New Books in Biblical Studies

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.

Ambra Suriano, who studied philology and biblical narratology, delves into the narratives of Mamre and Sodom from Genesis 18-19. She argues that these stories primarily address the knowledge of good and evil. Discover her insights into themes of hospitality, morality, and divine judgment, as they intertwine between Abraham and Lot. Suriano also explores narrative structure and symbolism, such as the sacred meal with God, highlighting the contrast between justice and corruption that permeates these biblical tales.

In this engaging conversation, historian Markus Vinzent shares insights from his book, exploring the formation of the New Testament in the second century. He discusses the influence of Marcion's gospel and the significance of collections over individual texts. Vinzent highlights the ethical implications of these writings, including themes of pacifism and gender equality. He also dives into how this research reshapes our understanding of Paul’s letters, the impact of Herod’s reign, and links to the Bar Kokhba revolt, providing a unique lens on early Christianity.

In Intergroup Conflict, Recategorization, and Identity Construction in Acts: Breaking the Cycle of Slander, Labeling and Violence (Bloomsbury, 2023) Hyun Ho Park employs social identity to create the first thorough analysis via such methodology of Acts 21:17-23:35, which contains one of the fiercest intergroup conflicts in Acts. Park's assessment allows his readers to rethink, reevaluate, and reimagine Jewish-Christian relations; teaches them how to respond to the vicious cycle of slander, labeling, and violence permeating contemporary public and private spheres; and presents a new hermeneutical cycle and describes how readers may apply it to their own sociopolitical contexts.After surveying previous studies of the text, Park first analyses Paul's welcome, questioning, and arrest, and how slandering and labeling make Paul an outsider. Park then describes how, through defending his Jewish identity and the Way, Paul nuances his public image and re-categorizes himself and the Way as part of the people of God. When Paul identifies himself as a Roman and later a Pharisee, Park examines Luke's ambivalent attitude toward Rome and the Pharisees, and assesses how Paul escapes dangerous situations by claiming different social identities at different times.Finally, he discloses the vicious cycle of slander, labeling, and violence not only against the Way but also against the Jews and challenges the discursive process of identity construction through intergroup conflict with an out-group, especially the proximate “Other.” Furthermore, he demonstrates how the relevance of such scholarship is not limited to Lukan studies or even biblical studies in general; the frequent use of slander, labeling, and violence in the politics of the United States and other polarized countries around the globe demands new ways of looking at intergroup relations, and Park's argument meets the needs of those seeking a new perspective on contemporary political discord. Hyun Ho Park is Associate Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Yuba City, California and Editor-in-Chief of the Asian American Theological Forum. 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