Book Reviews: Books from Fortress Press
Recently Reviewed Books from Fortress Press: Fortress Press is academic imprint for Augsburg Fortress Publishers, publishing house for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Every year Fortress Press publishes a wide variety of books on theology, biblical studies, Christian history, and more.
The Parables of Jesus, by Luise Schottroff
One of the most prominent features of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament is the parables attributed to Jesus. It's been argued that these parables constitute their own genre which basically originates with the New Testament itself. They are a defining feature of New Testament literature and of the teachings attributed to Jesus. Given their status, one would expect them to be well understood - but are they? Perhaps not as well as they should be.
One of the most prominent features of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament is the parables attributed to Jesus. It's been argued that these parables constitute their own genre which basically originates with the New Testament itself. They are a defining feature of New Testament literature and of the teachings attributed to Jesus. Given their status, one would expect them to be well understood - but are they? Perhaps not as well as they should be.
Ending Hunger Now: A Challenge To Persons Of Faith
Hunger is a serious problem in the world - it afflicts 800 million people, among them 300 million children. At the same time, though, the largest world religions require the feeding of the hungry as a charitable, if not sacramental, act. How can so many people believe in the divine mandate of feeing the hungry in a world where so many people not only go hungry, but risk dying from hunger?
Hunger is a serious problem in the world - it afflicts 800 million people, among them 300 million children. At the same time, though, the largest world religions require the feeding of the hungry as a charitable, if not sacramental, act. How can so many people believe in the divine mandate of feeing the hungry in a world where so many people not only go hungry, but risk dying from hunger?
Betrayal: German Churches and the Holocaust
The Nazis would not have been able to achieve what they did in Germany and Europe without the active assistance of millions of Christians. This, in turn, was achieved in large part by the assistance of German churches: whether through silent acquiescence or active participation, German churches helped make the Nazi control of Germany possible.
The Nazis would not have been able to achieve what they did in Germany and Europe without the active assistance of millions of Christians. This, in turn, was achieved in large part by the assistance of German churches: whether through silent acquiescence or active participation, German churches helped make the Nazi control of Germany possible.
Presumed Guilty: How the Jews Were Blamed for the Death of Jesus
The relationship between Christianity and Judaism looms large in the background of both religions. This relationship has undeniably been horrible and caused incalculable suffering for the Jews. An important question for Christians is to what degree Christian misdeeds have been due to individual Christians and to what degree due to something fundamental within Christianity itself.
The relationship between Christianity and Judaism looms large in the background of both religions. This relationship has undeniably been horrible and caused incalculable suffering for the Jews. An important question for Christians is to what degree Christian misdeeds have been due to individual Christians and to what degree due to something fundamental within Christianity itself.
Ungodly Women: Gender and the First Wave of American Fundamentalism
Most people realize that one of the central features of modern American fundamentalism and conservative evangelicalism is a distinctive vision of gender roles both in society at large and in the family in particular. When fundamentalists are criticized, it is often on the basis of their perceived reactionary ideas about women, sex, and gender.
Most people realize that one of the central features of modern American fundamentalism and conservative evangelicalism is a distinctive vision of gender roles both in society at large and in the family in particular. When fundamentalists are criticized, it is often on the basis of their perceived reactionary ideas about women, sex, and gender.
Sacred Choices: The Right to Contraception and Abortion
Family planning, contraception and abortion are all intimately related issues which are often subject to rancorous debates in modern society and international politics. According to conventional wisdom, traditional religious beliefs and institutions are opposed to all three. According to conventional wisdom, religion is inevitably anti-choice in such matters. What if conventional wisdom is wrong?
Family planning, contraception and abortion are all intimately related issues which are often subject to rancorous debates in modern society and international politics. According to conventional wisdom, traditional religious beliefs and institutions are opposed to all three. According to conventional wisdom, religion is inevitably anti-choice in such matters. What if conventional wisdom is wrong?
The Wrath of Jonah: The Crisis of Religious Nationalism
What role is played by religion and religious nationalism in the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis today? We often hear about the conflict over national ideals and national sovereignty, but not so much about how religious ideals have influenced the violence. This is unfortunate, because much of what is going on is inexplicable without that information.
What role is played by religion and religious nationalism in the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis today? We often hear about the conflict over national ideals and national sovereignty, but not so much about how religious ideals have influenced the violence. This is unfortunate, because much of what is going on is inexplicable without that information.
The New Historicism, by Gina Hens-Piazza
There exist many different methodologies used today by scholars for understanding and drawing meaning from biblical texts - and quite a few of these were developed over the past century. One of the more informative and controversial is New Historicism, a movement which began in the field of literary studies in the 1980s. What impact has it had on biblical scholarship?
There exist many different methodologies used today by scholars for understanding and drawing meaning from biblical texts - and quite a few of these were developed over the past century. One of the more informative and controversial is New Historicism, a movement which began in the field of literary studies in the 1980s. What impact has it had on biblical scholarship?
Healing Violent Men: A Model for Christian Communities
Is Christianity more of a help or a hinderance when it comes to addressing male violence against women? Traditionally, it seems, Christianity has often done more to support and abet violence against women - because of that, Christian leaders need to be more proactive in the effort to improve matters.
Is Christianity more of a help or a hinderance when it comes to addressing male violence against women? Traditionally, it seems, Christianity has often done more to support and abet violence against women - because of that, Christian leaders need to be more proactive in the effort to improve matters.
Religion, Politics, and the Christian Right
The power and influence of America's Christian Right is undeniable, so of course there have been innumerable books seeking to explain how the movement developed and what it means for American politics. Most such books focus on religion and religious explanations, yet we must remember that this is an American movement - there isn't anything quite like it elsewhere.
The power and influence of America's Christian Right is undeniable, so of course there have been innumerable books seeking to explain how the movement developed and what it means for American politics. Most such books focus on religion and religious explanations, yet we must remember that this is an American movement - there isn't anything quite like it elsewhere.
God And Power: Counter-Apocalyptic Journeys
Religions are totalizing belief systems; because of this, it's inevitable that they also address questions about social power and values. Religions can serve to legitimize or undermine political systems, agendas, and policies. In America, some of the most influential voices on behalf of religious power are also voices on behalf of messianic imperialism...
Religions are totalizing belief systems; because of this, it's inevitable that they also address questions about social power and values. Religions can serve to legitimize or undermine political systems, agendas, and policies. In America, some of the most influential voices on behalf of religious power are also voices on behalf of messianic imperialism...
The Church Enslaved: A Spirituality For Racial Reconciliation
One of the most significant aspects of American Christianity which no one wants to talk about, much less seriously engage, is the legacy of racism, slavery, and segregation. Too often people act as though it was simply a part of American culture and politics, detached from the Christian experience...
One of the most significant aspects of American Christianity which no one wants to talk about, much less seriously engage, is the legacy of racism, slavery, and segregation. Too often people act as though it was simply a part of American culture and politics, detached from the Christian experience...