Biblical Studies Resources: Scholarly, reception history

Location:
* Some eBooks
* Individual commentaries for checkout are shelved canonically on the 2nd floor of Kivett.
Note: This commentary series is not shelved as a set in the stacks.

The Blackwell Bible Commentaries series, the first to be devoted primarily to the reception history of the Bible, is based on the premise that how people have interpreted, and been influenced by, a sacred text like the Bible is often as interesting and historically important as what it originally meant. Until quite recently this whole dimension of biblical studies has been for the most part totally neglected by modern biblical scholars. The goal of the commentary writer has been to get behind the centuries of accumulated Christian and Jewish tradition to one single meaning, normally identified with the author's original intention. The most important and distinctive feature of this new type of commentary is that it will present readers with many different interpretations of each text, in such a way as to heighten their awareness of what a sacred text, can mean and what it can do, what it has meant and what it has done, in the many contexts in which it operates. The Blackwell Bible Commentaries will consider patristic, rabbinic (where relevant), and medieval exegesis, interpretation from the Reformation and early modern period, as well as insights from various types of modern criticism, acquainting readers with a wide variety of interpretative techniques. Where relevant, reference will be made to questions of source criticism, date, authorship, and other historical critical and archaeological issues, but since these are comprehensively covered in existing commentaries, such references will be considered briefly as part of the history of interpretation.

Location:
* Individual commentaries for checkout are shelved canonically on the 2nd floor of Kivett.
Note: This commentary series is not shelved as a set in the stacks.

The major intent of the series The Bible in Medieval Tradition is to reacquaint the Church with its rich history of biblical interpretation and with the contemporary applicability of this history, especially for academic study, spiritual formation, preaching, discussion groups, and individual reflection. Each volume focuses on a particular biblical book or set of books and provides documentary evidence of the most significant ways in which that work was treated in the course of medieval biblical exegesis and with the interests of contemporary readers. Each volume in the series comprises fresh translations of several commentaries. the selections are lengthy and, in most cases, have never been available in English before. Compared to patristic material, relatively little medieval exegesis has been translated. While medieval interpretations do resemble their patristic forebears, they do not simply replicate them. Indeed, they are produced at new times and in new situations. As a result, they lend insight into the changing culture and scholarship of the Middle Ages and comprise a storehouse of the era's theological and spiritual riches that can enhance contemporary reading of the Bible. They, therefore, merit their own consideration, to which this series is meant to contribute.

Location:
* Some eBooks
* Individual commentaries for checkout are shelved canonically on the 2nd floor of Kivett.
Note: This commentary series is not shelved as a set in the stacks.

The Reformation Commentary on Scripture (RCS) will be a multivolume work that presents comments by historic figures on the entirety of the Bible, chapter by chapter. The unique contribution of the RCS will be its presentation of Protestant Reformation reflections on Scripture, thereby introducing its readers to the depth and richness of exegetical ferment that defined the Reformation. The RCS will introduce a wealth of Reformation-era commentary on Scripture that is largely unknown and for the most part unavailable in English. While the giants of the era will be well represented, readers will also be introduced to a host of figures with whom they were previously unfamiliar, yet who contributed to the reformation in important ways. In doing so, the RCS will demonstrate both the unity and diversity of thought that characterized this vital period in the history of the church. The RCS will be printed in a large, attractive, hardback, double-columned format. Employing the highest level of scholarly research, it will present Reformation-era commentary on Scripture in a clear and straightforward manner, thereby making it accessible to a larger audience. Commentary excerpts will be selected for their succinctness of expression, clarity of thought, depth of scriptural insight, universal relevance, rhetorical power an theological consonance with the tradition of Christian orthodoxy, all the while highlighting the distinctive contributions of the Protestant Reformation.

Location:
* Theological Reference Collection (Kivett 3rd Floor)
* Some eBooks
* Individual commentaries for checkout are shelved canonically on the 2nd floor of Kivett.
Note: This commentary series is not shelved as a set in the stacks.

The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture does what very few of today's students of the Bible could do for themselves. With the aid of computer technology, the vast array of writings from church fathers -- including much that is available only in the ancient languages -- have been combed for their comment on Scripture. From these results, scholars with a deep knowledge of the fathers and a heart for the church have hand selected material for each volume, shaping, annotating and introducing it to today's readers. Each portion of commentary has been chosen for its salient insight, its rhetorical power and its faithful representation of the consensual exegesis of the early church. The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture is an ecumenical project, promoting a vital link of communication between the varied Christian traditions of today and their common ancient ancestors in the faith. On this shared ground we listen as leading pastoral theologians of six centuries gather around the text of Scripture and offer their best theological, spiritual and pastoral insights. Today the historical-critical method of interpretation has nearly exhausted its claim on the biblical text and on the church. In its wake there is a widespread yearning among christian individuals and communities for the wholesome, the deep and the enduring. The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture seeks not to replace those excellent commentaries that have been produced in the twentieth century. It supplements them, framing them with interpretive voices that have long sustained the church and only recently have fallen silent. It invites us to listen with appreciative ears and sympathetic minds as our ancient ancestors in the faith describe and interpret the scriptural vistas as they see them. The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture is a post critical revival of the early commentary tradition known as the glossa ordinaria, a text artfully elaborated with ancient and authoritative reflections and insights. An uncommon companion for theological interpretation, spiritual reading, and wholesome teaching and preaching.