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Historians know almost nothing about the Jesus community of the two decades following the crucifixion, when Jesus’ followers regrouped and began to spread the story. During this time the apostle Paul joined the movement.  James Tabor reconstructs the origins of Christianity, pointing out the disagreements between James, Peter and Paul, over issues such as the meaning of Jesus’ message and whether converts needed to become Jews first.  Tabor’s book shows how Paul separated himself from Peter and James to introduce his own version of Christianity.  James, brother of Jesus, was made head of the new community of faith in Jerusalem.  The epistle attributed to James has well developed parallels to the message of Jesus:  ethical teachings, anointing the sick with oil, forgiveness with G-d through repentance and prayer: the most direct possible link to the Jewish teaching of Jesus himself. 

In a very helpful section Tabor summarizes Greek and Hebrew perspectives on death resurrection.  Also helpful is his pointing to the Jesus images given in the gospels.  Eg Matthew and Mark, Jewish faithfulness; Mark, no history of Jesus; John, the pre-existent ‘logos’; Paul, Greek categories and philosophical perspectives (cosmic deliverer). (See Geza Vermes, The Changing Faces of Jesus).  Tabor’s book provides a careful look at early church history and the struggle in leadership reflected especially in Acts and in the Pauline writings.

A book that invites the reader to provide both framework and content of faith.

Vern Ratzlaff is a pastor and professor of historical theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Here is a fascinating study of the canonical process as a hermeneutical exercise in which the early church collected, preserved and theologically shaped the material that served as scripture; primary attention is given to the Pauline documents. 

Childs points to differing perceptions of ‘canon’.  Some see canon as the closed list of books officially accepted as authoritative and binding for religious practice and doctrine.  He holds to a broader definition, that seeks to relate the function of the documents to the life of the church.  ‘Canon’ is not only a listing but a description of a process (p 253), ‘the experience of the church in arriving at a writing’s conformation to a rule of faith’ (p 9).

Criteria for canonicity are apostolicity (eg Paul’s letters, by an apostle, become the model by which all expressions of faith were to be tested); catholicity (the ‘critically proven test of Alexandria was balanced by the inclusion of the Byzantine text used by the widest range of the great church’ (p 23); orthodoxy (not an abstract norm but closely related to worship). Childs pursues key areas for clarification of the canonization process (eg Wayne Meeks’ social context of Pauline theology, the apocalyptic shape of Paul’s theology).

A final chapter on ‘Theological Implications’ outlines the hermeneutical and community features ‘within which the ongoing exegetical activity functions’ (p 255).  The role of the canon sets parameters for interpretation that the church has affirmed in locating the arena in which the Word of G-d is heard; canon refers to the writings ‘whose witness to a living Word continues to shape and enrich its life’ (p 259).

Vern Ratzlaff is a pastor and professor of historical theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Some theologians interpret Luke’s writings as an apology for Christianity addressed to a Roman magistrate, that ‘Jesus and his followers seek accommodation to the empire, to minimize the political elements in Christianity in order to show that Christianity is politically harmless’ (p 3).  Some maintain that Luke-Acts is not an apology for the church but an apology to Rome directed at Luke’s own community; that Luke aims to persuade his readers that the institution of the church and empire are complementary’ (p 4)  Seo challenges these perspectives, pointing to the clash of authority, between Jesus, and Jewish and Roman leaders; contrasting the perspectives of ‘benefactor’ and ‘saviour’ between the empire and Jesus (Augustus as a pseudo-saviour).

Luke 22:24-27 emphasizes Luke’s perspective that the emperor is not a true benefactor, but neglects altruistic benefaction; Jesus is characterized by ‘service-oriented benefactor’.  The emperor makes use of his military authority to obtain peace and security, but Jesus rejects violence.  Jesus’ salvation focuses especially on forgiveness of sins of tax collectors; by showing that the emperor’s salvation does not reach those outcasts, the emperor is seen as a pseudo-saviour.  ‘Luke portrays Jesus as the one who successfully achieves victory and peace through his correction of their wrong doing, not through the emperor’s authority or military power.

A wonderfully clear book on the nature of Jesus and the state.

Vern Ratzlaff is a pastor and professor of historical theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Harrison probes two questions:  What is religion?  How do, and how should, different religions relate to each other, and presents a cogent answer to the first question.  A religion needs to have five ‘things’:  form of organization, overarching explanation of reality, an account of human predicaments, faith commitment, identification of values (p 39).  (One of his forms of religion is consumerism! P 68).

Harrison points out that religious boundaries may be soft or hard—or both; eg some forms of Judaism (Orthodox) have firmer boundaries than does the Sikh religion, while some Jewish forms (Reform) have softer boundaries.  When changes in a religion (syncretism) are advocated, Harrison suggests three criteria for what constitutes an improvement:  the new answer must appear to be more accurate, more consistent with information we have. The new answer must be genuinely helpful in the world in which we live. The new answer sustains and even expands upon some important part of the religion as previously held (p 92,93).

Harrison identifies several favourable syncretistic acts in the history of religion:  Christianity and the Celtic tradition, where each shaped the other; Buddhism and Taoism; ancient and medieval Islam and Greek philosophy.  Sometimes syncretism results in negative formulations: violence (the Roman empire and the early church), and today’s prosperity gospel (material self-interest) (p 132).  Two favourable examples of syncretism are Cobb and Whitehead (process theology), and Gandhi (whose syncretism is counter cultural and hence dangerous! p 205).  ‘Soft boundaries allow for the possibility of mutual commitment to a common project….  Working together we can be more creative…The universal mixing of religions is a good thing’ (p 235).

A provocative book for our Christian culture to see the possibilities of close dialogue, and perhaps even syncretistic outcomes.

Vern Ratzlaff is a pastor and professor of historical theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Carter identifies reading strategies for John’s Apocalypse, articulates eight sections (revelations) and in the final chapter explores implications for contemporary readers.  Each chapter concludes with study questions.  He lists five assumptions shaping much current thinking of Revelation:  prediction of the end of the world, referring to literal events that will soon take place, focus on our time as key to understanding the future, drawing on other New Testament writers (eg for concepts such as the rapture, G-d’s removal of believers from the earth, and the anti-christ), passive response from the readers (we can’t do anything about things).

Carter has a different list of assumptions:  the historical (the church of John’s time under pressure to accommodate Roman culture), the hermeneutical (how interpret the text, an example of ‘apocalyptic literature’'); the text as prophecy, not prediction, but proclamation of G-d’s word and will; the text as letter, a pointed interaction with the readers.

Carter also emphasizes that the major setting of the book is not in a time of persecution (pp 136,137):  the issue is ‘how Jesus believers are to negotiate their intersections with their society’ (p 137).  He touches well on two problems areas of the book’s content: violence and women.  Women are sexualized in John’s writings, and are presented negatively, although they also figure on the other side of John’s dualism (p 130).  Violence is also a hermeneutical problem; the book constantly envisions violence (p 124), but a counter occurs when John is invited to see the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who turns out to a Lamb (Rev 5:6).  Revelation raises important issues:  the role of empire in G-d’s purposes, violence, role of women and men.  How can we shape our lives to enact G-d’s life-giving inclusive purposes?

Vern Ratzlaff is a pastor and professor of historical theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

This is not a textbook offering an introduction to ethical theories or methods, nor does it offer political advice, but it makes suggestions for actions with hope, hope related to biblical themes having to do with endangered life, the threatened earth and the lack of justice and righteousness (pp 9,10).

Moltmann’s writing ranges widely and evocatively; he does not come with ‘answers’ but with a perspective gained from the nudging given by biblical themes.  He has an insightful section on human life that helps shape our response to medical issues (p 62,62).  Eg the fight for human survival is the fight for time.  He has helpful positions:  justice—not security—creates peace (p 64); we need to turn from domination to community (p 66); we are stardust (we are part of the cosmos) (p 69).

His section on medical ethics does not seek to give the solution to issues of abortion and/or euthanasia, but to ‘identify and understand what makes the issue a concern.'  An important section deals with earth ethics (p 107), gaia theory (p 109), which understands the earth ‘not merely as a living space for many types of life but as being itself ‘living’ and fruitful’ (p 109).  A powerful  theme of his book is that of the repudiation of violence, and the positive evaluations of the anabaptists’ emphasis on discipleship that ‘demands a life lived for peace, with vulnerability’ (p 30).

A powerful treatment of powerful Christian ethical components.

Vern Ratzlaff is a pastor and professor of historical theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Dyck, professor in the Dept. of Business Administration, I. H. Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Canada, describes what management theory and practise looked like in the Palestinian first century, examines what Luke’s gospel says about management, and draws out contemporary implications.  Management (oikonomia) and money, reminders of Luke’s special emphasis on these topics.  Dyck examines management in Luke by sketching the theology of the topic:  how does salvation help us to manage the created world in ‘the image of G=d’, engage in meaningful work, live in and nurture community (p 13).  Luke’s management interest had relevance for the first century as well as for the 21st.

Key to Dyck’s approach is his outline of first century Palestinian management perspectives, a close examination of two parables (the shrewd manager, investing ten pounds), implications for 21st management theory and practise, and a close examination of the use of kurios, 'lord,' in Luke to describe both G-d and Jesus.  A powerful exegetical paradigm is offered that uses Luke’s narrative journey motif (Luke 9:51-19:40) with the Kingdom of G-d theme:  identifying the problem, focus on the KOB (kingdom of G-d) solution, develop new ways of perceiving issues, challenge the social elite to change existing institutions.  One of his appendices uses this four-phase process as a suggested paradigm using the Socratic method (p 213) and Paul’s usage, especially with his Areopagus address (p 214ff).

A top-notch reference of Palestinian culture and Lukan theology. 

Vern Ratzlaff is a pastor and professor of historical theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

This is not a commentary on the Pauline writings. (I Thessalonians; 1,2 Corinthians; Galatians, Romans, Philippians, Philemon are seen as authentically Pauline and treated in this volume.)  This volume draws insights from a range of social perspectives such as anthropology and social psychology, by examining the typical Eastern Mediterranean social behaviours witnessed in Paul’s letters.  Such an exercise is needed; readers need to enter Paul’s world, bringing to their reading mental scenarios proper to Paul’s time, place and culture, instead of imposing our own modern categories; ‘modern Christianity has little to do with ancestral expression in the Jesus groups of Paul’s day’ (p 3).  Eg taking the phrase ‘Judean and Greek’ as meaning Jews and Greeks is erroneous. Judeans were people who practised the customs of Judea; Greeks were people who practised the customs of Hellenists, a broad catch-all for Mediterranean citizens who used the common Greek language.  To have Judean and Greek mean ‘Jews and Greeks’ (or ‘Jews and Gentiles’) is simply wrong; this has obvious implications for reading Paul.

Pp 331-409 contain reading scenarios, short essays on key cultural components underlying the Paulines.  These provide wonderful brief ‘essays’ on topics such as ‘altered states of consciousness’ (visions, dreams), Greeks and Israelites, honour-shame societies, meals, patronage systems and religious/economic/politics.  Eg we can’t read Romans 13 to generate a theory of separation of church and state; that is an imposition of our own culture that separates these.  ‘relationship of subject to official is an interpersonal one in which disobedience personally dishonours the official’ (p 393).

A great book to refocus our reading the Paulines.

Vern Ratzlaff is a pastor and professor of historical theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

This is one of the most significant books of the past decades, treating moral discourse with a live sense of pluralism.  The most pressing current issue, Kaveny points out, is to incorporate a lively sense of humility into the practice of the jeremiad (passionate condemnations of sinful behaviour). Is it possible to condemn without contempt?

She examines two documents that say ‘yes’, that avoid prophetic rhetoric to change condemnation into contempt (p 4); ‘citizens rightly call each to account for violations of our most fundamental commitments.  Contempt, however, is a different matter’ (p x).

Kaveny articulates two instances of jeremiads:  Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address and the Jewish prophetic book of Jonah, both characterized by humility, key element in effective treatment of the intersection of religion, morality public policy; Lincoln’s Adddress and Jonah evidence humility and self-criticism in prophetic speech, both qualities that became first victims of the 2016 American presidential campaigns (my aside).

The final chapter is especially illuminating.  ‘The rhetoric of prophetic indictment is meant to be radical, that is, to target fundamental violations of the nation’s basic social compact.  Second, the rhetorical style of the indictment is best modeled on the oracles against Israel and Judah….  The prophets stand with the people they condemn… to integrate humility without sacrificing a strong commitment to moral realism….  Humility will become an increasingly important quality to cultivate’ (p 420)… practical deliberation in a pluralistic society’ (p 423).

A must-read book.

Vern Ratzlaff is a pastor and professor of historical theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Many of the contemporary understandings of western christian belief derive from our peculiar cultural interpretations of the bible.  When we immerse ourselves in strange Mediteranian readings of the bible, old interpretations are threatened, and we need to see through the eyes of someone socialized in a culture different from our own.  Eg westerners  know little about ‘the evil eye’, and when we read Mt 6:22,23 we find it difficult to understand Jesus’ words. In the text, an evil eye is bad for the person being looked at; Jesus’ hearers would have recognized that Jesus was talking about light that originates in the heart and could do them either good or evil.

High infant mortality rates (up to 30%) made children vulnerable; when mothers brought their children to Jesus it was not because of a sweet interest in children, but of ‘the vulnerable, the frightened and the terror-stricken who make up the implausible kingdom of G-d’ (p 5).  Jesus’ prayer, that we not be put to the test, is the plaintive cry of a peasant that he not be hauled into a debt court in front of a corrupt judge’ and have his land taken from him (p 6).

The book examines ten Mediterranean cultural strands (eg kinship, honour and shame, patronage, table fellowship) by referencing key social science studies; each chapter has at least one example of using contemporary anthropological studies in working with a biblical text (ie in the honour-shame discussion, ‘grace’ is the theological term that supercedes the ‘honour’ cultural theme), and has a helpful bibliography on the anthropological theme being examined, a good combination of theological and secular.

A wonderful help for understanding the New Testament.

Vern Ratzlaff is a pastor and professor of historical theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.