Where in the world was Jesus when he prayed? Where is any one of us when we pray? Since we are embodied creatures, our prayer location can be mapped onto space-time coordinates. Since we are social creatures, our prayers are also situated within our social locations. But do these sets of coordinates exhaustively identify the place that prayer takes when truly entered into? Conversely, can either set totally prevent prayer from taking place there? The studies in When Prayer Takes Place explore dimensions of these issues traced in selected texts from both parts of the Christian Bible.

Description: One of our best known biblical interpreters offers essays and sermons meant to assist preachers in their interpretation and explication of biblical texts. Often neglected in preaching, the Old Testament is a particular focus of attention, but only in the context of the wholeness of Scripture. Questions addressed in this volume include the following: How does one approach and preach the Old Testament at Easter? What are the contemporary issues or dimensions in preaching the Ten Commandments? And how does the preacher hold the Old Testament and the New Testament in proclaiming God's word to the church? In this collection, attention is given to preaching about the ministry and on particular occasions, such as funerals, baccalaureates, ordination, and in Advent and Christmas as well as before Holy Communion. Endorsements: ""I have long admired the way in which Patrick Miller combines insightful biblical scholarship with love for the church and its ministry. The two are beautifully wed in this book where Miller vividly reminds us of all we have to gain by reincorporating regular preaching from the Old Testament into our ministries, and in which he models how to do so with integrity, authenticity, and (always) theological depth."" --Nora Tubbs Tisdale, Professor of Homiletics, Yale Divinity School ""Patrick Miller's passion for the Bible and church is on full exhibit here, together with his unrivaled erudition and his great theological sensibility. In this book he faces the hard and complex issues of biblical interpretation and preaching. Readers will be impacted and transformed by the force of his argument and advocacy. There is good reason he is reckoned to be the premier interpreter of our generation. His own sermons included here attest to the wise practicality of what he teaches."" --Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary ""Patrick Miller began his career as a preacher and during his academic years he has been regularly in the pulpit. . . . In his practice as a teacher he never lost sight of the purpose of the interpretive discipline--discerning the Word. Now he has given us this rich harvest composed of instruction about and illustrations of the way through the text to the sermon. It will benefit and inspire everyone--students, teachers, and preachers alike."" --James Luther Mays, Professor Emeritus of Hebrew and the Old Testament, Union Presbyterian Seminary About the Contributor(s): Patrick D. Miller is Professor of Old Testament Theology Emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is former editor of Theology Today and author of The Ten Commandments (2009) and many other works.

Patrich D. Miller investigates the role religion played in the family, village, tribe, and nation-state of ancient Israel. He situates Israel's religion in context where a variety of social forces affected beliefs, and where popular cults openly competed with the "official" religion. He makes extensive use of both epigraphic and artifactual evidence as he probes the complexities of Iron Age culture and society.

Volumes in the Library of Ancient Israel draw on multiple disciplines--such as archaeology, anthropology, sociology, linguistics, and literary criticism--to illuminate the everyday realities and social subtleties these ancient cultures experienced. This series employs sophisticated methods resulting in original contributions that depict the reality of the people behind the Hebrew Bible and interprets these insights for a wide variety of readers.

Description: Where in the world was Jesus when he prayed? Where is any one of us when we pray? Since we are embodied creatures, our prayer location can be mapped onto space-time coordinates. Since we are social creatures, our prayers are also situated within our social locations. But do these sets of coordinates exhaustively identify the place that prayer takes when truly entered into? Conversely, can either set totally prevent prayer from taking place there? These questions lie at the intersection of resolutely religious vis-a-vis resolutely secular understandings of existence. The studies in this volume explore dimensions of these issues traced in selected texts from both parts of the Christian Bible. Endorsements: ""Janzen has been looking at these biblical texts all his life. Every time he looks again, he sees something else by way of connection or nuance . . . It is a delight to salute this long-loved colleague on this rich offer that, as always from him, is a gift of newness."" --Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary ""Rare is the exegete who is wise beyond his or her own specialty. Rarer still is the interpreter who explores the text down to its minutest of details with infectious wonder. Janzen is that exegete: text critic, theologian, philosopher, and poet. His exegetical forays are unhurried expeditions of a vivacious mind that will touch the heart, indelibly."" --William P. Brown, Columbia Theological Seminary ""Janzen models what the exegetical imagination can do when it is focused on significant questions and disciplined by wide-ranging study, thorough and exact knowledge of the biblical text, and the life of prayer itself. These essays invite us to slow down and savor Scripture."" --Ellen F. Davis, Duke Divinity School ""In these essays, both old and new, Janzen delves into detailed exegetical and intertextual analyses of biblical texts, crossing both Testaments and constantly appealing to the original languages with a sensitivity that generates profoundly existential reflection on one's own relationship with God. I found his essays transformative both for my reading of Scripture and for my own life."" --J. Richard Middleton, Northeastern Seminary About the Contributor(s): J. Gerald Janzen is MacAllister-Petticrew emeritus Professor of Old Testament at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. He has published commentaries on Genesis 12-50, Exodus, and Job, and his most recent book is At the Scent of Water: The Ground of Hope in the Book of Job (2009). Brent A. Strawn is an associate professor of Old Testament at the Candler School of Theology and Graduate Division of Religion at Emory University. He recently edited The Bible and the Pursuit of Happiness: What the Old and New Testaments Teach Us about the Good Life (2012). Patrick D. Miller is Charles T. Haley Professor of Old Testament Theology emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary. He recently authored The Ten Commandments (2009).

In seven readable chapters, renowned scholar Patrick D. Miller delves into the biblical book of Psalms. Miller explores what the psalms can teach us about God, our relationship to God, and what God wants for us. He tackles over a dozen of the most beloved psalms that explore themes of God's existence; creation and redemption; praise and thanksgiving; and grace, mercy, and justice. He approaches the material in various ways, sometimes focusing on what a particular psalm can tell us, other times examining one theme that flows through several psalms. Miller offers a fresh reading of the psalms that will help the reader better understand God in worship and prayer.

In this theological exposition of Deuteronomy, Patrick Miller is sensitive to the character of the book as a part of scripture that self-consciously addresses different generations. He discusses the nature and character of the law as revealed in Deuteronomy, as well as the nature of the moral life under God. The treatment of Deuteronomy in the New Testament, and customary introductory issues such as authorship and date, are dealt with in terms of their significance for interpreting and understanding Deuteronomy's character and intention.

Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry.

"No scholar of this generation has had a greater fire in his bones for communicating the word of God than Walter Brueggemann. These essays on Jeremiah exemplify his insistence that criticism should lead to interpretation, and remind us again why prophets like Jeremiah still matter in the 21st century." - John J. Collins, Holmes Professor of Old Testament, Yale "Like Fire in the Bones is a gift to the churches and to anyone interested in prophetic literature with its harsh rhetoric, blazing visions, and demanding yet merciful God. Jeremiah may have had fire in his bones, but Brueggemann sets fires with his pen. He shows how Jeremiah speaks into the abyss of historical catastrophe with speech that matches experience. He underlines the disputatious political character of theological speech. He reiterates Jeremiah's call to covenant loyalty even in the face of religious and government forces that suppress and silence words of life. He illuminates Jeremiah's bare-boned hope for a world in the thrall of empire and social amnesia. If ever there was need for imaginative rereading of Jeremiah and of the texts of common life, it is now. At this, Brueggemann is a master." - Kathleen M. O'Connor, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary "Jeremiah, the longest book in the Bible, is neglected much too often by preacher and teacher alike. That neglect is due, in significant part, to the prophet's often-sharp words that strike too close to home, in his own generation and in ours. It is telling that the prophet Jeremiah, the focus of these essays that span much of Walter Brueggemann's prophetic ministry, has been in his head and heart for such a long time. Again and again, Brueggemann's own words have mirrored Jeremiah to us, and the times in which we presently live could profit from hearing them again." - Terence E. Fretheim, Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary

Originally published: Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, c1977, in series: Johns Hopkins University. Near Eastern Studies.

In this volume, Patrick D. Miller studies the Ten Commandments as ancient document and as contemporary guide. With careful attention to each commandment in its original context, this book shows the reader the modern relevance of these basic principles, as well as how the ideas of each commandment influenced the New Testament. More than an intellectual exercise, "The Ten Commandments" applies the call of the commandments to modern-day issues.

Westminster John Knox Press is proud to introduce an exciting new phase in the renowned Interpretation commentary series. Instead of focusing on individual books of the Bible, these new volumes will focus on the Bible's most enduring passages and most vital themes, bringing to these topics the insight and faithful wisdom that are longtime hallmarks of the Interpretation series. This expanded Interpretation series will be an excellent resource for all those who teach, preach, and study the Bible.

This careful and profound new work is a collection of previously published essays examining the experience of Scripture in the way it informs a wholly Christian life. With a special focus on the commandments and the Psalms, there is also a generous section on what other parts of the Old Testament have to say to our observations of theology today.

In the first section, Patrick Miller is compelling in his portrayal of the rich complexities of the Ten Commandments and convincing in his assertion that aspects of the Decalogue appear and are expanded throughout Scripture. His second section shifts to the Psalms, revealing them to be as much a book of theology as a book of poetry and song, pointing a way of faith and life. The final section expands to consider more wide-ranging topics in theology and anthropology, contemplating the character of God and the nature of the human.

"Part of being human, Miller writes, is a slow building up of trust based on experiences of God's earlier deliverances. . . . It is in insights such as these that Miller is at his best. Throughout the book Miller's writing is logical and profound. A close but clear reading is possible because Miller walks a reader through to his conclusion. One may not agree with all the conclusions reached, but Miller arrives at them fairly and with both textual and scholarly support. He offers fellow scholars and students alike a wealth of insights based on a lifetime of study. His book provides an excellent tool; it is an up-to-date reference work, particularly on the commandments and the Psalms. It is sure to be cited widely by those writing journal articles. Miller's work -- always outstanding, always reasoned, alwayswell-written -- leaves a reader grateful for the chance to be walked through the richness of topics in the biblical text by one who has so profoundly shaped biblical scholarship for decades."
-- Robin Gallaher Branch in "Review of Biblical Literature"

In this collection of his essays from the popular and respected journal "Theology Today," longtime editor Patrick D. Miller offers insights into the basic human condition. His reflections range from popular culture (the popularity of Seinfeld) to political matters (the proper public role for the Ten Commandments) to the sublime (the connection between poetry and faith). The wit and wisdom of this internationally respected biblical scholar come through clearly in this collection.

Lament, so prominent in the Christian canon, is neglected in the public worship and witness of most North American congregations. These essays by Princeton Theological Seminary faculty attest to the diverse ways in which lament is understood and practiced, and invite their recovery in all elements of the church's ministry.

Among his many contributions to New Testament studies, Donald Juel was perhaps best known for his treatment of the ending of Mark's Gospel. He saw the open-endedness of Mark as powerfully unsettling for the reader who desires to tame and predict God's actions. In this series of essays, edited by Beverly Roberts Gaventa and Patrick Miller, theologians begin with Juel's own work and reflect on the "unsettling" in the context of their own work.

This is a formidable collection of previously published essays by this distinguished Old Testament scholar. Three significant areas of biblical studies have been a focus of the author's attention throughout his career: the Bible in its ancient Near Eastern world, the Psalms, and Old Testament theology. In Part I, epigraphic discoveries are examined for the light they shed on biblical texts. In Part II, special attention is given to the theological significance of reading the Psalms as a collection. In Part III, a wide range of theological issues-creation, covenant, prayer, cosmology, canon, and especially the nature and character of God-are taken up in various essays that suggest how biblical theology can contribute to the larger theological enterprise.

In this theological exposition of Deuteronomy, Patrick Miller is sensitive to the character of the book as a part of scripture that self-consciously addresses different generations. He discusses the nature and character of the law as revealed in Deuteronomy, as well as the nature of the moral life under God. The treatment of Deuteronomy in the New Testament, and customary introductory issues such as authorship and date, are dealt with in terms of their significance for interpreting and understanding Deuteronomy's character and intention.

Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry.

ANCIENT ISRAELITE RELIGION Essays in Honor of Frank Moore Cross "A distinguished tribute to a truly distinguished scholar and teacher." -Catholic Biblical Quarterly Although the Hebrew Bible serves as the main source of knowledge of ancient Israelite religion, much additional information comes from the material and written remains uncovered in the archaeological investigations of the Ancient Near East. In this volume, internationally renowned scholars examine all of these sources in order to present the most impressive, comprehensive study of ancient Israelite religion yet to appear. The Editors PATRICK D. MILLER is Professor of Old Testament Theology Emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary. His books include Interpreting the Psalms (1986) and They Cried to the Lord (1994), both published by Fortress Press. PAUL D. HANSON is Corliss Lamont Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School. He is the author of The Dawn of Apocalyptic: The Historical & Sociological Roots of Jewish Apocalyptic Eschatology (1984) and the editor of several volumes in the Hermeneia series, all published by Fortress Press. S. DEAN McBRIDE is Cyrus H. McCormick Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation Emeritus at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. He is an author and editor for the Hermeneia series published by Fortress Press.

In this bracing call to serious thought, esteemed biblical theologian Patrick Miller looks to the First Commandment in the fight against the misappropriation of theological themes for political ends-''the coalescence of God and country, the takeover of the language of faith in the speech of politics, and the confusion of loyalty with obedience.''

The leading Old Testament theologian reflects on the meaning of the gospel in today's world. These studies on a variety of biblical texts focus deftly on reading, listening to, and proclaiming the gospel in a broken, fragmented, and "post-Christendom" world. Brueggemann explores how these traditions have the potential to continually resonate in our contemporary communities and individual lives.

The Old Testament theologian extraordinaire reflects on the meaning of Israel's prophets for today's world.