F. Scott Spencer

Emotion in Early Christianity

History & Biography

“As surely as ‘faith without works is dead,’ so is faith without feeling. Expertly navigating a wide range of primary texts and deeply informed by interdisciplinary theories of emotion, historian Andrew Crislip provides a stimulating account of what it felt like to be a Christian across the first five centuries. I especially appreciate Crislip’s keen social-historical focus on ‘emotional communities’ as key crucibles for forging faithful Christian feelings. This pacesetting book marks a significant contribution to the burgeoning field of emotion studies in early Christianity.”

Encountering God in Tyrannical Texts

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Frances Taylor Gench tackles Paul’s thorniest texts about women with trenchant criticism, in the best sense of the word. Steering a judicious course between blatant dismissal and blind acceptance, she honestly and respectfully assesses both the harmful and helpful dimensions of these passages for the body of Christ in Paul’s day and ours. As useful as this book is, however, for understanding a set of controversial Pauline texts, it is even more valuable as a sterling model of biblical interpretation—of how to wrestle with God’s word with full integrity. Written in an engaging personal style (this stuff really matters to Gench!) intertwined with first-class scholarly analysis, this work provides an ideal resource for seminary, university, and parish study. A must-read for men as well as women, guaranteed to stimulate much lively learning and discussion.”

Jesus and the Gospels

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Good ‘introductory’ texts are hard to find, as they tend to be too thin and superficial, on the one end, or too thick and ponderous, on the other. John Carroll, however, strikes that ‘just right’ balance in this substantive and stimulating introduction to the Gospels. He particularly excels at unfolding the distinctive literary themes and patterns of each Gospel narrative within the social and political contexts of first-century Roman Palestine; moreover, as a welcome bonus, his concluding chapter offers judicious reflections on the challenges of Gospel study for contemporary ethics. Beautifully written, carefully organized, and critically engaged, this work shoots to the top spot of recommended Gospel surveys.”

Mark

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“While deftly drawing on patterns of Greek tragedy to illuminate Mark's Gospel, this commentary is a marvelous triumph! Thoroughly engaged with ancient sources and contemporary scholarship, Beavis offers a historically rich, literarily astute, and theologically sensitive exposition of Mark, chock-full of valuable information and insight for a wide range of readers. This work provides an immensely satisfying guidebook through Mark's narrative for both introductory and more advanced students.”

Narrative Dynamics in Paul

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Far from being a random assortment of discrete studies, the book is strengthened by a careful organziation that maximizes critical dialogue among the contributors.”

The Samaritan Woman's Story

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“The Samaritan woman who speaks with Jesus at a well may be the most misinterpreted and mistreated individual character in the history of New Testament study. She has suffered continued abuse (the word is not too strong) at the hands of Christian preachers, teachers, and scholars who (mis)label her an egregious sexual sinner and social deviant. Aiming to right this wrong, Caryn Reeder boldly and brilliantly advocates for the Samaritan woman by exposing the long run of interpretive malpractice from early church fathers to present-day pulpiteers and by expounding the rich text of John 4 in its primary narrative and cultural contexts. Yet as she deftly deploys her impressive knowledge of the ancient world, Reeder is no antiquarian. She proves to be an adept prophet as much as an expert historian, proclaiming that the intertwined lives of the Samaritan woman and Jesus matter for the church today, not least concerning critical matters of sex and gender.”

Wisdom's Feast

Women

“A feast indeed! A sumptuous sampling of feminist exegetical insights served up with simple elegance by a consummate scholar. I know of no wiser guide through the challenges and delights of feminist biblical criticism than Barbara Reid. This book is as fine an introduction to the topic as anyone could hope to find. Wherever you might be on the feminist journey, but especially if you're just starting out (come on, men, let's go!), you need to read, savor, and digest this stimulating work.”