Books published by William B Eerdmans Publishing Co

This is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable. In this penetrating study of the concept of meaning, Gerhard Sauter shows that -- contrary to popular belief -- the human quest for meaning is a relatively recent development, arising only after the deconstruction of metaphysics at the end of the nineteenth century. Since then, people have continually sought after the meaning of history, the meaning of their labors, their sufferings, their lives. In an attempt to construct new areas of orientation, meaning has become a dominant term in hermeneutics, in philosophy of language, in psychology, in sociology, in social theory, and in all domains influenced by them, including politics. In former times the term meaning related to statements that could be proven as either true or false, while the term sense marked the ability to perceive reality and to respond to it. In this careful and elaborate analysis of the history of the term meaning, Sauter reevaluates the differences and the connections between meaning and sense in the context of an age that has jettisoned its own metaphysical moorings. Sauter interprets biblical references to meaning -- in Job and Ecclesiastes, for example -- and compares them with modern concepts of the term. He probes beyond the quest for meaning to ask what the quest itself means, and questions whether the modern quest for meaning in fact weakens our perceptions of everyday reality. His conclusions lead to a new kind of quest: an intellectual and spiritual adventure to discover sense encountering contingent reality.

This is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable. In this book Dyrness explores the relationship between the biblical gospel and American culture. He shows how three dominant American cultural values -- pragmatism, optimism, and individualism -- have both a positive and negative impact on our Christian discipleship, looks at Walter Rauschenbusch and Robert Schuller as case studies, and sets out a distinctively American way of appropriating the gospel.

The writings of Philo of Alexandria (20 B.C.E.-40 C.E.) are important for the light they shed on the development of both Hellenistic Judaism and early Christianity. This new reference work, designed specifically to aid with scholarly research on Philo, is the first and only available index to all the Greek words in the writings of Philo, main fragments included. This lemmatized and computer-generated concordance lists each Greek word alphabetically, then lists exhaustively every occurrence of the term within Philo's extensive body of work.

Thielicke here studies the themes of doubt and appropriation in modern Protestant thought. A leading advocate of dialectical theology, Thielicke examines the work of the great German Protestant religious philosophers from Lessing and Schliermacher through Barth and Tillich, probing these theologians' understanding of their context and how this tradition can impact our own engagement with our times. Clear, finely nuanced, historically and philosophically mature, this is a vital reflection on the history of theology and in systematic theology.

Samuel Terrien systematically shows that when the books of the Old and New Testaments are viewed in their historical growth, they reveal a theology of manhood and womanhood that runs counter to modern religious attitudes and practices.

Preaching pastors, ministers, and priests know how quickly Sundays come and go. The Lectionary Commentary will not slow the pace of the weekly calendar, but it will help assure that sermon preparation begins with a solid engagement with Scripture. Designed to "jump start" the difficult task of sermon preparation, this indispensable three-volume work gathers exegetical essays on biblical texts from the Revised Common Lectionary. Covering every Sunday of the three-year liturgical cycle, as well as Christmas Day, Epiphany, and Ascension Day, the readings are arranged in canonical order so as to be of use to all preachers.Seventy-eight pastors, priests, and teachers from a variety of Christian traditions have contributed their insights to The Lectionary Commentary. Designed to answer the question What does the preacher need to know about this text in order to preach a faithful sermon from it?, each of their essays closely considers its specific biblical text, all the while remaining alert to the contemporary context in which the sermon will be spoken and heard. The result is an invaluable resource that will aid in the difficult task of facilitating a meaningful encounter between Holy Scripture and our modern world.This volume, The Third Readings: The Gospels, provides exegetical commentary on the lectionary readings for the witnesses to Jesus Christ written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Also unique to this volume is an excellent essay by C. Clifton Black on Augustinian preaching and the nurture of Christians.

This monumental work presents a careful, well-argued alternative reading of the Greek text of Mark-a reading that pays special attention to such literary devices as word order, chiasm, inclusio, asyndeton, and the historical present tense. Driving the commentary is Gundry's provocative, seldom-defended thesis that Mark's Gospel constitutes a straightforward apology for the shameful manner of Jesus' death; as such Mark is essentially an evangelistic tract rather than an obliquely written handbook of Christian discipleship and church life. "Sure to become recognized as the heavyweight English commentary on the Gospel of Mark.... This massive commentary, rich with exegetical detail and critical assessment of the secondary literature, makes an important contribution not only to Markan research but also to the study of the historical Jesus." - Christian Scholars Review

This monumental work presents a careful, well-argued alternative reading of the Greek text of Mark-a reading that pays special attention to such literary devices as word order, chiasm, inclusio, asyndeton, and the historical present tense. Driving the commentary is Gundry's provocative, seldom-defended thesis that Mark's Gospel constitutes a straightforward apology for the shameful manner of Jesus' death; as such Mark is essentially an evangelistic tract rather than an obliquely written handbook of Christian discipleship and church life. "Sure to become recognized as the heavyweight English commentary on the Gospel of Mark.... This massive commentary, rich with exegetical detail and critical assessment of the secondary literature, makes an important contribution not only to Markan research but also to the study of the historical Jesus." - Christian Scholars Review

This is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable. The field of textual criticism remains an exciting one. Thousands of manuscripts have been recovered in recent years. Using the methods of textual criticism, translators have been able to discern from these manuscripts a probably reading of the original New Testament text, a difficult but important task. Several scholarly books describing the process of textual criticism have already been written, but Encountering New Testament Manuscripts is uniquely different in its approach. Here students have an opportunity to see and read portions of the chief manuscripts for themselves and to learn firsthand the principles of textual criticism. Included are twenty-four photographs of some of the oldest and most important manuscripts, including papyri, parchment, and paper texts with both uncial and miniscule script. Through the steps of transcribing the original manuscripts and organizing the various evidences presented, the student learns to develop conclusions about the reading of the original text. A comprehensive introductory chapter surveying the nature and history of textual criticism and a concluding chapter on the question of methodology make this book a complete course on the subject. Helpful indices and lists of important New Testament manuscripts make it an excellent resource volume as well.

This is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable. Distinguished historian William Estep offers in this book a lively account of the persons and events that influenced the shaping of the First Amendment. Estep shows specifically how evangelical dissenters laid the groundwork necessary for the triumph of religious freedom in America -- something that has often been ignored. Incredibly, says Estep, some Christians today appear determined to reinterpret if not eliminate the First Amendment and its historically revolutionary provision for the separation of church and state. But those who envision America as a church-state where Puritan ideals and concepts should rule misconstrue the amendment's original intent -- to "free citizens from the overweening power of a church-controlled state." The book includes an ample bibliography and an appendix of rarely seen documents pertaining to the struggle for religious liberty. A wide audience -- including students, ministers, and general readers across the religious spectrum -- will appreciate this absorbing historical account.