Die Publikation macht es moglich, insbesondere fur die hellenistisch-fruhromische Zeit die ersten ca. 25 Jahre der am Nordende des Sees Gennesaret seit 1987 durchgefuhrten Ausgrabung von et-Tell nachzuvollziehen, und sie lasst fur diesen Zeitraum den letzten Stand der auch fur die neutestamentliche Forschung wichtigen Grabung erkennen. Die Grabung wird von dem israelischen Archaologen Prof. Dr. Rami Arav geleitet; der Verfasser ist Professor fur Neues Testament und Kodirektor des Bethsaida Excavations Project.Die Grabung hat gezeigt, dass et-Tell gleichzusetzen ist mit Betsaida/Julias, das z. B. im Neuen Testament (siebenmal), bei dem judischen Historiker Josephus und in der rabbinischen Literatur erwahnt wird. Der Band, der weit uber 100 Abbildungen, zu einem groen Teil in Farbe, enthalt, verfolgt also ein doppeltes Ziel: Zum einen kann aufgrund der 15 gesammelten Aufsatze in Deutsch und Englisch und der fortlaufenden Munchner Ausgrabungsplane der entdeckten Schichten von Eisenzeit IIA und hellenistisch-romischer Zeit der Verlauf der Grabung von Anfang an verfolgt werden (die gefalzten Plane in doppeltem Seitenformat), zum anderen geben die Nachtrage zu den veroffentlichten Aufsatzen sowie der letzte unveroffentlichte Aufsatz den jungsten Stand der Grabung wieder. Der Verfasser richtet den Blick ofter speziell auf die erste Halfte des 1. Jh. n.Chr. und das historisch-kritisch nachweisbare Wirken Jesu in Betsaida (gema Mt 11,2123 parallel Lk 10,1315).

Die direkten Zitate im Hebraerbrief gehen vermutlich auf eine Vorlage aus der Septuaginta zuruck, sind aber bislang kaum erforscht. Von einer traditionsgeschichtlichen und einer textkritischen Perspektive aus geht Gert J. Steyn dieser Sachlage auf den Grund. Er folgt damit der im Hebraerbrief angelegten Struktur, die zwei verschiedene Arten von Zitaten kennt, die paarweise aufgefuhrt werden: primar Liedtexte und Zitate aus der Torah, die sich mit Psalm- und Prophetenworten vermischen. Gert J. Steyn untersucht jedes Zitat auf dem Hintergrund der moglichen alternativen Vorlage(n). Im Verlauf der Studie wird deutlich, dass der Briefautor selbst eine ganze Reihe an Zitaten aus der fruhen judischen und der fruhen christlichen Tradition kombiniert hat.

Dieser Band setzt das groe internationale Standardwerk zur Rezeption der Hebraischen Bibel/des Alten Testaments, das christliche und judische Fachleute aus der ganzen Welt vereint, fort. Es stellt die alttestamentliche Exegese von den Anfangen innerbiblischer Schriftdeutung bis zur gegenwartigen Forschung umfassend dar. Dieser Band widmet sich der Zeitspanne zwischen Renaissance und Aufklarung (13001800).

Volume 1 includes the original Acta Authentica of the synod, here published for the first time. Following the Acta Authentica, the corresponding acts, as first published in the Acta Synodi Nationalis Dordrechti Habitae (Leiden, 1620), are reprinted; these published Acta were a significantly revised version, for stylistic and political purposes, of the original Acta Authentica. Also included are the Acta Contracta, a topical summary of the Acta Authentica, and the minutes of the meetings of the state delegates, who represented the Dutch government at the synod; neither of these has been previously published. This volume begins with a general introduction to the Synod of Dordt and its context, an introduction to the Acta Authentica, the published Acta and Acta Contracta, and an introduction to the role of the state delegates and the minutes of their meetings.

Dieser erste Teilband des dritten und letzten Bandes des HBOT-Projekts setzt die kritische Darstellung der ganzen Rezeptions-, Auslegungs- und Forschungsgeschichte der Hebraischen Bibel / des Alten Testaments fort und berucksichtigt die neuen Aspekte dieser Geschichte im neunzehnten Jahrhundert, und zwar auf judischer wie auf christlicher Seite, unter katholischen wie unter protestantischen Theologen und Forschern. Dabei macht sich vor allem eine neue Faszination des Phanomens einer vielfaltigen und bunten Geschichte bemerkbar; die Geschichte ruckt in den Brennpunkt, und mit dem immer breiter ausgreifenden und vielfaltigen historischen Kontext tritt ein entschieden starkeres Interesse an historischen Fragestellungen bei der Auslegung und Erforschung der Bibel in den Vordergrund. Diese Kursanderung kommt namentlich an den Tag, wenn das Alte Testament in seinen vorderorientalischen Kontext naher eingeordnet wird, wahrend die Bezuge zur Kirche und Synagoge mehr oder weniger geschwacht werden. Sobald eine historisch-kritische Annaherungsweise und Methode in der Bibelforschung allmahlich an Dominanz gewinnt, gerat das Verhaltnis zwischen der neuen wissenschaftlichen Exegese und der herkommlichen kirchlichen Auslegung des Alten Testaments mehrfach in eine Krise, und zudem werden Streitigkeiten zwischen Fronten hervorgerufen; doch enthalt diese weithin krisenhafte Lage noch Moglichkeiten fruchtbarer Neuorientierungen in der Bibelwissenschaft wie in Leben und Lehre der Kirchen. Dabei greift das auslaufende 19. Jahrhundert auf das 20. Jahrhundert aus.

The aim of the volume is to engage in an interdisciplinary discussion about the establishment and debates on anthropological concepts and their changes in the age of Reformation: How do anthropological concepts touch theological questions such as the freedom of will or the human likeness to God? In which ways is there a reflection on emotions? How is scientific knowledge received by theologians? How is contemporary thought on the conditio humana presented in literature and poetry? The volume combines selected papers of relevant experts with the research work of young graduate or postgraduate scholars. It tries to encourage a transdisciplinary, international discussion focused on exemplary case studies as well as systematic points of view. Thanks to the outstanding commitment of all participants of the conference we are able to present the results of this discussion, a rich and comprehensive spectrum of research work, which will encourage further research.

Harvard has often been referred to as "godless Harvard." This is far from the truth. Fact is that Harvard is and always has been concerned about religion. This volume addresses the reasons for this. The story of religion at Harvard in many ways is the story of religion in the United States. This edition will clarify this relationship. Furthermore, the question of religion is central not only to the religious history of Harvard but to its very corporate structure and institutional evolution. The volume is divided into three parts and deals withthe Formation of Harvard College in 1636 and Evolution of a Republic of Letters in Cambridge ("First Light", Chapters 15); Religion in the University, the Foundations of a Learned Ministry and the Development of the Divinity School (The "Augustan Age", Chapters 69); and the Contours of Religion and Commitment in an Age of Upheaval and Globalization ("Calm Rising Through Change and Through Storm", Chapters 1012).The story of the central role played by religion in the development of Harvard is a neglected factor in Harvards history only touched upon in a most cursory fashion by previous publications. For the first time George H. Williamstells that story as embedded in American culture and subject to intense and continuing academic study throughout the history of the University to this day.Replete with extensive footnotes, this edition will be a treasure to future historians, persons interested in religious history and in the development of theology, at first clearly Reformed and Protestant, later ecumenical and interfaith.

The long and complex history of reception and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament through the ages, described in the HBOT Project, focuses in this concluding volume III, Part 2 on the multifarious research and the different methods used in the last century. Even this volume is written by Christian and Jewish scholars and takes its wider cultural and philosophical context into consideration. The perspective is worldwide and ecumenical. Its references to modern biblical scholarship, on which it is based, are extensive and updated.The indexes (names, topics, references to biblical sources and a broad body of literature beyond) are the key to the wealth of information provided.Contributors are J. Barton, H.L. Bosman, A.F. Campbell, SJ, D.M. Carr, D.J.A. Clines, W. Dietrich, St.E. Fassberg, D. Fllesdal, A.C. Hagedorn, K.M. Heim, J. Hgenhaven, B. Janowski, D.A. Knight, C. Korting, A. Laato, P. Machinist, M.A.OBrien, M. Oeming, D. Olson, E. Otto, M. Sb, J. Schaper, S. Sekine, J.L. Ska, SJ, M.A. Sweeney, and J. de Waard.

Stuart Miller examines the hermeneutical challenges posed by the material and literary evidence pertaining to ritual purity practices in Graeco-Roman Palestine and, especially, the Galilee. He contends that "stepped pools," which we now know were in use well beyond the Destruction of the Temple, and, as indicated by the large collection on the western acropolis of Sepphoris and elsewhere, into the Middle and Late Roman/Byzantine eras,must be understood in light of biblical and popular perspectives on ritual purity. The interpretation of the finds is too frequently forced to conform to rabbinic prescriptions, which oftentimes were the result of the sages unique and creative, nominalist approach to ritual purity. Special attention is given to the role ritual purity continued to play in the lives of ordinary Jews despite (or because of) the loss of the Temple. Miller argues against the prevailing tendency to type material findsand Jewish societyaccording to known groups (pre-70 C.E.: Pharisaic, Sadducaic, Essenic; post 70 C.E.: rabbinic, priestly, etc.). He further counters the perception that ritual purity practices were largely the interest of priests and argues against the recent suggestion that the kohanim resurfaced as an influential group in Late Antiquity. Building upon his earlier work on "sages and commoners," Miller claims that the rabbis emerged out of a context in which a biblically derived "complex common Judaism" thrived. Stepped pools, stone vessels, and other material finds are realia belonging to this "complex common Judaism." A careful reading of the rabbis indicates that they were acutely aware of the extent to which ritual purity rites pertaining to home and family life had "spread," which undoubtedly contributed to their intense interest in regulating them.

The ancient site of Colossae in south-west Turkey has been sorely neglected by archaeologists and biblical commentators. It has never been excavated. Modern scholarship in general has been content to repeat nineteenth century assessments, especially those of J.B. Lightfoot and W.M. Ramsay. This is the first modern contribution to gather the archaeological, historical, classical and biblical materials related to the site and its region, some of which is published in English for the first time. It marks a major step forward in scholarship on Colossae, and is designed to restore Colossae to time and space, to its material and comparative significance. Colossae emerges as a site of uninterrupted human activity in dynamic interaction with its neighbours from before the Achaemenid period to beyond the end of Byzantine control. Evidence of a chalcolithic origin of Colossae is presented along with an assessment of the relationship of the site to the modern city of Honaz. An array of international scholars have brought their specialisations in various periods and disciplines to yield a radically new assessment of the history and importance of the site. All future scholarship will be able to use this volume as the necessary foundation for research. The volume includes the first chronology of the ancient site and the first English translation of the key Byzantine text centred on the ancient city, as well as major new insights into the text of the Epistle to the Colossians.

W.P. Stephens last work before his untimely death was a volume on the theology of Heinrich Bullinger. This work was virtually fully completed save the chapter on the Lords Supper and has been edited by Joe Mock and Jim West at the wishes of the author and presents the theology of Bullinger following the same pattern of presentation as Stpehens utilized in his work on the Theology of Huldrych Zwingli. Each major theological topic is treated and fully described.

Im Juni 2011 fand die erste Konferenz des Reformation Research Consortium (RefoRC) am Institut fur Schweizerische Reformgeschichte an der Theologischen Fakultat Zurich statt. Der Titel Mythos der Reformation ermutigte kritische Perspektiven auf herkommliche Vorstellungen uber die Reformation des 16. Jahrhunderts. Peter Opitz bietet eine Auswahl von dort gehaltenen Vortragen und versammelt facettenreiche Aspekte und Perspektiven zur Thematik. Dadurch gelingt es Opitz zumindest einen Mythos zu widerlegen, namlich dass die Reformationszeit eine langweilige Periode war, in der es nicht viel mehr auer den herkommlichen Mythen zu entdecken gabe.

The volume focuses on the various representations of the Beyond in later Antiquity, a period of intense interaction and competition between various religious traditions and ideals of education. The concepts and images clustering around the Beyond form a crucial focal point for understanding the dynamics of religion and education in later Antiquity. Although Christianity gradually supersedes the pagan traditions, the literary representations of the Beyond derived from classical literature and transmitted through the texts read at school show a remarkable persistence: they influence Christian late antique writers and are still alive in medieval literature of the East and West. A specifically Christian Beyond develops only gradually, and coexists subsequently with pagan ideas, which in turn vary according to the respective literary and philosophical contexts. Thus, the various conceptualisations of the great existential unknown, serves here as a point of reference for mirroring the changes and continuities in Imperial and Late Antique religion, education, and culture, and opening up further perspectives into the Medieval world.

Although many writings of Edmund Schlink (19031984) have been available in English for several decades, the publication of the new German edition offered a significant impetus for providing a fresh and more accurate translation of them.Matthew L. Becker and his co-translators have consistently translated key terms that occur in all five volumes. Also, they corrected infelicitous and misleading renderings of Schlinks language into English, which more or less happened in all the earlier editions.In this second volume Becker provides the first-ever English translation of Schlinks dogmatics. Representing the culmination of five decades of scholarly work by one of the most important theologians and ecumenists of the twentieth century, Schlinks opus magnum sets forth the "basic features" of Christian doctrine that all Christian churches hold in common. Schlinks Ecumenical Dogmatics thus offers a consistent witness to the living, triune God, who calls sinners to repentance and faith, who acts mightily to save them, and who sends them back into the world to share Gods gospel and love in word and deed.

Amandus Polanus (15611610) has often been described as a highly significant theologian, but also a neglected one. Part of Polanus significance comes from his inclusion of ethics and practical application in his discussion of theology and the way in which his theology mixes Ramist dichotomies and the scholastic distinctions common in Christian Aristotelianism. Stephen B. Tipton shows how Polanus understanding of Gods essence and attributes is built upon the ground of scripture, arranged with the aid of logical arguments and reasoning, and aimed at the worship and glory of the Triune God. Tipton defends this conclusion against previous research which suggests that Polanus theology is grounded in rationalism and subordinates the Trinity beneath an Aristotelian notion of Gods perfect unity. This research not only corrects these previous notions about Polanus, but it also provides greater insight into the early Reformed Orthodox period and the theology that arose from that time.

Richard Baxter (16151691) was arguably the greatest English Puritan of the seventeenth century. He is well known for his ministerial manual "The Reformed Pastor", in which he expressed the unusual conviction that parish ministers were better off unmarried. And yet, Baxter seemed to contradict himself by marrying one of his parishioners, Margaret Charlton. Though Baxter claimed to be happily married, he continued to champion celibacy for the rest of his life. This book explores Baxters argument for clerical celibacy by placing it in the context of his life and the turbulent events of seventeenth-century England. His viewpoint was shaped by several factors, including the Puritan literature he read, the context of his parish ministry, his burdensome model of soul care, and the formative life experiences shaping his theology and perspective. These factors not only explain why Baxter became the only Puritan to champion clerical celibacy but also why he continued to do so even after marrying.

The christocentric character of Herman Bavincks thought has long been acknowledged, but an analysis of Bavincks christocentrism has not been forthcoming. The Heart of Dogmatics redresses this situation, offering a comprehensive study of Bavincks concept of a christocentric theological system. Building on the more recent secondary literature, Pass draws attention to many unexplored avenues in Bavincks writings. In particular, Pass sheds light on the intimate connection between Bavincks christocentrism and his organicism. Delving deeply into Bavincks appropriation of Reformed Orthodoxy and German Idealism, Pass presents a compelling account of this thinkers attempt to establish Neo-Calvinism as a modern orthodoxy. By way of conclusion, pertinent ways in which Bavincks christocentrism may prove a useful resource for contemporary projects of theological retrieval are explored in a comparison of Bavinck and John Webster.

Timothy P. Mackie focuses on the quantitative differences between the Greek and Hebrew text witnesses of the book of Ezekiel and explores the interrelationships between the production, transmission, and interpretation of scriptural scrolls by Jewish scribes during the late Second Temple period. A comparison of the Hebrew Masoretic text and Greek Septuagint versions of Ezekiel provides a large body of evidence for the phenomenon of "scribal expansion," instances where scribes added words and phrases into the body of the text.Mackie starts off by laying out a methodology for identifying scribal additionsamong the many textual differences between the Hebrew and Greek text-forms of Ezekiel. Having compiled an index of such quantitative differences, he proposes a descriptive typology for categorizing and analyzing the different types of additions in order to understand their purpose and significance. The body of the book is a commentary on all the various types of scribal expansion.The scribal additions in Ezekiel show how scribes expressed reverence for the texts divine authority, by not only by preserving the sacred text, but supplementing it in order to increase its coherence and clarity for future readers. They also demonstrate an awareness of an emerging collection of scriptural scrolls in the post-exilic Judean community and represent attempts to coordinate Ezekiel with other parts of that collection.Ultimately, the scribal expansions in Ezekiel provide a glimpse into the intersection of scriptural interpretation, scribal production, and the transmission of these texts. Mackies Conclusions are relevant not only for text-critical scholarship on the Hebrew Bible, but also for research on the early history of Jewish scriptural exegesis and scribal culture.

The Book of Wisdoms understanding of Israels history, of contemporary politics and of the immortal fate of the persecuted sage can be understood to be part of one theological system. This system integrates texts and concepts from Jewish Wisdom, the biblical narratives of the patriarchs from Adam to Moses, eschatological hope and apocalyptic language, an understanding of the spirit of God in the enabling of prophets and leaders and, most distinctively, the Stoic concept of pneuma. This last concept unites the biblical resources and allows Wisdom, using eschatological language, to speak of the ordering of the cosmos for the judgement for the wicked and the exaltation of Gods people in the present age.Matthew Edwards addresses first the question of the literary unity of Wisdom. This is followed by an examination of the differing uses of the term pneuma within Wisdom, that is as divine agent of salvation, the means of the ordering the cosmos and the substance from which souls are composed. The nature of personal salvation within Wisdom is also considered and shown to be an integral part of the understanding of the cosmos, ordered for judgement and exaltation. Finally, this notion of the ordering of the comos and history for Gods people is discussed with its consequences for Jewish life under contemporary Hellenistic and Roman rule.

Though interest in the use of metaphor in the Hebrew Bible has gained momentum in recent years, there is, to date, no investigation which concentrates exclusively on the animal metaphors in the book of Jeremiah. In this book, the author brings to light this neglected area of study by examining the language and imagery of the animal metaphors for the people of Israel in the book of Jeremiah. The contribution that these metaphors make to the theology of the book is given special attention, and since different interpretations have been given to many of the metaphors in question, the author resolves some of the questions regarding the meaning of these images in his in-depth study. Additionally, scholars have not tended to research metaphors for the nation of Israel and thus this volume draws attention to a particular subject which has largely been overlooked.In chapter one Foreman familiarizes the reader with the major theoretical approaches to metaphor and spells out the approach taken in his investigation. Eighteen metaphors are then thoroughly analyzed in chapters two, three, and four. These metaphors are grouped into three categories, each of which constitutes a chapter: pastoral metaphors, mammal metaphors, and bird metaphors. Chapter five draws the results of the inquiry together. This study reveals how animal metaphors make important theological claims about the nation of Israel and demonstrates that they are essential elements of the message of the book of Jeremiah. Foremans elucidation of the language and imagery of the animal metaphors for the people of Israel leads to a richer understanding of these metaphors and ultimately contributes to a more precise interpretation of the message of the book of Jeremiah as a whole.