Carolyn Osiek

A Marginal Scribe

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Brite Divinity School "This is a wonderful resource.”

By What Authority?

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Using the tools of social-science exegesis, at which he is a proven master, Neyrey presents the divine Sender of Senders who speaks the message that is Jesus, by carefully building his authority to speak publicly and to teach. Neyrey shows how Luke’s presumed rhetorical training enables him to portray the authority of Jesus beyond question. This is a welcome addition to new ways of understanding the Third Gospel.”

Conflict, Community, and Honor

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Elliott, already well known for his work on 1 Peter and on social-scientific criticism, here brings together two essays that open for the reader the message and the world of 1 Peter. This simple, straightforward reading reveals the letter in its own context, in such a way that we can appropriate its message and values into our own.”

Crispina and Her Sisters

History & Biography

“Chris Schenk has tackled a neglected area of investigation about the learning and leadership of early Christian women, drawing on material evidence that has often been overlooked. This is an important contribution toward better appreciation of women’s role in the patronage and networking that advanced the spread of Christianity in its early centuries.”

Devils and Deviants

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Merritt makes wise critical use of social science research and models along with rhetorical analysis to re-examine the multiple layers of separation language in the Johannine literature. He raises the right questions to elicit new and different perspectives from the traditional ones.”

Engaging the Bible

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“This book is a treasure of focused illustrations, from many cultural perspectives, of how women's consciousness and creativity is transforming biblical interpretation and thus human society.”

Finding Phoebe

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“A welcome correction to stereotyping of ancient Mediterranean women as passive and helpless, this is a very readable portrayal of what we know about women leaders with social power, both in the world around them and for the people of the New Testament. Hylen draws on multiple real examples from inscriptions and ancient texts to place familiar biblical texts in proper context and navigates the conflicting images and seemingly contrary evidence about women of the New Testament world.”

First and Second Timothy and Titus

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“This commentary is sound, reasoned, and so clearly written that it is a pleasure to read. The author is conversant with relevant literature from Aristotle to the Talmud to Erasmus, and he introduces it in illuminating ways. His conviction that the Pastorals are meant for the formation of ministers allows him to approach disputed questions with an open mind as he guides readers toward responsible interpretation.”

Fortress Commentary on the Bible

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“While most biblical commentaries of the past have focused either on the text in its original context or in contemporary interpretation or attempted to combine the two with very little in between, this new approach takes on the three aspects of ancient context, contemporary discussion, and the middle ground of the interpretive tradition. In response to recent interest in the history of interpretation, this represents a welcome new approach that gives readers an introduction to the rich interpretive tradition that has happened over the centuries between the biblical writings and our own interaction with them.”

Honor, Patronage, Kinship, and Purity

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Many others have by now written on these essential themes of the culture in which the New Testament arose. Why another? Because deSilva gives careful attentiveness not only to the biblical world but also to today's social-religious issues. Intended for students and church groups, this book is a model of how to be well documented without being overly academic, and of laying out the social models in such a way that current nonexperts can grasp them and find that in the end, we are all pretty much the same.”

Imagining Jesus in His Own Culture

Prayer & Spiritual Formation

“An experienced biblical scholar and Ignatian retreat director, Neyrey deftly integrates what we can know of the historical Jesus as he speaks and acts in his own context, with the time-tested structure of the spiritual exercises. This book, the result of years of biblical research and experience of the exercises, produces a very new approach for today’s readers who would come to know the real Jesus better in their lives.”

Multipurpose Tools for Bible Study: Stand-alone CD-ROM

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“One of the best resources available in English for in-depth biblical study.”

Palestine in the Time of Jesus

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“The first edition of this classic was already a handy tool for learning that combines social models with material evidence of the world of Jesus. I have used it and will continue to use it for classes on New Testament and Social World. Now with expanded chapters, reading guides and bibliographies, and with clearer highlighting of key terms and thoughtful responses to earlier critiques, the classic is better than ever.”

Philippians and Philemon

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“A worthy contribution to the distinguished collection of commentaries in the Paideia series. Paul's letters to the Philippians and to Philemon, so different and yet related, are thought through carefully, with the many alternate interpretations sifted and weighed and with theological implications for today thoughtfully presented.”

Reading Mark

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“In this delightful book, David Rhoads brings together the labors of many years. He combines narrative analysis of key Markan passages and themes with social analysis of Mark's narrative world, to demonstrate an inclusive Gospel vision. He then offers examples of the use of social-science analysis. The capstone is his reflection on many years of oral performance and what it has taught him and his students. With these approaches, both Mark and David Rhoads are revealed to be about open hospitality and energy for mission.”

Social-Science Commentary on the Gospel of John

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“This indispensable guide presents the Johannine reality in its first-century perspective. It is the best attempt yet to locate John within a specific cultural complex of meanings, and in the same accessible style that characterized the author's previous volume, Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels.”

Suddenly There is God

Christian Living

“Martin Buber said that the Bible is not a theology for us but an anthropology for God. With insightful interpretation of the texts, Veronica Mary Rolf shows us that it is an anthropology for us as well, revealing how God deals with humanity, from biblical characters to our own lives.”

The Apostolic Fathers in English

History & Biography

“This third edition of a well-known classic features improved layout, revised introductions, improved translations, and expanded bibliographies. In short, it is a splendid teaching tool for university or masters programs in which the Greek text cannot be used. Students will find these intriguing texts accessible and comprehensible.”

The Earliest Christian Heretics

“This book fills a surprising gap. It is highly recommended as a classroom resource for college and seminary, a study guide for the interested nonexpert, and even a handy tool for the graduate student of scholar for quick reference to sources otherwise scattered.”

The First One Hundred Years of Christianity

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“This immense undertaking is no light survey but a wide-ranging, comprehensive assessment of most of the major questions and issues in contemporary scholarship with regard to the transition from charismatic movement to Early Christianity. It takes balanced and well-informed positions on disputed issues. Rather than an introduction for beginners, it is a treasury of scholarship and interpretation for those who want more.”