The distinctions and similarities among Roman, Jewish, and Christian burials can provide evidence of social networks, family life, and, perhaps, religious sensibilities. Is the Roman development from columbaria to catacombs the result of evolving religious identities or simply a matter of a change in burial fashions? Do the material remains from Jewish burials evidence an adherence to ancient customs, or the adaptation of rituals from surrounding cultures? What Greco-Roman funerary images were taken over and "baptized" as Christian ones? The answers to these and other questions require that the material culture be viewed, whenever possible, in situ, through multiple disciplinary lenses and in light of ancient texts. Roman historians (John Bodel, Richard Saller, Andrew Wallace-Hadrill), archaeologists (Susan Stevens, Amy Hirschfeld), scholars of rabbinic period Judaism (Deborah Green), Christian history (Robin M. Jensen), and the New Testament (David Balch, Laurie Brink, O.P., Margaret M. Mitchell, Carolyn Osiek, R.S.C.J.) engaged in a research trip to Rome and Tunisia to investigate imperial period burials first hand. Commemorting the Dead is the result of a three year scholarly conversation on their findings.

Biblical Foundations of Spirituality invites readers to "touch a finger to the flame" of the Bible by offering guidance on what, how, and why to read Scripture as a source of spiritual nourishment. The second edition builds on Barbara Bowe's acclaimed book with two new chapters by Laurie Brink and John R. Barker introducing key theological concepts and exploring how biblical spirituality was first experienced and expressed in early Christian communities. The book begins by exploring the many meanings of the word "spirituality," then leads readers through the Bible-from Genesis to Revelation-to develop a biblically based spirituality that can serve as a compass in the challenges of life. Updated to reference the latest scholarship, this book helps make the Bible more accessible and shows how it can be relevant to life today. The book stresses the spiritual dimension of biblical figures' search for God and shows how their insights about God-from successes to dead ends-can reflect our contemporary searching and struggles. Biblical Foundations of Spirituality reveals the spiritual wisdom of the Bible, connecting it with everyday life and spirituality. With a chronology, reflection questions, a glossary, and updated notes and bibliography, as well as two new chapters, the second edition of Biblical Foundations of Spirituality is ideal for classroom, parish, or individual reading.

Biblical Foundations of Spirituality invites readers to "touch a finger to the flame" of the Bible by offering guidance on what, how, and why to read Scripture as a source of spiritual nourishment. The second edition builds on Barbara Bowe's acclaimed book with two new chapters by Laurie Brink and John R. Barker introducing key theological concepts and exploring how biblical spirituality was first experienced and expressed in early Christian communities. The book begins by exploring the many meanings of the word "spirituality," then leads readers through the Bible-from Genesis to Revelation-to develop a biblically based spirituality that can serve as a compass in the challenges of life. Updated to reference the latest scholarship, this book helps make the Bible more accessible and shows how it can be relevant to life today. The book stresses the spiritual dimension of biblical figures' search for God and shows how their insights about God-from successes to dead ends-can reflect our contemporary searching and struggles. Biblical Foundations of Spirituality reveals the spiritual wisdom of the Bible, connecting it with everyday life and spirituality. With a chronology, reflection questions, a glossary, and updated notes and bibliography, as well as two new chapters, the second edition of Biblical Foundations of Spirituality is ideal for classroom, parish, or individual reading.