This is the first full-scale, verse-by-verse commentary on 4 Baruch. The pseudepigraphon, written in the second century, is in large measure an attempt to address the situation following the destruction of the temple in 70 CE by recounting legends about the first destruction of the temple, the Babylonian captivity, and the return from exile. 4 Bruch is notable for its tale about Jeremiah's companion, Abimelech, who sleeps through the entire exilic period. This tale lies behind the famous Christian legend of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus and is part of the genealogy of Washington Irving's "Rip Van Winkle." Allison's commentary draws upon an exceptionally broad range of ancient sources in an attempt to clarify 4 Baruch's original setting, compositional history, and meaning.

Covenant and the Jewish Conversion Question reevaluates conversion and Jewish identity through the lens of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's dual conception of the Covenants of Fate and Destiny. By studying an array of key rabbinic texts through this lens, the book explores the boundaries and interplay between these biblical covenants through apostasy, holiness and the key elements relating to conversion law. This understanding provides a relevant framing device to deal with the conversion and Jewish identity crises faced in the State of Israel and beyond.

This book is a comparative study of two major Shi'i thinkers Hamid al-Din Kirmani from the Fatimid Egypt and Mulla Sadra from the Safavid Iran, demonstrating the mutual empowerment of discourses on knowledge formation and religio-political authority in certain Isma'ili and Twelver contexts. The book investigates concepts, narratives, and arguments that have contributed to the generation and development of the discourse on the absolute authority of the imam and his representatives. To demonstrate this, key passages from primary texts in Arabic and Persian are translated and closely analyzed to highlight the synthesis of philosophical, Sufi, theological, and scriptural discourses. The book also discusses the discursive influence of Nasir al-Din Tusi as a key to the transmission of Isma'ili narratives of knowledge and authority to later Shi'i philosophy and its continuation to modern and contemporary times particularly in the narrative of the guardianship of the jurist in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

For thousands of years philosophers and theologians have grappled with the problem of evil. Traditionally, evil has been seen as a weakness of sorts: the evil person is either ignorant (does not know the wrong being done), or weak-willed (is incapable of doing the right thing). But in the most horrifying acts of evil (the Holocaust, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, serial murder, etc.), the perpetrators are resolute, deliberate, and well aware of the pain they are causing. There has never been a better time to re-open this most difficult of questions, and to inquire whether any helpful resources exist within our intellectual legacy. David Roberts has done just this. In taking up the problem of evil as it is uniquely found in the work of the Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, Roberts has uncovered a framework that at last allows the notion of radical evil to be properly articulated. His book traces the sources of Kierkegaard's conception from its background in the work of Kant and Schelling, and painstakingly details the matrix of issues that evolved into Kierkegaard's own solution. Kierkegaard's psychological understanding of evil is that it arises out of despair - a despair that can become so vehement and ferocious that it lashes out at existence itself. Starting from this recognition, and drawing on Kierkegaard's view of the self, Roberts shows how the despairing self can become strengthened and intensified through a conscious and free choice against the Good. This type of radical evil is neither ignorant nor weak.

Al-Ghazali (1058-1111 CE) is arguably one of the most influential thinkers in the history of Islam and his writings have received greater scholarly attention in the West than those of any other Muslim scholar. This study explores and important dimension of his thought that has not yet been fully examined, namely, his polemical engagement with the Ismailis of the Fatimid and early Alamut periods. Al-Ghazali's debate with the Ismailis constitutes an important chapter in the history of Muslim thought and this book also explores the wider intellectual and political significance of this encounter, and especially the light it sheds on the central tensions and questions of the age in which al-Ghazali lived.

Con toda generosidad, el Padre Oyafemi ha coleccionado para los que escuchan la Sant sima Escritura de Dios, un "record" que nos lleva a recapacitar nuestras conversaciones con el Dios Trino. Esta colecci n de homil as es un gran tesoro, que le recuerda al lector las tantas formas que hay de reconocer que hay que recibir lo que Dios nos da libremente. En este libro, se encuentran muchas bendiciones para recibir, para compartir, y mucho para pensar y meditar. Espero que los lectores se deleiten y se animen a seguir hablando de nuestro Dios maravilloso PADRE DAVID JONES, P rroco -Iglesia San Benedicto el Africano (Este) - Archidi cesis de Chicago. En este esfuerzo literario, el Padre Oyafemi, explica las lecturas de las Misas dominicales y Solemnidades del a o lit rgico "B." El Padre enfoca en el signifi cado para cada creyente; l ilustra el contexto de cada lectura en lo que se refi ere a la condici n humana. Este libro es un gran acompa ante - es una gran ayuda mientras navegamos a lo largo de la vida. DRA. MERCEDES RUNDLE Y DR.KEN RUNDLE. MUNSTER, INDIANA.

With generosity, Fr. Oyafemi has organized for the hearer of the Sacred Word of God a written record that compels us to revisit our conversation with the Triune God. This collection of homilies is a treasure that reminds the reader/ hearer of the many ways that we are afforded to receive what God is always freely giving. In this book there are many blessings to be received, many blessings to share, and a great deal to think about. May the readers be delighted and encouraged to keep on talking with our awesome God. REV. DAVID JONES. PASTOR, ST BENEDICT THE AFRICAN (EAST) ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO In this literary endeavor, Fr. Clem demystifi es the scriptural readings for Sunday Masses and Solemnities throughout the liturgical year "B" and clearly points out their signifi cance to every believer. He illuminates the contextual implications of those readings in concrete historical human conditions. This book is a great companion to help us navigate through life. DR MERCEDES AND DR KEN RUNDLE, MUNSTER, INDIANA