Hector Avalos

Genesis 1 and the Creationism Debate

Science & Faith

“Steven DiMattei presents an important challenge to creationists by showing that they fundamentally misunderstand the very chapter of Genesis on which much of their anti-scientific views are based. Genesis 1 and the Creationism Debate is an accessible and useful book for those who seek to understand why creationism is flawed on biblical grounds.”

Paul and the Politics of Diaspora

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

““This work, which focuses on the diaspora space of Paul and his converts, is remarkable and is accessible to the nonspecialist in a clear, no-nonsense style. It should occupy an important place among New Testament introductions and should be of interest to the general reader who is simply tired of the same old, same old.” —Calvin J. Roetzel, Sundet Professor of New Testament and Christian Studies, Emeritus University of Minnesota "Paul was a diaspora Jew. Rarely has this almost self-evident biographical datum become the focus of extended scholarly attention; attempts to use it as the basis of critical analysis have been even rarer. For this reason, Ronald Charles’ Paul and the Politics of Diaspora is a notable contribution. Drawing on insights and categories from the burgeoning field of diaspora studies, Charles revisits three well-trodden Pauline sites (the Antioch incident, Paul’s mission to the nations, and the collection project) and presents us with a provocative fresh description of what we had thought to be familiar terrain. Stimulating and warmly recommended." —Terence L. Donaldson Wycliffe College, University of Toronto "Ronald Charles has produced an important exploration of Paul as a diasporic male Judean of low social status negotiating his religious and political identity in the ancient Mediterranean world. Henceforth, no understanding of Paul will be complete without reading Charles’ insightful analysis of the role of diasporas in shaping the religious lives of early Christians."”