Good afternoon, and welcome to the world of Christian Academics at CBD.
This is the Friday update.
1. Baker Academic’s Studies in Theological Interpretation series
Theological interpretation seems to be just about everywhere these days. Baker Academic has recently published some material that I think helps us navigate the new area of study. First, Joel Green’s Practicing Theological Interpretation is quite helpful for learning how to apply the hermeneutics of the field to biblical texts and then to application in the Christian community. Baker has also produced as series of monographs using the methods of theological exegesis to help illuminate large positions and/or genres of Scripture in very specific ways.
The most recent release in this series is by reputed Old Testament scholar Gordon J. Wenham entitled Psalms as Torah: Reading Biblical Song Ethically. Here Wenham argues that liturgical prayer and worship are a critical mechanism for moral formation and that this can be demonstrated by noting the ethical content of the Psalms, how they have been used historically, and by modern speech-act theory.
2. Church Fathers Return
One of CBD’s most legendary products is its 38 volume Church Father’s series. It has now been out of print for almost two years. But it is returning this spring! Readers should keep in mind that this is a basic–economically friendly–edition. But what a treasure. 38 volumes, beginning with Clement of Rome (d. 99 or 101 A.D.) and providing exhaustive coverage all the down to 787 A.D. and the 7th Ecumenical Council (Second Council of Nicea). A complete PDF Table of Contents of the 38 volumes is available for your review.
The series is edited by the indelible church historian Philip Schaff and completed later by Alexander Roberts. Moreover the set has been broken down into three smaller sets, the Ante-Nicene Fathers (10 Vols), and The Nicene & Post Nicene Fathers which is subdivided into Series One (14 Vols.) & Series Two (14 Vols.).
3. Christian History and Biography Collection
The loss of Christian History and Biography was truly one the greatest losses of recent economic struggles in the USA.
collection– on CD-ROM (PDF) As a History buff who will be receiving a degree in Church History in may, I lament that this magazine does not grace my mailbox each month. Nevertheless, while in circulation this magazine provided many spectacular issues and CBD now has the entire –now available for an incredible $29.99. Don’t miss the chance to add the entire back list to your library in digital format. We also have many of the print editions available for sale also at great prices!
4. Oxford’s Documents of the Christian Church
Oxford’s Documents of the Christian Church is a wonderful tool for charting how the church has responded to major issues throughout the last 2000+ years. It contains the writings of theologians, official papal statements, the statements of councils, creeds, and much, much more. It is both a helpful primary source, and and critical reference anthology.
Oxford has now released a fourth edition. New additions have been added at Section XVIII and deal with issues such as the Christian response to the rise of global Christianity, poverty, social justice, migration, child abuse, disability, climate change, childcare, the internet, and global politics and Islam. Chiefly, the new additions draw from publications of leading Christian thinkers, but they also contain official Church statements.
