"Professor Rogerson's Introduction provides all the information necessary for reading the Bible with pleasure and profit, and it does so in a clear and concise way without fuss or condescension. Based on years of teaching, it covers a remarkably broad range of issues from the formation of different canons in different communities to the use and abuse of biblical texts in forming opinion on such contemporary issues as capital punishment and reproductive rights. It is a special boon that it covers both the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and the New Testament. This is the best Introduction that has come my way in a long time." Joseph Blenkinsopp, University of Notre Dame "Rogerson combines the integrity of a scholar, the wisdom of a teacher and the heart of a pastor to write a clear and authoritative introduction. Facts that are often unknown and opinions that are sometimes avoided because they challenge our prejudices will go a long way towards making for a better-informed and more humane use of Scripture." Hugh Williamson, University of Oxford The Bible is one of the most influential and profound texts in human history - it is disturbing, unconventional, and never content with the world as it is. Reviews of the revised edition: "Rogerson's superb book belongs in all libraries." - Choice "This detailed volume makes an excellent tool for guided introduction or revision course in any formal study setting." - Journal for the Study of the New Testament "A complete introductory work accessible to a public of non-specialists interested in the development of modern scientific exegesis. The rich selection of examples and the depth of reflection would be of interest to pastors, pastoral agents and students." - Review of Biblical Literature "I would like to praise the author for his clear prose that is used as a vehicle for his nonideological communication on the Bible. Reading this book, one meets a seasoned scholar who has the ability to present his profound insights in a laudably didactic way This introduction is one of the finest books to be used in an undergraduate course both for theologians and 'others.' I hope the book will be read so often that a fourth edition is needed in the foreseeable future." - Review of Biblical Literature This classic introduction presents a concise and accessible guide to all aspects of biblical study: the nature and purpose of the Bible; how biblical writers wrote; the making of both Old and New Testaments; the making of the Apocrypha; what was left out and what kept in the Bible and why; and how the Bible has been shaped by and continues to shape religion, culture and politics. Completely revised and updated - and considerably extended with much more material on the making of the Old and New Testaments - this third edition takes full account of recent developments in scholarship. It includes maps and a glossary of key terms. Praise for the Third Edition: 'This book is not just a reprint of John Rogerson's informative book on the Bible but a thoroughly revised edition in which the author has brought the information up to date. This book is designed as a textbook, and it should be assessed as that. I would like to praise the author for his clear prose that is used as a vehicle for his nonideological communication on the Bible. Reading this book, one meets a seasoned scholar who has the ability to present his profound insights in a laudably didactic way. ]This introduction is one of the finest books to be used in an undergraduate course both for theologians and "others." I hope the book will be read so often that a fourth edition is needed in the foreseeable future.' Bob Becking, Review of Biblical Literature (November 2012)

The city is an ambiguous symbol in the Bible. The founder of the first city is the murderer, Cain. The city of Jerusalem is the place chosen by God, yet is also a place of wrong-doing and injustice. Jesus seems to have largely avoided cities except Jerusalem, where he was crucified. 'The City in Biblical Perspective' examines the archaeological and social background of the urban biblical world and explores the implications of the deliberate ambiguities in the biblical text. The book aims to deepen our understanding of both the biblical and the contemporary city by asking how the Bible's complex understanding of the city can illuminate our own ever more urban time.

The city is an ambiguous symbol in the Bible. The founder of the first city is the murderer, Cain. The city of Jerusalem is the place chosen by God, yet is also a place of wrong-doing and injustice. Jesus seems to have largely avoided cities except Jerusalem, where he was crucified. 'The City in Biblical Perspective' examines the archaeological and social background of the urban biblical world and explores the implications of the deliberate ambiguities in the biblical text. The book aims to deepen our understanding of both the biblical and the contemporary city by asking how the Bible's complex understanding of the city can illuminate our own ever more urban time.

If something is commanded in the Bible, the command must surely be obeyed if we are to be true to the Bible. This is what many people think, especially when they hear representatives of churches today arguing about moral issues. In fact, the matter is not as simple as this, and at various periods of history, churches have had quite differing views on how biblical commandments should be understood, and on whether they can be applied to their situations, if at all. The book falls into two sections. The first sketches the history of the use of the Bible in social, moral and political questions from the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, to the present day. The second part looks at some case studies, including human and sexual relationships, life issues, attitudes to lawful authority, and the charging of interest.

If something is commanded in the Bible, the command must surely be obeyed if we are to be true to the Bible. This is what many people think, especially when they hear representatives of churches today arguing about moral issues. In fact, the matter is not as simple as this, and at various periods of history, churches have had quite differing views on how biblical commandments should be understood, and on whether they can be applied to their situations, if at all. The book falls into two sections. The first sketches the history of the use of the Bible in social, moral and political questions from the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, to the present day. The second part looks at some case studies, including human and sexual relationships, life issues, attitudes to lawful authority, and the charging of interest.

A casual reader enters a bookshop looking for a Bible. However, not all the Bibles on display have the same contents! Some have more books than others, some are study editions, some use gender-free language. How did this come about? This Introduction works back through the processes by which the Bible was written, transmitted, copied and declared to be authoritative by various churches. The following topics are dealt with: What is the Bible?; How Biblical Writers Wrote; The Making of the Old Testament; The Making of the Apocrypha; The Making of the New Testament; The Canon of the Bible; The Study of the Bible; The Use of the Bible in Social, Moral and Political Questions. This updated edition takes account of developments in scholarship since the book was first published in 1999 by Penguin. The original edition has been translated into Spanish and Portuguese.

This volume follows the general pattern of the series, opening with a discussion of content, of authorship, and of the way the collection came to be put together, followed by a psalm-by-psalm presentation of the NEB text with commentary. Dr Rogerson and Dr McKay stress the richness and variety of the material in the Psalms, and provide an analytical table of the predominant themes. They discuss the literary characteristics of Hebrew poetry with special reference to devices such as the acrostic, and examine the problems faced by the NEB translators. Over the years many different approaches have been made to the interoperation of the Psalms. The authors characterize these as the spiritual, the historical, the form-critical and the cultic approach, and their own commentary strikes an effective balance between them. One of their primary purposes is to bring out the religious teaching of permanent value within the Psalms.

This volume follows the general pattern of the series, opening with a discussion of content, of authorship and of the way the collection came to be put together, followed by a psalm-by-psalm presentation of the N.E.B. text with commentary.

The Broad Church tradition in the Church of England owes much to the mid-19th century pioneers F. D. Maurice, Charles Kingsley and F. W. Robertson. Their vision was Biblical, Evangelical and Catholic with a strong sense of the role of the National Church in seeking to bring every aspect of public and private life in England and Wales under the lordship of God. John Rogerson is an Anglican priest and international authority on the Old Testament. This edition of five short lectures provides a fascinating exploration of the history and theology of the Broad Church movement, showing its deep relevance to the life and mission of the Church today.

Language about the Holy Spirit in church worship is confused and contradictory. This can lead to extremes in which the Spirit may appear limited to the ministry of bishops and elders, or is believed to be manifest in signs and wonders which alone are held to be the marks of the true church. This book is written for congregations, clergy and leaders by a leading international authority on the Old Testament(a non-charismatic Christian). He helps readers navigate and understand the church's perplexing language about the Holy Spirit, using insights from scholarship and his long experience of working as a priest. Based on sermons from his regular ministry, each chapter carefully explores and illuminates biblical references to the Holy Spirit, encouraging readers to believe that God is on the inside of his creation, in the world and the church, even when 'results' are not spectacular in a human sense. Where the Gospel is faithfully preached and heard, the Spirit of God is at work.

The Oxford Handbooks series is a major new initiative in academic publishing. Each volume offers an authoritative and up-to-date survey of original research in a particular subject area. Specially commissioned essays from leading figures in the discipline give critical examinations of the progress and direction of debates. Biblical studies is a highly technical and diverse field. Study of the Bible demands expertise in fields ranging from Archaeology, Egyptology, Assyriology, and Linguistics through textual, historical, and sociological studies to Literary Theory, Feminism, Philosophy, and Theology, to name only some. This authoritative and compelling guide to the discipline will, therefore, be an invaluable reference work for all students and academics who want to explore more fully essential topics in Biblical studies.