Farley's Transcendence and Fulfillment captures one's immediate attention, especially with his designation of Paul's «Seven Pillars of Wisdom.» Readers will find his selection intriguing and illuminating. While being faithful to Paul's self-understanding and theological views, Farley offers a constructive and critical examination of the pillars' relevance for Paul's time as well as our own. The author blends biblical insight with a range of classical and...
Little could Darby Peterson have anticipated the intensity of the challenge his friend Garnett Nelson's invitation would command. Due to a medical condition that requires Nelson's urgent attention, Nelson urges his long-time friend, Darby, to serve as the host and counselor of his Villa during his absence. The Villa, known as Montesereno, is committed to providing rest and renewal for its many clients and guests, suffering from a variety of contemporary disorders. Many who come are...
The Psalms have long been the preferred prayer book of souls in quest of God's guidance and comfort. It has been a hymnbook for the soul and a trove for canticles and verses of the heart. The Psalms have served both Judaism and Christianity's religious communities as a favored source of rich and magnificent readings perfect for liturgical settings. Most significantly, they have nurtured the soul in its desperate times of brokenness and longing for God. This is true of both religions...
Current New Testament scholarship has done much to advance knowledge of Jesus's authentic words and message. The works of Crossan, Borg, Vermes, Mack, and many others attest to this movement. In this process, however, the Christ of the Gospels, or the so-called Christ of faith, has been caught in the crosshairs, forcing Christianity to reflect anew on the church's interpretation of his life and place in history. Has the church's dogma overreached the «facts» of Jesus's life? ...
The Gospels portray Jesus as one who often sought solitude, whether for himself or in quietude before his Father. To do so he had to withdraw from both his disciples and others. Such moments enabled him to renew his inner strength, to find God's consolation for himself, as well as to imbue him with insight and courage for the inimitable journey that God had selected him to travel. We too need those same personal moments with God, those quiet occasions for withdrawal and reflection. If...
