David G. Firth – författare

A new interpretation to Psalm 82 that summons an embracing of justice for the poor, marginalised, and disenfranchised in our communities.\nPsalm 82 can often be overlooked as simplistic, confusing, or out of place. With an understanding of ethical liturgy, Monge-Greer illuminates this mythopoeic psalm as a deeply sophisticated, prophetic summons to actively embrace justice for the poor, marginalised, and disenfranchised in our communities. Monge-Greer's interpretation provides a new opportunity for biblical study of this psalm, offering clarity and relevance to this heavily discussed psalm. Divine Council, Ethics, and Resistance in Psalm 82 explores the origins of the Psalm, its use as liturgy in early Israelite cultic practice, and its reception as resistance literature in the Second Temple period. By examining the historical usage of the psalm, Monge-Greer reveals to the reader how Psalm 82 can be used to inform their own lives and actions. Divine Council, Ethics, and Resistance in Psalm 82 is a new approach for biblical scholars, historians, and those seeking justice in the everyday.

Explore the contemporary significance of the Old Testament and hear the Word of God afreshJohn Goldingay is one of the most prolific and creative Old Testament scholars working today. In this book he draws on the best of biblical scholarship as well as the Christian tradition to offer a substantive and useful commentary on Joshua. The commentary is both critically engaged and sensitive to the theological contributions of the text.Goldingay treats Joshua as an ancient Israelite document that speaks to twenty-first-century Christians. He examines the text section by section and addresses important issues and problems that flow from the text and its discussion.In addition to paragraph-level commentary, all volumes of the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament series feature:● A fresh translation of the Hebrew text● Incisive comments based on the author's translation● Linguistic, historical, and canonical insights● Concluding reflections● Footnotes addressing technical mattersPastors, teachers, and all serious students of the Bible will find here an accessible commentary that will serve as an excellent resource for their study.This volume, the first in a new series on the Historical Books, complements other Baker Commentary on the Old Testament series: Pentateuch, Wisdom and Psalms, and Prophets. Each series volume is grounded in rigorous scholarship but is useful for those who preach and teach. The series editors are David G. Firth (Trinity College, Bristol) and Lissa M. Wray Beal (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto).

The promise and peril in reading the Minor ProphetsReading the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets confronts the unique challenges presented by this daunting section of the Old Testament. Authors from a variety of perspectives consider questions about hermeneutics and composition, reception history, theodicy, metaphors and characterization, and theology. These essays provide insights from the history of interpretation and the latest in scholarship. Contributors include David G. Firth, Brittany N. Melton, Isabelle M. Hamley, Tchavdar S. Hadjiev, Heath A. Thomas, Thomas Renz, S. D. Snyman, Anthony R. Petterson, Beth M. Stovell, Julie Woods, and John Goldingay.

This volume surveys recent developments in the study of Old Testament wisdom; discusses issues that have arisen in Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes; examines the Song of Songs, Ruth and some Psalms as wisdom texts; and explores wisdom and biblical theology, the concept of retribution, and the issue of divine absence.

The Old Testament, particularly the Former Prophets, has frequently been regarded as having a negative attitude towards foreigners. This has meant that these texts are often employed by those opposed to the Christian faith to attack the Bible; and such views can be echoed by Christians. While the story of David and Goliath is cherished, other episodes are seen to involve 'ethnic cleansing' or 'massacre' and are avoided.David Firth's contention is that this view emerges from an established interpretation of the text, but not the text itself. He argues that the Former Prophets subvert the exclusivist approach in order to show that the people of God are not defined by ethnicity but rather by their willingness to commit themselves to the purposes of Yahweh. God's purposes are always wider than Israel alone, and Israel must therefore understand themselves as a people who welcome and include the foreigner.Firth addresses contemporary concerns about the ongoing significance of the Old Testament for Christians, and shows how opponents of Christianity have misunderstood the Bible. His reading of the Former Prophets also has significant ethical implications for Christians today as they wrestle with the issues of migration and what it means to be the people of God.

The book of Joshua tells the action-packed story of Israel's entry into and conquest of Canaan, the promised land. Yet it is often troubling for contemporary Christian readers, perhaps more than any other part of the Old Testament – isn't the violence shown inconsistent with the gospel of Jesus?In The Message of Joshua, David G Firth explores this story as part of God's mission, which goes on to find its ultimate focus in Jesus Christ. He illuminates the meaning that the book of Joshua still has for Christians today; it challenges us, just as it challenges those who have read it down through the ages, to recognize that God not only includes those who join him in his mission, he also excludes those who choose to set themselves against it.Part of the loved and trusted The Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, The Message of Joshua offers an clear, readable exposition of the Biblical text and thought-provoking discussion of how its meaning relates to contemporary life. Used by Bible students and teachers around the world, The Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for anyone studying or preaching Joshua and who want to delve deeper into the text. This beautifully redesigned edition has also been sensitively updated to include modern references and use the NRSV Bible text.The Message of Joshua will help for anyone looking for a commentary on Joshua that makes clear its meaning both in its original context and for Christians in the twenty-first century.

The Book of Esther is one of two books of the Bible to be set entirely outside of the Promised Land, and the only book which does not mention God at all. In this cogent, readable study, David Firth explores The Message of Esther, to help us better understand this paradoxically important book and its implications for our own contemporary context. With clear insight, he lay out how the reality of God's presence is experienced against a backdrop of God's relative anonymity and seeming absence, and shows us how that speaks into the lives of Christians today. A revised volume in the trusted Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, The Message of Esther offers an accessible and thought-provoking exposition of Esther’s story, that considers its meaning for both its original audience and for Christians in the twenty-first century. Used by Bible students and teachers around the world, The Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for students and preachers who want to deepen their understanding of Scripture as it was first written as well as its continued relevance today.This beautifully redesigned edition has been sensitively updated to include modern references and use the NIV Bible text.The Message of Esther is perfect for anyone looking for a stimulating, accessible commentary on Esther that will help them apply its lessons to their everyday life.

The Bible is both a divine and a human book. It is the inspired word of God for his people, whether in biblical times or for the church today. It is also a fully human book, written by different people in a variety of cultural settings. Knowledge of biblical language and society is essential if the meaning of the human writer is to be grasped fully.The Apollos Old Testament Commentary aims to take with equal seriousness the divine and human aspects of Scripture. It expounds the books of the Old Testament in a scholarly manner accessible to non-experts and shows the relevance of the Old Testament to modern readers.This commentary begins with an introduction, which gives an overview of the issues of date, authorship, sources and so on, but which also outlines more fully than usual the theology of the Psalms and provides pointers toward its interpretation and contemporary application.The annotated translation of the Hebrew text by the author forms the basis for the subsequent commentary. The form and structure section examines the context of a passage, its use of rhetorical devices, and source and form-critical issues. The comment section is a thorough, detailed exegesis of the historical and theological meaning of the passage. The explanation - the goal of the commentary - offers a full exposition of the theological message within the framework of biblical theology, and a commitment to the inspiration and authority of the Old Testament.

It is generally recognized that scholarly study of the Bible has taken a 'literary turn' over the past two decades. The contributors to this volume are united in their belief that a proper understanding of different aspects of literary theory can make a significant contribution to biblical interpretation.These informative and stimulating essays survey some general issues and a selection of specific approaches, filling a gap between simpler introductions and the primary texts of major theorists.Literary theory is not the only conversation partner for biblical interpretation in our day, but this volume demonstrates that it is also an important one if we are to continue to hear and understand the living Word of God in the words of the Bible.

The Bible is both a divine and a human book. It is the inspired word of God for his people, whether in biblical times or for the church today. It is also a fully human book, written by different people in a variety of cultural settings. Knowledge of biblical language and society is essential if the meaning of the human writer is to be grasped fully. The Apollos Old Testament Commentary aims to take with equal seriousness the divine and human aspects of Scripture. It expounds the books of the Old Testament in a scholarly manner accessible to nonexperts, and shows the relevance of the Old Testament to modern readers.This commentary begins with an Introduction, which gives an overview of the issues of date, authorship, sources and so on, but which also outlines more fully than usual the theology of 1 and 2 Samuel, and provides pointers toward its interpretation and contemporary application. The annotated Translation of the Hebrew text by the author forms the basis for the subsequent commentary. The Form and Structure section examines the context of a passage, its use of rhetorical devices, and source and form-critical issues. The Comment section is a thorough, detailed exegesis of the historical and theological meaning of the passage. The Explanation-the goal of the commentary-offers a full exposition of the theological message within the framework of biblical theology, and a commitment to the inspiration and authority of the Old Testament.Written by an international team of scholars, the commentaries are intended primarily to serve the needs of those who preach from the Old Testament. They are equally suitable for use by scholars and all serious students of the Bible.