Daniel Patte

Appealing to Scripture in Moral Debate

“Charles Cosgrove's book is a must for pastors, priests, and all Christians who appeal to Scripture to ground the moral life. In a time of frequent moral debates among Christians, this timely book helps us to recognize that there are different ways to appeal to Scripture, instead of claiming that those with whom we disagree do not respect the authority of Scripture. In a time when we might feel paralyzed by the conflict of interpretations, this most helpful book clarifies for us that, whatever our conclusions might be, we have chosen one among several legitimate and plausible ways of appealing to Scripture. By refusing to prescribe one of these hermeneutical choices as ‘better' than the others, Cosgrove empowers us to assume responsibility for our own choice. This is the kind of ethical responsibility in biblical interpretation that one should find in any pulpit. A most timely and helpful book.”

Indebted Love

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“A breakthrough in critical interpretation of Romans resulting from two staggering insights: following Tubman's African-American perspective, Stubbs shows that, for Paul, being submitted to powers is inherent to the human condition--the goal is freedom from evil powers and submission to God's power; and following Filipino interpreters, she shows that, for Paul, loving neighbors, like loving God, begins with our sense of indebtedness for their contributions to our freedom from evil powers. Romans will preach again!”

Paul’s Letter to the Romans and Roman Imperialism

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“A model of what exegesis must be in a global, postmodern world. Ian Rock's remarkable study of Romans 1:1-17 (and 9-11) makes explicit (1) its analytical/textual frame (a rigorous historical critical/political and rhetorical exegesis), (2) its contextual frame (Rock's experience of the interaction of imperialism and religion in the Caribbeans and in Rome), and (3) its hermeneutical/ideological frame (striking theological insights in Paul's letter).”

Scripture, Cultures, and Criticism

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Biblical scholars from around the world splendidly honor Robert Jewett as a complete biblical scholar by offering (1) essays prolonging his text-focused scholarship, (2) essays emphasizing that any exegesis of Paul’s letters is necessarily framed by the interpreter’s context, and (3) essays illustrating that any interpretation of Paul’s letters necessarily prolongs Paul’s discourse as a word-to-live-by in a particular cultural setting.”

What Has Jerusalem to Do with Beijing?

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“K. K. Yeo addresses the fundamental question of the relationship between Scripture (Jerusalem) and cultures—the Chinese and Western cultures that he splendidly embodies as a bicultural biblical scholar . . . Yeo illustrates how much we Western interpreters have to learn from Chinese interpreters; as one of them Yeo helps us recognize the community-centered perspectives of biblical texts that we had ignored by burying them under our individual-centered concerns. This book is full of urgently needed insights into Scripture and our ways of reading it.”