The Gospel of Matthew portrays Jesus as a celibate 'bridegroom', whose presence disrupts traditional understandings of marriage and family and whose role as bridegroom involves not only joy but violence and separation. The bridegroom in John has received recent discussion, in Adeline Fehribach, 's Women in the Life of the Bridegroom: A Feminist Historical-Literary Analysis of the Female Characters in the Fourth Gospel (Liturgical Press, 1998), and in several articles published in A Feminist Companion to John, vol. 2, edited by Amy-Jill Levine (Sheffield Academic Press, 2003). But the bridegroom in Matthew has not received scholarly attention. This study offers an analysis of the bridegroom and wedding imagery in the Gospel of Matthew, specifically in the bridegroom saying (9.15), the two wedding parables (22.1-14, 25.1-13; the latter is unique to Matthew), and Matthew's teachings on marriage, divorce and family formation (e.g., 5.31-32; 19:1ff; 12:46-50). The eunuch saying (19:10-12) is explored in the context of a brideless and celibate bridegroom. Warren Carter's Matthew in the Margins (Orbis, 2000), and Barbara Reid's Violent Endings in Matthew's Parables and an End to Violence CBQ 66 (2004), pp. 237-55. This study builds on such concerns about Matthean violence and applies them specifically to Matthew's portrayal of Jesus as a bridegroom and the implications for marriage, family, gender and sexuality. For example, the slaughter of the innocents is discussed in terms of the bridegroom's association with violence and formation of a fictive family. No other books address the combined issues of Jesus as a bridegroom and attendant violence of that role and how this association affects Matthew's teachings on marriage or divorce, gender and sexuality, and the formation of family

This book provides a look at purity language within the "Epistle of James", arguing against restricting the meaning of purity language to the individual moral sphere.Arguing against restricting the meaning of purity language to the individual moral sphere (as many commentaries do), the central argument of "Purity and Worldview in the Epistle of James" is that purity language both articulates and constructs the worldview in James' epistle. Lockett offers a taxonomy of purity language, applied as a heuristic guide to understand the function of purity and pollution in the epistle. Through this analysis the study concludes that James is not calling for sectarian separation, but rather demonstrates a degree of cultural accommodation while calling forth specific socio-cultural boundaries between the readers and the world.Formerly the "Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement", was a book series that explored the many aspects of New Testament study including historical perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and theological, cultural and contextual approaches. "The Early Christianity in Context" series, a part of JSNTS, examines the birth and development of early Christianity up to the end of the third century CE. The series places Christianity in its social, cultural, political and economic context. "European Seminar on Christian Origins" and "Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus Supplement" are also part of JSNTS.

This substantial commentary presents 1 Samuel as a sophisticated work of literature, where the reader is challenged with a narrative that is fraught with interpretative possibilities. In his distinctive literary reading Bodner lays special emphasis on the intriguing array of characters that populate the narrative, and on the plot, in its design and its configurations. Thus, a host of intriguing episodes and personalities are passed in review: from the symbolically charged closed womb of Hannah to the backwards fall and the broken neck of Eli, to the strange tour of the Ark of God through the menacing Philistine pentapolis, wreaking havoc. Then there is the complex portrayal of Samuel the prophet, the emergence of the fugitive David as a leader, and the eventual decline, madness, and necromancy of King Saul. Only through a literary study of its many ironies and ambiguities, Bodner amply shows, can the richness of this classic royal drama be fully appreciated.

This study, based on a careful examination of hundreds of authoritative rabbinic writings, offers a very different picture of the textual reality of, and the rabbinic beliefs about the Torah. B. Barry Levy explores exactly how perfect or imperfect these rabbis thought the text to be. He demonstrates conclusively that many of the same rabbinic figures whose teachings inform other contemporary Orthodox doctrines were quite open about the fact that their Bible texts, even their Torah scrolls, were not completely accurate. Moreover, though many of the variations are of little exegetical significance, these rabbis often acknowledged that, textually speaking, the situation was beyond repair.

The current interest in reading the Gospels as narratives has reclaimed aspects of these texts that historical-critical approaches failed to respect. The richness of these newer readings can, however, disguise their limitations as literary-critical exercises. Developing Hans Frei's concern for theological reading, David Lee reworks the narratology of the Dutch literary theorist Mieke Bal to produce a theological narrative reading practice that formally respects the text as scripture while leaving open the possible meanings that readers may construct for themselves in the act of reading. Lee demonstrates his approach through readings of the Narrator and the characters Jesus and the Demons as aspects of a composite Lukan narrative Christology.>

This much-needed commentary provides an authoritative guide to a better understanding of the often-neglected book of Micah. If gives insight into the individual sayings of Micah, to the way they were understood and used as they were gathered into the growing collection, and to their role in the final form of the document. "I am convinced," says Dr. Mays, that Micah "is not just a collection of prophetic sayings, but is the outcome of a history of prophetic proclamations and is itself in its final form prophecy." The Old Testament Library provides fresh and authoritative treatments of important aspects of Old Testament study through commentaries and general surveys. The contributors are scholars of international standing.

We have the incredibly important role of leading younger generations through turbulent waters, modeling integrity in relationships, and providing foundations for wise decision-making. There are times we might feel like we've got things all figured out, and other times we feel unworthy of our great responsibilities. A Little God Time for Men is designed to help you meditate on Scripture, read thought-provoking messages, and communicate with God through prayer. It will challenge, equip, and encourage you to till the soil set before you. Time spent with God empowers you to be a man of character, strength, and leadership. Be marked by the words written here and endeavor to be the man God has called you to be.

The 'pivot pattern' is a unique type of chiasmus, a linguistic pattern characterized by an inversion of the internal order of a phrase or passage. The main idea is found primarily at its pivot, while its elements, normally of an uneven number, are distributed on both sides of the pivot in a mirrored symmetry. Klaus undertakes here to compile a 'grammar' of the pattern, and to characterize, exemplify and differentiate its various forms.>

Some Suggested Thoughts on How to Use This Book Read it in the morning to gather strength and inspiration for the day, or at evening at the close of the day. This book of meditative thoughts can be used for family devotions, to show concern for others by sharing its thoughts with friends. "THIS BOOK CAN ALSO SERVE AS A TIE THAT BINDS" In order to feel closer to loved ones and friends living miles away, you can stay in touch by agreeing to read the same meditative thought at the same time each day. Since 1991, the author of this book has been doing a Thought For The Day on Clear Channel Radio Savannah, Georgia WSOK 1230 AM, "Joy In The Morning." "I pray that God will anoint this book and that each meditation will change lives and be a source of comfort to all who read them" - Matthew S. Brown

Peter, John and Jude may sound a bit like a teenage boy band, but they were men that God used to rescue the Church in its darkest hour. False teachers on the inside and persecution on the outside threatened to strangle the Christian community at birth. In a world where the Church appears to be in terminal decline, we need their letters to show us how to survive and thrive and advance. 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.

Steven Tuell shows how the books of Chronicles present the revelation of God's plan and purposes through the history of Israel, emphasizing the important role that King David plays within that story. Using up-to-date scholarship, Tuell focuses on the theological message of these books--that the purpose of life is to seek God, that those who find God's will and live accordingly will experience blessing, and that God's presence is found in the events of ordinary life. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry.

Christian Book Award Finalist But God speaks through wombs, birthing prophetic utterances. . . . Enough of this unbelieving religion that masquerades as faith. Divine favor is placed on what we have disgraced. In God Speaks Through Wombs, Drew Jackson explores the first eight chapters of Luke's Gospel in a new poetic register. These are declarative poems, faithfully proclaiming the gospel story in all its liberative power. Here the gospel is the "fresh words / that speak of / things impossible." From the Magnificat ("That girl can sing! . . . She has a voice / That can shatter shackles") to the baptism of Christ ("I stepped in / Committing insurrection"), this collection helps us hear the hum of deliverance-against all hope-that's been in the gospel all along.

Does the Old Testament have an optimistic outlook for the people of God, ancient Israel, or is it pessimistic? The strands of optimism and pessimism seem to be juxtaposed throughout. In this study of Deuteronomy, a lynchpin book within the Old Testament, the so-called tensions between optimism and pessimism are shown to cohere theologically. Despite the faithlessness of Israel, Yahweh's faithfulness to his promises results in the triumph of grace. This book is a textual and theological analysis of the interaction between the sin and faithlessness of Israel and the grace of Yahweh in response, looking especially at Deuteronomy chapters 1-3, 8-10, and 29-30. The author argues that the grace of Yahweh is determinative for the ongoing relationship between Yahweh and Israel and that Deuteronomy anticipates and fully expects Israel to be faithless.

Although the Ten Commandments has been the center of much recent controversy in American politics, scripture contains many laws about which Christians are perplexed. If the Bible contains laws, shouldn't those laws be followed? What does the law that prohibits reaping a harvest to the very edges of your field mean in modern times? Or, what about God's prohibition, in Leviticus, not to round off the hair on your temples or to mar the edges of your beard? The Decalogue and the Holiness Code in Leviticus contain guidelines to ethical behavior that originally helped to shape a covenant community and still have meaning for us today.

In the newest addition to the Conversations with Scripture series, Kevin Wilson offers fresh insights into the meaning of the Law for today. In chapters that explore the Law in Exodus and Leviticus, Wilson examines the historical and cultural contexts of these legal codes. He discusses rituals such as sacrifice and rituals related to purification from defilement. Wilson demonstrates the ways in which the temple priests used many of these laws as their own code of purity and their own method of enforcing purity in the covenant community.

As with other books in the series, Wilson's book features definitions and sidebars in each chapter on particular topics, as well as study questions.

Get to know God better and dig deeper into His Word with The Bible Recap Study Guide. Following a chronological Bible reading plan, this easy-to-use resource includes reflection and research questions specific to each day's reading, as well as space to write your responses. From just a handful of questions each day, you will get a concise yet comprehensive view of the Bible's larger narrative and how God's character is revealed throughout Scripture. You will soon discover that He's where the joy is! Praise for The Bible Recap "I have grown closer to God in ways I couldn't expect." "It has helped me understand the Bible like never before." "More than a Bible study, it is a God study."

The Book of Nehemiah offers a first-hand telling of how ancient Jerusalem's walls were rebuilt in the face of great odds after the Babylonian exile - an act that represented the renewal of the people's faith and the reforming of their conduct. In The Message of Nehemiah, Raymond Brown explores this powerful story and the striking relevance of this themes for Christians living today. Vividly drawing out Nehemiah's historical and social milieu, Brown demonstrates that Nehemiah is one of the most inventive and resilient personalities in the Old Testament. His doctrine of God, his passion for Scripture, his experience of prayer and his example in leadership all provide valuable lessons that can be applied to how we live our faith every day. A revised volume in the trusted the Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, The Message of Nehemiah offers a compelling exposition of the Biblical text, unpacking its meaning for both the original audience it was written for and for Christians in the twenty-first century. Used by Bible students and teachers around the world, the Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for students and preachers who want to delve more deeply into the riches of Scripture and better understand how it can be applied to modern life. This beautifully redesigned edition has been sensitively updated to include modern references and use the NIV Bible text. The Message of Nehemiah is perfect for anyone looking for accessible commentaries on Nehemiah that will help broaden their knowledge and understanding of the this fascinating book of the Old Testament.