Willard M. Swartley
Theology
“Belousek's writing is engaging and persuasive, demonstrating clear logic, theological acuity, and good organization. . . . The literature on atonement has mushroomed in the last decade, but I had not read -- until now -- an author who presents a coherent, constructive understanding within orthodoxy that clearly explains, not assumes, why an alternative conception to that of satisfaction-penal is better and also more faithful to Scripture. Belousek does just that.”
Biblical Studies & Commentaries
“Beck's Banished Messiah is superb, contrasting Jesus' nonviolence with dominant culture's 'hero myths' in which a prince or princess is exiled (banished) and returns home, only to retaliate against and destroy enemies. Matthew confounds myths that animate the entertainment fare. Surprises abound: genealogies theologically and ethically significant, comparative visions of John the Baptist and Jesus, and the magi as Matthew's mentor! 'Places' theologically significant in Matthew (Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Galilee) interact with 'plot design.' In Matthew, as well as Mark (Matthew's intertext), the banished one does not return for revenge upon enemies. Beck's narrative style crafts a rich exposition of Matthew. He considers dissonant parts in Matthew (e.g. Jesus' diatribe against the Pharisees) that might counter Jesus' nonviolence in Matthew. Beck provides perceptive solutions, in dialogue with Gandhi and Gene Sharp on nonviolence. Beck's presentation of Matthew carries the reader like a good novel. To quote one sentence: '[The Gospel story] does not allow a violent reprisal, the result is that the expected resolution of the violent formula story is replaced. The latter's symmetry is disrupted and broken, introducing an amnesty and refusing readers the bloody satisfactions of revenge' (108). Judgment of evil is deferred to God. Matthew gives us a 'meta-narrative' of political realism that culturally cross-cuts, shattering all pretenses of power.”
Biblical Studies & Commentaries
“Kim analyzes the process of biblical interpretation with provocative accent. While acknowledging the value of historical-critical and literary-narrative contributions, Kim privileges the reader-response dimension. His contribution is distinctive in its depth analysis of the interplay between the interpreter and the text. He takes account of the expected diversity of interpretation, given the diverse storied-life experiences of interpreters. . . . The book is an enriching, collateral resource for graduate-level courses on biblical interpretation.”
Biblical Studies & Commentaries
“Few books on Bible study method both explain how and show how. Fewer still seek to do this by utilizing current biblical scholarship while writing for informed lay people. Virtually no books with the objective demonstrate a competent grasp of both the linguistic and historical school of biblical interpretation. From Word to Life fills the gap with this distinctive contribution. Written clearly, it should enjoy wide usage, especially in the classroom setting. The book is not written for the beginner in Bible study; its best use will be by those who, having already started on the pilgrimage of Bible study, are at least minimally acquainted with the historical-critical method and have thought some about how language works. Because of its clarity and scope, it will reward both the serious student and the seasoned professor of biblical studies.”
Theology
“A fine contribution on Jesus’s gospel of peace in relation to the Old Testament, views of the atonement, and the early church’s stance against killing. Vintage Sider!”
Evangelism & Missions
“This book's scope surprises, in its rich array of cited literature (from ancient to postmodern) under a missional canopy. What and how does the power of Jesus Christ's gospel confront the powers in their sociopolitical systemic forms and in their personal and/or territorial demonic manifestations? Culture, context, and worldview are essential in assessment and understanding. The work of these scholars has a solid biblical foundation with a constructive, critical edge. Gratis!”
Theology
“A lucid, engaging treatment of Jesus and the Gospels, attending well to sources and methods. Yoder Neufeld laudably combines faith and scholarship. His lists of reading sources at the end of each chapter are valuable for further study. This book is well designed for introducing Jesus and current scholarship to university students, and to laypeople who want to understand how we know what we know about Jesus.”
Christian Living
“Kreider's Social Holiness surprises! While holiness indeed owns the otherness of God and the call to be God's separated people, it does much more. Holiness unleashes in history a living force, a dynamism that envisions the sanctification of God's entire creation. Holiness is positive, the 'heartbeat' of Missio Dei. I highly recommend this book for its life-changing potential, both personally and for the church as God's new nation.”
Theology
“Talking the Walk provokes us to repent of twisted beliefs that trip us in our walk as believers. It restores the glory and power of religious language so commonly corrupted. In the current climate of thought, it’s an upside-down theological breviary. Its seventy-two brief, lucid essays on key theological words like Father, Trinity, creation, atonement, and hell could generate spirited weekly discussions for the brave and the free who desire to know and speak of God and faith more truly. This book is a rich offering ‘of praise to God, the fruit of lips that confess his name’ (Heb. 13:15).”
The Death of the Messiah and the Birth of the New Covenant
Theology
“This book, what a gem! Gorman situates atonement in the new messianic cruciform covenant, fulfilling OT visions of peace. Reorienting standard atonement theories, Gorman grounds atonement where it belongs, in Jesus's gospel of peace, love-driven death, and new covenant! Virtually all NT writings bear witness. Salvation, politics, and spirituality shine in new light. The bibliography is rich. This is an essential read and resource for New Testament theology-ethics.”
Biblical Studies & Commentaries
“Weaver's Irony of Power richly exegetes Matthew's Gospel, in dialogue with the contemporary Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The 'Irony' perspective, 'the view from above' vis a vis 'the view from below,' shines new light on resistance/nonresistance to evil and suffering violence for Jesus' kingdom path through cross and resurrection.”
NOTE: Only includes books currently in our catalog; not necessarily a complete list.
Theology
Biblical Studies & Commentaries
Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem