Baker Academic Biblical Studies Upgrade II (5 vols.)

Always with one foot planted firmly in the academy and the other in the church, James Thompson has given us a highly insightful, theologically rich, and timely study of the apostle Paul’s view of the church—one of the best Pauline ecclesiologies in print. Thompson argues compellingly that Paul’s first-century vision of the church as a distinctive community speaks clearly to the twenty-first century. This excellent volume should be studied not only by students of Paul but also by all who are (rightly) concerned about the identity and mission of the church today.

—Michael J. Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, St. Mary’s Seminary & University

James Thompson’s The Church according to Paul is as challenging as it is clever. It is clever because Thompson takes contemporary visions of the church and replaces the language of their proponents with Paul’s own language, thereby upturning today’s categories. It is challenging because it virtually dares those who are concerned with the state of the church today to rethink the church according to the mind of Paul. All in all, The Church according to Paul is a useful and quite valuable read for anyone interested in either the church or the Bible, perhaps even both.

—Raymond F. Collins, visiting scholar, Department of Religious Studies, Brown University

Diagnoses of the church’s problems and prescriptions for its flourishing abound. As James Thompson wisely observes, however, most contemporary discussion of the church shows little evidence of engagement with the letters of Paul. In this careful volume, Thompson studies the church in Paul’s words and his work, in the hope that Paul’s rich wisdom might have its rightful place in contemporary Christian reflection.

—Beverly Roberts Gaventa, distinguished professor of New Testament, Department of Religion, Baylor University

Those who take the Bible seriously have been subjected to continual attack as skeptics make their accusations concerning the historical unreliability of the Old Testament. The search for scholarly responses has often been futile, but that is no longer the case. The information in this book, provided by an exemplary team of scholars, will arm readers with ways to answer skeptics. Equipped with these insightful investigations of the biblical text and the ancient world, readers can now offer an informed defense of the historical credibility of the Old Testament. This tool should become well worn as readers glean the vital information it provides.

—John H. Walton, professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College

A superb collection orienting readers to historical data and debates relevant to ancient Israel—judiciously weighed, accessibly presented.

—Mark J. Boda, professor of Old Testament, McMaster Divinity College; professor, Faculty of Theology, McMaster University

An excellent new resource for those interested in taking seriously all the evidence, both biblical and extrabiblical, bearing on the history of ancient Israel and in thinking carefully about how to weigh that evidence and integrate it into a coherent account.

—Iain Provan, Marshall Sheppard Professor of Biblical Studies, Regent College

This introduction to the Bible is brilliant in clarity and thoroughly engaging. Never before have I read a textbook that is as scholarly, concise, imaginatively written, and artistically laid out as this one. For teachers and students alike, this volume is a ‘pearl of great price’.

—Carol J. Dempsey, professor, University of Portland, Oregon

This team of scholars has put together an excellent text for a course covering both Old and New Testaments. Their summaries of the biblical books give a flavor for each book’s contents and the world that influenced the biblical writers. Of particular importance to students is the careful treatment of sometimes controversial materials as the authors demonstrate a moderate and thoughtful consideration of different viewpoints.

—Victor H. Matthews, professor, Missouri State University

An outstanding resource for guiding the beginning student to become an informed reader of Scripture. The authors present both the content of Scripture and the critical issues of interpretation in a way that is accessible and fair, providing students with the information necessary to form their own judgments. The book satisfies the need for an introductory textbook on the entire Bible that will engage student interest and provide resources for further study.

—James Thompson, professor, Graduate School of Theology, Abilene Christian University

Rooted in Scripture, chock-full of insight, clearly and fetchingly written, A New Heaven and a New Earth winsomely presents the biblical story of holistic salvation. Over against the all-too-common eschatology of heavenly rapture and earthly destruction, Richard Middleton’s new book reclaims the scriptural vision of cosmic renewal. In a time when the Bible is often used to justify ecological degradation, since (it is argued) the earth will in the eschaton be burned up to nothing, A New Heaven and a New Earth could not be more timely. Simply put, this sorely needed volume is the best book of its kind. May it find a great multitude of readers.

—Steven Bouma-Prediger, professor of religion, Hope College; author, For the Beauty of the Earth

This volume is a superb theological examination of a key biblical theme that is all too often neglected in academic circles. Ranging widely across Old Testament and New Testament texts, with careful attention to the history of Christian interpretation on this issue, Middleton presents a very thoughtful treatment that deserves wide attention.

—Terence E. Fretheim, emeritus Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary

Richard Middleton is talking about a revolution! Why should Christians settle for the anemic goal of eternity spent in heaven when the Bible’s robust vision is one of a resurrected humanity on the new earth? Set your imagination free from the chains of other-worldly dualism, and enter into the brilliant and fascinating world of the biblical story, where the vision of all things redeemed breathes new life into our discipleship.

—Sylvia Keesmaat, adjunct professor of biblical studies, Trinity College, University of Toronto