T&T Clark – serie

This title is a unique collection of essays surrounding modern hermeneutic approaches to early Christian theological texts. Reading the corpus of texts written by the Fathers of the Church has always been a core area in Christian theology. However, scholars and academics are by no means united in the question how these important but difficult authors should be read and interpreted. Many of them are divided by implicit (but often unquestioned) assumptions about the best way to approach the texts or by underlying hermeneutical questions about the norms, limits and opportunities of reading Ancient Christian writers. This book will raise profound hermeneutical questions surrounding the reading of the Fathers with greater clarity than it has been done before. The contributors to this volume are theologians and historians who have used contemporary post-modern approaches to illuminate the Ancien corpus of texts. The chapters discuss issues such as: What makes a 'good' reading of a church Father?; What constitutes a 'responsible' reading?; Is the reading of the Fathers limited to a specialist audience?; and, What can modern thinkers contribute to our reading of the Fathers?

The Bible and the Qur’an provides an overview of all the figures and groups who are mentioned in both the Bible and the Qur’an. Principal focus centres on the similarities and differences between the presentations of these characters in the two texts, with special emphasis placed on how they appear in the Islamic text. References are also included to how many of the individuals/groups discussed are treated in other Islamic sources.Each figure or group includes: (1) a list of relevant Qur’an passages; (2) a description of how the individual/group is presented in the Islamic Texts; (3) questions and issues to consider; (4) suggestions for further readings. An introductory section provides a basic orientation to the Qur’an and other Islamic sources.

There has long been a need for a comprehensive but truly introductory single-authored textbook in theology. By introducing the reader to the biblical, doctrinal and contemporary dimensions of Christianity with the help of illustrated examples from selected primary texts, the book provides an excellent grounding in theology for both students of the discipline and the general reader. The work explores key 'tools' for the scientific study of theology, endeavoring both to affirm the rationale behind Christian thinking, and also to familiarize the reader with significant contrary positions. The solid foundations in biblical theology and hermeneutics given in the book will enable students to read Judeo-Christian scripture intelligently. Key testimonies regarding Jesus Christ are scrutinized and the nature of the New Testament discussed. As well as the emergence of doctrinal orthodoxy and the later disagreements which have shaped contemporary Christianity, the reader will become familiar with the dimensions of current Christian thinking in its dialogue with post-modernity.This new edition includes an additional chapter examining Spirituality, and a series of companion videos for each chapter.

The first three centuries were the formative period of Christianity. The developments during this time led to the distinction of canonical and non-canonical writings, to organizational structures of the Christian church, and to the establishment of the Christian creed. In The Reception of the Jesus in the First Three Centuries Chris Keith, Helen K. Bond, Christine Jacobi and Jens Schröter have collated a methodologically sophisticated resource. These volumes focus upon the diversity of reception of the Jesus tradition in this time period, highlighting the complex interactions between the inherited past and the present in which it is received. Rather than address texts specifically as canonical or non-canonical, the volumes show the more complex reality of attitudes towards and within early Christianity. Core literary texts such as Gospels and other early Christian writings are discussed in detail, but the volumes also highlight the importance of Jesus tradition in literary and non-literary contexts outside the gospel genre; including the Apostolic Fathers, patristic writers, traditions such as the Abgar Legend, and modifications to the gospel genre such as the Diatesseron. Evidence from material culture, such as pictographic representations of Jesus in the staurogram and Alexamenos Graffito, as well as visual presentations of gospel tradition in sarcophagi carvings, are also included in order to fully reflect the transmission and reception of the Jesus tradition.Volume 3 examines visual, liturgical and non-Christian receptions of Jesus in the second and third centuries, across 24 chapters.Methodologically the volumes draw on new approaches to history, memory, and tradition, to provide a cutting-edge approach that focuses upon reception-history rather than the putative actual past. This cutting-edge reference resource provides a fresh and comprehensive account of the complex development of early Christian thought about Jesus. It will fuel future discussions of early Christian history, the historical Jesus, the development of the New Testament canon, and non-canonical Jesus traditions for years to come.

The Dictionary of the Bible and Ancient Media is a convenient and authoritative reference tool, introducing specific terms and concepts helpful to the study of the Bible and related literature in ancient communications culture. Since the early 1980s, biblical scholars have begun to explore the potentials of interdisciplinary theories of oral tradition, oral performance, personal and collective memory, ancient literacy and scribality, visual culture and ritual. Over time these theories have been combined with considerations of critical and exegetical problems in the study of the Bible, the history of Israel, Christian origins, and rabbinics. The Dictionary of the Bible and Ancient Media responds to the rapid growth of the field by providing a source of reference that offers clear definitions, and in-depth discussions of relevant terms and concepts, and the relationships between them. The volume begins with an overview of ‘ancient media studies’ and a brief history of research to orient the reader to the field and the broader research context of the book, with individual entries on terms and topics commonly encountered in studies of the Bible in ancient media culture. Each entry defines the term/ concept under consideration, then offers more sustained discussion of the topic, paying particular attention to its relevance for the study of the Bible and related literature. This new in paperback edition features a new chapter on Oral Tradition and the Hebrew Bible by Werner Kelber, Rice University, USA.

Lee Martin McDonald provides a magisterial overview of the development of the biblical canon --- the emergence of the list of individual texts that constitutes the Christian bible. In these two volumes -- in sum more than double the length of his previous works -- McDonald presents his most in-depth overview to date. McDonald shows students and researchers how the list of texts that constitute 'the bible' was once far more fluid than it is today and guides readers through the minefield of different texts, different versions, and the different lists of texts considered 'canonical' that abounded in antiquity. Questions of the origin and transmission of texts are introduced as well as consideration of innovations in the presentation of texts, collections of documents, archaeological finds and Church councils.In this first volume McDonald reexamines issues of canon formation once considered settled, and sets the range of texts that make up the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) in their broader context. Each indidvidual text is discussed, as are the cultural, political and historical situations surrounding them.The second volume considers the New Testament, and the range of so-called 'apocryphal' gospels that were written in early centuries, and used by many Christian groups before the canon was closed. Also included are comprehensive appendices which show various canon lists for both Old and New Testaments and for the bible as a whole.

Lee Martin McDonald provides a magisterial overview of the development of the biblical canon --- the emergence of the list of individual texts that constitutes the Christian bible. In these two volumes -- in sum more than double the length of his previous works -- McDonald presents his most in-depth overview to date. McDonald shows students and researchers how the list of texts that constitute 'the bible' was once far more fluid than it is today and guides readers through the minefield of different texts, different versions, and the different lists of texts considered 'canonical' that abounded in antiquity. Questions of the origin and transmission of texts are introduced as well as consideration of innovations in the presentation of texts, collections of documents, archaeological finds and Church councils.In the first volume McDonald reexamines issues of canon formation once considered settled, and sets the range of texts that make up the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) in their broader context. Each indidvidual text is discussed, as are the cultural, political and historical situations surrounding them.This second volume considers the New Testament, and the range of so-called 'apocryphal' gospels that were written in early centuries, and used by many Christian groups before the canon was closed. Also included are comprehensive appendices which show various canon lists for both Old and New Testaments and for the bible as a whole.

This collection offers the first book-length engagement with Werner G. Jeanrond’s theological thinking, spanning from hermeneutics through systematic theology to politics. More than twenty renowned scholars with a global reach offer interpretations, interventions, and inspirations sparked by Jeanrond’s theology. Together, they take Jeanrond’s lecture on “The Problem of the Theological Starting Point” as a starting point to tackle one of Jeanrond’s key questions: ‘How can theological thought begin today, in the midst of a confusing plurality of methods?’ The wager of this collection is that this question can only be asked and answered in a dialogue that engages scholars critically and self-critically with each other. Tackling the problem of the starting point, then, implies a vision for the vocation of theology that cannot hide behind clear-cut answers. In Jeanrond’s words: ‘Because God has begun a relationship with this world, theology must do the same without fear of compromising itself in this process’.The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by Lund University.

This timely, open access book explores modern reactions to the social isolation, materialism and consumerism that have become key features of secular, Western societies.Religions, and Christianity in particular, do not play an obvious part in society anymore as the immediate provider of values and aims. However, there exists a post-secular reaction to this: a longing for meaningful values in the face of community fragmentation.Here, Henriksen and Nelson lead established scholars from a variety of disciplines in analysing this post-secular layer of society. From sociology and philosophy to Africana and religious studies, this work presents a comprehensive look at this emerging synthesis between spiritual enquiry and secular ideals. The post-secular is not be understood as a triumphalist return of religion but rather as an opportunity to understand the recent terms and conditions for religion and spirituality. Thus, the secular and the post-secular are revealed to be in tension, but also conditioning each other.Bursting with intellectual acuity and sensitivity, this is an essential volume for anybody seeking to understand religion’s changing role in modern society.The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by the Lilly Endowment, in the Early Career Pastoral Leadership Development Initiative, based at Wabash College.

Work shouldn’t be this hard—or this unfulfilling. Burnout, low wages, gig labor, layoffs, and the struggle to balance purpose with pay have made many of us question what work is, and what it could be--and should be. Ethicist Kate Ward offers a fresh, timely perspective rooted in Catholic social teaching. She explores work not only as a paid job but as purposeful human activity, examining it through five lenses: purpose, care, food, art, and pay. Caregiving, often undervalued yet essential to every life, reminds us that work extends beyond the workplace. Food and art reveal how creative and repetitive labor shape our satisfaction, meaning, and sense of contribution. And pay exposes the persistent gaps between society’s valuation of labor and the real costs of living.Ward draws on the Church’s centuries-long reflection on work, justice, and human dignity, showing how its teachings speak directly to the frustrations and potential of modern labor. This first book devoted to Catholic social thought on work illuminates how communities and societies can better recognize, support, and value meaningful human activity.Making a Life encourages readers to rethink what work is for, who it serves, and how it can nurture human flourishing. Whether you are a student, a professional, or someone simply seeking more purpose in daily life, Ward provides a compelling roadmap for understanding work as a path to both personal meaning and the common good.

What does it feel like to be in the presence of God?This book examines the claims of direct religious experience and their role in shaping confidence in God’s relational nature. Drawing on theology, philosophy, and Christian meditative practice, it engages with classic thinkers such as Schleiermacher, William James, and Whitehead to explore whether human experience can transcend ordinary sensory life.Hooton gives prominence to a process view of the universe that weaves God and experience into the basic structure of reality; in doing so, it makes a compelling case for the authenticity of mystical perception and its significance for faith. It also addresses critiques of religious subjectivism, showing how these strengthen rather than weaken the case for divine–human interaction.Ideal for students, scholars, and anyone intrigued by the possibility of encountering God beyond the limits of sense perception.

Over 250,000 copies sold in previous editions.Enlighten your reading of the scriptures with this one-volume biblical commentary, a trusted Catholic resource for priests, students and scholars for over 55 years."The word of God unites believers and makes them one people. This is the importance and mission of biblical scholarship at the service of the community of faith, the type of scholarship exhibited in this volume of biblical commentaries." - Pope Francis"[A] splendid book ... readers should keep open and ready to hand when they are reading any part of the Bible. This is good and reliable scholarship, made accessible for contemporary readers." - The Pastoral ReviewSince 1968, The Jerome Biblical Commentary has been essential reading for all Catholics who wish to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Bible. This third edition, welcomed and including a foreword by Pope Francis, features brand new commentaries alongside fully revised original content to bring this landmark volume up-to-date with the latest scholarship. The international pool of contributors presents a diverse range of perspectives, ensuring that the Jerome speaks to a global Church.Though grounded in the historical critical method of biblical study, 22 topical articles draw in contemporary approaches to the study of the Bible including feminist, Latinx, African-American and Asian-American interpretations.Features:- Foreword by Pope Francis- 100+ contributions from leading Catholic scholars across the USA, UK, Europe and Australia- Comprehensive introductions, commentary and select bibliography for each book of the Bible- 22 topical articles spanning biblical geography, the historical Jesus and African-American biblical interpretationAvailable Digitally in Theology & Religion OnlineThe fully revised third edition of The Jerome Biblical Commentary is digitally exclusive to the Library of Catholic Thought, which is part of Theology & Religion Online. Ask your library about getting access to the digital edition, which offers the full extent of the book's content as well as digital-only features. These include:- Linked references-The Jerome Biblical Commentary is linked to a digital edition of The New American Bible, facilitating easy exploration of biblical references.- Citation support-automatically generated citations are available in the APA, MLA, and Chicago styles, and exportable as RIS files.- Keyword search-the “search within this book” function allows easy access to a list of places where any given search term appears.Visit www.theologyandreligiononline.com for more information.

Can we be held responsible for factors beyond our control? Would a just God judge us differently because of luck, or even divine manipulation? Can a fair and just evaluation of humanity result in a universally failing grade?Moral Luck and Christian Philosophical Theology: A Molinist Perspective engages these questions by tackling the intersection of Christian theology and the moral luck dispute. The solution it offers, building upon the work of Michael Zimmerman, is to develop a counterfactual account of moral responsibility, which eliminates all forms of moral luck. Anderson argues that this solution will carry two metaphysical commitments associated with the molinist model of divine providence: counterfactuals of libertarian freedom and a haecceity view of personal identity. He then develops the account from a moral perspective, examining how we can meaningfully engage the luck-bound world around us without the burden of moral luck. Finally, he examines the theological ramifications of the view, explaining how it is that all human persons may be inescapably and deeply culpable (suffering from original sin) in a way that is consistent with God’s justice and love, and how we yet remain capable of a kind of moral restoration. Anderson’s suggestion is a radical one, but it offers new avenues for Christian theology while preserving the essential core of the Christian tradition.

This book offers an Eastern Orthodox animal theology, presenting theological, ontological, and ethical arguments against animal suffering and abuse. Historically, theological discussions have emphasized human exceptionalism, prioritizing the needs and well-being of humanity at the expense of the other-than-human. In this book, Nikolaos Asproulis locates an Eastern Orthodox doctrine which advocates on behalf of animal life. Moving beyond rudimentary discussions of anthropomonism, Asproulis prompts readers to find meaning in the alleviation of animal suffering not only through care but through an entirely different theological vision that recognizes the latent value of non-human beings. Across three chapters, this book considers the often-ignored, pro-animal voices within the early Christian church and crafts an up-to-date animal theology which considers animal life within the context of ecological crisis and climate change. By articulating a particularly Orthodox theological account of animals, this study fills a gap within Orthodox theology and scholarly study. At its core, Asproulis provides a framework for how to meaningfully advocate for animal life and resist pervasive theologies and cultural pressures to live at the expense of animal life.

In this edited collection, Daniel B. Oden, J. David Stark, and the contributors wrestle with the complexities of unity.Discussing Genesis 1:1–11:9, the essays herein describe the hermeneutics of unity appeals from the Ancient Near East to the twenty-first century and in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The contributors particularly attend to these appeals’ hermeneutical dimensions, asking why and how the appeals connect themselves to Genesis and how they foster a vision of unity in the process. Despite and, indeed, because of their differences, these appeals show what is common among those who seek unity in dialogue with Genesis and the traditions surrounding it.

This book presents a historical overview of how Christians have described and negotiated the causes of natural evil.Within the context of his study, John Adair defines natural evil as evils that are not an obvious, direct result of moral compromise initiated by the free choice of a moral agent, but rather stem from nature itself—e.g., natural disasters, illness, or loss of life. While historical Christian communities’ justifications for and responses to natural evil has evolved over time, Adair traces how Christian theodicy rests on a firm commitment to God’s goodness. Across seven chapters, this book narrates this evolution of thought, focusing on key figures in history who illustrate the theological continuity around God’s goodness. In doing so, Adair builds a theological conversation, prompting readers to consider the collective weight of this historic response to questions of natural evil and query how a response which affirms God’s goodness might impact our own reactions to questions of God’s relation to the horrors of our daily lives.