New Books in Biblical Studies

Prayer in the Ancient World is the resource on prayer in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean. With over 350 entries it showcases a robust selection of the range of different types of prayers attested from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, the Levant, early Judaism and Christianity, Greece, Rome, Arabia, and Iran, enhanced by critical commentary.The Prayer in the Ancient World will also be available online.Preview of the 'Prayer in the Ancient World’ Daniel K. Falk is Professor of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies and Chaiken Family Chair in Jewish Studies at Penn State University. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

Ezra-Nehemiah: Retrograde Revolution (Maggid, 2025) takes its readers on a literary tour of an era in which cohesiveness between Jews in Israel and the Diaspora is being tested, the parameters of Jewish identity are being re-assessed, political tact is being learned by necessity, and biblical literacy is at long last becoming the centerpiece of the Jewish community.  Tune in as we hear from Yael Leibowitz about her recent Maggid commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah! Yael Leibowitz is an Israeli educator and a Matan Kitvuni Fellow. She holds a Master’s degree in Judaic Studies from Columbia University and currently teaches at Matan Women’s Institute for Torah Learning and MIdreshet Lindenbaum College for Women. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

John Kaag, a philosopher at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and co-founder of Rebind Publishing, joins the discussion to explore the intersection of AI and biblical studies. He explains how Rebind enhances reading by blending AI with human commentary, revolutionizing the way we interact with texts. Kaag highlights the Rebind Study Bible's features, including personalized learning and audio commentary. He addresses concerns about AI in academia, likening its potential to the impact of the printing press, while emphasizing the importance of thoughtful engagement in this new digital landscape.

As allegiance to Jesus Christ spread across the Roman Empire in the second century, writings, practices, and ideas erupted in a creative maelstrom. Many of the patterns of practice and belief that later become normative emerged, in the midst of debate and argument with neighbours who shared or who rejected that allegiance. Authoritative texts, principles of argument, attitudes to received authority, the demands of allegiance in the face of opposition, identifying who belonged and who did not, all demanded attention. These essays explore those divergent voices, and the no-less diverse and lively debates they have inspired in recent scholarship. Judith M. Lieu is the author of Explorations in the Second Century: Texts, Groups, Ideas, Voices (Brill, 2025). She was Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge from 2007-2018. She studied at Durham and Birmingham Universities and previously taught at The Queen's College, Birmingham, King's College London (where she was Professor of New Testament Studies, 1999-2006), and Macquarie University, Sydney. From January 2020–June 2021 she was Frothingham Visiting Professor in New Testament and Early Christianity at Harvard Divinity School. She is on the editorial board of a number of journals and series and was previously Editor of New Testament Studies. She is a Fellow of the British Academy (2014) and International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2019). Jonathon Lookadoo is Associate Professor at the Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary in Seoul, South Korea. While his interests range widely over the world of early Christianity, he is the author of books on the Epistle of Barnabas, Ignatius of Antioch, and the Shepherd of Hermas, including The Christology of Ignatius of Antioch (Cascade, 2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

In this episode Rabbi Marc Katz is in discussion with Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin about his new book Inviting God In: A Guide to Jewish Prayer (Central Conference of American Rabbis Press, 2025), an engaging and insightful commentary on the Shabbat evening and morning services. Designed for students of all ages, from bet mitzvah to adulthood, the book's relatable tone and discussion questions meaningfully engage readers in the worship service they are leading or attending. In the book, Rabbi Salkin breaks down each prayer and ritual, helping learners connect to the service with fresh insight and knowledge. With a blend of humor and depth, Inviting God In shows how the ancient words of prayer still speak to the challenges and joys of contemporary life. Our discussion, not only touches on the main themes and ideas in the book, but about prayer itself and the role that ritual plays in helping Jews connect with God. Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin is the author of numerous books, including Righteous Gentiles in the Hebrew Bible: Ancient Role Models for Sacred Relationships and Putting God on the Guest List, winner of the 1993 Benjamin Franklin Award for the best religion book published in the United States. Rabbi Marc Katz is the Senior Rabbi at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, NJ. He is the author of Yochanan's Gamble: Judaism's Pragmatic Approach to Life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

Hugo Méndez, an Associate Professor at UNC Chapel Hill, shares insights from his upcoming book, The Gospel of John: A New History. He challenges traditional views on authorship, suggesting the Fourth Gospel was not penned by John but crafted under a pseudonym. Méndez explores its connection to other early Christian writings and its unique theological claims, such as deification for believers. He also discusses the provocative identity of the 'beloved disciple' and urges readers to appreciate the text on its own terms, revealing a rich tapestry of spiritual insight.

Elliott Rabin, author of "The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and Fallibility," explores how biblical heroes like Moses and Esther embody both greatness and flaw. He discusses the Bible’s portrayal of heroism compared to other literary traditions, revealing a complex chiaroscuro of noble actions and moral ambiguities. Rabin argues for early engagement with complex character portrayals in education, highlighting how these themes resonate during crises. He also touches on the comparative analysis of biblical figures with world literature and shares insights on God’s partnership in human heroism.

Cooper Smith, a biblical scholar and author of *Allusive and Elusive*, dives into the complexities of Elihu's character in the Book of Job. He discusses the divergent scholarly interpretations of Elihu's significance, raising questions about his role in the narrative. Cooper reveals his methodology for uncovering 23 allusions in Elihu's speeches that either support or challenge his arguments. These allusions subtly shift reader sympathy from Job toward Elihu, preparing the audience for the ultimate speeches of Yahweh.

Matthew V. Novenson, the Helen H. P. Manson Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary, explores the intricate relationship between Paul and Judaism. He argues that Paul’s radical thoughts, often seen as anti-Jewish, stem from his unique understanding of eschatology—where the end of history is perceived as present. Novenson delves into the complexities of Paul’s views on the law, his interpretation of 'Judaismos' in Galatians, and the moral implications for Jews and Gentiles. He also discusses his ongoing research and future projects.

Join Peter Arzt-Grabner, an expert in papyrology and biblical studies, as he unpacks the fascinating world of ancient letters. He compares New Testament letters with everyday correspondence from Greco-Roman times, revealing the literary prowess of figures like Paul of Tarsus. The discussion touches on how these letters illuminate socio-economic dynamics, including complexities of ancient slavery. Arzt-Grabner also shares insights on the challenges of letter delivery in the Roman Empire, offering a deeper understanding of communication in historical contexts.