Kindalee De Long

New Testament Christological Hymns

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“In this volume, Gordley opens up the rich world of ancient hymnody. After taking the reader on a learned and fascinating tour of early Jewish and Greco-Roman hymns, Gordley turns to the New Testament. His investigation goes well beyond formal analysis to a deep appreciation of the purpose and effect of the earliest Christian hymns. I was particularly drawn in by Gordley's analysis of how the hymns' artistry shaped worshipers' imaginations, often by functioning as resistance literature that countered imperial ideology and other competing worldviews. Combining rigorous, wide-ranging scholarship with insightful conclusions about contemporary practice, this book is invaluable both for readers who care about ancient worship and for anyone thinking about Christian worship today.”