New Books in Biblical Studies

The Bible shaped nearly every aspect of Jewish life in the ancient world, from activities as obvious as attending synagogue to those which have lost their scriptural resonance in modernity, such as drinking water and uttering one’s last words. And within a scriptural universe, no work exerted more force than the Psalter, the most cherished text among all the books of the Hebrew Bible.A Life of Psalms in Jewish Late Antiquity (U Pennsylvania Press, 2023) clarifies the world of late ancient Judaism through the versatile and powerful lens of the Psalter. It asks a simple set of questions: Where did late ancient Jews encounter the Psalms? How did they engage with the work? And what meanings did they produce? A. J. Berkovitz answers these queries by reconstructing and contextualizing a diverse set of religious practices performed with and on the Psalter, such as handling a physical copy, reading from it, interpreting it exegetically, singing it as liturgy, invoking it as magic and reciting it as an act of piety. His book draws from and contributes to the fields of ancient Judaism, biblical reception, book history and the history of reading.New Books in Late Antiquity is Presented by Ancient Jew Review.A. J. Berkovitz is Associate Professor of Associate Professor of Liturgy and Ancient Judaism at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at UMass Boston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

The metaphor of New Jerusalem has long been used to justify dueling narratives of America as the land of freedom with open gates and the walled city closed to all except those whose names are written in the book of life. In Immigration and Apocalypse: How the Book of Revelation Shaped American Immigration (Yale University Press, 2024), Yii Jan Lin explores the idea of America as the New Jerusalem from early European exploration and colonization; through the waves of Chinese immigration and exclusion; the open gates envisioned by Ronald Reagan in his Farewell Address; and the present day rhetoric about closing the wall at the southern border and the characterization of migrants as diseased and dangerous. Yii-Jan Lin traces the use of this metaphor in newspapers, political speeches, sermons, cartoons, and novels throughout American history to portray a shining, God-blessed refuge and it's simultaneous opposite, where the unwanted are defined as unworthy for entry. Lin shows Revelation’s apocalyptic logic at work in these conflicting interpretations of the American dream, where judgement may be based on the deeds of the individual or judgement may be based on whether they are predestined for inclusion.Author recommended reading:- Heathen: Religion and Race in American History by Kathryn Gin Lum- Revelation in Aztlán: Scriptures, Utopias, and the Chicano Movement by Jacqueline M. HidalgoHosted by Meghan Cochran  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer, a professor of Old Testament exegesis from Sweden, explores the complex character of Jonathan in both biblical texts and modern fiction. She discusses Jonathan's courage, loyalty, and moral dilemmas, particularly his relationship with Saul and David. Tiemeyer highlights how contemporary interpretations enrich our understanding of Jonathan's sacrifice and leadership. Additionally, she reflects on balancing scholarly rigor with accessibility, aiming to reach a wider audience while maintaining depth in her analysis.

In Delicious Prose: Reading the Tale of Tobit with Food and Drink (Brill, 2018), Naomi S.S. Jacobs explores how the numerous references to food, drink, and their consumption within The Book of Tobit help tell its story, promote righteous deeds and encourage resistance against a hostile dominant culture. Jacobs' commentary includes up-to-date analyses of issues of translation, text-criticism, source criticism, redaction criticism, and issues of class and gender. Jacobs situates Tobit within a wide range of ancient writings sacred to Jews and Christians as well as writings and customs from the Ancient Near East, Ugarit, Greece, Rome, including a treasure trove of information about ancient foodways and medicine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

Dominick Hernández, an Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitics at Biola University, dives deep into the complexities of justice in the Book of Job. He explores how Job challenges traditional beliefs about the prosperity of the wicked, using rich rhetoric and stunning imagery during his dialogues. The conversation also touches on Job's powerful rebuke of conventional views and the intriguing role of Elihu, raising questions about divine authority and theological implications. This discussion provides fresh insights into ancient wisdom and the human experience of suffering.

A “wonderful…highly comprehensive” (John Barton, author of A History of the Bible) global history of the world’s best-known and most influential book For Christians, the Bible is a book inspired by God. Its eternal words are transmitted across the world by fallible human hands. Following Jesus’s departing instruction to go out into the world, the Bible has been a book in motion from its very beginnings, and every community it has encountered has read, heard, and seen the Bible through its own language and culture. In The Bible: A Global History (Basic Books, 2024), Bruce Gordon tells the astounding story of the Bible’s journey around the globe and across more than two thousand years, showing how it has shaped and been shaped by changing beliefs and believers’ radically different needs. The Bible has been a tool for violence and oppression, and it has expressed hopes for liberation. God speaks with one voice, but the people who receive it are scattered and divided—found in desert monasteries and Chinese house churches, in Byzantine cathedrals and Guatemalan villages. Breathtakingly global in scope, The Bible tells the story of this sacred book through the stories of its many and diverse human encounters, revealing not a static text but a living, dynamic cultural force. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

Peter Joshua Atkins, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Edinburgh and author of 'The Animalising Affliction of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4,' dives into the intriguing nature of Nebuchadnezzar's transformation. He discusses the tension between metamorphosis and the human-animal boundary, exploring ancient Mesopotamian texts. Atkins challenges traditional interpretations of Daniel 4, highlighting the significance of divine wisdom. He also connects themes of mental health and ecological implications in the Hebrew Bible, revealing unexpected insights about humanity's relationship with animals.

Covenant shapes our life with God. In Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction (Lexham Academic, 2024), Harrison Perkins shows how Christ and his work are the heart of that covenant relationship. Since God lives in covenant with his redeemed people, covenant theology provides a framework for Christians to grow in their life with God, to read the Bible, and to love the church. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

Katharine J. Dell, a professor at the University of Cambridge, dives into the profound themes of creation and covenant in the Hebrew Bible. She explores the intricate relationships within wisdom literature, highlighting key texts like Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. Dell discusses how the covenant with Noah showcases a vision of restoration and harmony within creation. Additionally, she advocates for fresh perspectives in biblical studies, encouraging a deeper understanding of intertextuality in these ancient texts.

Marilynne Robinson, an acclaimed author known for her profound literary and theological insights, dives deep into her latest work, 'Reading Genesis.' She argues for viewing Genesis not merely as a collection of documents but as a rich literary masterpiece that explores humanity's complex relationship with the divine. The discussion touches on Jacob’s struggles, language's role in biblical interpretation, and the contrasting narratives of hope in Hebrew versus Babylonian cultures. Robinson passionately advocates for appreciating Genesis' beauty and depth beyond mere academic analysis.