Authorizing Marriage? Canon, Tradition, and Critique in the Blessing of Same-Sex Unions

edited by Mark D. Jordan

Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2006. 208 pp. $35.00 (cloth). ISBN 0-691-12346-2.

Are there biblical precedents for blessing same-sex unions? Christian and Jewish scholars explore evidence in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Ten provocative essays investigate topics such as David’s love for Jonathan and Jesus’ singleness.

Vital Christianity: Spirituality, Justice, and Christian Practice

edited by David L. Weaver-Zercher and William H. Willimon

T & T Clark, Harrisburg, 2005. 248 pp. $31.95. ISBN 0567-02551-9.

This collection of essays explores the possibilities of aligning the inner and outer life. Christian spirituality and social justice are posited as intimately connected spheres in a complete faithful life, corporate as well as individual.

Theology Today: Reflections on the Bible and Contemporary Life

Patrick D.Miller

Westminster John Knox, Louisville, 2006. 137 pp. $16.95. ISBN 0-664-22992-1.

In this collection of his wide-ranging essays from the journal Theology Today, longtime editor Patrick D. Miller offers insights into the basic human condition and reflects on how God works in the world around us.

But Is It All True? The Bible and the Question of Truth

edited by Alan G. Padgett and Patrick R. Keifert

Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 2006. 175 pp. $16.00. ISBN 0-8028-6316-7.

What does is mean to say that the Bible is true? Nine scholars from multiple Christian disciplines ruminate on this critical question, providing fresh insights into the possible answers. Implications for theological education and preaching are considered.

Interpreting the Psalms: Issues and Approaches

edited by David Firth and Philip S. Johnston

InterVarsity, Downers Grove, 2005. 336 pp. $26.00. ISBN 0-8308-2833-8.

Incorporating recent scholarship, this collection of essays addresses cultural, linguistic, and literary issues of Psalms. The volume is designed as an intermediate step between basic introductions to Psalms and highly specialized academic work.

Contours of Christology in the New Testament

edited by Richard Longenecker

McMaster New Testment Studies. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 2005. 359 pp. $28.00. ISBN 0-8028-1014-4.

Designed to be easily accessible to ministers, laypeople, and students, this volume provides insight into the latest scholarly perspectives on Jesus as presented in the New Testament. The essays highlight the differing emphases of each New Testament writer that shaped the christological portrait.

Studies in Matthew

Ulrich Luz with translator Rosemary Selle

Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 2005. 397 pp. $30.00. ISBN 0-8028-3964-9.

In this new volume, a companion to his acclaimed Hermeneia commentary on Matthew, Luz reviews the core of his previous work, elaborating on some of his more profound insights

Studies in Matthew: Interpretation Past and Present

Dale C. Allison Jr.

Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, 2005. 282 pp. $34.99 (cloth). ISBN 0-8010-2791-8.

Starting with the patristic period, the author considers the history of the interpretation of Matthew and its relevance to modern scholarship. Thirteen studies shed light on topics such as the imitation of Christ, divorce, celibacy, the configuration of the Sermon on the Mount, and the Passion.

Illuminating Luke: The Public Ministry of Christ in Italian Renaissance and Baroque Painting

Heidi J. Hornik and Mikeal C. Parsons

T & T Clark, Harrisburg, 2005. 177 pp. $34.95. ISBN 0567-02820-8.

In part two of this three-part series, the authors focus on paintings of the baptism of Christ, the calling of the first disciples, the Good Samaritan, the Rich Man and Lazarus, the visit to Mary and Martha, and the Prodigal Son. Visual exegesis combining the work of a well respected art historian and a biblical scholar provides unique insights into these well-known texts.

Voyages with John: Charting the Fourth Gospel

by Robert Kysar

Baylor University Press, Waco, 2005.  339 pp. $29.95. ISBN 1-932792-43-0.
This collection of essays by one of the Fourth Gospel’s foremost interpreters chronicles the history of interpretation of John in the twentieth century as it engages historical, theological, literary, and postmodern readings.

The Historical Jesus in Recent Research

edited by James D. G. Dunn and Scot McKnight

Sources for Biblical and Theological Study 10. Eisenbrauns, Winona Lake, 2005. 618 pp. $42.95. ISBN 1-57506-100-7.

Dunn and McKnight have collected and provided introductions to a wide cross-section of essays on the historical Jesus, ranging from classic essays by Bultmann, Cadbury, and Schweitzer to the most recent investigations of Horsley, Levine, and Wright. Useful for courses on Jesus or the historical Jesus, it draws together in one place a wide variety of perspectives and approaches to the issues.

Gender, Tradition, and Romans: Shared Ground, Uncertain Borders

edited by Cristina Grenholm and Daniel Patte

Romans Through History and Cultures. T & T Clark, Harrisburg, 2005. 297 pp. $39.95. ISBN 0-567-02911-5.

Feminist commentators reflect upon the critical role Romans plays in any complete understanding of Paul’s view of gender. Romans has been viewed as promoting universalism, however this is variously interpreted. Both the opportunities and challenges facing feminist scholars who approach this major epistle are considered.

Early Patristic Readings of Romans

edited by Kathy L. Gaca and L. L. Welborn

Romans through History and Cultures Series, T & T Clark, Harrisburg, 2005. 237 pp. $39.95. ISBN 0-567-02931-X.

Various contributors attempt to reconstruct understanding of the Letter to the Romans in early centuries. Reviewing the works of patristic theologians such as Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Origen, and others, they uncover interpretive principles that form the foundation of the history of Pauline scholarship.

A Concise History of Christian Doctrine

Justo L. Gonzalez

Abingdon, Nashville, 2005. 220 pp. $24.00. ISBN 0-68734414-X.

A highly respected teacher of church history retells the story of the development of Christian doctrine. He offers his perspectives on what constitute core beliefs of the Christian faith, the historical contexts in which these beliefs arose, and the relevance of these doctrines to contemporary Christians.

The Resurrection of Jesus: John Dominic Crossan and N. T. Wright in Dialogue

edited by Robert B. Stewart

Fortress, Minneapolis, 2006. 220 pp. $18.00. ISBN 08006-3785-2.

These essays form the core of the 2005 Greer-Heard Point-Counterpoint Forum in which these two well-respected New Testament scholars debated the historical substance as well as the theological meaning of Jesus’ resurrection. Other scholars add their perspectives to a vital discussion of the Resurrection.

The Gift of Grace: The Future of Lutheran Theology

edited by Neils Henrik Gregersen et al.

Fortress, Minneapolis, 2006. 336 pp. $30.00. ISBN 08006-3686-4.

Thirty theologians evaluate the prospects for Lutheran theology for the new millennium. Classic themes addressed include grace, the cross, and justification in a contemporary context, as well as current concerns such as ecumenism, globalization, and modern science.

Shaking Heaven and Earth: Essays in Honor of Walter Brueggemann and Charles Cousar

edited by Christine Yoder et al.

Westminster John Knox, Louisville, 2005. 170 pp. $29.95. ISBN 0-664-22777-5.

This book is based on presentations during a symposium held at Columbia Theological Seminary on the occasion of the retirement of Walter Brueggemann and Charles Cousar. Each chapter engages the Bible, the church, and the world simultaneously, a commitment that characterizes the careers of the honorees.

God, Truth, and Witness: Engaging Stanley Hauerwas

edited by L. Gregory Jones, Reinhard Hutter and C. Rosalee Velloso Ewell

Brazos, Grand Rapids, 2005. 336 pp. $39.99 (cloth). ISBN 1-58743-151-3.

This collection of essays addresses the work of Stanley Hauerwas, celebrating his contributions to the field of theology. Contributers embrace and at times debate Hauerwas’ notions on a myriad of topics, including witness, the Kingdom, practicing a theology, and being a Christian.

Memory, Tradition, and Text: Uses of the Past in Early Christianity

edited by Alan Kirk and Tom Thatcher

Semeia Studies. Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta, 2005. 282 pp. $38.95. ISBN 1-58983-149-7.

This series of essays presents the burgeoning field of social and cultural memory theory. Various contributors bring a new perspective to the study of the origins of Christianity. Offering an alternative to classical form criticism, they seek to reinstate memory as an analytical tool in exegetical work.

Teaching the Bible: Practical Strategies for Classroom Instruction

edited by Mark Roncace and Patrick Gray

Resources for Biblical Study. Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta, 2005. 440 pp. $39.95. ISBN 1-58983-171-3.

Ninety-three college and seminary professors share practical, specific ideas for teaching particular biblical texts. The collection assumes an academic approach to the Bible but represents a range of methodological, theological, and ideological perspectives. Focused on active learning, it includes ways to incorporate film, literature, art, and music to classroom writing assignments and exercises for groups.

Befriending the Stranger

by Jean Vanier

Eedrmans, Grand Rapids, 2005. 131 pp. $15.00 ISBN 0-8028-3134-6.

The founder of the L’Arche communities with and for people with disabilities (in which Henri Nouwen lived his last years as participant) writes about compassion that begins with ourselves. The book is a meditative invitation to create places of belonging and sharing together that offer peace and kindness, love, and acceptance of each person’s own fragility, ability, and disability.