Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible

In this fresh commentary, Deanna A. Thompson makes this important Old Testament book come to life. Recounting God's foundational relationship with Israel, Deuteronomy is set in the form of Moses' speeches to Israel just before entry into the promised land. Its instructions in the form of God's law provide the structure of the life that God wants for the people of Israel. Although this key Old Testament book is occasionally overlooked by Christians, Deuteronomy serves as an essential passing down to the next generations the fundamentals of faith as well as the parameters of life lived in accord with God's promises. Thompson provides theological perspectives on these vital themes and shows how they have lasting significance for Christians living in today's world. Thompson's sensitivity to the Jewish context and heritage and her insights into Deuteronomy's importance for Christian communities make this commentary an especially valuable resource for today's preacher and teacher.

This latest volume in the popular Belief series considers two very different types of biblical writings and two very timely subjects-violence and sex within the context of Scripture. Well-known theologian Harvey Cox draws on a wide array of sources in his commentary on Lamentations- including poetry, novels, films, paintings, and photography-to offer a contemporary theological reading that is provocative and sure to stir numerous theological reflections and responses. The biblical book of Song of Songs has historically been seen as a book pointing to Christ's love for the church and has been interpreted in allegorical ways. Yet, it is unique in the canon for its use of erotic poetry, celebrating the human body and human love in graphic terms. Author Stephanie Paulsell suggests that the Song can still have profound meaning for us, teaching us "to love not only what we can see shining on the surface but also those depths of the other which are out of our reach."

The book of Revelation stands as one of the most challenging and inspiring in the Christian canon. While giving rise to much unhelpful speculation, its core message of the active sovereignty of God in a hostile world has given courage and comfort throughout Christian history. In this volume, Amos Yong analyzes the message of Revelation to its earliest readers and speaks to its ongoing meaning for believers today. The volumes in the Belief series offer a fresh and invigorating approach to all the books of the Bible. Building on a wide range of sources from biblical studies and the Christian tradition, renowned scholars focus less on traditional historical and literary angles in favor of a theologically focused commentary that considers the contemporary relevance of the text. Why then, and why now are overarching questions asked throughout the volumes in the series.

The volumes in Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible from Westminster John Knox Press offer a fresh and invigorating approach to all the books of the Bible. Building on a wide range of sources from biblical studies, the history of theology, the church's liturgical and musical traditions, contemporary culture, and the Christian tradition, noted scholars focus less on traditional historical and literary angles in favor of a theologically focused commentary that considers the contemporary relevance of the texts. This series is an invaluable resource for those who want to probe beyond the backgrounds and words of biblical texts to their deep theological and ethical meanings for the church today.

Ruth and Esther theologically examines Ruth and Esther as moral agents who overcome gendered violence with moral courage and imagination. In this volume of the Belief commentary series, Marcia Y. Riggs brings a womanist, social-ethical reading of the books of Ruth and Esther to reveal the intersection of various forms of gendered violence-social, political, ethnic, economic. Riggs insightfully invites readers to examine how Ruth and Esther are social actors and moral agents responding constructively to gendered violence in their contexts, and she offers historical and contemporary examples of gendered violence to juxtapose with the experiences of Ruth and Esther. In the process, readers are inspired to ask who are the Ruths and Esthers in our society. How is the church responding to the marginalization of these women? How are people of faith doing ministry in solidarity with the struggles of these women? In all, this resource for preaching and teaching provides insights about faithful ethical responses to violence, encouraging readers to be in dialogue with biblical texts as they ask questions about their complicity with violence in our environments today.