This work uses literary (narrative) criticism to explore the world of the evangelist Matthew. The focus is on the plot of the gospel story, with discussions of the storylines, Jesus' speeches and journey, the disciples' experiences, and the contemporary community. The book is a completely revised and enlarged version of the first edition. Two chapters have been added: one discussing the speeches of Jesus and one tracing the storline of the religious leaders. Also, chapter 5 on Jesus' use of "the Son of man" has been substantially rewritten to explain more fully and more clearly the meaning and function of this self-designation. Throughout the book, new topics and insights have been added and developed, and the citations and bibliography have been updated.

This study explores the dynamics of violence within John's Gospel, focusing on the portrayal of the character of Jesus. It offers an understanding of the Johannine Jesus that counters the traditional model of a serene figure who maintains sovereign control over his environment. Establishing the prevalence of material indicating opposition to Jesus, it argues that his experience and perception of victimization are key to his identity. Furthermore, it is suggested that Jesus colludes with his victimizers, raising the issue of who is responsible for his betrayal and death. Drawing on the disciplines of victimology, literary criticism and liberation theology, the work comprises targeted exegesis of substantial portions of the Gospel, revealing the prominence of the theme of violence and raising a number of christological questions.

Nelson Estrada examines the apostles' transformation of status from followers to leaders in Acts 1-2. He challenges the common view that Acts 1:12-14 is the preparation for the coming of the Spirit in Acts 2, and that the sole purpose of Acts 1:15-26 is to set the number of the aposties at twelve-in line with Jesus' prophecy in Luke 22:30. Instead, Estrada reads Acts 1:12-14 and 1:15-26 as primarily propagandistic in nature. He argues that these pericopes promote the leadership integrity of the apostles by attempting to win the support of the women disciples and Jesus' family and then, through Judas' excommunication, extirpation, and replacement, to win that of the 120 disciples.

In the second book of Samuel, the prophet Nathan tells King David that God will give to him and his descendants a great and everlasting kingdom. In this study William Schniedewind looks at how this dynastic Promise has been understood and transmitted from the time of its first appearance at the inception of the Hebrew monarchy until the dawn of Christianity. He shows in detail how, over the centuries, the Promise grew in importance and prestige.

Using features of the narrative-critical method, this book offers an innovative approach to a notable phenomenon in the book of Acts: the conversion of entire households to the Christian faith. When viewed against the household mission of the seventy(-two) messengers in Luke, the stories of Cornelius, Lydia, the Roman jailer and Crispus comprise a pattern of evangelistic activity that provides a common framework for their interpretation. Repetition and variation of the pattern offer important clues for the way each story functions within the wider context of Acts, opening up new lines of interpretation as well as new levels of unity/disunity between the Lukan writings.

Against the majority opinion, this study argues that the Lukan Parable of the Talents (Lk 19.11-28) is a story about the use and abuse of power. The parable is also the story of those who suffer adverse consequences when they oppose unjust power structures. This suppression of challenge to oppressive structures evidenced in the Parable of the Pounds fits a pattern that operates in other parts of the Lukan Gospel. We meet it, for example, in the arrest and killing of John the Baptist by Herod, and in the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. The Parable of the Pounds can be seen as a paradigm for the stories of those characters in the Lukan Gospel who 'lose their pound' when they challenge an oppressive structure, where 'pound' becomes a metaphor for what one has that can be potentially taken away by those in a position of power. This study argues that this pattern of 'taking away the pound' is also seen within stories of women characters who resist patriarchal ideals and expectations. The Parable of the Pounds is used as a lens through which to view the characterizations of Lukan women. New lenses provide new opportunities for perception. This study explores what is opened up by this way of viewing the text. In particular, it explores the ways in which the dynamic of the Parable of the Pounds gives insight into the dynamic operating in the Lukan women's characterizations. LNTS

"In Unfolding the Deuteronomistic History Campbell and O'Brien have provided a useful tool for getting at the debate over the composition of the Deuteronomistic History, without neglecting the outlook and theology of the work as a whole. Each page is packed with information that is, nevertheless, readily accessible. The formatting of the biblical text allows the reader to see at once the layers that the authors reconstruct, and their annotations clearly explain the reasons for their judgments. This is the place to begin the study of any passage in the Deuteronomistic History." -Steven L. McKenzie, Rhodes College Author of The Trouble with Kings "Antony F. Campbell and Mark O'Brien's monumental work represents critical thought at its best. Written in a style that is thoroughly imaginative and engaging without sacrificing the erudition of great scholarship, this work is not only researched meticulously but also offers a new approach to reading and understanding the Deuteronomistic History. This study challenges traditional methods and findings of historical criticism while attempting to be faithful to the text at hand in relation to making sense out of the present text. Comprehensive yet selective introductions to the books of Deuteronomy through 2 Kings set the stage for a thorough analysis of each book of the deuteronomistic historical books. Offering a major contribution to the biblical field, Campbell and O'Brien's work is sure to become a classic that will inform all future work to be done in this area." -Carol J. Dempsey, University of Portland Author of The Prophets (Fortress Press, 2000) Antony F. Campbell, S.J., is Professor of Old Testament at Jesuit Theological College, Melbourne, Australia. He is author of numerous works including A Study Companion to Old Testament Literature (2nd ed., 1993). Mark A. O'Brien, O.P., is Professor of Old Testament at Yarra Theological Union, Melbourne, Australia, and the author of The Deuteronomistic History Hypothesis (1989).

Woods examines Luke's use of the unusual phrase 'Finger of God' at Lk. 11.20 as a key to understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts. Luke's interest in the Holy Spirit is well-known, so when instead of having Jesus say,' It I cast out devils by the Spirit of God...', as Matthew has it, he writes, 'If I by the finger of God..', Luke poses a question that has puzzled many commentators since. Woods argues that in fact the phrase finger of God' holds the key to understanding the role of the Spirit in Luke-Acts. Taking into account the background to the phrase. Luke's larger theological interests within the Beelzebub section itself, the Travel Narrative, and the programme of Luke-Acts as a whole, he offers a new solution to an old exegetical question.

This volume is concerned with the origin and development of the Targum to the Prophets, focusing for this purpose upon the Twelve Prophets (from Nahum to Malachi). A wide-ranging introductory chapter sets current research in context by surveying almost two centuries of Targumic study. It is argued that the evidence in the extant text for a Second Commonwealth phase in the Targum's history is meagre and that, in particular, the Qumran Habakkuk "pesher" is not dependent upon the Targum to Habakkuk. Other issues discussed are the Hebrew "Vorlage" of the Targum, incipit formulae, 'Additional Targum' and the standard Targum, the "haggadah" in the Targum to Zechariah 3 in the light of a (so-called) Eastern Aramaic linguistic element, Targum and Peshi?ta, land and divine presence, and the final redaction of the Targum.

Life has its rhythms. We all need to be able to cope with its ebb as well as its flow. We have to survive its darkness as well as its light. We face dry times as well as times of richness. To survive this intricate pattern, we need to have an overriding rhythm of prayer. We need to know that whatever is happening, we are loved by God, and in him we live and move and have our being. "This updated gift edition of one of David Adam's most popular books features new, specially commissioned drawings."