David Stacey – författare

The purpose of this book is to enable students to fully comprehend what is involved in the creation of a text; to acquire a command of composition, grammar and the lexicon and to develop skills in adapting writing style to the audience and context of writing. The book provides coverage of general theory, but the emphasis throughout is practical. Examples of writing for discussions are drawn from the works of authors writing in diverse styles of English and the final section of the book provides invaluable suggestions for writing practice.

David Stacey believes that the meaning of oracles when they were first spoken is of primary importance for preachers and teachers today. In this commentary, he attempts to unravel the difficulties which even the best translations fail to make plain to place each passage in its original context. But the prophecies were repeatedly edited and re-used over a long period, and Dr. Stacey also examines this living "e;Isaiah tradition,"e; which he thinks is a valuable feature of the book. The work of the ancient editors can provide a model of the way we can understand the text today. Throughout the commentary the question is asked: "e;If this is how the text was understood and used in various ancient settings, how can we accept it, understand it, and use it as authentic Scripture today?"e;

Most books on the prophets contain a page or two on what is usually called "e;prophetic symbolism,"e; but full-scale treatments are remarkably few, and in English entirely lacking. Dr. Stacey examines all the evidence in detail, considers the various explanations of the phenomenon that have been offered, gives particular attention to the apparent link with magic, and provides a model whereby these dramatic actions can be properly understood. This book is significant for the study of Hebrew religion; it also paves the way for further investigation of similar actions in the New Testament.