The Cambridge Companion to St. Paul
edited by James D. G. Dunn

Cambridge University Press, New York, 2003. $23.00. ISBN 0-521-78694-0.

Eighteen scholars provide a critical overview of Paul, covering his life and work, his letters and theology. The book concludes with an assessment of Paul’s legacy and a survey of contemporary perspectives on Paul.

Paul in the Greco–Roman World: A Handbook
edited by J. Paul Sampley

Trinity Press International, Harrisburg, 2003. 704 pp. $62.00 (cloth). ISBN 1-56338-266-0.

Essays in this handbook situate Paul within the Greco–Roman world. Each chapter explores a particular Greco–Roman social convention, literary or rhetorical motifs, or social practices, with examples illustrating how particular features of Greco–Roman culture shed light on Paul’s letters.

Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible
edited by James D. G. Dunn and John W. Rogerson

Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 2003. 1639 pp. $75.00 (cloth). ISBN 0-8028-3711-5.

Sixty-three scholars provide a non-technical commentary on the Bible and the Aprocrypha. This volume includes thirteen introductory and context-setting articles on the biblical documents. Mark: Storyteller, Interpreter, Evangelist by Francis J. Moloney Hendrickson, Peabody, 2004. 224 pp. $29.95. ISBN 1- 56563-513-0. Building upon his recent commentary on Mark (The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary [Peabody: Hendrickson, 2002]),Moloney investigates Mark’s contribution as a historian and theologian, traces his skill as storyteller, and surveys various literary and theological issues. The volume concludes with assessment of the relevance of Mark’s contribution to the life of the church.

Brother of Jesus, Friend of God: Studies in the Letter of James
by Luke Timothy Johnson

Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 2004. 299 pp. $30.00. ISBN 0- 8028-0986-3.

This collection of previously published essays examines James’s social and historical situation, its place within Scripture, and its use of the sayings of Jesus. Several exegetical studies place James in the context of Hellenistic moral discourse, and two concluding essays examine the themes of friendship and gender in James.

Reading the Book of Revelation: A Resource for Students
edited by David L. Barr

Society of Biblical Literature Resources for Biblical Study 44. Scholars Press, Atlanta, 2003. 199 pp. $19.95. ISBN 1- 58983-056-3.

A collection of essays providing wide-ranging readings of Revelation growing out of particular methodological approaches (including historical, literary, and social analysis) in combination with a variety of reading strategies (including social conflict theory, philosophy, women’s studies, ethics, history of religions, postcolonial studies, and popular culture).

Pregnant Passion: Gender, Sex, and Violence in the Bible
edited by Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan

Society of Biblical Literature Semeia Studies 44. Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta, 2003. 250 pp. $36.95. ISBN 1- 58983-074-1.

The essays in this book explore the motifs of gender, human sexuality, and violence in the Bible, focusing on themes such as feasts and famines, betrayal and bloodshed, seduction and sensuality, power and politics, virtue and violence.

New Testament Masculinities
edited by Stephen D. Moore and Janice Capel Anderson

Society of Biblical Literature Semeia Studies 45. Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta, 2003. 369 pp. $39.95. ISBN 1- 58983-109-8.

This collection examines the themes of Christology, patriarchy, violence, colonialism, family structures, and sexual practices as it explores the Greco–Roman construction and performance of masculinity in the New Testament and related early Christian texts.

Inscribing the Text: Sermons and Prayers of Walter Brueggemann
edited by Anna Carter Florence

Fortress, Minneapolis, 2004. 222 pp. $22.00 (cloth). ISBN 0-8006-3646-5.

A companion volume to Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth (Fortress, 2003), this book contains the most recent collection of Brueggemann’s sermons and prayers and includes an opening essay by him, “The Preacher as Scribe.”

Between Text and Artifact: Integrating Archaeology in Biblical Studies Teaching
edited by Milton C. Moreland

Society of Biblical Literature Archaeology and Biblical Studies 8. Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta, 2003. $34.95. ISBN 1-58983-044-X.

Thirteen essays provide teachers of biblical studies with the tools needed to integrate the most recent archaeological information into their teaching and scholarship and provide practical advice about the best available literature and audio-visual material in the field of biblical archaeology.