Reality and Illusion in New Testament Scholarship is a basic introduction to the theory of interpretation and theory of history for New Testament readers, students, and scholars. It offers an entry into the thought of the late, great Bernard Lonergan on insight and judgment, subjectivity and objectivity, horizons and changes of horizon, alienation and ideology. It focuses on what it takes to measure up to the literature of the New Testament. Book jacket.

This work identifies two distinct methodological approaches in Jesus studies, as represented by the work of two prominent historical Jesus scholars, Dominic Crossan and Ben Meyer. Crossan's work is the apotheosis of a venerable approach centered on "tradition criticism." Meyer offered a critique of this approach in the form of a historiographic "holism." This work brings Meyer's proposals to light in a sharp comparison with the historiographic assumptions he criticized. It goes beyond Meyer, recognizing the full significance of narrativity in historical method.

Understanding the Bible is a learner-friendly overview of the major theories of biblical interpretation from ancient times to the present. Author George Montague surveys the major trends in the history of the discipline and carefully notes the contributions and the limitations of each period. He puts into coherent perspective the diverse and often contradictory interpretations of scripture, culminating with in-depth examinations of Dei Verbum of Vatican II and the Pontifical Biblical Commission's The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church. Understanding the Bible is an invaluable resource for graduate and theology students, and for anyone interested in making sense of hermeneutics.

This work is primarily written as a class manual for those who wish to deepen their understanding of and love for the New Testament. It is of course no substitute for reading the Biblical text itself, which is the first and foremost task of the student. This book is simply a companion to guide the reader of the New Testament on his or her pilgrimage. It furnishes a few key signposts in terms of the basic ideas of how the biblical text came about, its objective value and special character and inspiration, the Synoptic Problem and the Canon of the New Testament. Some tools for interpretation are offered, and then some basic themes are treated, in particular the Church, the Holy Eucharist, Mary, the Mother of God, the rôle of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and the interplay between faith and reason in the New Testament. Paul Haffner, a priest of the diocese of Portsmouth (England), obtained his first degree in physics at Oxford University. He went on to philosophical and theological studies in Rome, and received his doctorate from the Pontifical Gregorian University. At present, he is professor of systematic and dogmatic theology in Rome at Regina Apostolorum University, invited lecturer at the Pontifical Gregorian University and at Duquesne University Italian campus. His publications number more than 20 books and 100 articles and include A Methodology for Term Papers and Theses, Mystery of Creation, The Sacramental Mystery, The Mystery of Reason, The Mystery of Mary and Mystery of the Church, all from Gracewing.

Samuel Adams engages the classic problem of the relation between faith and history from the perspective of apocalyptic theology in critical dialogue with the work of N. T. Wright. He argues that historical and theological scholars must take into consideration, at a methodological level, the reality of God that has invaded history in Jesus Christ.

Following up Robert Traina's classic Methodical Bible Study, this book introduces the practice of inductive Bible study to a new generation of students, pastors, and church leaders. The authors, two seasoned educators with over sixty combined years of experience in the classroom, offer guidance on adopting an inductive posture and provide step-by-step instructions on how to do inductive Bible study. They engage in conversation with current hermeneutical issues, setting forth well-grounded principles and processes for biblical interpretation and appropriation. The process they present incorporates various methods of biblical study to help readers hear the message of the Bible on its own terms.

"David Bauer's Annotated Guide to Biblical Resources for Ministry is without doubt the most complete and up-to-date practical bibliographic compendium on the Bible now available. All interpreters of Scripture--pastors and teachers--will find the information provided here useful and accessible. Especially valuable are the annotations of selected books, which offer careful and informed judgments about the usefulness of the works and provide succinct, but informative and accurate, descriptions and evaluations of each book. While Bauer is a New Testament teacher, his choices and assessments in the Old Testament bibliography are as good as any Old Testament scholar could produce. I do not know of any comparable work for pastors and teachers." --Patrick D. Miller, Charles T. Haley Professor of Old Testament Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary "This is one of those rare bibliographic guides that every student of religion, seminarian, and minister will want to have on his or her bookshelf. The focus of this guide is on biblical studies. It contains entries on 2,200 books written by 1,300 scholars. Annotations describe and evaluate books that are highly recommended. Virtually every topic in biblical studies is noted: commentaries on each book of the Bible; biblical histories, theologies, and ethics; books on the canon, archaeology, early Judaism, and interpretive methods; and technical books such as grammars, concordances, Bible dictionaries, and atlases. The great strength of this guide is not only that it provides the reader with a wealth of information but also that the format it follows is eminently reader-friendly. The Guide is invaluable for assisting the student, seminarian, or minister in building a personal library. I highly recommend it! --Jack Dean Kingsbury, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology, Union Theological Seminary in Virginia This book provides pastors and church workers with a map for navigating the maze of biblical studies. It offers an extensive list of resources, with helpful comments and recommendations that help readers discover which books will be of most interest to them. The consistent focus is on volumes that are attentive to faith concerns and thus most promising for use within faith communities. A valuable tool for any minister or church worker committed to taking the Bible seriously! --Mark Allan Powell, Professor of New Testament, Trinity Lutheran Seminary