New Books in Biblical Studies

The scholarship of theology and religion teaches us that the God of the Bible was without a body, only revealing himself in the Old Testament in words mysteriously uttered through his prophets, and in the New Testament in the body of Christ. The portrayal of God as corporeal and masculine is seen as merely metaphorical, figurative, or poetic. But, in this revelatory study, Dr. Francesca Stavrakopoulou presents a vividly corporeal image of God: a human-shaped deity who walks and talks and weeps and laughs, who eats, sleeps, feels, and breathes, and who is undeniably male.God: An Anatomy (Knopf, 2022) present a portrait—arrived at through the author’s close examination of and research into the Bible—of a god in ancient myths and rituals who was a product of a particular society, at a particular time, made in the image of the people who lived then, shaped by their own circumstances and experience of the world. From head to toe—and every part of the body in between—this is a god of stunning surprise and complexity, one we have never encountered before.This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

Rabbi Professor David Weiss Halivni, of blessed memory (1927–2022), was one of the most profound Talmudic scholars and theological voices of the postwar era. A Holocaust survivor, Halivni went on to shape generations of students through his decades of teaching at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Columbia University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar Ilan University, and the Institute of Traditional Judaism. Now, after years of collaboration, meeting nearly every week from 2008 to 2012 with this world-renown Talmudic scholar, Rabbi Ronald Price brings us Rabbi Halivni’s Torah teachings, which he faithful recorded. Stay tuned as we speak with Rabbi Ronald Price about his recent publication, Divrei Halev: Thoughts of Rabbi Professor David Weiss Halivni on the Weekly Torah Portion! Rabbi Ronald D. Price holds semikhah from Rav Halivni. Rabbi Price was the founding Executive Vice President of the Union for Traditional Judaism and founding dean of the Metivta, the Institute of Traditional Judaism. He resides in Ashkelon, Israel, with his wife Tziporah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

Join Rabbi Benjamin J. Segal, former president of the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, as he explores the intricacies of the Ketuvim. He reveals enlightening insights about Ecclesiastes, challenging common misconceptions and highlighting its shifting tones. Discover the dualities of love and longing in the Song of Songs, including the significance of egalitarian love. Lastly, delve into the themes of pain and hope in Lamentations, connecting its emotional journey to universal experiences of loss and resilience.

For renowned scholar Daniel Block, Deuteronomy is the “Gospel according to Moses.” In his farewell addresses, Moses calls God’s people to remember divine grace in salvation and their covenant relationship with him, as well as his revelation of a way of blessing in a lost world. Tune in as we speak with Daniel Block about the third and final volume of his commentary on Deuteronomy. Daniel Block is the Gunther H. Knoedler Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Wheaton College, and the author of numerous articles and papers, both scholarly and popular, and has written commentaries on Ezekiel, Judges, Ruth, and Deuteronomy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

How can war stories, farming proverbs, and strange visions draw you closer to Jesus? In Four Mountains: Encountering God in the Bible from Eden to Zion, Michael Niebauer shows how to see the Bible's big story and meet with God in his word. Four mountain-top encounters with God (Eden, Sinai, Tabor, and Zion) unify the Bible's grand story. The earliest Christians read Scripture with attentiveness to symbols and images like mountains and trees. Learning this method of reading helps us connect seemingly disparate stories and encounter God in his word. Gospel-rich, and Scripture-saturated, Four Mountains reveals how we can see Jesus on every page. Open my eyes that I may see the wondrous things of your law. --Psalm 119:18 (New Coverdale Psalter) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

Gabriella Gelardini, a Professor of Christian Religion at Nord University, delves into her book, exploring the Epistle to the Hebrews within the rich context of Second Temple Judaism. She discusses its intricate structure and themes like sin, faith, and atonement. Gelardini connects Hebrews with ancient texts such as Psalm 95 and examines its role in Jewish worship, particularly during Tisha B'Av. Additionally, she highlights the metaphor of 'going outside' as a form of resistance and the ongoing relevance of covenant renewal in contemporary faith practices.

Explore the metaphor of Jesus as king in the Gospel of John and how it shapes the narrative's message. Discover the just kingship of Jesus and its contrast to traditional power dynamics, especially in his crucified form. The discussion also reveals connections between Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament, emphasizing the richness of metaphorical language. Dive into Jesus' identity as the Good Shepherd and how these themes culminate in his royal identity during pivotal moments, like his interaction with Pontius Pilate.

In this engaging discussion, Daniel C. Matt, a leading authority on Jewish mysticism and former professor at prestigious institutions, dives into the life of the biblical prophet Elijah. He explores Elijah's transformation from a fierce zealot to a compassionate leader, shedding light on his pivotal role in Jewish tradition. Topics include Elijah's miraculous feats, his mysterious departure, and his ongoing presence during Passover, symbolizing redemption and messianic expectations. Discover how Elijah's legacy continues to inspire spiritual leadership and kindness in the modern world.

In this engaging discussion, Daniel I. Block, a respected Old Testament professor and author, dives into his latest commentary on Deuteronomy. He emphasizes how responding to God's grace leads to righteous living without succumbing to legalism. Block highlights the compassionate heart behind the laws, showcasing their role in fostering community with Yahweh. He explores the clarity of God's worship invitation versus pagan uncertainty, and shares insights on the moral responsibilities of leaders in Israelite kingship, connecting historical practices to modern leadership.

Joseph and Aseneth: A Study in Manuscript Transmission (de Gruyter, 2025) expands a few verses from the book of Genesis into a novella-length work. It is increasingly used as a source for Judaism and Christianity at the turn of the Common Era. Scholarly attention has largely focused the work's provenance, the priority of a longer or shorter text version, and the implications for interpretation. But few have engaged with the work's manuscript witness and transmission. This study returns to the sources. It considers how the redaction and translation of Joseph and Aseneth affected its interpretation, and looks at the interests of the redactors and copyists. Its findings warn against placing too much weight on details that lack such an importance in the manuscript tradition. Important contributions made in this monograph include: a detailed study of the two earliest versions, the Syriac and Armenian translations; focus on the Greek manuscripts of the three longest families (f, Mc, a); analysis of four abridged versions (family d, E, Latin 1 and so-called "early modern Greek"); the first available synoptic edition of the Greek versions of the story, including the first edition of manuscript E. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies