Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts Books

Book SynopsisIn the Bible, God gives us knowledge of himself and of ourselves, so that through these two intertwined strands we may receive what Calvin called 'true and sound wisdom'. In pursuit of this wisdom, many Christians have learned to interpret Scripture chrono-logically, following the Bible’s developing story from creation, through fall, to redemption, and ultimately to restoration. But what of a complementary theo-logical approach to Scripture, one which focuses on the Bible’s main 'characters' — God and human beings — and the nature of their relationship? Richard Brash presents such an approach, introducing six theological keys to Scripture which help us better to know God and ourselves in the three fundamental areas of being, knowing, and acting. At each stage, he develops the theme of the gracious condescension of the infinite, incomprehensible, and holy God in his relation to finite human beings: creating us as his image, establishing a proportion between his own knowledge and ours, and overcoming sin to take a people for himself through the love-gifts of his Son and his Spirit. If you are looking for an enlarged vision of God and a renewed understanding of your own vocation before the Lord, take up this book and be refreshed in your love for God in heart, soul, and mind.Trade ReviewI don’t know of a better introduction to Christian doctrine than this brilliant new book by Richard Brash. It is both modest and ambitious in its aim: not attempting, like a textbook, to cover all the major doctrinal themes, but rather, like a guidebook, seeking to introduce to the territory and point us in the right direction to discover its delights. We are introduced to three deceptively simple pairs of contrasting statements, which together provide a window into the vast vista of biblical teaching, a compass that enables us to navigate the terrain, and a set of keys to help us begin to unlock some of the mysteries we meet along the way. This is theology at its best: biblically grounded, mind-blowing and heart-warming. It is a great resource, both for those who are new to systematic theology and to seasoned travellers. Enjoy the journey! * Vaughan Roberts, rector of St Ebbe's Church, Oxford, author of God's Big Picture *Winsome and rich, this book wonderfully exhibits the bond between the knowledge of God and of ourselves. Richard Brash gives us a reliable compass to keep us from getting lost in the theological forest. * Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California, USA *Many people are wary of ‘systematic theology’ but it is, when done properly, simply an exercise in reading the Bible as a whole and in fellowship with God’s people. Richard Brash shows us how that is so. This simple doctrinal ‘compass’ will help you navigate life in God’s world in the light of God’s word. Richard writes with a clarity that comes from knowing the subject well. He enables us to see that the big picture of the Bible is both an unfolding narrative and a coherent account of God and his purpose in creating us, making himself known to us, and saving us from sin. Highly recommended. * Mark D Thompson, Principal, Moore Theological College, Sydney, Australia *Thoroughly contemporary but at the same time well rooted in exegesis and biblical theology, this volume quickly gripped me as a fresh, stimulating and enjoyable plea for Systematic Theology. But it is more than a plea. Its six keys serve as both invaluable entry-points and as axioms to guide us in life-long study of the relations between one biblical truth and another, and between each truth (or Scripture text) and the whole field of revelation. The keys are well chosen and, being presented in pairs, remind us of the danger of being carried away by one side of a truth at the expense of another. This volume will both feed and stretch your mind, but it will not exhaust it. * Professor Donald Macleod, Edinburgh Theological Seminary *

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Book SynopsisIt is often recognized that the title ‘servant’ is applied to key figures throughout the Bible, culminating in Jesus Christ. Matthew Harmon carefully traces this theme from Genesis to Revelation, examining how earlier ‘servants’ point forwards to the ultimate Servant. While this theme is significant in its own right throughout redemptive history, it also plays a supporting role, enhancing and enriching other themes, such as son, prophet and king. Harmon shows how the title ‘servant’ not only gives us a clearer understanding of Jesus Christ but also has profound implications for our lives as Christians. When we grasp what it means to be servants of Christ, our love for him and our obedience to him deepen. Understanding that the ultimate Servant, Jesus Christ, indwells his people, to empower them to serve others in love, has the potential to transform how we interact with fellow believers and the world around us.Trade ReviewWhen most Christians hear the expression 'the servant of the Lord', they think of the portrait of the suffering servant painted in Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12. This is not so much wrong as reductionistic. Displaying a variety of dominating characteristics, other servants of the Lord (whether that terminology is used or not) repeatedly surface in Scripture, including Adam, Moses, Joshua, David, the apostles. Jesus appears as the servant par excellence, the One who fulfils the patterns they establish. After Jesus, it soon transpires that his apostles are also servants, and collectively his redeemed followers are to be a servant people. In this distinctive volume of biblical theology, Dr Harmon connects the dots that some of us have overlooked, and enriches not only our understanding but also our discipleship. * D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, USA *

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Book SynopsisThe letter to the Philippians illuminates a warm relationship between the apostle Paul and the Philippian believers. Despite difficult situations being experienced on both sides, Paul finds ample reason to celebrate what God in Christ has done and is doing in the believers' lives. Jeannine K. Brown's commentary explores the themes of this epistle, how its message is still relevant to Christians in the twenty-first century. She shows how motifs of joy, contentment and unity abound as Paul reminds the Philippians of the supreme value of knowing Jesus the Messiah, and highlights their significance for shaping the contemporary church towards living more deeply its identity in Christ. Part of the Tyndale New Testament commentary series, Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary examines the text section-by-section – exploring the context in which it was written, providing thoughtful commentary on the letter to the Philippians, and then unpacking its theology. It will leave you with a thorough understanding of the content and structure of Paul’s writing, as well as its meaning and continued relevance for Christians today. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries are ideal Bible commentaries for students and teachers of theology, as well as being usable for preachers and individual Christians looking to delve deeper into the riches of Scripture and discover its meaning for today. Insightful and comprehensive, Jeannine K. Brown’s commentary on Philippians is a brilliant introduction that will give you a renewed appreciation for this rich Pauline epistle and a greater knowledge of why it is important to the Christian faith.

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Book SynopsisWhat does the bible say about persecution of Christians? Many New Testament studies focus on persevering in faith to the end and responding even to perpetrators of persecution with love and forgiveness. Yet while there are unifying principles, the New Testament is filled with a range of experiences of and reflections on Christian persecution – texts that it is crucial to engage with in order to fully appreciate the bewildering array of experience and strongly held viewpoints amongst believers today. In When Christians Face Persecution, Chee-Chiew Lee explores the New Testament authors’ theological understanding of persecution. She offers a thorough look at the biblical foundations, covering their responses to early Christian persecution, their evaluation of these responses, and how they encourage or persuade their recipients to persevere in their faith. Lee also brings these writings together to offer an integrated theology of facing persecution, reflecting on how the understanding of early Christian writers can be applied to the persecution of Christians today. When Christians Face Persecution is a valuable study that will enrich your knowledge of biblical teaching on persecution, and its continued relevance in the twenty-first century. It offers engaging theological synthesis as well as contextual reflection, and it invites you to a deeper understanding of the breadth of theological perspectives contained with the New Testament.Trade ReviewThis well-researched work of careful scholarship addresses a topic of vital importance to the global church. Lee engages this theme throughout the New Testament, examining the many passages in their first-century setting and showing the relevance of the early Christian writers' wisdom for analogous situations today. * Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary, USA *Exactly what constitutes persecution for being a Christian from the Bible’s perspective? What were all the reasons it happened in New Testament times? What was the range of appropriate responses? How do we apply them today? If any of these questions interests you, Chee-Chiew Lee’s New Testament theology of suffering is a must-read. If they don’t, given our world’s current religious climate, they should! An excellent resource. * Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary, USA *At its best, biblical scholarship brings out the teaching of Scripture for the edification of the people of God. This such a work. By reading the text carefully, Dr Lee traces the various responses to persecution seen in the New Testament. No study is ever done without context; in this study, Dr Lee uses her context to bring the issue of persecution into a renewed and sharp focus. Recommended to every Christian – and biblical scholar – who wants to reflect seriously on how persecution shaped early thinking in the church. * Dirk Jongkind, Academic Vice Principal, Tyndale House, Cambridge *'Dr Chee-Chiew Lee’s book of well-researched scholarship combines a rich exploration of New Testament theology regarding how to face persecution, the diverse Christian response to persecution in the Greco-Roman world, and an analysis of how the different authors in the New Testament encourage readers to persevere in faith during persecution. The epilogue is a must read as Dr Lee presents her own personal reflections on how to apply a theological understanding of persecution to our current contemporary context. Lee’s appeal for readers to empathize with the persecuted is certainly the book’s grand finale. * Rev Dr Patrick Fung, General Director, OMF International *Chee-Chiew Lee offers here a constructive engagement with existing scholarship to explore the diverse causes of, and responses to, persecution in the New Testament, showing how its authors offer an empathetic theology of perseverance that has the potential to empower a response contextually suited for afflicted Christians in Asian and African settings today. * Markus Bockmuehl, University of Oxford *

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Book SynopsisRomans has been described as the theological epistle par excellence. The apostle Paul emphasizes that salvation is by God’s grace alone, and gives the assurance that freedom, hope, and the gift of righteousness are secured through Christ’s death on the cross, with the promise of a new and glorious destiny. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can discern and do the will of God in everyday life. God’s purpose is to bring Jews and Gentiles together so that they may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one voice. David Garland offers clear guidance along the rewarding, though sometimes difficult, paths of this great letter.

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Book SynopsisDid you know that the Bible has a great deal to say about ethnicity? Through the Bible, God shapes the way we engage with ethnicity. A biblical perspective on ethnicity gives us confidence to explore our own ethnic identities. In this eight-session LifeBuilder Bible Study, Steve Tamayo takes us through passages that open us up to difficult yet important conversations about race, culture, and ethnicity. If ethnicity is a gift from God, engaging this material may deeply transform the way we interact with family, friends, and enemies.

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Book SynopsisThe Books of Obadiah, Jonah and Micah are richly juxtaposed. From Micah’s call to challenge brutal political and religious leaders at home, to Jonah and Obadiah both addressing audiences beyond the boundaries of geo-political Israel, we see these three prophets speaking into their contexts with rhetorical force and passion. As well as wrestling with theological conundrums, through Obadiah, Jonah and Micah we hear the living Words of God – powerful words, intended to warn, cajole and console, and words which still have much to say to God’s people today. Offering cogent analysis on these often-overlooked books as well as exploring the practical implications for modern Christian life, this is a scholarly Bible commentary on Obadiah, Jonah and Micah that will benefit all preachers and serious students of the Bible. Part of the Apollos Old Testament commentary series, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah follows a clear, helpful structure that provides a thorough exploration of the Biblical texts – beginning with translation and notes, examining form and structure, offering insightful commentary and ending with a full exposition of the theological message within the framework of biblical theology. It will leave you with a deeper knowledge of the divine and human aspects of Scripture, as well as a broader understanding of what these prophets mean for Christians in the twenty-first century. The Apollos Old Testament Commentaries are scholarly bible commentaries ideal for those preaching from the Old Testament and looking to explore its riches in depth within their sermons. They will also help lay people and scholars studying the Bible on a higher level. Comprehensive and compelling, Elaine Phillips’ commentary on Obadiah, Jonah and Micah is a thorough study that will give you an appreciation of the struggles these prophets faced as they answered God’s call to speak into difficult geo-political contexts, and the lessons that they can teach Christians today.

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Book SynopsisAcross 22 chapters, T. Desmond Alexander expounds the theme of the kingdom of God from selected Old and New Testament texts, showing its relevance for today. God made us to rule with him as his representatives, to establish his kingdom on earth. But Adam and Eve's rebellion alienated humanity from God's kingdom, instead making them slaves to the kingdom of darkness. As the promised ruler, Jesus Christ comes as the perfect king to redeem enslaved humanity. This servant king brings God's kingdom on earth through self-sacrificial love. In hope, we now await the return of the king and the coming of the eternal kingdom. The fully integrated study guide, suitable for both personal and group study, helps you to see how the Bible's unified teaching on this vital theme can impact your life today. The Bible Speaks Today series covers every book of the Old and New Testaments, as well as Bible themes that run through the whole of Scripture.Trade Review‘Tracing the story of God’s kingdom from the words "in the beginning" to the last and great "Amen", Alexander serves as a faithful guide in this work of biblical theology. Along the way, we learn how the kingdom of God has progressively revealed itself through the course of redemptive history to the bright future of its fulfilment, all the while centred on the king.’ * Matthew Boswell, hymn writer and Assistant Professor of Church Music and Worship, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary *‘Kings and kingdoms can seem to be merely the fodder of fairy tales for some, while for myriad others, especially those who have lived under cruel kings in corrupt kingdoms, kings and kingdoms are seen primarily as perpetrators of oppression and violence. This is why we need the story the Bible presents to us, and which Desi Alexander has so capably expounded on for us in The Message of the Kingdom of God. This book connects all of the biblical dots for us, so that we can see not only how God is answering our prayers for his kingdom of justice and righteousness to come, but also the beauty of the king who has come and will come again.’ * Nancy Guthrie, Bible teacher and author of Even Better Than Eden: Nine Ways the Bible’s Story Changes Everything About Your Story *

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Book SynopsisIn his New Testament letters to Timothy and Titus, the apostle Paul is concerned with church order, defending correct doctrine and passing on the faith. In this thorough introduction and commentary to both letters, Osvaldo Padilla sets them in their distinct context of Paul's later ministry and draws out their pastoral wisdom. With thoughtful, applied commentary he shows how the lessons Paul imparts to Timothy and Titus are still relevant to us today and how we can learn from them in our own walk with Christ. A new volume in the Tyndale New Testament commentary series, The Pastoral Epistles: An Introduction and Commentary examines the text section-by-section – exploring the historical background in which the letters to Timothy and Titus were written, providing a detailed commentary on their content, and then unpacking their theology. It will leave you with a thorough knowledge of what the pastoral epistles say and how they are structured, as well as a better understanding of their meaning for both the original recipients and modern Christians. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries are ideal bible commentaries for students and teachers of theology, as well as being an excellent resource for preachers and individual Christians looking to broaden their knowledge and explore the riches of Scripture more deeply. Clear and compelling, Osvaldo Padilla’s introduction to Timothy and Titus will give anyone looking for comprehensive but accessible commentaries on the pastoral epistles a renewed appreciation for the wisdom in these two letters and what they can teach us.

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Book SynopsisHumans, since time immemorial, have tried to discover and influence the will of spirits and deities that they believed to be in charge of their lives. As a result, all cultures have produced certain special individuals thought to be closely in touch with the powers of the supernatural world. Was this true of ancient Israel? If so, who were the occult experts and what techniques were used by them? This study explores the many practices and rituals associated with magic and divination among the ancient Israelites as documented in the Old Testament. Seeking omens and consulting seers and diviners were widely practiced, though in the biblical text such activities are roundly condemned. Solomon Nigosian's scholarly work is written in language that makes it absorbing reading for both the biblical scholar and the layperson.Table of ContentsThe Biblical View: A Survey; Magical Activities; Divinatory Techniques; Magicians, Seers and Diviners; An Assessment; Bibliography; Index of Biblical References; Index of Authors; General Index.

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Book SynopsisThis seven-week guide aims to aid Christians, individually or in small groups, to take a closer look at seven of the meals Jesus attended, focusing on what Jesus was trying to communicate through them, either in the food eaten or in the social interactions he had whilst dining. Each session examines set bible passage(s), frequently considering them through the lens of the stories and teachings which bookend the meal. The sessions also prioritise posing questions to support Christians in reflecting upon their own lives and how they can further incorporate Jesus’ teachings into them. This guide brings into one user-friendly volume a range of ideas that these meals explore, including God’s grace, what real purity means, how Jesus equips us to further his Kingdom, the purpose of Jesus’ miracles and the nature of Jesus’ Messiahship, as well as current interpretations of these occasions of commensality and the relevance of their historical and social context, in a language that is easy to understand

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Book SynopsisAn examination of how The Book of Psalms shaped medieval thought and helped develop the medieval English literary canon. The Book of Psalms had a profound impact on English literature from the Anglo-Saxon to the late medieval period. This collection examines the various ways in which they shaped medieval English thought and contributed to the emergence of an English literary canon. It brings into dialogue experts on both Old and Middle English literature, thus breaking down the traditional disciplinary binaries of both pre- and post-Conquest English and late medieval and Early Modern, as well as emphasizing the complex and fascinating relationship between Latin and the vernacular languages of England. Its three main themes, translation, adaptation and voice, enable a rich variety of perspectives on the Psalms and medieval English literature to emerge. TAMARA ATKIN is Senior Lecturer in Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Literature at Queen Mary University of London; FRANCIS LENEGHAN is Associate Professor of OldEnglish at The University of Oxford and a Fellow of St Cross College, Oxford Contributors: Daniel Anlezark, Mark Faulkner, Vincent Gillespie, Michael P. Kuczynski, David Lawton, Francis Leneghan, Jane Roberts, Mike Rodman Jones, Elizabeth Solopova, Lynn Staley, Annie Sutherland, Jane Toswell, Katherine Zieman.Trade ReviewAltogether this is a highly successful collection, balancing tightly focused read-ings with widely applicable concepts. . . . The editors and contributors are to be congratulated. * JOURNAL OF ENGLISH AND GERMANIC PHILOLOGY *Deserves a place on the shelf of every academic library devoted to the study of the Middle Ages. * REVIEW OF ENGLISH STUDIES *A handsomely produced book.with essays that are always interesting and often exhilarating to read. * JOURNAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY *[A] go-to resource for anyone working on medieval psalms. Any medievalist or biblical scholar interested in the Psalms can confidently say to the editors and contributors of this volume, 'Thy word is a lantern unto my feet and a light unto my paths. * MODERN LANGUAGE STUDIES *[An] important contribution to the study of the Bible in the Middle Ages. * YEAR'S WORK IN ENGLISH STUDIES *This collection offers an interesting and nuanced discussion of responses to the Psalms in the medieval period and is a valuable reminder for both students and more seasoned researchers of their pervasive influence. * PARERGON *This is an excellent collection of essays that should be of interest to scholars and students of both medieval English literature and medieval English religion. -- Nancy Bradley Warren * Journal of British Studies *Table of ContentsIntroduction: a Case Study of Psalm 50.1-3 in Old and Middle English - Francis Leneghan Some Anglo-Saxon Psalters and their Glosses - Jane Roberts The Eadwine Psalter and Twelfth-Century English Vernacular Literary Culture - Mark Faulkner 'In eching for the beste': the Fourteenth-Century English Prose Psalter and the Art of Psalm Translation - Annie Sutherland The Wycliffite Psalms - Elizabeth Solopova Rolle's English Psalter and the Possibilities of Vernacular Scriptural Commentary - Katherine Zieman Making the Psalter Sing: the Old English Metrical Psalms, Rhythm and Ruminatio - Francis Leneghan The Psalms in the Old English Office of Prime - Daniel Anlezark Psalm Genres in Old English Poetry - M J Toswell Articulating the Psalms in Middle English Alliterative Poetry:Some Passages of Piers Plowman, St Erkenwald and Pearl - Mike Rodman Jones Maidstone's Psalms and the King's Speech - Lynn Staley The Songs of the Threshold: Enargeia and the Psalter - Vincent Gillespie Psalms as Public Interiorities: Eleanor Hull's Voices - David Lawton Vox ecclesiae, vox Christi: the Psalms and Medieval English Ecclesiology - Michael Kuczynski

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Book SynopsisA study of 10 scriptural images given to Christ - Shepherd, Lamb of God, Suffering Servant, Branch, Vine, Light of the World, Bridegroom, Head of the Church, Bread of Life, Cornerstone. Some of these come from the Old Testament, others are word-pictures that Jesus himself used. The focus of each session is on the relationship with the reality behind the image: eg the Good Shepherd remains only a sentimental picture if we do not follow him; Christ is our Cornerstone only if we allow ourselves to be built into his house. The studies in this book are: Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18) Lamb of God (Revelation 5:6-14) Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:6) Branch (Isaiah 11:1-9) True Vine (John 15:1-8) Light of the World (John 1:1-9) Bridegroom (Ephesians 5:25-33) Head of the Church (Colossians 1:15-20) Bread of Life (John 6:25-51) Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:4-8)Table of ContentsGetting the most out of Images of Christ 1. Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18) 2. Lamb of God (Revelation 5:6-14) 3. Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:6) 4. Branch (Isaiah 11:1-9) 5. True Vine (John 15:1-8) 6. Light of the World (John 1:1-9) 7. Bridegroom (Ephesians 5:25-33) 8. Head of the Church (Colossians 1:15-20) 9. Bread of Life (John 6:25-51) 10. Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:4-8) Leader's Notes

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Book SynopsisThis excellent collection provides a valuable overview of developments in New Testament scholarship in recent decades. The contributors include leading biblical scholars well-known in their respective fields, and the essays combine depth with readability.Trade Review"... a fine, solid, and reliable reference work." -- Lee Gatis, Churchman"... the goal is not to cover everything, but to cover much well. In this goal the editors have succeeded." -- Ray Van Neste, Themelios"... this is a useful tool. Students thinking of doing research in this area will find much to stimulate them." -- Howard Bigg, Anvil

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Book SynopsisThe developments in Old Testament studies during the past twenty-five years have created a mountain of scholarly data that challenges even the best-read researcher. From textual criticism to literary approaches, from historiography to social science, each discipline possesses unique patterns of development, scholarly personalities, and methodologies. The Face of Old Testament Studies tackles the challenge of organizing this wealth of data through a collection of essays on sixteen major areas of contemporary Old Testament research. Each contributor traces recent developments in his field of expertise, delineating new directions and crucial methodologies that have emerged in the mainstream academy. One distinctive of this compilation is that it also pays attention to conservative scholars who have made contributions of significance that have been recognized beyond their own camp. This reference work affords professors and students an overview of the salient issues and current approaches to Old Testament research. It is suitable as a textbook for Old Testament Introduction, Hebrew Exegesis, and Old Testament Theology courses, and will also be helpful for non-specialists who desire to keep up with developments in Old Testament studies.

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Book SynopsisI will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding' (Jeremiah 3:15). Most of the Bible's pastoral imagery is grounded in two traditions: Israel's 'wilderness drama', in which Moses functioned as God's under-shepherd; and the shepherd-king David and his dynasty, with its messianic promises. Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah made sustained use of pastoral imagery, seeing the LORD revealing himself as the ultimate Shepherd of his flock, and creating expectation of a new exodus, a renewed community, and a unique shepherd king. These traditions provided prototypes for leaders that followed, and formed the background for the ministry of Jesus - the 'good shepherd' - in the Gospels. His disciples were sent as shepherds to feed his sheep - and as sheep among wolves. The pastoral role was central to the ongoing life of local churches in the Christian movement, and today's pastors are still called to be shepherds after God's own heart, to lead his people, living on the margins of settled society, to their eternal home. In this excellent study, Timothy Laniak draws on a wide range of Old and New Testament texts to develop a biblical theology of 'shepherd' imagery, and concludes with some principles and implications for contemporary 'pastoral' ministry.

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Book Synopsis`Biblical theology' attempts to embrace the message of the Bible holistically and to describe this wholeness using biblical categories. These essays focus on selected central themes and their development across the canon, and demonstrate the essential unity of the Bible.

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Book SynopsisThe book of Kings is a unique source for understanding the history of Israel from the last days of the united kingdom under David to the eventual fall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Presenting Israel's national history from a divine viewpoint, these narratives measure the kings of Israel and Judah, not by the mark they leave on secular history, but by their 'doing what is right in the Lord's sight'. Embedded in this story are enduring lessons of the ways of God with his people in every age.

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Book SynopsisThe Chronicler addressed an Israel separated from its former days of blessing by a season of judgment. The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles bring a divine word of healing and reaffirm the hope of restoration. The Chronicler's theme is straightforward - the promises of God revealed in the Davidic covenant are as trustworthy and as effective as the God who first uttered them.

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Book SynopsisThe Second Letter of Peter and the Letter of Jude both address false teaching - teaching that affects behaviour. The recipients had within their midst people whose lives contradicted the gospel that was preached. They defiled the love-feasts; they were themselves immoral and minimized the importance of law in the Christian life. They scoffed at the parousia and were fond of their own rhetoric. Michael Green offers a penetrating analysis that sets both letters in their historical context and shows their relevance to life today.

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Book SynopsisIn this excellent commentary, David G. Firth takes seriously the narrative techniques employed in the books of Samuel and explores the central theme of how the reign of God is worked out in the interplay between king and prophet.Trade ReviewThis commentary on two of the more exciting books of the Bible is a real asset to pastors and Bible students. Firth is becoming quite the prolific commentator of late and tackles here another historical book of the Bible. . . . This is a fine volume. As a point of comparison, this volume is far superior to the well known Word Biblical Commentary volumes covering the same material. I highly recommend it. * Jimmy Reagan, The Reagan Review, October 5, 2015 *

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Book SynopsisWhat does an Old Testament book have to say to us in the twenty-first century? Discover the message of a Bible book for yourself by using tools which help you 'dig deeper'. In the authors' own words, 'We want to share with you why we think it means what it does, how we came to our understanding of the verses, what discoveries we made. Rather than a Hollywood movie, this is going to be more like the how-they-made-the-movie footage.' 'I have never seen a burning bush, have never suffered a plague of boils (even as a seventeen-year-old the acne wasn't that bad), have never parted my bathwater and walked through the middle, have never been to Mount Sinai, let alone heard God speaking from thunder on the top of it,' says Andrew Sach. 'What possible relevance does the book of Exodus have to me?' We set about discovering the message of a Bible book for us today using various tools (first introduced in Dig Deeper). The Repetition tool helps us to see that God's name is a big deal. The Context tool shows us why it was important to beat the Amalekites. The Quotation/Allusion tool uncovers a miniature garden of Eden where we least expect one. And so on.

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Book SynopsisFascination with the end times is not just a recent phenomenon. The young church at Thessalonica, having taken root during Paul's brief stay there, pondered when the end might come as well. Paul, in order to instruct them more fully, wrote them two letters, which taken together expound the "already-and-not-yet" character of the end times. His instruction and counsel can serve us well today. Throughout this commentary, G. K. Beale explains what each letter meant to its original hearers and its application for us today.

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Book SynopsisThe book of Joshua presents a number of interpretative problems. On the basis of literary studies and archaeology, some have claimed that the book is a product of a much later age than the one it portrays and does not reflect actual events. Another important issue is how it should be read as Christian Scripture, given that it describes at least a partial annihilation of indigenous people groups. Related to this today is the ongoing struggle over essentially the same piece of land that is described in Joshua. To address these and other issues, Pekka Pitkänen reads Joshua in its Ancient Near Eastern context. He makes extensive comparisons with relevant contemporary literature and includes an archaeological survey of all places mentioned in the Masoretic text. He argues that Joshua helps conclude the pentateuchal tradition and is best understood as a conquest document originating from the Late Bronze-Early Iron Age that helps define Israelite identity in Yahwistic terms and promulgates Yahwism in Israel as the exclusive religious ideology. In application, he engages with genocide studies and reflects on theodicy and the use and abuse of power.

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Book SynopsisThe book of Jonah is full of surprises, and this is no less true for us today than it was for its original readers. How is it possible that a city like Nineveh would repent? Why does Jonah seem so out of touch with the God who calls him to act as a prophet? And the end of the book asks readers the same question that God poses to Jonah: to what extent is their character truly in accord with that of the God whom they claim to serve? At the same time, Jonah centres on the grand theme of the Bible: the manifestation of God's unmerited grace to those who have sinned against him. However, despite its brevity, Jonah raises challenging theological questions regarding mission and religious conversion; and there is no shortage of fascinating historical aspects, along with the various unexpected plot twists. In this stimulating biblical-theological study, Daniel Timmer examines the book's historical backgrounds (in both Israel and Assyria), discusses the biblical text in detail, and pays special attention to redemptive history and its Christocentric orientation. He explores the relationship between Israel and the nations - including the question of mission - and the nature of religious conversion and spirituality in the Old Testament. Timmer also argues that the book of Jonah was written to facilitate spiritual change in its readers, and our study is not complete until we have wrestled with it on those terms. The New Studies in Biblical Theology offer creative expositions of key issues in understanding the Bible.

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Book SynopsisWhen the book of Acts is mentioned, a cluster of issues spring to mind, including speaking in tongues and baptism with the Holy Spirit, church government and practice, and missionary methods and strategies. At the popular level, Acts is more often mined for answers to contemporary debates than heard for its natural inflections. Instead of using Acts as a prooftext, this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume brings a biblical-theological framework to the account to expose Luke's major themes as they relate to the book as a whole. With this framework in place, Alan Thompson argues that Acts is an account of the 'continuing story' of God's saving purposes. Consequently we find that Luke wants to be read in light of the Old Testament promises and the continuing reign of Christ in the inaugurated kingdom. Read in this way as a snapshot of God's dynamic, unfolding kingdom, the book of Acts begins to regain the deep relevance it had in the first century. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

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Book SynopsisWhat is the big-picture storyline of the Bible? What are the different literary genres of Scripture, and how should they be read? What are the important theological themes in the Old and New Testaments? What happened in the time between the testaments? Such questions are the focus of this collection of concise studies on the Bible and its contents, which includes timelines of the Old and New Testaments and intertestamental events. Useful both as a general overview and as a tool for more specific reference and training, this volume will help readers to grow in their understanding of Scripture and their ability to apply it to their lives. Pastors, church leaders, students, and other Christians engaged in studying and teaching God's Word will benefit from these studies, originally featured as articles in the ESV Study Bible and written by notable contributors, including Vern Poythress, Gordon Wenham, David Howard, Thomas R. Schreiner and Darrell Bock.

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Book SynopsisHow can sixty-six books of the Bible have a single message for us today? What unites the vastly different accounts of God's work in the world? How do various genres of the Bible work together? Vaughan Roberts believes that the Bible tells a single story for all time. He draws out the Bible's message of Jesus Christ, and God's redemption through him, in six big questions. This companion volume to 'God's Big Picture' will not only help you to answer the questions listed above, but will give you tools to transform your own Bible study in the light of the whole story of God.

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Book SynopsisThe cross of Christ is the heartbeat of Christianity. It is a place of pain and horror, wonder and beauty, all at the same time. It is the place where our sin collided gloriously with God's grace. But do we really understand what the cross is all about? Or are we so caught up in the peripherals of the faith that we have forgotten the core? We need to ask ourselves: How deep an impact has the cross made on my personality? Do I live in the light of the freedom it has won for me? Am I dying to myself every day, so that I can live for Christ? Do I face suffering with faith and assurance? Can I face death in the light of the hope of the resurrection? The authors present us with a contemporary challenge to place all of our lives, every thought, word and deed, under the shadow of the amazing cross, and allow that cross to transform us here and now.

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Book SynopsisIn the book of Jeremiah, the vocabulary of 'word' and 'words' is not only uniquely prevalent, but formulae marking divine speech also play an unprecedented role in giving the book's final form its narrative and theological shape. Indeed, 'the word of the Lord' is arguably the main character, and a theology that is both distinctive and powerful can be seen to emerge from the unfolding narrative. In this stimulating study, Andrew Shead examines Jeremiah's use of word language; the prophet's formation as an embodiment of the Word of God; his covenant preaching and the crisis it precipitates concerning the recognition of true prophecy; and, in the 'oracles of hope', how the power of the Word of God is finally made manifest. Shead then brings this reading of Jeremiah to bear on some issues in contemporary theology, including the problem of divine agency and the doctrine of Scripture, and concludes by engaging Jeremiah's doctrine of the Word of God in conversation with Karl Barth. The prophet's major contribution emerges from his careful differentiation of 'word' and 'words'.

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Book SynopsisThe book of Deuteronomy has been immensely influential, not least within the Old Testament itself. It is found among the most frequently occurring manuscripts at Qumran, and it is also one of the Old Testament books most frequently cited in the New Testament. In Matthew's Gospel, it is Deuteronomy which Jesus cites in rejecting temptation. As with so many other Old Testament books, study of Deuteronomy is in the midst of significant change. While for many scholars the Documentary Hypothesis has continued to provide a framework for interpretation, it no longer commands the status of an 'assured result'. Instead, fresh approaches have been developed, engendering their own debates. Recent as well as older study affirms that Deuteronomy represents a distinctive theological voice within the Pentateuch. While many excellent resources are now available, these tend to be either introductory or highly specialized; there are fewer that bridge the gap between the two. This volume contributes to that need: it assumes some foundational knowledge and guides readers through current issues and approaches. Here is evangelical scholarship that will inform, stimulate and reward diligent teachers and preachers of the Old Testament. The contributors are Paul Barker, Jenny Corcoran, David G. Firth, Greg Goswell, Christian Hofreiter, Philip S. Johnston, James Robson, Csilla Saysell, Heath Thomas, Peter T. Vogt and John H. Walton.

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Book SynopsisWho was Peter and what was his true stature in the early church? For Protestants at least, Peter seems caught between two caricatures: the rustic fisherman of Galilee and the author of two lesser New Testament letters. And in both cases he is overshadowed by Paul. Yet Peter plays a significant role in the Gospels and is an apostolic leader in Acts. And those who study his letters find them filled with theological insight. In The Life and Witness of Peter, Larry Helyer seeks to reinstate this neglected and underestimated apostle to his rightful stature as an early Christian leader and faithful witness to Christ. Arguing for a more confident assessment of the apostle's presence and contribution to the New Testament, Helyer pulls Peter out from the long shadow of Paul. What we find is a Peter whose first-hand witness stands behind much of Mark's Gospel, a Peter whose striking portrait in Acts can be trusted as reliable, and a Peter whose letters glow with spiritual and theological intelligence. Along the way we are rewarded with a careful analysis of prominent theological themes in Peter's letters. And we learn much about the traditions, legends and legacy of Peter in the post-apostolic era.

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Book SynopsisThe Bible begins and ends with God dwelling with his people, from Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, to the great multitude in the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation. At each step, God gathered his people together, to speak to them, hear from them, and change them to be more like him. God assembling his people, whom he loves, is what the Bible calls 'church'. The church should aspire to be a group of vibrant, loving, risk-everything people who are passionately committed to living out the values of God's Word and looking forward to the new creation. Churches and their pastors and leaders need to hear what the Bible says about who they are and what they are to do. Chris Green takes 'the message of the church' to mean, first, that the church has a message, which is that God has saved his people through Christ; second, that the church is the created and saved result of that message; and third, that the church is a message, which is that he has saved broken people like us, and by belonging to his people we are trying to respond to him in the ways he requires. His stimulating and insightful exposition begins with a survey of the church 'from eternity, to Eden, to exodus, to exile, to eternity', and then focuses on various dimensions of the church's life and ministry, including its worship, unity, maturity, servants, gifts, holiness, boundaries and future.Trade Review"The Bible Speaks Today themes series will serve as a health-giving tonic to this generation of Christians." -- Ajith Fernando

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For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God' (1 Cor. 7:19). The apostle Paul's relationship to the Law of Moses is notoriously complex and much studied. Difficulties begin with questions of definition (of the extent of Paul's corpus and the meanings of 'the law') and are exacerbated by numerous problems of interpretation of the key texts. Major positions are entrenched, yet none of them seems to know what to do with all the pieces of the puzzle. Inextricably linked to Paul's view of the law is his teaching concerning salvation history, Israel, the church, anthropology, ethics and eschatology. Understanding 'Paul and the law' is critical to the study of the New Testament, because it touches on the perennial question of the relationship between the grace of God in the gift of salvation and the demand of God in the call for holy living. Misunderstanding can lead to distortions of one or both. This fresh and valuable study is something of a breakthrough, bringing neglected evidence to the discussion and asking different questions of the material, while also building on the work of others. Brian Rosner argues that Paul undertakes a polemical re-evaluation of the Law of Moses, which involves not only its repudiation as law-covenant and its replacement by other things, but also its wholehearted re-appropriation as prophecy (with reference to the gospel) and as wisdom (for Christian living).

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Book SynopsisFollow the story of the dynamic growth of the early church. Meet the cast of characters with their strengths, faults and failings just like ours. Always God’s power shines through, in spite of opposition and misunderstanding. Then, as now, men and women prayed, searched the Scriptures and listened for God’s promptings. This volume will inspire and inform our faith. It will fill us with renewed appreciation for our heritage. But above all, as we â€~discover Acts’, tracing the adventures of the early church, we cannot fail to refocus afresh on our great and powerful God.

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Book SynopsisOf all the inventions of man's imagination, none transcends his primal belief in the existence of invisible forces which shape a person's destiny, often in ways that make a mockery of his own efforts to do so. And of all these arcane powers, none is more enigmatic than the Divine Providence which underlies the belief in ethical monotheism. Just why does God allow bad things to happen to good or innocent people? The traditional Jewish context for such investigations was biblical exegesis, in particular the interpretation and elucidation of the Book of Job. Over twenty medieval Hebrew commentaries on the Book of Job have survived to the present day and it is the ideas concerning Providence expressed in these works that form the central core of this study. The final chapter brings the issue closer to our own times through discussion of the Scientific Revolution and the search for God's Mind -- moving away from the sphere of theological speculation to that of mathematical physics.Table of ContentsThe Origins of the Book of Job; The Personalities in the Book of Job; The Workings of Providence; Mediaeval Commentaries on the Book of Job; R. Simeon ben Zemah Duran's Commentary on the Book of Job.

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Book SynopsisThe Ultimate Three Minutes is a statement of Christian theology in terms of "Salvation History", introducing the functions of Abraham, Moses, Second Isaiah and the Psalms; and placing in historical context the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ his uniqueness, the formation of the Gospels, and the Eucharist as the identifying thread which binds the redemptive or salvation process into a coherent whole and vivifies the Christian hope. This presentation of basic Christian Gospel theology is carried within a simplistic account of the history of the Ancient World, written in the style of a continuous narrative, with digressions into special topics such as the Psalms, Augustus and Providence, the Sixth Chapter of St John's Gospel, and the Northern Frontier. It also features a parable drawn from modern science. The title of the book borrows from two distinguished scientists. In The First Three Minutes Steven Weinberg describes the developments of the first three minutes of the universe, following the explosion of the "Big Bang" 13.8 billion years ago. In The Last Three Minutes Paul Davies describes the final subsidence of the universe into entropy and heat death. The Ultimate Three Minutes: The Story of Two Great Human Watersheds Their Preparation and Their Coinciding provides a humanitarian parallel. The title embodies a value judgement, namely the need of the human race for redemption, and the achievement of that redemption by Jesus Christ, the Anointed Saviour, on his Cross. The "Ultimate Three Minutes" is the final three minutes before Jesus Christ expelled his final breath, when the suffering and the cost of the redemption of mankind was at its most heavy and precarious.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents an academic introduction to the life and teachings of five Middle Eastern founders of religion -- five individuals whose systems of faith, thought, and action have won the allegiance of millions. All believed to have experienced a personal encounter with the divine -- a "voice" directly from the "beyond" -- to proclaim God's message to the community or people to which they belonged. All attracted followers and opponents. Similarities in their religious outlook abound; but differences between the five pervade their approach toward society and culture, with issues of law, war, women, morality, ethics, the kingdom of God, life after death, and eternal judgment distinguishing their respective beliefs. An Introduction provides an overview of the political history of the Middle East based on four periods (Early, Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman) and a brief description of the surviving religious traditions of the Middle East (including a proposal regarding the nature of so-called "selected" individuals). Five chapter texts separately address each religious founder from the viewpoint of readers from the Judaic and Christian traditions in terms of the religious world into which each individual appeared; the traditional account as presented by available sources or evidences; the reliability of the available sources or evidences for reconstructing their biographies; and a critical assessment of both the sources or evidences and the traditional account. A concluding chapter compares the similarities and differences of the received divine messages, and notes that no new message has ever succeeded in shaking off entirely the influence of the faith from which it arose. The work has been specifically designed for student adoption in Religious Studies.

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Book SynopsisThis is the first English translation of the Venerable Bede’s commentary on the book of Genesis. Dealing as it does with the biblical account of the creation of the world and of mankind, and of mankind’s fall from grace and exile into the life of time, On Genesis offers essential insights into Bede’s fundamental assumptions as a theologian, historian, and scientific cosmologist. Bede’s role in laying the foundations of the modern world cannot be overemphasised. From his quantitative approach to questions of science to his introduction of the Anno Domini system of dating and his text-critical methods of biblical analysis, he anticipated and influenced modern ways of thinking. Bede regarded the opening chapters of Genesis as the foundation narrative of the world. From it Bede derived the theoretical basis for his scientific treatises and his notion of the English as a chosen people of God, which informs the Ecclesiastical History. This translation and introduction attempts to make Bede’s commentary accessible to anyone with an interest in his work.Trade ReviewAnother welcome addition to the most valuable 'Translated Texts for Historians Series from the Liverpool University Press. * New Directions *Calvin Kendall is to be commended for continuing the excellent standards in translating and annotating that mark the series. His is the first rendering of the work into any language. The achievement is significant as reading Bede's commentaries in the original Latin is not easily essayed. Kendall's book this joins the other published translations of Bede's commentaries in making these important texts -- which Bede himself did not hesitate to describe as his life's work. * English Studies, Vol. 90, No. 3 *Kendall’s volume – very skilfully copy-edited and attractively and durably produced – is the latest in a long series of excellent Bedan translations in the TTH series, and one sincerely hopes that it will not be the last. * Early Medieval Europe Vol. 18 (4) *Table of Contents Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction Bede’s audience Bede’s methodology: literal interpretation of the Bible and Noah’s flood Bede’s methodology: allegorical exegesis The thematic structure of On Genesis Jews and Saracens Bede’s cosmology: the six days of creation Bede’s religious though The two version of On Genesis Rethinking the date(s) of On Genesis Jones’s edition of On Genesis and the present translation Catalogue of manuscripts and editions of On Genesis On Genesis Preface Book One Book Two Book Three Book Four Appendix 1: Plummer’s argument for the year 720 defended Appendix 2: Textual corrections and emendations Bibliography Index of sources and parallels

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Book SynopsisThe gospel writers were masters of 'Midrash', a popular literary technique in the ancient Jewish world. Midrash enables authors to promote their ideas by weaving them into well known biblical themes. The gospels contain coded, midrashic, messages that would have resonated with their contemporary Jewish audience. Approaching the "New Testament" from a midrashic perspective leads to a radically new picture of Jesus as a political leader. Not, as is often claimed a revolutionary against Roman occupation. One prominent theme, that of the Holy Grail, which is central to an understanding of the revolutionary agenda, was virtually (but not quite) written out the gospels, only to resurface in medieval Christian folk lore. The failure of Jesus' revolution came about, not with his crucifixion, but long before with the imprisonment and subsequent execution of John the Baptist, the only qualifying candidate for high office in the revolutionary scheme. From this time forward Jesus and his disciples faced an uphill struggle. Their ultimate demise was inevitable, and Jesus knew this, as the narrative bears out.

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Book SynopsisCharis forms a humanistic account of the Christian bible and its traditions, consistent with the theological content of the bible, and its historical locations. Written as a sequence of four testaments, Charis unravels the human motivations that lay behind the biblical texts. The Tribe considers the relationship between the physical, political and social location of the Jews 3000 years ago, and the beliefs and scriptures that these inspired in the Old Testament. The Soul explores the evolution of early Christianity, a spiritualised version of Judaism, forged by Roman oppression, influenced by Greek philosophy, with Jesus and Paul allegories of the new faith and its evangelism. The State examines the genius of political leadership behind Catholicism, with its shrewd combination of Christianity, Judaism and Roman paganism designed to install religious conformity and political control across Europe. The Individual King considers the more recent separation of religion from politics and the reaction of individuals to their new found religious freedom. Charis is thought provoking throughout, challenging the believer and atheist alike.

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Book SynopsisThe Scarlet Cord: Conversations With God's Chosen Women tells the story of biblical women in a new way, drawing the reader further down her spiritual path and closer to Christ. And here is why: for too long, women in the Bible have been demonized, sanctified or simply misunderstood, leaving highly stereotyped figures in their wake. As a result, passionate, faithful and bright individuals, from Eve to Ruth to Mary Magdalene, have lost meaning for many contemporary Christians and non-Christians alike. Here, through storytelling and artwork, twelve compelling women of the Bible invite readers to step further into the sacred circle of God's people, deepening their faith and joy in all of creation. That circle offers more than peace. It offers health, healing, and the knowledge that other women have also trod broken and jagged paths in their search for wholeness. By taking this step, the reader will discover that challenges experienced by biblical women are not so different from her own, including infertility, warfare, hunger, old age, grief and sexual conflict.Trade ReviewLindsay Hardin Freeman brings twelve of these women to life, giving them voices of their own. In the manner of the Jewish Midrash, she adds color, detail, and dialogue to the brief biblical accounts and endows these women with nuanced and believable psychological profiles. As we hear familiar stories told in new ways, we discover layers of meaning previously overlooked. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter will facilitate group study and discussion. (Richard H. Schmidt, Editor & Director, Forward Movement Publications) Women of every faith in the Congo and Darfur, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and to a meaningful degree, everywhere on the planet, are still struggling and suffering. Thus, this re-articulation of the Biblical stories, as it underscores dignity, respect and support for women, is as timely today as ever. May this insightful and heartwarming endeavor be a vigorous reminder of human potential and justice. (Barbara Forster, The Tandem Project in support of the United Nations; Board of Directors, American Refugee) Committee

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Book SynopsisColin writes: 'My aim is to help students, young Christians and church members see how the Bible holds together. I want to take them on a journey through the Bible showing how each part contributes distinctly to the whole. I want to excite them and encourage them to explore it themselves and provide them with the necessary tools. 'Many people have a high view of the Bible but rarely read it or know where to start. I suggest some new angles that might give them a desire to visit even the most unpromising parts. By giving background, insights and an overall view to each book and section I hope people will say 'Oh I see now' and then go on and read for themselves.'

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Book SynopsisThe last book of the Bible is not primarily about weird beasts, strange allegories, or encoded detail about the final years of Planet Earth. It’s a book which focuses on one great fact which trumps all others throughout the whole of AD history. It’s a simple fact, but a fact which changes everything: God is on the Throne of the universe, and he is working out his strategies from the control-room of Heaven. God inspired the Bible for a reason. He wants you read it and let it change your life. If you are willing to take this challenge seriously, then you will love Phil Moore’s devotional commentaries. Their bite-sized chapters are punchy and relevant, yet crammed with fascinating scholarship. Welcome to a new way of reading the Bible. Welcome to the Straight to the Heart series.Trade Review"Phil Moore has served us magnificently." - Terry Virgo "Most commentaries are dull. These are alive. Most commentaries are for scholars. These are for you!" - Michael Green "Think of these books as the Bible's message distilled for everyone." - Adrian Warnock

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Book SynopsisThe Zohar is the fundamental work of Jewish mysticism. Isaiah Tishby’s classic and definitive Wisdom of the Zohar makes the world of the Zohar available to the English-speaking reader in all its complexity and poetry. The extended extracts are arranged by topic, each section being prefaced by introductory explanations and accompanied by copious notes. There is also a General Introduction on the complex symbolism of the Zohar and on its historical and literary background. The scholarly value of David Goldstein’s acclaimed translation is enhanced by an index expanded to include references to passages cited in the introduction and notes, and by the addition of a subject index and an index of biblical references. Isaiah Tishby was awarded the Bialik Prize 1972, the Israel Prize 1979, and the Rothschild Prize 1982, mainly for his work on The Wisdom of the Zohar. David Goldstein was awarded the Webber Prize 1987 for this translation.Trade Review‘We thought we had understood the Zohar but Tishby showed us the mystical level, and we never read the Zohar the same way again. . . . Now the splendour of the Book of Splendour is available for all to see. The masterful work of Tishby has been complemented by a masterful translation by Goldstein. . . . This work is a solid step into a substantial and new view of what religion is about; it should be a part of every scholarly library, in religion as well as in Jewish studies.’ - David R. Blumenthal, Journal of the American Academy of Religion‘. . . extensive and erudite introductions to every section of this magnum opus . . . [Tishby’s] introductory essays, as well as his annotations to the passages in these three volumes, demonstrate his vast erudition and comprehension of Kabbalistic theology and literature and thereby introduce the reader into the realms of Kabbalah hitherto inaccessible except to a coterie of scholars. The comprehensive bibliography, select glossary, an index of references to the Zohar, as well as an index of Scriptural references to the texts of this anthology, enhance our appreciation of this tour de force which deserves to adorn the bookshelf of the intelligent layman and the serious student.’- S. B. Leperer, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies‘Excellent English translation . . . We are presented not only with the best available English translation of large sections of the Zohar but with an extensive, informed running commentary . . . a brilliant introduction that situates the Zohar in its historical and theological context . . . with an extensive, informed running commentary that for the first time really makes the arcane, esoteric, Zoharic text available. In addition Tishby has provided an excellent introduction . . . Every library of any size and quality should add this work to its collection.’- S. P. Katz, Choice‘In many ways the crowning achievement of the Littman Library.’- Samuel H. Dresner, Conservative Judaism‘An indispensable guide . . . stylishly and accurately translated . . . The bewildering diversity of the Zoharic literature is made manageable by the arrangement of the most important passages as an anthology under subject headings, while the lucid notes and introductions to each section by Isaiah Tishby throw light on even the most obscure passages.’- Hyam Maccoby, European Judaism‘An elegant English translation . . . [Tishby’s] work on Jewish mysticism opened up new paths and helped to establish it as a focus of scholarship.’- Hyam Maccoby, The Independent (from his obituary of Tishby)‘This superb addition to the Littman Library of Jewish Civilization comes already garlanded with awards . . . These three volumes deserve, and demand, serious and committed study, equal to the enormous dedication and devotion that went into their production. We must be grateful to all concerned in opening this mysterious Jewish world to a wider audience.’- Jonathan Magonet, Jewish Chronicle‘Makes possible, for the English-speaking reader, the study of a broad selection of texts from the Zohar thematically arranged and set in the context of a systematic exploration of their conceptual background. It is a work greatly to be welcomed . . . there has long been a need for such a work. . . . We should be grateful to David Goldstein for his decade of labour of love and to Louis Littman and the Littman Library for having the courage and commitment to support such a task . . . each passage is well-footnoted, the great achievement of this project being to provide a guide for the uninitiated to the rich symbolism and metaphoric reference of the text . . . There is something immensely rich and fertile about the text and texture of the work which has always been of broad appeal. . . . David Goldstein’s translation reads beautifully. Fortunately, he has added additional explanations, when necessary, to the notes . . . There can be no doubt that The Wisdom of the Zohar affords the English-speaking reader a far deeper entry into the subject than was previously available. . . . This translation . . . must place him among the best translators of our time . . . The Wisdom of the Zohar is therefore evidence that [Louis Littman’s] vision of a Library of Jewish Civilization of a standard of excellence will not be forsaken.’- Jonathan Wittenberg, Jewish Quarterly‘For over thirty years, Isaiah Tishby’s study of the Zohar has been hailed as a classic, a landmark in modern Hebrew letters. Beautifully written and deeply learned, it has opened the recondite world of the Zohar to more than a generation of Hebrew readers. Thus, the appearance of the long-awaited English translation is a cause for celebration . . . its mysterious power remains largely intact . . . The Zohar . . . is the richest, most imaginative work in the annals of Jewish mysticism . . . Tishby’s selection of primary sources is exemplary, and the commentaries to them, lucid . . . the unusually fine, exacting translation . . . the English reader remains in Goldstein’s debt. Excellent indices have been provided, as well as an updated bibliography. . . . essential reading for anyone seeking to plumb critically the depths of the Jewish mystical tradition . . . this is a classic about a classic.’- Elliott Ginsburg, Journal of Religion‘Its three-volume English translation now, for the first time, puts the Zohar truly at the disposal of students coming from other disciplines concerned with religious mysticism who appreciate the importance of treating the Jewish material seriously. . . . it is a monumental achievement . . . Goldstein’s sensitive English version is a great convenience . . . the service to scholarship of the Littman Library in making it available.’- Raphael Loewe, L’Eylah‘La Littman Library of Jewish Civilization ajoute à sa panoplie d’études juives un des classiques des recherches modernes sur la mystique . . . sera . . . un élément indispensable à la bibliographie de tout étudiant de la mystique . . . la tradition anglaise, aussi érudite qu’élégante . . . cette série prestigieuse.’- Paul Fenton, Revue des Études Juives‘An essential aid for understanding the text of the Zohar, and Goldstein, the Littman Library . . . have done us a great service in making it available in English translation . . . any library which claims to cover Judaism and mysticism will have to have a copy of this book.’- A. P. HaymanTable of ContentsVOLUME I Special Preface to the Translator's Introduction Translator's Introduction Preface to Hebrew Volume I, First Edition Preface to Hebrew Volume II GENERAL INTRODUCTION I The Structure and Literary Form of the Zohar The Various Sections * The Characteristics of the Zohar * The Narrative Framework II The Publication and Influence of the Zohar The Testimony of Rabbi Isaac of Acre * Verification of the Evidence * The Sanctity of the Zohar III The History of Zohar Scholarship Early Criticism * Christian Kabbalah and Rabbi Judah Aryeh Modena * The Sabbatean Movement and Rabbi Jacob Emden * Zohar Scholarship in the Enlightenment Period * Later Studies of the Zohar IV Zohar Criticism Indecisive Arguments * The Foundations of Zohar Criticism * Evidence for the Antiquity of the Zohar V Various Solutions Later Redaction * Composition over a Long Period of Time * Composition in the Thirteenth Century * Unresolved Questions VI Printed Editions, Manuscripts, Translations, and Commentaries Printed Editions of the Zohar * Zohar Manuscripts * Translations of the Zohar * Zohar Commentaries PRELIMINARIES: EVENTS AND PERSONALITIES 1 The Greatness of Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai 2 The Teaching of Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai 3 The Angel of Death Put to Flight 4 Miracles: The Plantation of Rabbi Pinhas ben Yair 5 The Righteous Man of his Time: Annulling the Decrees I 6 The Righteous Man of his Time: Annulling the Decrees II 7 Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai and his Generation I 8 Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai and his Generation II 9 Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai and his Generation III 10 Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai and Rabbi Eleazar in the Cave 11 The Emergence from the Cave 12 The Entry into the Great Assembly 13 The Exit from the Great Assembly 14 The Illness of Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai 15 Revelation of Mysteries before his Departure 16 The Departure of Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai 17 After the Death of Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai 18 In the Celestial Academy 19 Rav Hamnuna Sava 20 The Old Man of Mishpatim 21 The Child 22 Rabbi Eliezer the Great PART I THE GODHEAD Section I En-Sof and the World of Emanation Introduction The Mystery of the Godhead * En-Sof and the Order of the Sefirot * Dualism and Unity * En-Sof and Keter * En-Sof in the Raya Mehemna and the Tikkunei ha-Zohar 1 En-Sof and Ayin (Nothing) 2 Cause above All Causes 3 En-Sof beyond All Perception 4 The Conduct of the World through the Sefirot 5 Soul and Body 6 Essence and Vessels 7 Acts of En-Sof Section II Sefirot Introduction The Nature and Function of the Sefirot * The Process of Emanation * The Paths of Symbolism * An Array of Symbols 1 The Process of Emanation 2 The Chain of the Sefirot 3 Straight Line 4 The Unification of the Sefirot through the Mystery of the Light of the Lamp 5 Colours and Light 6 The Lights of Thought 7 Thought, Voice, and Speech I 8 Thought, Voice, and Speech II 9 Thought and Understanding 10 Gates 11 Mi-Eleh-Elohim 12 The Death of the Kings 13 Atika Kadisha and Ze'ir Anpin 14 The White Head and the Strong Skull 15 The Countenance of the King 16 Father and Mother, Son and Daughter 17 The Letter Yod 18 The Letters Yod, He, Vav 19 Names of God 20 Patriarchs 21 Firmaments 22 Firmaments, Streams, and Sea 23 The Streets of the River 24 The Jubilee and the Year of Release 25 The Hills of the World 26 The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge I 27 The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge II 28 The Written Torah and the Oral Torah 29 Heaven and Earth, Day and Night 30 Zion and Jerusalem 31 The Holy One, Blessed be He, and the Assembly of Israel 32 The Arousal of Love 33 The Mystery of the Kiss 34 Intercourse 35 Love and Jealousy Section III Shekhinah Introduction The Character and Situation of the Shekhinah * Cutting and Separation * The Attribute of Judgment and its Relationship to 'the Other Side' * The Mother of the World and the Assembly of Israel * The Exile of the Shekhinah 1 The House of the World 2 A Lily 3 A Rose and a Lily 4 A Well 5 A Hind 6 A Woman of Worth 7 Zedek (Righteousness) 8 The Agent of the Holy One, Blessed be He 9 Gate 10 The Door of the Tent 11 A Continual Burnt-Offering 12 Moon 13 The Diminution of the Moon 14 The Shape of the Moon 15 States of the Moon 16 The Destruction of the Temple 17 The Casting-down of the Shekhinah 18 The Dismissal of the Queen 19 The Mourning of the Holy One, Blessed be He, and the Angels 20 Separation 21 In Exile 22 Longing 23 The Shekhinah, Above and Below 24 In the Land of Israel and outside the Land 25 The Darkened Light 26 Joy and Sorrow 27 Surety 28 In the Street of the Tanners Section IV Influence and Direction Introduction Dynamic Direction * The Tension and Balancing of Opposites 1 Influence from Atika Kadisha 2 The Upper Mother and the Lower Mother 3 Feeding the Upper and the Lower Worlds 4 Blessing 5 Righteousness 6 Watering 7 The Eyes of the Lord 8 Direction on Weekdays and on the Sabbath 9 Acceptable Time 10 Atonement for Sin 11 The Presence of God in the Worlds 12 The Concealed Light 13 The Primal Light 14 The Renewal of the Work of Creation VOLUME II PART II THE OTHER SIDE Section I The Forces of Uncleanness Introduction Good and Evil * The Dualistic Tendency * Restrictions on Dualism * The Emergence of Evil * The Domain of Husks * Mythological Images 1 The Array of Powers 2 The Sefirot of Uncleanness 3 Seven Breaths 4 Pharaoh's Dreams 5 Tohu and Bohu (Waste and Void) 6 Red and Black 7 Light and Darkness 8 Four Husks 9 Shells and Kingdoms 10 The Shells of the Nut 11 Kernel and Shell 12 The Precedence of the Shell 13 The Rule of the Shells 14 Death and the Shadow of Death 15 Snake 16 Monster 17 Monsters 18 The Ox, the Ass, and the Dog Section II The Activity of 'the Other Side' Introduction 1 The Seduction of the Snake in the Upper Worlds 2 The Four Primary Causes of Injury 3 The Infertility of 'the Other Side' 4 Repulsing 'the Other Side' 5 Accusation 6 Appeasing 'the Other Side' I 7 Appeasing 'the Other Side' II 8 Preliminaries to Action 9 Night 10 The Crevice of the Great Deep 11 Deceiving the Sinners 12 Good Days and Evil Days Section III Demons and Spirits Introduction 1 The Desert 2 The Yemim in the Desert 3 Blemished Creatures I 4 Blemished Creatures II 5 Samael and Lilith 6 Lilith in the Cities of the Sea 7 Lilith, the Infant-slayer 8 Naamah, Mother of Demons 9 Naamah and Lilith 10 The Spirit of Uncleanness 11 The Arousal of the Spirit of Uncleanness 12 The Rout of the Demons PART III CREATION Section I The Account of Creation Introduction The Process of Creation * The System of the Worlds 1 Forty-two Letters 2 The Letters of the Alphabet 3 Fire, Water, and Spirit 4 The Design of the Worlds 5 The Upper World and the Lower World 6 The Pillars of the World 7 The Foundation Stone I 8 The Foundation Stone II 9 Creatio ex Nihilo 10 Potentiality and Actuality 11 Different Kinds 12 Heaven and Earth I 13 Heaven and Earth II 14 Heaven and Earth III 15 Lights 16 Conflict and Division 17 Upper and Lower Worlds 18 Sea and Dry Land 19 The Completion of Creation 20 The Hidden Light 21 The Chain of the Generations Section II The Account of the Chariot Introduction 1 The Halls 2 The Throne of Glory 3 The Angels that Bear the Throne 4 The Creatures of the Chariot 5 Creatures and Wheels 6 Hashmal I 7 Hashmal II 8 Four Rivers Section III Angels Introduction The Role of the Angels * Metatron and the Nefilim 1 The Nature of the Angels 2 The Creation and Destruction of the Angels 3 The Melody of the Cherubim's Wings 4 The Song of the Angels I 5 The Song of the Angels II 6 The Song of the Angels III 7 Messengers I 8 Messengers II 9 Metatron 10 The Tabernacle of Metatron 11 Four Angels 12 Michael and Gabriel 13 Uriel 14 Boel 15 Uzza and Azael Section IV The Natural World Introduction 1 Firmaments and Lands 2 Deeps 3 The Sun I 4 The Sun II 5 The Song of the Stars 6 The Stars and the Control of the World 7 The Activity of the Stars 8 The Seven Planets 9 The Comet 10 The Snake in the Firmament 11 The Rainbow 12 The Sea's Pride 13 Evening and Morning 14 Morning 15 The Hind of the Dawn 16 Trees and Herbs 17 The Mystery of the Echo PART IV THE DOCTRINE OF MAN Section I The Three Souls Introduction The Nature and Status of Man * The Tripartite Soul * The Origin of the Different Parts of the Soul * The Preexistence of the Soul * The Theory of the Soul in Midrash ha-Ne'elam 1 The Storehouse of Souls 2 Neshamah and Nefesh Hayyah 3 The Parts of the Soul and their Function 4 The Unity of Neshamah, Ruah, and Nefesh 5 Neshamah, Ruah, and Nefesh and their Different Levels 6 The Three Parts of the Soul as a Model of the Upper Glory 7 The Birth of the Souls 8 The Life of the Souls in the Upper World 9 The Form of the Souls 10 The Soul's Oath 11 The Descent of the Spirit into the Body from the Garden of Eden 12 The Purpose of the Soul's Descent Section II Body and Soul Introduction The Descent of the Soul * Blemished Souls * Body and Soul and Man's Inclinations * The Theory of the Image 1 The Elements in Man 2 The Origin of the Soul and the Origin of the Body 3 The Movement of the Body through the Power of the Soul 4 The Light of the Soul in the Body 5 Man's Likeness 6 The Images of Man 7 The Liver and the Heart 8 The Brain, the Heart, and the Liver 9 The Structure of the Human Body 10 The Good Inclination and the Evil Inclination 11 The Soul, the Body, and the Evil Inclination 12 The Power of Desire 13 The Wiles of the Evil Inclination 14 The Evil Inclination as God's Agent Section III Sleep and Dreams Introduction 1 Sleep, a Sixtieth Part of Death 2 Entrusting the Soul to the Tree of Death 3 The Ascent of the Soul during Sleep 4 The Soul is Judged during Sleep 5 The Dreams of the Wicked and the Dreams of the Righteous 6 Good and Evil in Dreams 7 Dream and Prophecy 8 The Song of the Souls at Night 9 The Renewal of the Soul in the Morning Section IV Death Introduction 1 This World: the Twinkling of an Eye 2 Remembering the Day of Death 3 Thirty Days before Death 4 Illness and Death 5 There is no Death without Sin 6 The Soul Renders Account at the Time of Death 7 The Departure of the Soul 8 Covering the Eyes of the Dead 9 The Prohibition of Delaying the Burial 10 Death at an Early Age 11 The Death of the Righteous and the Death of the Wicked 12 Death in the Holy Land and Death outside the Holy Land 13 The Spirits of the Dead VOLUME III PART V SACRED WORSHIP Section I The Tabernacle and the Temple Introduction The Mysteries of the Tabernacle and the Temple * The Mystery of the Sacrifices * Sitra Ahra's Share of the Sacrifices * Offerings as Symbols 1 The Building of the Tabernacle 2 The Tabernacle and the Temple 3 The Table and the Showbread 4 The Breastplate and the Ephod 5 The Effect of the Gold Plate 6 The Ritual Performed by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement 7 The Whole-offering 8 Sacrifices and Libations 9 Red and White in Sacrificial Offerings 10 The Altar-fire Destroys Evil 11 Incense 12 Priests Are Prohibited from Drinking Wine 13 The Priests, The Levites, and Israel Section II Prayer and Devotion Introduction 'Worship in the Heart' before the Zohar * The Zohar's Understanding of 'Worship in the Heart' * The Mystical Significance of the Statutory Prayers * Fear of God, Love of God, and Communion 1 The Synagogue 2 The Quorum of Ten: Minyan 3 Morning and Afternoon Prayer 4 The Mystery of Unification through the Recital of the Shema 5 The Eighteen Benedictions 6 The Kedushah 7 Prostration 8 The Reading of the Torah 9 Confession 10 Prayer and Sacrifice 11 Praying Silently 12 From the Depths 13 The Cry of the Heart 14 The Prayer of the Poor 15 The Value of Kavvanah in Prayer 16 The Ascent of the Shekhinah through Prayer 17 The Activity of Prayer and its Reward 18 The Knowledge of God 19 Fear and Love 20 Fear and Joy 21 Gladness and Sorrow 22 Cleaving with Love 23 Servants and Sons Section III Torah Introduction Literal and Hidden Meanings in the Torah * Attitudes toward the Torah in the Raya Mehemna and the Tikkunei ha-Zohar 1 The Torah Sustains the World 2 The Narratives of the Torah 3 The Bodies of the Torah, and the Soul of the Torah 4 Original Interpretations of Torah 5 The Level of Mystical Knowledge 6 Halakhic Studies 7 Studying Torah at Midnight 8 The Study of Torah for its Own Sake 9 Sin Does Not Extinguish Torah 10 Those Who Support the Torah 11 The Scholars and the Unlearned Section IV Commandments: Positive and Introduction 1 The Ten Commandments 2 The Covenant of Circumcision 3 The Observance of Circumcision 4 Zizit 5 Tefillin 6 Mezuzah 7 Charity 8 Oaths and Vows 9 The Taking of God's Name in Vain 10 Forbidden Sexual Relations 11 Driving Away the Shekhinah 12 Mixed Kinds 13 Forbidden Foods 14 Gentile Wine 15 The Value of Deeds Section V Sabbath and Festivals Introduction The Sabbath * The Festivals 1 Importance of the Sabbath 2 Welcoming the Sabbath 3 Sabbath Delight 4 The Sabbath Meals 5 The Additional Soul 6 Havdalah at the Close of the Sabbath 7 The New Year 8 The Day of Atonement 9 Receiving Guests in the Sukkah 10 The Four Species 11 The Passover 12 Narrating the Exodus from Egypt 13 Tikkun Leyl Shavuot 14 Festival Joy and Sabbath Joy 15 Sharing Festival Joy with the Poor PART VI PRACTICAL LIFE Section I Morality Introduction 1 Humility 2 The Modesty of Jewish Women 3 Trust 4 Repaying Evil with Good 5 Hospitality 6 Pride 7 The Arrogance of Rulers 8 Anger 9 Evil Speech 10 Miserliness 11 Drunkenness 12 Wisdom and Folly 13 Delivering a Rebuke Section II Conjugal Life Introduction 1 Male and Female Souls 2 The Commandment of Procreation 3 Assuring One's Livelihood before Marriage 4 The Good Woman and the Evil Woman 5 Conjugal Manners 6 Sexual Intercourse by the Sages on Sabbath Eve 7 The Sanctification of Intercourse 8 Intercourse of the Righteous with the Shekhinah 9 Alien Thoughts during Intercourse 10 Attracting a Soul from Sitra Ahra 11 The Merit of Having Virtuous Children Section III The Righteous and the Wicked Introduction The Terms Zaddik and Rasha before the Zohar * The Righteous and the Wicked in the Main Body of the Zohar * The Righteous and the Wicked in the Raya Mehemna and the Tikkunei ha-Zohar 1 The Righteous, the Wicked, and the Intermediate 2 The Mixed Multitude 3 The Sins of the Rich and the Sins of the Poor 4 The Sins of the Wicked and the Sins of the Righteous 5 Marks of Sin on the Face 6 Defending the Wicked 7 Testing the Righteous and Bearing with the Wicked 8 This World Is for the Wicked, and the Next World is for the Righteous 9 The Element of Fear in the Trust of the Righteous 10 The Suffering of the Righteous 11 The Righteous Suffer to Atone for the Sins of the World 12 The Righteous Die because of the Sins of their Generation Section IV Repentance Introduction 1 The Power of Repentance 2 Repentance through Tears 3 Fasting and Tears 4 Atonement for Sin through Repentance 5 Repairing Damage through Repentance 6 Escaping from Punishment by Repentance 7 Repentance at the Hour of Death 8 The Exalted Status of the Penitent Sinner Bibliography of Works Cited Select Additional Bibliography of Other Works Select Glossary Index of References to the Zohar Index of Scriptural References Index to the Anthology Texts

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