"A Symphony of New Testament Hymns" opens a window of insight into familiar Scripture passages - poetic passages that were later often set to music. By showing that the composers of some of these traditional New Testament, pre-60 C.E. hymns intentionally created passages that are lyrical or hymnic within the prose, this work presents the sometimes hidden depth behind their construction and meaning.

Inspired by Roy Harris' "Folksong Symphony," Father Karris arranges his treatment of Philippians 2:6-11, Colossians 1:15-20, Ephesians 2:14-16, Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:11-13, Titus 3:4-7, and 1 Peter 3:18-22 in a way that faith-fully addresses today's spiritual concerns, such as spirituality, ecology, reconciliation, baptism, and angels.

The first book in English in thirty years to study New Testament hymns, "A Symphony of New Testament Hymns" brings readers greater enjoyment of these lesser-known Pauline hymns and a deepening of faith. Father Karris contends we have much to learn from what these songs proclaimed about Jesus at a time when the four gospels hadn't been published.

The first chapters, Beginnings" and "Background," address the nature of hymns. Subsequent chapters contain a translation and analysis of the above texts, a study of contexts, key concepts and images, suggestions for reflection on the contemporary significance of the hymn, and an annotated bibliography. The concluding chapter offers a retrospective look at the many Christological themes reflected in the texts.

ViewingPaul's letters and the common New Testament introduction topics from a refreshingly unique perspective, A Symphony of New Testament Hymns is especially appropriate for students and professors of the New Testament. Those looking for biblical spirituality, liturgists and musicians looking for new texts to set, and those in catechetical work - especially those involved in the RCIA - will also benefit from Father Karris' distinctive look at how the earliest Christians lyrically proclaimed Jesus Christ as Lord.

"Robert J. Karris, OFM, taught New Testament for sixteen years at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He is a veteran author, known primarily for his studies on Luke. He holds a ThD from Harvard University.""

Robert Karris spreads before us a unique and delightful framing of the food theme in the Gospel of Luke.

Karris describes the food and drink popular in Jesus' day. He also documents the social, political, and general contexts in which the food was prepared and eaten. He outlines the social roles Jesus assumes in Luke's Gospel in relation to food and meals, as well as the relationship between women and food. Karris also examines the eucharistic implications of the way food and drink are portrayed.

This volume invites readers to get actively involved in the process of discovery by checking Scripture references alongside the author. Food themes in the other three Gospels are also briefly compared with Luke's Gospel. Questions to stimulate an appetite for discussion or reflection and suggestions for further reading are provided at the end of each chapter.

"Robert J. Karris, OFM, ThD, is head of research at the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, New York. He has published more than fifteen books, including Liturgical Press titles "Jesus and the Marginalized in John's Gospel, Symphony of New Testament Hymns, " and "Commentary on Galatians and Romans.

Lohse gives the reader solid interpretation and access to other scholars' efforts.