Books published by Augsburg Fortress Publishers

Written by a new generation of recognized experts in pastoral care, these brief, foundational books offer practical advice to pastors on the most frequent dilemmas of pastoral care and counseling.

One of the leading scholars on the Gospel of Mark utilizes a variety of methods to plumb the depths of this earliest story of Jesus. From new forms of literary criticism, social-scientific explorations, and reader-response criticism, Rhoads brings fresh insights to gospel studies.

Paul's letter to the Romans is an example of Jewish correspondence, addressing believers in Jesus who are steeped in Jewish ways--whether of Jewish or gentile origin. Arguing against those who think Paul was an apostate from Judaism, Nanos maintains Paul's continuity with his Jewish heritage.

Beloved author Brokering offers spiritual nourishment, this time based on Christina Georgina Rossetti's Christmas carol, "In the Bleak Midwinter." This set of 40 meditations and prayers can be opened at leisure or followed as a guide to daily devotions. Either way, it is a rich and imaginative reflection on the incarnation as God's continual gift.Augsburg Fortress Publishing

* Practical, step-by-step help for building life-changing relationships * Selections from Jane Austen novels bring clarity, humor

Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament Mark

Drawing from the poetry and journal of Gerard Manley Hopkins, who is considered a major 19th century English poet, editor Francis X. McAloon, S.J. draws us into Hopkins'' intense joy in and sacramental view of nature as a manifestation of the beauty of the divine in the natural world.Includes a short introduction to Hopkins'' life and work, questions to draw the reader into Hopkins'' spiritual world, journaling suggestions and daily prayers. This 40-day journey is an invitation to personal meditation and/or group discussion. An inspiring journey to take at any time, especially through the seasons of Advent and Lent.

New in paperback!Cyril of Jerusalem wrote about "holy things." He thereby reflected the communion invitation used in his fourth-century liturgy to call people to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Mystagogical Catecheses).The present times call for strong and healthy symbols that hold people into hope. The Christian communities need a reintroduction into the ways in which liturgical symbols respond to human need. Indeed, Lathrop argues, Christian communities continually need to reconsider the meaning of their liturgies and reform those liturgies toward authentic clarity.In its three parts, this book (1) proposes that an ecumenical pattern or ordo of worship can be discerned which is also a pattern of meaning, (2) discusses the ways in which meaning occurs in the meeting for worship itself, and (3) draws practical conclusions about the organization of that meeting and its importance to current human need.Throughout, Lathrop undertakes to do theology, that is, to say what the liturgy actually says about God.

Nissinen''s award-winning book surveys attitudes in the ancient world toward homoeroticism, that is, erotic same-sex relations. Focusing on the Bible and its cultural environment-Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Israel-Nissinen concisely and readably introduces the relevant sources and their historical contexts in a readable way.Homoeroticism is examined as a part of gender identity, i.e., the interplay of sexual orientation, gender identification, gender roles, and sexual practice. In the patriarchal cultures of the biblical world, Nissinen shows, homoerotic practices were regarded as a role construction between the active and passive partners rather than as expressions of an orientation moderns call "homosexuality." Nissinen shows how this applies to the limited acceptance of homoerotic relationships in Greek and Roman culture, as well as to Israel''s and the early church''s condemnation of any same-sex erotic activity.For readers interested in the ancient world or contemporary debates, Nissinen''s fascinating study shows why the ancient texts - both biblical and nonbiblical - are not appropriate for use as sources of direct analogy or argument in today''s discussion.

* Glossary of liturgical terms and practices; graphics; bibliography; index of names * Reflection questions lead readers into the issues raised in each chapter