Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts Books

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Book SynopsisIn Scriptural Interpretation, Sarisky brilliantly draws together Patristic Theology and a theological interpretation of Scripture in the modern day, to examine Scripture's central place in the life of the Church and ordinary believers. Examines the importance of scriptural interpretation in the life of Christians and of the church Draws together two lively discussions: a study of the theology of the Cappadocian fathers, and a discussion of theological interpretation of Scripture in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries Covers an impressive historical range, from Basil of Caesarea right up to the work of the major contemporary thinkers, Stanley Hauerwas and Rowan Williams Offers a sophisticated understanding of many Patristic thinkers an area of huge current interest in the field and challenges accepted readings of the theology of Basil of Caesarea Trade ReviewHappily, we are well served by Sarisky's excellent compilation of Modern Readings Each reading has a good editorial introduction, in which Sarisky helpfully contextualizes the writer and the chosen extract. He also poses some questions to consider in the course of reading. - Walter Moberly, Reviews in Religion and Theology, 2 April 2017.Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments ix Editions and Translations xii Abbreviations xv Introduction 1 Part I: Basil of Caesarea 6 Part II: Contemporary and Constructive Theology 27 Summary of the Argument 33 Part I Basil of Caesarea 35 1 The Reader – A Little Lower than the Angels 37 Angels: Perfect upon Creation 38 Humanity: Perfected over Time 42 2 The Text – Scriptural Paideia 71 Anthropological Context 72 Revelation 74 Theological Account of Scripture 77 The Utility of Scripture 85 3 Reading – Eschatological Interpretation 90 Theological Analysis of Reading 92 The End of Reading 104 4 Ecclesial Setting – Exegesis and Ecclesial Dogma 111 A Concise History of Reception for De Spiritu Sancto 27 113 Background to De Spiritu Sancto: The Notion of Craft 114 A Reading of De Spiritu Sancto 27 117 Conclusion to Part I: Basil’s Theological Account of Scriptural Interpretation 129 Part II Contemporary and Constructive Theology 133 Introduction to Part II: The Contemporary Debate 135 5 The Reader – Restoring a Sense of the End 140 The Critique of Modernity 141 Narrative and Human Nature 145 6 The Text – Scripture in the Flow of Time 159 Revelation and Generativity 161 A Text in Time 162 7 Reading – Interpretation and the Time of Learning 173 Reading as Shaped by Models of Scripture 174 The Contour of the Time of Learning 176 8 Ecclesial Setting – Practices Performed in Community 184 The Ecclesial Framework 187 Interpretation Situated in a Web of Practices 189 9 A Constructive Account of Scriptural Interpretation 201 Reader 205 Text 212 Reading 217 Ecclesial Setting 224 Conclusion 234 Bibliography 245 Index 265

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Book SynopsisThis new work clarifies Aquinas' concept of natural law through his biblical commentaries, and explores its applications to U.S. constitutional law. The first time the use of Aquinas on the U.S. Supreme Court has been explored in depth, and its applications tested through a rigorous reading of the biblical commentaries Shows how key judgments in the Supreme Court have rested on medieval natural law, and applies critical gender theory to discuss problems with these applications Offers new research data to give a different picture of Aquinas and natural law, and a fresh take on Aquinas' biblical commentaries New research based on passages in the biblical commentaries never before available in English Trade Review"It is essential reading for any theologian engaging with Aquinas’s ethics and for any lawyer who wants to reflect on their calling after Aquinas." (Studies in Christian Ethics, 1 November 2015) “A “must” for the theological-college library, this is not a book that can be ignored by anyone interested in this fascinating and deeply influential Dominican.” (Church Times, 17 January 2014) “This book will be particularly useful for graduate students in philosophy and theology. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and graduate students.” (Choice, 1 November 2013)Table of ContentsAcknowledgments xi Bibliographic Note xiv List of Abbreviations xvii 1 Aquinas on the Supreme Court – and on the Bible, or How to Read This Book 1 Part I Aquinas on the Failure of Natural Law 23 2 What Aquinas Thinks We Cannot Know 25 3 How God Moves Creatures: For and Against Natural Law 63 4 How Aquinas Reads Scripture 97 5 How the Law of Nature Is a Character in Decline 118 6 How the Narrative Sexualizes Nature’s Decline 147 Part II Aquinas on the Redemption of Natural Law 177 7 How Aquinas Gets Nature and Grace Back Together Again: Aquinas Meets Karl Barth 179 8 How Faith and Reason Follow Glory 215 9 How Aquinas Makes Nature Dynamic All the Way Down: Aquinas Meets Judith Butler 232 10 How the Spirit Moves the Law 247 11 How Natural Science Becomes a Form of Prayer 265 12 How the Semen of the Spirit Genders the Gentiles: Rereading Romans 289 Conclusion: Questions Answered and Unanswered 298 Subject Index 305 Index of Thomistic Citations 313

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Book SynopsisWritten by a leading authority on Chinese philosophy, Decoding Dao uniquely focuses on the core texts in Daoist philosophy, providing readers with a user-friendly introduction that unravels the complexities of these seminal volumes. Offers a detailed introduction to the core texts in Daoist philosophy, the Dao De Jing and the Zhuangzi, two of the most widely read and most challenging texts in China's long literary history Covers the three main ways the texts can be read: as religious, mystical, and philosophical works Explores their historical context, origins, authorship, and the reasons these seminal texts came into being, along with the key terms and approaches they take Examines the core philosophical arguments made in the texts, as well as the many ways in which they have been interpreted, both in China itself and in the West Provides readers with anunrivalled insight into the multifaceted philosophy of DaoTable of ContentsBook Notes x Chronology xi Section One: The Context Chapter One The Social and Political Background— Confucianism—Mozi and Mohism (Moe-ds) and (Moe-ism)—Yang Zhu and Shen Dao (Ya-ahng, Jew)— Language and Logicians—Trends During the Warring States Era—Cultural Heroes and Concepts—Summary 3 Section Two: Authors and Texts Chapter Two The Dao De Jing—Why Does the Dao De Jing/Tao Te Ching/Laozi/Lao Tzu Have So Many Names?— Dao De Jing, The Author—Dao De Jing, the Text—The Dao De Jing, the Style of the Text—The Dao De Jing in the West— The Zhuangzi, the Author—The Zhuangzi, the Text—The Zhuangzi, the Style of the Text—The Zhuangzi in the West—Issues in Translation—Summary 27 Chapter Three The Dao? A Dao? Dao? daos? dao?—Images: 49 Water, Women, Baby, Root, and Others—What Is the Problem?—Conventional Values: Pairs of Opposites— Being and Non-Being—Summary Chapter Four Illogical Statements?—Decoding—Not Acting, Not Knowing, Not Desiring—Ziran, Self-So, Natural, Spontaneous—Language—Morality—Summary 70 Chapter Five War—Government, Society, and the Sage- Ruler—The Golden Age—Advice for Would-Be Sages—Losing dao—Summary 90 Chapter Six What Is the Problem?—Anti-Confucians— Anti-Mohists—Being Useless—Point of View—This and That—Knowing How—Knowing What—Summary 111 Chapter Seven Language: Convention and Culture—This/ That, True/False—Language Is OK, Up to a Point— How to Use Language—Clarity—Death— Transformation—Survival of Consciousness and an Afterlife—Immortality—Dao—Summary 132 Chapter Eight Public Life—The Golden Age—What Should We Do?—Mirror—Forgetting—Mind/Heart Fasting—Perfected People—The Relationship of the Dao De Jing and the Zhuangzi—Summary 156 Section Three: Developing Dao Chapter Nine The School of Zhuangzi and Followers of the Dao De Jing—The Han Feizi—The Guanzi—Huang- Lao—The Huainanzi—The Liezi—The Han Dynasty and Beyond—Summary 179 Chapter Ten Organized Daoism—The Search for Immortality—Organized Groups—The Cult of Laozi— Modern Organized Daoism—The Mystical Reading— The Philosophical Reading—Modern Daoism—Dao Lite—A Lao-Zhuang Daoist—What Is Daoism and Other Problems 202 Glossary of Technical Terms 232 Glossary of Pronunciation 235 Further Reading 237 Bibliography 239 Index 252

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Book SynopsisWhat Can You Do When Life Doesn’t Turn Out Like You Planned? How do you respond when your husband or wife tramples your emotions?  When your boss fires you unexpectedly?  When you lose your life’s savings?  When the child you’ve loved and prayed for turns his back on you and your values?   When disappointments like these smash their way into your life, you may want to scream, “How could God let this happen?” But what if God didn’t just “let it happen”?  What if the things you call disappointments are really His appointments—events He is using to make you more like Christ?  What if your circumstances are actually the flames of His grace, intended to melt and burn away the undesirable elements in your life, leaving you pure and radiant—like refined silver? You can be defeated by life’s unavoidable disappointments, or y

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Book SynopsisPresents simple retellings of a dozen familiar Old and New Testament stories.

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Book SynopsisThe New Spirit-Filled Life Bible offers a fresh look at the Scriptures and the work of the Holy Spirit. This Bible addresses important issues of Spirit-filled living in the context of solid biblical scholarship.

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Book SynopsisThis accessible and enlightening history provides insights into the fascinating genre of apocalyptic literature, showing how the apocalypse encompasses far more than popular views of the last judgment and violent end of the world might suggest. An accessible and enlightening history of the apocalypses--ancient Jewish and Christian works -- providing fresh insights into the fascinating genre of literature Shows how the apocalypses were concerned not only with popular views of the last judgment and violent end of the world, but with reward and punishment after death, the heavenly temple, and the revelation of astronomical phenomena and other secrets of nature Traces the tradition of apocalyptic writing through the Middle Ages, through to the modern era, when social movements still prophesise the world's imminent demise Trade Review"This is certainly a valuable addition. We look forward to those which are yet to come." (Theological Book Review, 2010) Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Chronology 1. Revelation in the Age of the Torah 2. The Book of the Watchers and Ascent to Heaven 3. The Book of Daniel and the Kingdom of the Holy Ones 4. The Heavenly Messiah 5. The Heavenly Temple, the Fate of Souls after Death, and Cosmology 6. Tours of Paradise and Hell and the Hekhalot Texts 7. Eschatology in the Byzantine Empire 8. Apocalyptic Movements in the Modern Era Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisDrawing on scholarly insights and a comprehensive array of texts from the entirety of Christian tradition, The Pastoral Epistles Through the Centuries explores the rich legacy of the Pastorals as it has unfolded over the centuries. Explores the important role of the New Testament letters to Timothy and Titus, known collectively as the Pastoral Epistles, in the development of early Christianity Surveys the many theological, cultural, literary, political, and artistic uses of the Pastorals, and the broader influence these letters have had throughout the ages Considers the Pastorals' complex influence on issues such as church structure and rites, the roles of women in Christian religious life, the authority of scripture, and the development of monastic orders Examines the many ways in which language and concepts from the Pastoral Epistles (such as fight the good fight and the root of all evils) have filtered into our cultural vernacular Trade Review"It is hard to represent the wealth of material contained in each of these two volumes. Both for the seasoned scholar and the preacher looking for fresh inspiration there is much to challenge and enliven the understanding of the biblical texts. These are two superb volumes." (The Expository Times, 2011) "This is a fine addition to the Blackwell Bible Commentary series . . . Twomey has given us an excellent commentary, lucid and elegantly written, further enriched by inclusion of interpreters from his own field of English literature: Chaucer, Charlotte Bronte, Thomas Hardy and Jeanette Winterson. " (Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2011) "Overall this is an excellent guide to the very significant and varied reception history of the Pastoral Epistles. The volume testifies to the role the Pastorals have had in shaping the church and at times wider culture too, and makes accessible in one volume the evidence for this highly significant role." (JTS, 9 April 2011) "The Blackwell Bible Commentaries are a rare and valuable treasury of information, and Jay Twomey's volume on the Pastoral Epistles is a fine addition to this series. From Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, and the Wesleys to Mary Astell, Amiri Baraka, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Jeanette Winterson (among a great many others), these biblical writings have been developed, transformed, and opposed in many ways and for many purposes. Twomey's survey further delineates the enduring power of the biblical canon to both stimulate and control "a steadily continuing history of complex and contradictory readings." George Aichele, Adrian College (retired) “Jay Twomey straddles the fields of biblical studies and literary studies with enviable ease. He is familiar with the history of biblical interpretation, both critical and pre-critical, but that is only the beginning. In addition to the more usual ecclesiastical and theological suspects, he is able to adduce a wonderfully diverse range of literary authors, over several centuries, who cite the Pastoral Epistles or allude to them, which imparts a rare richness to his reception history.” Stephen D. Moore, Drew University “A rich feast to suit every palate. Commentators from deep in the past stand side by side with those who trouble the texts in the present, especially feminist, queer and cultural counter-readings. In Twomey's hands the Pastoral Epistles emerge as sites of tension and struggle; in other words, they come to life and engage. A real bonus is Twomey's ability to write well. It is a lucid, finely written text that draws the reader in.” Roland Boer, Monash University Table of ContentsSeries Editors’ Preface. Introduction. Historical Overview. The Interpretations. Areas of Interpretive Interest. . The Commentary. 1 Timothy 1. The Salutation (1:1-2; 2 Tim 1-2; Titus 1:1-4). The Opponents: Speculators (1:3-7; 4:1-5, 7; Titus 3:9). The Opponents: On The Law (1:8-11). ‘Paul’ (1:12-17; Titus 3:3-4). The Opponents: Excommunication (1:18-20; 2 Tim 2:17; 4:14-15). 1 Timothy 2. The Church: Politics (2:1-2; Titus 3:1). Theological Speculation: Christ as Mediator (2:4-6). Women: Silence in The Church (2:8-14). 1 Timothy 3. The Church: Bishops and Deacons (3:1-13; 5:1, 17; Titus 1:5-9). Theological Speculation: The Mystery (3:14-16). 1 Timothy 4. The Opponents: End Times (4:1-10; 2 Tim 3:1). 1 Timothy 5. Women: Widows (5:1-10). The Church: Elders (5:17-22; Titus 1:5). Timothy (5:23-25). 1 Timothy 6. The Church: Slaves (6:1-2; Titus 2:9). The Church: Wealthy Christians (6:6-10, 17-19). Theological Speculation: God’s Dwelling and Being (6:12-16; 1 Tim 1:17). The Opponents: Dissent (6:2b-5, 20). 2 Timothy 1. The Thanksgiving (1:3-7). Timothy: Ordination (1:6-8; 1 Tim 1:18, 4:14-15). Theological Speculation: God’s Plan (1:9-10; 4:1, 8; 1 Tim 6:14; Titus 1:2; 3:4-5). ‘Paul’ (1:13-18; 4:11, 19). 2 Timothy 2. The Church: Pauline Succession (2:1-2). The Church: Christian Soldiers (2:3-7). ‘Paul’: The Gospel (2:8-10). Theological Speculation: Divine Consistency (2:11-13; Titus 1:2). The Opponents (2:14-18). The Church: A Large House (2:19-26). 2 Timothy 3. The Opponents: Home Breakers (3:1-9). ‘Paul’: Suffering (3:10-13). The Church: Scripture (2:14-17). 2 Timothy 4. The Opponents: Entertaining Teachers (4:1-4). ‘Paul’: The Good Fighter (4:6-8; cf. 1 Tim 1:18; 6:12; 2 Tim 2:5). Conclusion and Greetings (4:9-22). Titus 1. The Salutation (1:1-4; 2 Tim 1:9). The Opponents: Cretan Liars (1:9-16). Titus 2. The Church: A Household Code (2:2-10). Theological Speculation: Christ the God (2:11-14). Titus 3. The Church: Baptism (3:1-11). The Opponents: And Also Some Friends (3:10-11, 13). . Conclusion. Brief Biographies. Bibliography. Name Index. Subject Index

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Book SynopsisExploring Postcolonial Biblical Criticism: History, Method, Practice offers a concise and multifaceted overview of the origins, development, and application of postcolonial criticism to biblical studies.? Offers a concise and accessible introduction to postcolonial biblical studies Provides a comprehensive overview of postcolonial studies by one of the field''s most prominent figures Explains one of the most innovative and important developments in modern biblical studies Accessible enough to appeal to general readers interested in religion Trade Review“This book is brilliantly presented with appropriate biblical texts and hermeneutical insights.” (Theology, 1 May 2012) "The book is written by the foremost scholar in this discipline, with an added chapter by, presumably, one of his students to reinforce the point." (Church Times, 21 October 2011)Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Introduction 1 1 Postcolonialism: Hermeneutical Journey through a Contentious Discourse 7 2 The Late Arrival of the “Post”: Postcolonialism and Biblical Studies 31 3 Postcolonial Biblical Studies in Action: Origins and Trajectories 57 Ralph Broadbent 4 Enduring Orientalism: Biblical Studies and the Repackaging of Colonial Practice 94 5 Postcolonial Moments: Decentering of the Bible and Christianity 123 6 The Empire Exegetes Back: Postcolonial Reading Practices 142 7 Afterword: Postcolonial Biblical Criticism: The Unfinished Journey 176 References 188 Index of Scriptural References 201 Index of Names and Subjects 204

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Book SynopsisWhat is the future for the Bible, one of the most important books in the world? In this manifesto, Roland Boer explores the idea that the Bible is an unruly and uncontrollable text that has been colonized by church, synagogue, and state.Trade Review"This is a welcome addition to Blackwell's new Manifestos series." (Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, June 2009) "Rescuing the Bible is deeply thoughtful and provocative, and it deserves to be widely read and discussed by both scholars and layfolk, believers and nonbelievers, on the left and the right.” (Biblical Interpretation, April 2010) "There is an important focus here on how the bible can be read with an appropriate theological suspicion which will seek to discern how it can become life-giving while not ignoring its oppressive potential." (European Journal of Theology, April 2009)Table of ContentsPreface. Introduction. 1. The New Secularism. 2. The Worldly Left: Towards a Politics of Alliance. 3. Bad Conscience: Battles Over the Bible. 4. (Ab)using the Text: Conflicts in Politics and Science. 5. Making All Things New: The Revolutionary Legacy of the Bible. 6. Rescuing the Bible. Conclusion. Notes. References. Index of Subjects. Index of Biblical References

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Book SynopsisIn De-Introducing the New Testament, the authors argue for a renewed commitment to the defamiliarizing power of New Testament studies and a reclaiming of the discipline as one that exemplifies the best practices of the humanities. A new approach that asks us to defamiliarize' what we think we know about the New Testament, articulating themes and questions about its study that encourage further reflection and engagement Looks behind the traditional ways in which the NT is introduced to critically engage the conceptual framework of the field as a whole Provides a critical intervention into several methodological impasses in contemporary NT scholarship Offers an appraisal of the relationship between economics and culture in the production of NT scholarship Written in a style that is clear and concise, ideal for student readership Trade ReviewLopez, associate professor of religious studies at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg FL, suggest that part of the radical potential of de-introducing the NT lies in the refusal to give up on history, and historical criticism, while continuing to think through methodological questions and issues in the discipline (New Testament Abstracts 2016)Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ix (De-)Introduction 1 Seeing Old Stones Anew 1 Introducing the New Testament as Introducing Traditional New Testament Scholarship 4 Introducing Criticisms of Traditional New Testament Scholarship 9 Introducing De-Introducing the New Testament 17 1 The Order of New Testament Things: Questioning Methods and Meanings 25 The Bone-Box of James, “the Brother of Jesus” 25 Ways of Knowing a Subject of Study 31 Ordering Principles in the Study of the New Testament 35 Ways of Knowing New Testament “Things” 62 2 Foregrounding New Testament Backgrounds: Contextualizing Interpretation 71 Jew” or “Judean”? The Present Confronts the Past 71 Introducing the New Testament: Making Meaning with the Context 76 Backgrounding the Backgrounds Approach 83 Backgrounding the Character of Early Christianity: Liberty against Tyranny 97 Contexts Matter, Ancient and Modern 110 3 Objects, Objectives, and Objectivities: Material and Visual Culture and New Testament Studies 119 Of Fragments and Forgeries 119 Archaeology and the Making of Objects 122 Excavating Discourses that Produce Ancient Objects 133 What Do We Do with Ancient Objects? 145 What Do We Want with Ancient Objects? 160 4 Brand(ish)ing Biblical Scholars(hip): New Testament Studies and Neoliberal Subjectivity 169 Who Can Be a “New Testament Scholar?” 169 Neoliberalism and the Politics of Identity 173 Branding as a Practice of Neoliberal Subjectivity 183 Branding New Testament Scholars(hip) 191 The One-Dimensional New Testament Scholar? 205 Back to the Future: Concluding Observations on History, Method, and Theory in New Testament Studies 215 Index 000

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Book SynopsisProphetic Literature: From Oracles to Bookspresents an in-depth introduction to the origins and development of the Prophetic Books of the Old Testament, including an examination of the literary structure, authorship, and editorial processes that produced each book. The only introductory textbook that explores both how the prophetic books were composed and edited Accessible and engaging, the book contains numerous student features to encourage learning, including introductions, summaries, tablesandboxes, etc Based on international scholarship on the individual prophetic books, including German scholarship that is otherwise inaccessible to most English readers Trade Review“as an introductory work, it is especially valuable because he is not sidetracked by extremely nuanced academic disagreement. He focuses on the broader structure of each prophet and how the composition reflects scribal changes and developments.” (The Biblical Review, 1 November 2015) Table of ContentsPreface viii Resource Acknowledgments xii Map 1 The ancient Near East xiii Map 2 Israel and Judah xiv 1 What Is a Prophetic Book? 1 2 The Book of Hosea 19 3 The Book of Amos 37 4 The Book of Micah 54 5 The Book of Zephaniah and the Twelve 72 6 The Books of Joel and Obadiah 91 7 The Books of Nahum and Habakkuk 108 8 The Books of Jonah and Haggai 125 9 Zechariah 1–8 142 10 Zechariah 9–14, the Book of Malachi, and the Twelve 155 11 The Book of Isaiah 172 12 The Book of Isaiah (Continued) 190 13 The Book of Jeremiah 208 14 The Book of Ezekiel 225 Glossary 242 References 247 Scripture Index 262

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Book SynopsisMany books have been written about the Bible, but few explain its origins. This updated volume of a classic work provides a fascinating overview of how the Bible was produced (including a section on its authority and inspiration), copied, canonized, read as sacred literature, and eventually translated into the languages of the world. This updated edition will also attend to recent developments in the ever-changing world of contemporary English translations. An excellent resource for pastors, Bible teachers, students, seminarians, and interested lay Christians, this book provides a wealth of information about the historical development of the Bible.

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