New Books in Biblical Studies

In this engaging discussion, David Anthony Basham, Assistant Professor of New Testament at Ashland Theological Seminary and author of "Paul, the Temple, and Building a Metaphor," delves into the transformative use of temple language in Paul's letters. He explores how Paul’s metaphor redefines identity among the Corinthians, viewing themselves as God’s temple. Basham also examines Paul's shifting perspective on the Herodian temple post-conversion and the implications of these ideas for both Jewish and Gentile believers in the early Christian community.

Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, author of "Unlocking the Torah Text," dives deep into interpreting the Torah, emphasizing the balance between straightforward meanings and Midrashic insights. He tackles profound themes like free will versus predestination and the philosophical implications of good and evil through the story of the tree of knowledge. Goldin also explores Korach's rebellion as a pivotal moment questioning authority in Judaism, while reflecting on the importance of evolving leadership in the community. His work aims to enrich both education and legacy in Jewish thought.

Alec Goldstein, a Rabbi and author with a rich background in French literature and accounting, discusses Maimonides’ interpretations of the Book of Exodus. He illuminates Maimonides' blend of legal precision and philosophical insight, shedding light on themes of redemption and divine love. The conversation explores the profound implications of God's self-revelation at the burning bush and how historical interpretations enrich our understanding today. Goldstein also shares exciting future projects, including a collection of Hebrew articles set for 2025.

Yitzchak Etshalom, a renowned Rabbi and master educator in Los Angeles, dives into the life and rhetoric of the prophet Amos. He reveals how Amos's poetic critiques of Israelite elites resonate with timeless themes of justice and power. Listeners learn about Etshalom's personal journey behind his commentary, influenced by family and teaching experiences. Additionally, the discussion explores Amos's historical context, his artistry in advocating for social responsibility, and Etshalom's exciting upcoming projects in biblical studies.

Jeremiah Unterman, the academic editor of The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel, brings a wealth of knowledge in Hebrew Bible studies. He dives into the innovative approach of pairing modern scholarship with the original Hebrew text, emphasizing the contextual richness of the biblical narratives. Unterman discusses the decision to begin with Exodus, explores the intricacies of Genesis, and contrasts monotheism in the Hebrew Bible with ancient polytheism. He also highlights Rabbi Sacks' fluid translation style and shares insights on their future biblical projects.

Recognizing the absence of a God named Yahweh outside of ancient Israel, this study addresses the related questions of Yahweh's origins and the biblical claim that there were Yahweh-worshipers other than the Israelite people. Beginning with the Hebrew Bible, with an exhaustive survey of ancient Near Eastern literature and inscriptions discovered by archaeology, and using anthropology to reconstruct religious practices and beliefs of ancient Edom and Midian, this study proposes an answer. Yahweh-worshiping Midianites of the Early Iron Age brought their deity along with metallurgy into ancient Palestine and the Israelite people. Join us as we talk with Robert Miller about his latest book, Yahweh: Origin of a Desert God (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2021).Robert Miller, II, O.F.S., Ph.D., is Ordinary Professor of Old Testament and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies at The Catholic University of America.Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus(Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus(IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption(IVP Academic, 2020). He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

David Dejong, Assistant Professor of Religion at Hope College, dives into the concept of a prophet like Moses as detailed in Deuteronomy. He traces its evolution from the seventh century BCE to the first century CE, showing its profound influence on Jewish and Christian texts. The discussion covers how ancient writers legitimized their works through Mosaic discourse, the genealogical model of prophecy contrasted with charismatic prophecy, and the implications of prophetic authority and disobedience in biblical narratives. It's a fascinating exploration of how prophetic claims shaped ancient beliefs.

Markus Vinzent, a scholar in theology and early Christianity from King’s College London, dives into the fascinating origins of the New Testament. He discusses how the writings of figures like Marcion and Irenaeus shaped its canon in the second century. Vinzent explores the editorial processes that may have brought these texts together, revealing the interconnectedness of early Christian writings. He also highlights the unique role of John's Gospel amidst theological debates, advocating for a modern understanding of these complex developments.

In Divine Marriage from Eden to the End of Days (Wipf and Stock, 2021), André Villeneuve explores the mystery of God’s love in the Bible and ancient Jewish tradition. Join us as we speak André Villeneuve about how Scripture portrays the covenant between God and his people as a divine-human marriage spanning through all of human history.Dr. André Villeneuve is a Catholic theologian, biblical scholar, and Associate Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan.Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus (Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020), and a recent 2 volume commentary on Numbers. He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

Starting nearly a thousand years ago at the Ben Ezra Synagogue of Old Cairo, worn-out books and scrolls were put in the genizah, a storage area for sacred texts. In The Illustrated Cairo Genizah: A Visual Tour of Cairo Genizah Manuscripts at Cambridge Univertity Library (Gorgias Press, 2024), Nick Posegay and Melonie Schmierer-Lee tell the story of the genizah and show the journey of discovery through more than 125 years of research, showcasing over 300 stunning full-colour images, revealing forgotten stories of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities over a millennium of world history.In the nineteenth century, Scottish sisters Agnes and Margaret Smith brought manuscript pages back to England where Solomon Schechter recognized the lost Hebrew book of Ben Sira, also known as Ecclesiasticus or Sirach. Schechter then traveled to Cairo and toured the genizah, an attic chamber he described as a "windowless and doorless room of fair dimensions. The entrance is ... through a big, shapeless hole reached by a ladder." Over the millenia, hundreds and thousands of documents were buried in this attic crypt, vividly described by Schechter: "It is a battlefield of books, and the literary production of many centuries had their share in the battle ... some of the belligerents have perished outright, and are literally ground to dust in the terrible struggle for space".In addition to images of the book of Ben Sira, the collection includes fragments of the oldest known Latin edition of St Augustine's sermons, Origen's Hexapla, and a 5th or 6th century copy of Aquila's translation of Kings, approximately 60 manuscripts written by Moses Maimonides, and a medieval copy of the 'Damascus Document' which was confirmed as an ancient text by the discovery of another copy among the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered at Qumram in 1947. See visual examples of the collection online.Learn more about the Taylor-Schechter Genizah Research Unit.Recommended reading:  The Mind of a Bee by Lars Chittka From the Battlefield of Books: Essays Celebrating 50 Years of the Taylor-Schechter Genizah Research Unit edited by Nick Posegay, Magdalen M. Connolly, and Ben Outhwaite (open access edition available)  Hosted 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