Books published by Augsburg Fortress Publishers

'This is an excellent book on faith's center and source of power. The author shows the wealth and diversity of forms and effects prayer has and, along the way, introduces the reader to the theology and spirituality of the Old and New Testament traditions.'-Michael Welker

Two partial apprehensions of nature vied for dominance in the past century: religious (void of any influence from science) and scientific (unable to admit any reality, beyond the empirical). Both views have led to the exploitation of nature -- and the scientific may prove even more devastating. The fault, Gilkey argues, lies not in the scientific knowledge of nature but in the assumed philosophy of science that accompanies most scientific and technological practice. Scientific knowing needs to be critiqued and brought into relationship with other complementary ways of knowing.

Professor Juel defends a simple thesis: "The beginnings of Christian reflection can be traced to interpretation of Israel's scriptures, and the major focus of that scriptural interpretation was Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah." He therefore proceeds to demonstrate how certain Old Testament texts came to be applied to Jesus as Christ. He argues that the interpretative application of such texts to Jesus was part of the interior logic of Christianity.Introduction Messianic Exegesis: Developing an ApproachBiblical Interpretation in the First Century C.E.Christ the King: Christian Interpretation of 2 Samuel 7Christ the Crucified: Christian Interpretation of the PsalmsThe Servant Christ: Christian Interpretation of Second IsaiahChrist at the Right Hand: The Use of Psalm 110 in the New TestamentThe Risen Christ and the Son of Man: Christian Use of Daniel 7Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index of Passages

Not so much as a movement or school as an emerging consensus about philosophical criteria of truth and reality, nonfoundationalism is the critical impulse associated with the work of Richard Rorty, Richard Berstein, and others. Increasingly its critique of the search for sure and impregnable foundations shapes the fundamental commitments that gird contemporary theology. John Thiel here assays a careful exploration of its assumptions and convictions, as well as ways nonfoundationalism has influenced contemporary theology.

In our time the cross is often more a source of controversy than a sign of peace. While aware of differing points of view, Alexandra Brown shows that Paul's proclamation of the cross was an inclusive and empowering word of liberation, peace, and reconciliation.

Here is a convenient introduction to the unique aspects of interpreting the one-third of the Hebrew Bible that is in poetic form. Numerous are the occasions when a failure to distinguish poetry from prose in the Old Testament has resulted in flawed interpretation. Robert Lowth's Lectures on the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews (1753, 1787), marked a turning point of major proportions by focusing on the importance of parallelism of lines. But new studies of the past decade now require significant adjustments to Lowth's analyses. Interpreting Hebrew Poetry offers an authoritative introduction to this discussion of parallelism, meter and rhythm, and poetic style. It also provides by way of example a poetic analysis of Deuteronomy 32, Isaiah 5:1-7, and Psalm 1.

"This book makes an important, indeed a groundbreaking, contribution to Markan studies. Not only does it address a lacuna in these studies, but it does so by means of an innovative methodology... that permits a satisfying integration of the Jewish background of Mark's Gospel with its Greco-Roman background while retaining a sensitivity to the literary dimensions of the text as well as an interest in its reader. Robbins has accomplished a remarkable feat... Markan studies are certain to benefit greatly from this work." -Jouette M. Bassler> "Robbins proposes a challenging alternative to current approaches to the study of Mark by demonstrating that its literary qualities are inseparable from ancient social conventions in which Greco-Roman traditions are no less relevant than those of the Old Testament and early Judaism. This book is a major contribution to Markan scholarship as well as an incisive critique of some of the self-imposed limitations of contemporary New Testament research." -David E. Aune> "In this important contribution of Markan studies, Robbins demonstrates that contemporary approaches to the New Testament can lead to genuinely new and fruitful insights." -Richard I. Pervo> "This volume breaks new ground in Markan study in the areas of historical background, genre, structure, plot, and theology... It contains more fresh ideas than most books of its size." -Daniel J. Harrington, S.J. Catholic Biblical Quarterly

What does it mean in a pastoral relationship when a careseeker evokes specific images of God or begins to speak of angels, demons or near-death experiences? Armistead offers practical psychological and theological guidance on these questions for counselors. Using case studies, she shows how to discover and discern the unconcious weavings of images, feelings and ideation that combine to produce God-language and images of God, "what is most holy to the self".

The common stereotype is that the Reformers separated public and private morality and were indifferent to the ethical import of social structures and institutions. Beyond Charity calls this understanding into question by providing an analysis of the historical situation and translations of primary documents. The medieval point of view, formed by piety of achievement, idealized poverty -- either as voluntary renunciation or as almsgiving. In either case the material effects on actual poverty were slight, and the religious endorsement of poverty precluded urban efforts to address this growing problem. The Reformers impelled by their theology, developed and passed new legislative structures for addressing social welfare needs. The key to their undertakings was the conviction that social ethics is the continuation of community worship. In the first half, this book sets forth the medieval context, details Luther's critique of the profit economy of his day, and analyzes the actual social welfare programs that issued from his theology. The second half provides translations of selected legislative programs from the church orders of the Reformation.

Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza charts a new and provocative course in the interpretation of the book of Revelation. She recognizes not only the ideological distortions but also the sociopolitical location of the Apocalypse. In this way she opens to the reader the world of vision of this powerful New Testament book. This book has three major sections: (1) an introduction that centers on social location and rhetorical analysis; (2) the commentary; and (3) a theo-ethical rhetorical reading of the visionary world of the book of Revelation under the headings of empire, tribulation, resistance, and competing voices

James Childs's concise and compelling introduction is based on twenty years of teaching and writing in Christian ethics.Illuminating his case with examples from business, medicine, and public policy dilemmas, Childs constructs an original and comprehensive proposal for Christian ethics"dialogical ethics"one that resonates well with contemporary concern for character and virtue but is also animated and informed by Christian faith.

Drawing on specific texts that speak to cosmic hurt and personal possibility, Walter Brueggemann demonstrates the essential connection between faithful reading of the biblical text and faithful living in a world of banal, yet threatening values. He assesses the nature of obedience today in such areas as ministry, justice, the land, education, hospitality, and the contemporary imagination.

Aside from the fact that it is perhaps the single most discussed and controversial theological writing of the century, no one knowledgeable of Bultmann's work could doubt its basic importance for his entire contribution. Although the position is for which it argues was hardly new, having already taken shape in several of his theological essays written during the 1920s, it is nevertheless the classic formulation of this position and as such incomparable in the Bultmann corpus.

Johnson believes Christian spirituality needs an intellectual recasting that takes seriously the life of ordinary people in a world shaped by modernity rather than the monastery by discerning the narrative of God's action in their midst.

"I have read Professor Capp's Reframing with great interest. Since my colleagues and I have long thought of our concepts and practices as broad and general--as potentially applicable beyond our clinical sphere of psychotherapy--it is very satisfying to see this solid and skillful extension of our work into the very wide and important field of pastoral care." -- John H. Weakland, Brief Therapy Center Mental Research Institute, Palo Alto, California