and liturgical sources, in a constructive encounter with other Christian theologies, contemporary philosophy, and modern society." -Radu Bordeianu, Horizons, Vol. 34, No. 2, Fall 2007 -- Radu Bordeianu"...this is not an easy read, but very much worth the effort...What I love most about this book is its sense of existence as God's gift to us and to all of creation, a gift Zizioulas places firmly in a eucharistic context. Because existence is a gift, he argues, atheism can be seen as a form of ingratitude. Faith means being grateful to every other being and finally to God himself, the ultimate Other and ‘the author of all otherness. This kind of faith offers no security of rational conviction. The only certainty it offers lies in the love of the Other. The only proof of God's existence is his love-demonstrated by our very being, in otherness and communion. We are loved, therefore he exists.'"—— John Garvey, Commonweal, April 11, 2008 -- John Garvey"All who have benefitted from the influential insights of Being as Communion will be eager to read this new sequel, addressing the critical issue of the balance between relationality and difference in ontological thought." -- Revd Dr John Polkinghorne"Metropolitan John Zizioulas is generally recognised as the most brilliant and creative theologian in the Orthodox Church today. The publication of a new book from his pen, supplementing his earlier master-work Being as Communion, is a major event, of the greatest interest to Western Christians as well as Orthodox. By exploring the theme of ‘Otherness', he has developed in an original and illuminating way what he said in his earlier writings about Communion as the basis for personhood and church life. Here is a voice that greatly needs to be heard."'Communion and Otherness is the product of a lifetime's work, the synthesis of Metropolitan John's thought...a book long awaited - and I believe rightly so - from a theologian who some consider to be a contemporary Church Father.' Liviu Barbu, King's College London, Heythrop Journal * Heythrop Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Communion and Otherness; 1. On Being Other: Towards an Ontology of Otherness; 2. On Being a Person: Towards an Ontology of Personhood; 3. The Father as Cause: Personhood Generating Otherness; 4. The Trinity and Personhood: Appreciating the Cappadocian Contribution; 5. Pneumatology and the Importance of the Person: A Commentary on the Second Ecumenical Council. 6. Human Capacity and Human Incapacity: A Theological Exploration of Personhood; 7. "Created" and "Uncreated": The Existential Significance of Chalcedonian Christology; 8. The Church as the "Mystical" Body of Christ: Towards an Ecclesial Mysticism.

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Book SynopsisChristology, the study of the nature and person of Christ, caused the first major schism with the Christian church. This guide provides a basic definition of Christology and examines the key debates and defining moments in the early Church and the Reformation.Trade ReviewThe excellent seris of introductions entitled A Guide for the Perplexed has a worthy addition in Alan Spence's Christology. -- The Revd Dr. Paul Goodliff * Baptist Times, January 2010 *Clearly written and made more accessible for the general reader by its brief chapters and halpul headings. [...] the book is useful and well argued. -- Gerald O'Collins SJ * Pastoral Review, The *[Alan Spence] offers a lucid historical and conceptual introduction to classical and modern Christology... This historical background provides an essential foundation on which to outline later developments and discuss contemporary approaches to the subject. -- A. Spence * Reform, April 2009 *Spence's book serves as an excellent introductory summary that helpfully clarifies the complex and contentious issue of Christology. * Religious Studies Review, September 2009 *Christology is a useful book as we continue to refute error and pursue a biblical understanding of Christ amid the swirl of theological 'innovation'. -- Ian Hugh Clary * Barnabas Spring 2010 *In this book, Alan Spence introduces the reader to the trajectories of both classical and modern Christology, with an equal part devoted to both. He presents his role as that of a host who is required to introduce a late arrival (the reader) to two groups of distinguished guests (church fathers and modern theologians) at a dinner party. His role is to connect the newcomer to the conversation that has been going on between the two groups. Spence is a good guide to both groups, although he seems on surer footing in describing classical Christology. In reality, though, Spence is more than a host, for he has his contribution to make. -- Edwin Chr. Van Driel * Interpretation, April 2010 *The first part of the book offers a concise summary of the most important concepts involved in Christology. * Theologische Rundschau (Bloomsbury translation) *This admirably lucid book fills an extremely important gap in the theological market, offering a historical and conceptual introduction to classical and modern Christology. While allowing it to speak for itself, Spence weaves the material into a sensitive meta-narrative, thus offering a coherent and digestible account of the development of Christology. In doing so he brings conceptual clarity to the conundrums encountered along the way, and above all highlights what exactly was at stake at each stage. -- Susannah Ticciati, King's College LondonMention -Book News, February 2009Title mentioned in author's article in Reform, November 2009Table of Contents1. The task of Christology; Introduction; 2. Dismissing the paradox: Docetics and Ebionites; Early Christianity; 3. Like God in act or in being: Arianism and the 'homoousion'; Council of Nicaea; 4. Neglecting the human mind: Apollinarianism; Church in Alexandria; Church in Antioch - Logos-anthropos; 5. Two natures and one person: the Definition of Chalcedon; 6. Divine and human willing: duothelitism The split the church; 7. The universal presence of the body of Christ: Lutheran Christology; 8. The Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus: a Reformed christology; 9. Reacting to the creeds: Liberalism and the search for the historical Jesus; 10. Modern ways of interpreting Christ: Schleiermacher and Barth; 11. The importance of history: Pannenburg and Wright; 12. Questions that face us today.

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Book SynopsisOur understanding of the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Israelites has changed considerably. This title includes essays that draw together specialists in the field to explain, illustrate and analyze religious diversity in Ancient Israel.Trade ReviewThe past generation of scholars saw the shift from unified notions of biblical theology to diverse developmental models based on the rise of monotheism towards the end of the biblical period. Now another, perhaps more relevant, shift is becoming apparent: a movement from ideas of unity to those of pluralism and diversity within the religion practiced by ancient Israelites and Judahites. Edited by two prominent scholars, this book brings together all the existing scholarly perspectives on such diversity, and adds some new ones. This remarkable volume represents the eye of the storm in current biblical scholarship. -- Bernhard Lang, University of Paderborn, Germany.Books about "the religion of ancient Israel" are not always clear as to whether their subject matter is what people in those times and places were actually doing and thinking (a further degree of difficulty) in the religious sphere of their lives, or rather what certain religious elites - priests, prophets, law scribes - thought they ought to be doing and thinking. As its title suggests, the present volume is quite clear on that point. Its contributors present a wide range of religious practices diversified geographically (north, south), topographically (household, village, city, temple, royal court), and sociologically (peasant culture, professional groups, cultic personnel), in the process illuminating many fascinating by-ways of scholarship. The editors and contributors are to be congratulated on putting together a composite image of religion in practice under the rubric of religious diversity. This is a book not to be missed. -- Joseph Blenkinsopp, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA.It has long been a commonplace to assume development within the religion of ancient Israel -- as is evidenced by the many chronologically-based histories of Israelite religion that were produced during the late nineteenth century and throughout the twentieth century. Development, moreover, could be taken to imply diversity, through the defining of differences between Israelite religious thought of the monarchical period, say, and of the postexilic era. But the authors of Religious Diversity in Ancient Israel and Judah bring a far more sophisticated and far more exciting paradigm of difference to bear in their work, both by moving beyond scholars' traditional focus on developments in the religious thought of Israel's theological elites in order to concentrate instead on Israelite religion as it was actually lived and practiced among the population at large, and also by taking seriously differences in the ancient Israelites' religious life and practice that were manifest concurrently during any given time within ancient Israelite history - due, say, to differences in geographical location or due to differences in social context within the same geographical region (so that, for example, Israelite religion as it was practiced in urban venues is contrasted profitably to the religious expressions that characterized rural settlements, and religion as it was practiced in the Judahite royal palace is equally profitably contrasted to the religion of the commoner's household). The result is a richly textured description of Israel's "micro-religions" that represents, moreover, the state of the art, as older narratives of theological evolution are left behind in favor of a multivalent and carefully nuanced account of the manifold variations that characterized Israelite and Judahite religious life at every moment during these two polities' existence.' -- Susan Ackerman, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USAThe editors of this volume have brought together an international team of scholars who have already published landmark contributions to the issue of diversies of relegion in ancient Israel. Here they give pedagogical presentations of their specialist insights into matters of importance to all students of the Hebrew Bible. -- Tryggve Mettinger, Lund University, SwedenIn this timely volume, leading Old Testament/Hebrew Bible scholars from various countries and traditions address key aspects of the religious pluriformity of ancient Israel and Judah. They present a wide readership with fine essays on the highly diverse religious culture(s) of the 'land of the Bible', based on methodologically sound, critical explorations of the relevant biblical texts and ancient artefacts. This collection is an excellent contribution to the current lively debate on the religious history of Israel and Judah, providing its readers with significant, provocative insights and much food for thought. -- Joachim Schaper, Chair in Hebrew, Old Testament and Early Jewish Studies, Divinity and Religious Studies, University of Aberdeen, UK.This is a splendid collection of essays whose publication is greatly to be welcomed. Its contributors are scholars who are well qualified to tackle aspects of the religious life of ancient Israel and Judah. The volume reveals something of the extent to which the Hebrew Bible's presentation of religion has been influenced by the Deuteronomists and what they wanted to portray, and demonstrates not only that there was diversity but that such diversity cannot simply be summed up as the difference between 'official' and 'popular', or 'urban' and 'rural'. A feature of the volume as a whole is that it offers a constructive balance between (biblical) textual and archaeological evidence, acknowledging that both have their contributions to make while both have their interpretational problems. Perhaps understandably the emphasis is on religious practices rather than beliefs but, in a telling phrase in the book's postscript, Barton reminds us that the authors of the Hebrew Bible "...were already in the business of thinking about Yahweh as well as worshipping him" (p.373). -- Adrian Curtis, The University of Manchester, UK.The essayists who contributed to this volume tell lively tales in an engaging style. * The Good Book Stall, September 2010 *Reviewed in SAPIENS- Revista de Historia, Patrimonio e Arqueologia, no. 5Mentioned in the Church TimesTable of ContentsCh. 1: Introduction; John Barton (University of Oxford); Ch. 2: Living between heaven and the underworld; Susan Niditch (Amherst College, Massachusetts); Ch. 3: 'Official' religion and 'popular' religion; Francesca Stavrakopoulou (University of Exeter); Ch. 4: 'Israelite' religion and 'Canaanite' religion; Mark S. Smith (New York University); Ch. 5: Royal religion in Judah and Israel; Nick Wyatt (Emeritus Professor, University of Edinburgh); Ch. 6: Temple worship beyond Jerusalem and Samaria; Diana Edelman (University of Sheffield); Ch. 7: Urban religion and rural religion; Philip Davies (University of Sheffield); Ch. 8: Domestic religion; Carol Meyers (Duke University); Ch. 9: Personal piety; Rainer Albertz (Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat, Munster).

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Book SynopsisTakes the reader from the very first generation of Christians in Rome, a tiny group of Jews who acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, down to the point when Christianity had triumphed over savage persecution and was on the verge of becoming the religion of the Roman Empire.Trade Review‘This admirably clear and forthright account presents the development of Christianity in Rome as a series of interactions with the city's political, social and cultural environment. Green is a wise and urbane guide through fiendishly difficult territory; his commentary upon emperors, popes, and the succession of turbulent priests and disputatious theologians who helped give Christian Rome its distinctive cast is at once thoughtfully balanced and wryly opinionated.' - Neil McLynn, Faculty of Classics, Oxford University, Oxford, UK -- Neil McLynn‘The history of Christianity in Rome before Constantine is notoriously obscure. Bernard Green threads a learned, careful and surefooted path through a long series of scholarly minefields. He presents the evidence in an exemplary fashion and he sets out the problems of interpreting it sensibly and with good judgement: I only wish that such a sensible guide to a difficult subject had been available for me to use as a textbook while I was still teaching undergraduates!' - Timothy D. Barnes, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, Honorary Fellow, School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh. -- Timothy D. Barnes‘In this scholarly and readable account, Bernard Green provides an excellent analysis of early Christianity in its capital city in the West. Literary and visual sources are presented alongside modern scholarship in five chapters succinctly entitled "Origins", "Community", "Persecution", "Catacombs" and "Constantine". Christians in their inner lives are probed alongside the political and social frameworks within which they lived. As a result, readers can appreciate better the fascinating story of how divine assistance and human endeavour blended together during an epoch that proved formative for the Christian church and, thereby, for world history.' - Norman Tanner, SJ, Pontificia Universita Gregoriana, Rome, Italy -- Norman Tanner SJReviewed in Church Times, 1st October 2010 (UK) ‘A fascinating study of the origins of the church of Rome'‘Bernard Green provides a wonderful introduction to the life and circumstances of the earliest Christians in Rome.' -- Theological Book Review‘Undergraduates and their teachers will find this a useful, lively, and, on the whole, reliable introduction to the early history of Christianity in Rome, its materials and its problems.' -- Journal of Theological StudiesGreen's book, which grew out of his Oxford lectures, gives us an exemplary model of the genre: clear and cogent presentation, marked none the less by the lecturer's own original and critical perspective... Bernard Green has produced an interesting and important account of his subject. -- The Journal of Ecclesiastical History Volume 62/3Reviewed in Augustinianum 51Reviewed in Tyche 26 2011.[Green's] readings of the characters that populate his history, and the literature they created, are subtle; his writing is precise and elegant. In all, this is a fascinating and compelling study of the origins of the church in Rome. -- Dr Paul Cavill * Church Times *A thoroughly researched and clearly written book, resulting from lectures on the theme at St Benet’s Hall, Oxford. -- J. van Oort * Vigiliae Christianae *Table of Contents1) The city of Rome - size, ethnic and cultural diversity; the Jewish community, large but very different from that in Alexandria; 2) Christianity's origins in Rome; the Letter to the Romans; persecution under Nero; the separation of Christianity from Judaism earlier in Rome than almost anywhere else; the Christian claim to be the true Israel in 1 Clement (96) and the Shepherd of Hermas (c 130); 3) Disputes in Rome about the core doctrines of Christianity; Valentinus and gnosticism; Marcion and the Old Testament; Justin and the Logos doctrine and self-justification to the pagan world; Sabellius and modalism; 4) The evolution of the papacy - when and how? Hippolytus and Callistus; the catacombs; 5) The 3rd century crisis of the Empire - Rome no longer the capital; persecutions of Decius and Valerian; Rome and Cyprian of Carthage on the lapsed and the Novatian schism (the meaning and character of the Church); survival and growth of the Roman Church; the use of Latin instead of Greek; 6) Constantine: the end of persecution; triumph at Rome in 312; his buildings and patronage - the Lateran, St Peter's etc; Christianity in the city and the cult of martyrs; the figure of the pope.

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