This collection presents innovative research by scholars from across the globe in celebration of Gabriele Boccaccini's sixtieth birthday and to honor his contribution to the study of early Judaism and Christianity. In harmony with Boccaccini's determination to promote the study of Second Temple Judaism in its own right, this volume includes studies on various issues raised in early Jewish apocalyptic literature (e.g., 1 Enoch, 2 Baruch, 4 Ezra), the Dead Sea Scrolls, and other early Jewish texts, from Tobit to Ben Sira to Philo and beyond. The volume also provides several investigations on early Christianity in intimate conversation with its Jewish sources, consistent with Boccaccini's efforts to transcend confessional and disciplinary divisions by situating the origins of Christianity firmly within Second Temple Judaism. Finally, the volume includes essays that look at Jewish-Christian relations in the centuries following the Second Temple period, a harvest of Boccaccini's labor to rethink the relationship between Judaism and Christianity in light of their shared yet contested heritage.

The product of 35 senior scholars' research, these volumes examine the psychology driving the religious, political, and economic forces that cause turbulence and violence in human society. Religious, political, and economic revolts have defined the human experience throughout history. These kinds of universal turbulence continue to be the dominate source of human suffering and perplexity during the first decade of the 21st century. What can intensive study of the psychodynamics of cultural and social eruptions tell us that may serve to move cultures around the world beyond ongoing strife? This work seeks to find out, examining the spectrum of cultural and social eruptions from ancient Jewish, Christian, and Muslim revolutions to the modern day economic and political turbulence in Eastern Europe, the Near East, and Latin America. The breadth of this three-volume set ranges from the 12th century BCE to the current struggles in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria; and from the irrational violence of the French Revolution to the genuine quest for liberty of the American Revolution and the Singing Revolutions in the Baltic States in recent decades. Each volume is introduced with a description of its philosophical perspective and concludes with a brief summarization of the takeaways of the research presented. Comprehensively analyzes the entire range of economic, political, and religious factors in social revolts Brings to bear evidence from ancient archaeology, up-to-date psychological models, thoroughgoing sociological analysis, and objective historical reporting Provides unprecedented coverage of the relevant issues in Greco-Roman, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious dynamics that cause immense sociocultural turbulence and watershed world change Presents a proposed unified theory of revolution throughout the work while also distinguishing and identifying individual religious, political, and economic forces and outcomes

For centuries scholars have been developing ways of studying the bible, through exegesis, historical critique, literary critique, form criticism, and narrative analysis. During the last half century new theoretical approaches have come to the fore. Psychological Hermeneutics takes as its starting point the text itself, and its context - the dynamics of the human document created, the person(s) who authored the text, the original audience for which it was intended, the subsequent audiences to which it spoke, and the factors that were at play behind, in, and in front of the text. The contributions to this volume examine the growth of Psychological Hermeneutics as a discipline within biblical studies. The book is structured in two parts. The first assesses the approach taken by Wayne G. Rollins, one of the pioneers of this field. The second provides applications of Rollins' approach. The result is a book which presents a state-of-the-art survey of the discipline and development of Psychological Hermeneutics over the last thirty years.

Synopsis: This book offers a way to engage with the Bible as a set of sacred texts that can serve as a song sheet for believers in exile-those people Bishop John Shelby Spong calls the "church alumni association." This includes those internally displaced persons of faith who have not yet become spiritual refugees but who feel the pressure to conform to traditional expressions of faith that no longer serve as springs of living water for the journey of life. These ancient texts come from another world and another time, but they can serve as maps for the journey of life. They can best do this when the sacred wisdom of the Bible is accepted as permission to voice the new questions we face today in the confidence that authentic faith has always required such boldness. Religious progressives are people who live the questions, not dodge them. Our task is not to guard a set of traditional answers, but to live life boldly, taking risks for God's sake and our own. One of the hallmarks of this book is that the problems posed by the Bible are acknowledged. In particular, the contributions of recent critical scholarship are embraced, rather than being ignored or neutralized by pious ambivalence. The intended reader of this book is not a traditional believer, secure in her assumptions about God and salvation, but someone struggling to live with integrity in a time when traditional religion seems increasingly irrelevant. The goal is not to persuade the reader that the Bible is credible but-more modestly-to offer an account of the Bible that may encourage religious progressives to reclaim the Bible as a valued part of our spiritual baggage. Endorsement: "Greg Jenks knows his Bible as 'ancient texts that come from another world and another time, ' wholly human in origin, sometimes mad, sometimes magnificent. He buries the notion of a supernatural 'word of God' only to affirm the continuing relevance of these words of yesterday's men for today's 'religious progressives who live the questions, not dodge them.' A wonderful demonstration of how we might still find ways of singing the Lord's song in the strange and brave new land of secular modernity." -David Boulton author Who on Earth was Jesus? and The Trouble with God "I have read this] book and find it superb. It is a volume that the market to laypersons of all religious persuasions, and those who do not have a significant religious perspective, urgently needs. It fills an obvious current vacuum, is highly readable, entertaining, and immensely informative. -J. Harold Ellens author of Honest Faith for Our Time and Probing the Frontiers of Biblical Studies "Greg Jenks takes his readers on a new journey through the Holy Scriptures, reclaiming them with keen scholarship for our post-religious world. After reading the work of this emerging progressive religious thinker, the Bible will shine with a new luster." -John Shelby Spong, author of Eternal Life: A New Vision and Jesus for the Non-Religious Author Biography: Gregory C. Jenks is Academic Dean at St Francis Theological College in Brisbane, Australia. He is the author of The Origins and Early Development of the Antichrist Myth (1991).

In this three-volume set, international scholars from across a broad spectrum of scholarly fields examine the concept of evil throughout history and world cultures from religious, scientific, psychological, and political perspectives. The manifestation of evil has provided a convenient theme for popular culture entertainment, ranging from the classic film The Exorcist, to almost all of Stephen King's horror novels, to video games such as Resident Evil. Unfortunately, dealing with-and attempting to overcome-the forces of evil is a pervasive problem in the real world as well. Explaining Evil addresses incidents of evil from ancient times to modern day around the globe. Concepts of evil within the big three religions-Christianity, Judaism, and Islam-are examined, as well as in Chinese philosophy and Native American beliefs. The political or national expressions of evil are explored, such as the "axis of evil" that culminated in World War II. These volumes identify the causes and effects of evil, and suggest possible remedies to humanity's inescapable flaw. Contains original contributions from 75 distinguished scholars from various religious and cultural backgrounds, including psychologists, academic and clinical sociologists, historians, philosophers, theologians, and professors of political science, ethics, and law

J. Harold Ellens here explores the intriguing question of why, in John's Gospel, Jesus called himself the 'Son of Man', virtually the only title he gave himself in the Fourth Gospel, and a title virtually no one else ever used for him. In Second Temple Judaism there were several traditions about the Son of Man. In Ezekiel the term 'son of man' means 'mere mortal'. In Daniel, on the other hand, the Son of Man is a heavenly figure with authority to destroy evil and establish God's reign on earth. In 1 Enoch, the Son of Man is a human being appointed by God as an eschatological judge. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke the Son of Man is a man who builds the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus also depicts himself as the Suffering Servant, who will die at the hands of the Jerusalem authorities and be exalted by God to heavenly status as the final Judge. In this monograph the focus is on the Son of Man in the Gospel of John. There is nothing of the Ezekiel tradition in John, but Daniel's heavenly Son of Man is evident in the mind of this Gospel's author, who envisages him as divine, of heavenly origin. Indeed, in John the Son of Man is the divine Logos, God's revelation of himself. As against the Enochic and Synoptic Son of Man, the Johannine Son of Man is not a human being who is exalted to heaven and who will come again as the final Judge. He is a divine figure who descends to earth to remove evil now, by forgiving sins and by establishing God's universal reign.

This volume is a biblical theological critique of the Apostles' Creed and a development of the role of the Holy Spirit in the church, the world, and the personal experience of Christian faith. It addresses the creed as a historic document, an artifact of early Christian theological development, and a long-standing guide for the form and content of that faith tradition. This book is an appreciation of the Apostles' Creed in terms of its persistent pastoral effect in the church. It is also a criticism of aspects of the creed that are unbiblical and crafted for political or extraneous theological reasons by the bishops of the ancient ecumenical councils.

This three-volume set addresses how the role of spirituality and its constructive expressions in various religions—and outside of formal religion—enhances human personality and experience. Theologian and acclaimed scholar J. Harold Ellens now offers a breakthrough work on the positive impact of faith. In The Healing Power of Spirituality and Religion, an extraordinary group of scholars discuss the latest scientific research into the connection between belief and psychological and physical well-being. Each volume of The Healing Power of Spirituality focuses on a specific aspect of the scientific exploration of faith and well being: volume one examines the healing power of personal spiritualities like I Ching and Transcendentalism; volume two looks at the subject in the context of Christianity, Judaism, and other world faiths; and volume three explores the psychodynamics of healing spirituality and religion, including the role of biochemical and chemical reactions in heightening psychospiritual apperception.

This two-volume work in biblical studies is a commemorative presentation to Simon John DeVries, noted Old Testament Scholar. Volume one offers a series of essays on issues in Hebrew bible studies. The topics addressed include the nature of Yahweh as God of Israel, a reexamination of the Exodus tradition, the Priestly code and practices, prophets and revelation, biblical poetry, issues in biblical linguistics, dramatic narrative in Hebrew Bible tradition and Yahweh's deliverance as redemption in Israel.

Description: Probing the Frontiers of Biblical Studies is a seventeen-chapter anthology on biblical studies. It has been crafted as an extended and respectful thank you note to one of the most insightful scholars of biblical studies, David J. A. Clines of Sheffield University in England. He is credited with providing guidance to, and shaping the thought of, two generations of scholars who focus on essential approaches to understanding the Bible, with particular attention given to the Old Testament and allied literature. The anthology is directed toward those readers with pastoral, analytical, ancient intercultural, as well as contemporary cultural perspectives. Essays address a wide range of topics: the so-called Documentary Hypothesis, prophecy, divination, and magic, the wisdom themes in the Book of Job, the Egyptian influence on New Testament, the issue of non-sexual love between two men during combat conditions, character development in a biblical novella, rhetorical questions and their role in the Psalter, and the ways of God in the world. By combining these various topics, Probing the Frontier of Biblical Studies has addressed many of the outstanding issues in Old Testament study and ancillary disciplines. Endorsements: ""David Clines has spent his scholarly career on the frontiers of biblical studies, with a commitment to relate his discoveries and insights to the complexities of our contemporary world. This collection of essays in his honor, written by distinguished colleagues, is a fitting tribute to his work and a serious engagement with it. They probe further along the frontier where Clines has led the way. These essays offer both a model of pioneering Biblical scholarship and a pointer to fresh and exciting new explorations of this frontier."" --Peter Rodgers, Fuller Theological Seminary ""An encomium to the TaNaK or Old Testament with articles gathered from four perspectives: pastoral, academic, intercultural, and cultural. The premise set out by the editors is that the Old Testament is 'paradigmatic for the entire Western World.' Twelve scholars elucidate in the 'language of the people' the diverse values of the TaNaK by examining selected stories, personalities, and poems. This 'frontiers' volume shows how the Old Testament can stimulate a conversation between text and thought, action and reflection. The volume is not only an encomium to the TaNaK but also an encomium to the one to whom it is dedicated, David J. A. Clines."" --Kent Harold Richards, Emory University About the Contributor(s): J. Harold Ellens, a retired professor of psychology and biblical studies, is Research Scholar at the University of Michigan and Founding Editor and Editor in Chief Emeritus of The Journal of Psychology and Christianity. John T. Greene is Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Michigan State University.

Bruce Manning Metzger, New Testament professor emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary, died in February 2007 at the age of 93. This volume in his honour was already in preparation, and has become of necessity a memorial volume rather than the Festschrift that was intended. Metzger has been called the greatest American New Testament critic and biblical translator of the twentieth century. Among his writings most commonly cited are his classic studies The Text of the New Testament, its Transmission, Corruption and Restoration (1964) and The Early Versions of the New Testament, their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations (1977). He was also Chair of the Committee of Translators for the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (published 1990). The first of these two wide-ranging and often innovative volumes created in his honour, subtitled Interpretation of the Text for the Community, falls into two parts: The Nature of the Bible: Manuscripts, Texts, and Translation (e.g. an ancient papyrus biblical fragment, biblical exegesis in the third world), and Understanding the Bible: Hermeneutics (e.g. biblical interpretation in Paul in its cultural context). The second volume, on Implementation of the Text in the Community, has as its two parts, The Church and the Bible: Pulpit and Parish (e.g. pastoral care and the Bible) and The Academy, Science, Culture, Society, and the Bible (e.g. psychological method and the historical Jesus, Jungian and Freudian perspectives on gender in the Gospel of John).

Bruce Manning Metzger, New Testament professor emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary, died in February 2007 at the age of 93. This volume in his honour was already in preparation, and has become of necessity a memorial volume rather than the Festschrift that was intended. Metzger has been called the greatest American New Testament critic and biblical translator of the twentieth century. Among his writings most commonly cited are his classic studies The Text of the New Testament, its Transmission, Corruption and Restoration (1964) and The Early Versions of the New Testament, their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations (1977). He was also Chair of the Committee of Translators for the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (published 1990). The first of these two wide-ranging and often innovative volumes created in his honour, subtitled Interpretation of the Text for the Community, falls into two parts: The Nature of the Bible: Manuscripts, Texts, and Translation (e.g. an ancient papyrus biblical fragment, biblical exegesis in the third world), and Understanding the Bible: Hermeneutics (e.g. biblical interpretation in Paul in its cultural context). The second volume, on Implementation of the Text in the Community, has as its two parts, The Church and the Bible: Pulpit and Parish (e.g. pastoral care and the Bible) and The Academy, Science, Culture, Society, and the Bible (e.g. psychological method and the historical Jesus, Jungian and Freudian perspectives on gender in the Gospel of John).

This two-volume work in biblical studies is a commemorative presentation to Simon John DeVries, noted Old Testament Scholar. Volume one offers a series of essays on issues in Hebrew bible studies. The topics addressed include the nature of Yahweh as God of Israel, a reexamination of the Exodus tradition, the Priestly code and practices, prophets and revelation, biblical poetry, issues in biblical linguistics, dramatic narrative in Hebrew Bible tradition and Yahweh's deliverance as redemption in Israel. Volume two encompasses the worldviews of the Bible for Jews and Christians, the Holiness of God, Psalms in LXX, similarities in ancient Near Eastern narrative and Hebrew Bible, the Bible in the cultural settings of ancient Rome, Middle Ages, Oriental theologies, and contemporary cultural imperatives, and the function of biblical metaphors.

Renowned subject experts Michele A. Paludi and J. Harold Ellens lead readers through a detailed exploration of the feminist methods, issues, and theoretical frameworks that have made women central, not marginal, to religions around the world. At a conference in 2013, Gloria Steinem noted that religion is the "biggest problem" facing feminism today. In this insightful volume, a team of researchers, psychologists, and religious leaders led by editors Michele A. Paludi and J. Harold Ellens supply their expertise and informed opinions to examine the problems, spur understanding, and pose solutions to the conflicts between religion and women's rights, thereby advocating a global interest in justice and love for women. Examples of subjects addressed include the pro-life/pro-choice debate, feminism in new age thought, and the complex intersections of religion and feminism combined with gender, race, and ethnicity. The contributed work in this unique single-volume book enables a better understanding of how various religions view women-both traditionally and in the modern context-and how feminist thinking has changed the roles of women in some world religions. Readers will come away with clear ideas about how religious cultures can honor feminist values, such as family-friendly workplace policies, reproductive justice, and pay equity, and will be prepared to engage in conversation and constructive debate regarding how faith and feminism are interrelated today. Addresses feminism in several religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and Taoism Explores how theology speaks to women's experiences in the family, in relationships, at work, in politics, and in education, while also addressing atheist viewpoints and experiences Addresses a subject that is highly relevant in discussions focused on events in the Middle East and as the number of women becoming leaders of or top officials in various faiths continues to grow