In this book, Trevaskis argues that holiness in Leviticus always has an ethical dimension, and is not simply a cultic category. In so doing he departs from the usual view that in Leviticus 1-16 (P) holiness is largely a cultic concept. Biblical scholars have commonly read ritual texts as practical instruction or prescription, inferring the theological significance of the rituals from elsewhere. For example, theological interpretations of the 'burnt offering' have been derived from its use in narrative settings (e.g. Gen. 8.20; 22.13) rather than from its legal prescription in Leviticus 1. Trevaskis, however, argues that an implicit command to be holy exists within some ritual texts in Leviticus, which are more than mere ritual prescriptions. It is in the symbolic dimensions of the rituals that the theological significance lies. In support of this argument, he undertakes exegetical studies of the 'burnt offering' (Leviticus 1), of the 'purity regulations' (Leviticus 11_15) and of the physical appearance of priests and sacrificial animals (Leviticus 21-22). These studies take place within a methodological framework that avoids capricious symbolic interpretations. Trevaskis draws on cognitive linguistic insights to discern when a text may allude to other texts within the Pentateuch (especially Genesis 1-3), and attends to the legislator's use of various rhetorical devices (e.g. 'rhetorical progression'). Since the command to 'be holy' in Leviticus 17-26 (H) only makes explicit what P leaves implicit in Leviticus 1-16, this study has important implications for the compositional history of Leviticus. It becomes much less clear that H's ethical view of holiness developed from a prophetic critique of P (as Milgrom and Knohl, for example, argue).

This is a creative study of how differing levels of educational attainment may affect ancient hearer's interpretation of the cosmological and visionary imagery of "Revelation 9". This study considers how a significant variable, namely educational-level, might affect an ancient hearer's interpretation of "Revelation 9". This volume focuses on how two hypothetical ancient hearer-constructs, with very different 'mental libraries', may interpret the rich cosmological imagery of "Revelation 9". Part I considers the range of literary texts studied at various points on the circle of enkuklios paideia. Attention is focused on texts that had a particular significance for an ancient student's cosmological knowledge (e.g. Homer, Hesiod, Aratus, Plato). Part II reconstructs the hypothetical responses of two ancient hearer-constructs. The first, HC1, has received only a minimal literary education and adopts a tripartite cosmological model. The second, HC2, by contrast, is the recipient of a tertiary-level education, with a preference for a seven-planetary sphere model, such that he allegorically reinterprets the figures in "Revelation 9" as Aratean constellational figures. This volume concludes by critically comparing the hypothetical responses of HC1 and HC2 with the earliest extant commentators on the Apocalypse (Victorinus, Tyconius, Lactantius, Oecumenius), as well as the intriguing 'Arateans' cited by Hippolytus. Formerly "The Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement", a book series that explores 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".

The Christian God is deeply and passionately concerned with justice - it's his very nature and it's evident throughout the Bible. God created a good world; a flourishing garden, in which there was no evil and humans and all living creatures could thrive and prosper. But evil did enter, humankind faltered, and there began God's great fight - to win back our hearts and inspire us to join with him in administering justice and bringing the fullness of life to creation. The NIV God's Justice Bible explores this key character trait of God and important area of Christian life. Alongside the NIV Bible text, a global cast of scholars and justice fighters contribute study notes, book introductions, questions for reflection and prayers to inform, challenge and inspire. NIV God's Justice Bible is designed to fire readers' passion for social justice and take positive steps to bring justice issues to light in their own circles of influence - all for the glory of God. The writers come from every continent, representing organisations such as International Justice Mission, Compassion and World Vision. Well-known UK and US contributors include Krish Kandiah, Ron Sider and Joel Edwards.

Revelation's Hymns examines the hymnic pericopes in Revelation in light of the cosmic conflict theme. It considers this theme as integral to the development of Revelation's plot. Recognizing that critical studies give interpretative primacy to the political realities that existed at the time of Revelation's composition, Grabiner responds to the need for an examination of the storyline from the perspective of issues that are of narrative importance. Grabiner argues that the cosmic conflict is at the centre of the book's concerns, and attempts to determine the function of the hymns with respect to this. Previous examinations of the hymns have considered them as a response and/or parody to Roman liturgy, examples of God's unquestioned sovereignty, or expressions of thematic overtones found throughout the book. While these approaches make a contribution to a greater understanding of the hymns, the relation to the ever-present conflict theme has not been explored. This study allows the hymnic sections to engage with the larger narrative issue as to who is truly the rightful sovereign of the universe.