Brent A. Strawn

1 Samuel as Christian Scripture

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Many people talk about theological interpretation of the Old Testament as Christian Scripture, but Stephen Chapman does it — with style and a beautiful pen — and makes it look easy. Rarely have I been so moved, informed, and delighted as I was in reading this book. Chapman's exposition of 1 Samuel as treating the threat that civil religion poses to genuine heart piety, his negotiation of matters historical and literary and theological, and his bibliography (is there anything he hasn't read?) are simply remarkable. And his christological reading of the tragedy of King Saul? Absolutely stunning.”

A Handbook to Old Testament Exegesis

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“We have long been in debt to William Brown’s masterful works of exegesis. With his latest book, he puts us in his debt once more with a masterful work about exegesis. Brown covers everything from getting started (exegeting the self and initial impressions) to translation to textual criticism, stylistic and structural analysis, compositional and comparative approaches, and of course literary, historical, and canonical investigations. If all that wasn’t enough, Brown takes us from analytical approaches to the text itself to the open table of interpretation, explaining and illustrating an impressive range of ‘readings in place’—from science to theology and everything in between. Still further, Brown does not leave unmentioned the culminating act of communicating the text to others. Throughout the book he conducts a master class of his own by relating all of the approaches to Genesis 1-3. There are numerous exegetical handbooks on the market, but they can now retire happily. Brown’s work sets the standard and will remain the standard for years to come. Vast in scope, hermeneutically savvy, theologically adept, ecclesially centered, artfully crafted, and beautifully written, this is the exegetical handbook we’ve all been waiting for.”

A Journey through the World of Leviticus

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Scarlata proves himself a gifted and insightful guide as he carefully unpacks the meaning and significance of Leviticus in its ancient context, in light of the New Testament and Christian faith, and for contemporary realities. . . . In the end, Scarlata’s book achieves what the book of Leviticus itself wants to achieve: a re-sacralization of our world, which is indeed ‘crammed with heaven.’ Take and read!”

A New Song

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“A stunning collection; worth owning, yes, but much, much more: worth digesting.”

A Wilderness Zone

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“Simply put, we have no one like Walter Brueggemann. . . . Here, he outpaces all others once again, amazes us once more, as he ranges easily across the full span of Christian Scripture with not-infrequent, equally dexterous engagements with economic and political theory, race relations, philosophy, liberation, migration, and much, much more. And so, again, I repeat: we have none like Walter. Take and read!”

An Introduction to the Old Testament

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Among those writing on the Old Testament today, few can match and none surpass John Goldingay in his ability to write across the full spectrum—from the highest levels of scholarship to the most accessible presentation. This does not yet mention his uncanny ability to mix the two, bringing first-rate inquiry to lay audiences. And his pedagogical panache is unrivaled! In this remarkably clever, clear and comprehensive volume, Goldingay does it again, writing what very well may be the ideal first textbook for readers of the Old Testament. This is a wise, learned and immensely shrewd introduction. I will recommend it frequently and consult it often.”

Ancient Israel's History

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“In this incredibly thorough volume, an international and esteemed team of contributors offer us exactly what was promised: a state-of-the-art review of research relating to the history of ancient Israel. This book picks its way between the Scylla of overwrought skepticism and the Charybdis of naïve fideism. The result is a copiously documented, user-friendly, and up-to-date treatment that will prove to be a most useful textbook for both introductory students and seasoned teachers alike.”

Biblical History and Israel’s Past

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“In this highly readable and remarkably comprehensive study, Megan Moore and Brad Kelle have put in their debt all biblical scholars, whether or not they are specialists in the study of ancient and/or biblical history. The book is a one-stop shop in the changing state of the study of Israel’s past since 1970, but it also includes Moore and Kelle’s own judicious commentary and prognostications for the future. This volume is not to be missed!”

Elemental Claims of the Gospel

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“What could be more important than the elemental claims of the Gospel? And who better to walk us through them, the main issues, and central players (God, humanity, and their dialogical interrelationships) than Walter Brueggemann? At ninety-one years young, he continues to lap the field—outpacing, outperforming, and outthinking the rest of us mere mortals. His mastery of the entire biblical text (Paul and Revelation included!), his unflinching honesty, and his unmatched insight—all crafted with a beautiful pen—never cease to amaze.”

Faithful Exchange

Work, Money & Leadership

“Every economics--or at least every theology of economics--implies an eschatology. But, writes David Opderbeck, most economic theologies "fail to express a clear eschatological vision." This remarkable book succeeds where so many have failed. Opderbeck argues with the clarity and acumen of a top-notch law professor and controls an immense range of biblical and theological data, like a first-rate theologian. Every time I read a book by Opderbeck I am stunned by its scope and learning, its reasoning and reasonableness, but I also walk away inspired and encouraged. More: this book gives me hope in a world where demand outstrips the supply.”

Finding God in Scripture

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Bertone's book, intended for a general readership, is concerned with finding what he calls the 'theological propositions' found in Scripture. He covers the standard bases but tries to unite what 'objective' scholarship has long divided: the Bible's subject matter and its true Subject. It is not surprising, then, that the book concludes with the role of 'the Spirit and meaning.' Readers who follow Bertone's lead may also, like him, find themselves finding God in Scripture.”

Flood and Fury

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Wow, this is the most helpful book on the Bible I've read in a long time. Matthew Lynch is easily among the brightest, most insightful, best read—and funniest—biblical scholars working today. In his latest book, he shows he is also among the wisest. Yes, violence in the Bible is a 'wicked problem' that admits of no easy solution (see chapter fifteen), but with Lynch lighting the way, readers will emerge wiser. Buy a copy immediately and then buy a case to share among your friends. They need a copy—we all do.”

God Draws Near

Theology

“In a large number of prior publications, Collin Cornell has distinguished himself as among the most-gifted biblical scholars of the next generation. Here he trains his fecund brain, ravenous reading habits, and vivacious pen to a biblical theology of mission. He upsets—rightly, in my view—the heretofore dominant approach that has centered on repair, which has some real merits but also unavoidable and rather profound demerits. I say ‘heretofore’ because in this book Cornell dismantles the repair approach definitively, offering us something far better in its place: a paradigm centered on communion with a superior understanding of the entire (geometric!) Bible as support. Read this book to be educated. Read this book to have your mind changed. Read this book to be inspired. Most of all, just read this book. God draws near, indeed. Thanks be to God!”

God’s Beauteous Iconography of Grace

Arts & Literature

“Charles Bartow, ever the teacher-preacher and ever the wordsmith, offers us a feast in this new collection of poetry. Poetry, Bartow writes, is ‘best understood as blood turned into ink.’ Here readers will find profound contemplations drawn from both the Bible and the natural world. There is much real blood-become-ink here, but not without play, whimsy, and delight—in short, a ‘beauteous iconography’—and lexicography!—of grace.”

Hesed, the Seed of the Biblical Story

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Decades after foundational works by Glueck and Sakenfeld, several scholars have returned to ponder anew the crucial but elusive Hebrew word ḥesed. In the present book, Jennifer Matheny adds her voice to this important discussion, finding in ḥesed not a center for Old Testament theology but a capacious seed that proves generative across the canon. Matheny covers a remarkable amount of (seeded) ground, putting readers in her debt in this helpful and thorough overview and analysis.”

In the Beginning

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“I wish James Edwards would stay in his lane! Here he is, a noted New Testament scholar, commenting on Genesis at length, with great care and deep insight. Christian readers will find especially welcome Edwards’s attention to what he calls the kerygma of each interpreted unit. Here, not unlike Childs in his celebrated Exodus commentary, Edwards pays attention to the larger canonical context, including the New Testament. Readers will find much to savor here and will find themselves instructed if not also inspired. Who knows? I may take up Matthew myself!”

Introducing Old Testament Theology

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Bellinger (who knows his way around the Bible) here presents a shape for Old Testament theology that is founded on, if not centered in, the book of Psalms. ‘The key,’ Bellinger suggests, ‘is to stay as close as is humanly possible to the perspective the Hebrew text articulates about God and divine-human engagement.’ He then proceeds to do exactly that by working through the main units and books of the Old Testament, assessing the parts in light of the whole and its larger structure. In the end, Bellinger identifies a kind of three-legged stool, with creation theology, covenant theology, and prophetic theology all supporting a seat that is nothing less than salvation itself. I am confident that this book will prove eminently useful in a wide range of courses on the Old Testament and its theology.”

Job

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Michael Legaspi, well known for his erudition and insight, here brings his considerable powers to bear on that perennial classic, the book of Job. His reading sees Job as a mystic, as an ascetic—transformed and perfected in his trials—even as a monk, sitting on the dung heap, which, in this perspective, is ‘a kind of open-air monastic cell.’ Legaspi’s reading is fresh, but more importantly, wise, attending to all parts of the book in equal measure as an integrated whole. Most important of all, here is an interpretation that is transformative for the life of faith. A perfect addition to the CCF series.”

Lament That Generates Covenant

Theology

“Reading these insightful and incisive interventions is nothing short of watching a master at work in the studio. Everything that crosses Brueggemann’s desk, is read by his eyes, or occurs to his incomparable brain is sieved through Scripture—all for our betterment with equal measures of judgment and hope. Taste and see, watch and learn. Then go and do likewise.”

Law and Theology

Theology

“Simultaneously lawyer, theologian, and law professor, David W. Opderbeck is a wise and expert guide into the fascinating nexus of theology and law. From Genesis to Revelation, Clement to Cone, natural law to positive law, Brown v. Board of Education to the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, usury to pharmaceutical product regulation, theory to praxis, Opderbeck covers immense ground and convincingly demonstrates along the way that a proper understanding of God’s mission can (and ought to) guide everything from how one lives and votes to how one litigates—even if one should—and why. The end is a vision of Christian life amid theology, law, and mission that is marked by patience and hope.”