Galilee: History, Politics, People, Richard A. Horsley (hardcover) an introduction to Galilee and Galileans of two thosand years ago.

NEW!!

Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Lawrence H. Schiffman ande James C. Vanderkam, Editors This two volume set is the first attempt to synthesize the studies which have been pursued over the last fifty years concerning not only the Qumran finds but other finds as well in the Judean Desert. Sure to be a valuable resource for years to come.

Mark 1-8 : A New Translation With Introduction and Commentary (Anchor Bible, Vol 27A), Joel Marcus (hardcover) The long-awaited new volume in this classic series. 640 pp.

Featuring.....

An Introduction to the New Testament (Anchor Bible Reference Library), Raymond Brown (hardcover).An excellent introduction by one of the century's finest moderate biblical scholars.	Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls (The Anchor Bible Reference Library) James H. Charlesworth (hardcover). An interesting text on the connections between the Qumarn library and Jesus of Nazareth. Offers some good insights into the Essens and how they might have influenced Jesus.
A Marginal Jew : Rethinking the Historical Jesus : The Roots of the Problem and the Person (Volume One) John P. Meier (hardcover). The first volume of a proposed three volume text. Meier's research is intensive and his writing is scholarly. This volume deals with background material and covers Jesus' origins and beginnings. Not for beginners, but a "must" for serious students.	A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus (Volume Two) John P. Meier (hardcover). The second of a proposed three-volume text. This volume focuses on Jesus' proclamation of the kingdom and examines his miracles. Volume Three is in the works and is due in a year or so.

Introductions and Primary Texts

Synopsis of the Four Gospels: Completely Revised on the Basis of the Greek Text of Nestle Aland (hardcover - English only edition). A great tool to have for gospel study as it presents gospel parallels side by side so you can compare different versions of the same gospel stories. And a great bargain. The Greek-English edition (though very expensive) is also available.

Reading the New Testament : An Introduction, Pheme Perkins (paperback). An overview introduction to New Testament.

Jesus in the Gospels: A Biblical Christology, Rudolf Schnackenburg. (hardcover). An approach of Christology using the portraits of the four canonical gospels as the focus rather than a thematic approach. Involved, but a good read for an intermediate or beyond student of theology. Would make a good textbook for a college level or beyond course.

Faith and the Future: Studies in Christian Eschatology, Raymond E. Brown, Walter Kasper, Gerald O'Collins (paper). Three stellar scholars in theology on a fascinating area which is often neglected these days.

The Text of the New Testament : Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration, Bruce M. Metzger (paperback) An introduction to the history of the New Testament.

Specific Texts

The Evangelists and their works:

Collections

The New Interpreter's Bible: Luke - John (Volume 9)

The New Interpreter's Bible: Matthew - Mark (Volume 8)

Mark:

Mark: Images of an Apostolic Interpreter, C. Clifton Black (hardcover). An investigation into the man behind the earliest gospel.

The Gospel of Mark (Sacra Pagina Series, Vol 2) Daniel Harrington (hardcover) Promises to be a good introductory text for the study of the earliest gospel. Due 2001.

Mark 1-8 : A New Translation With Introduction and Commentary (Anchor Bible, Vol 27A), Joel Marcus (hardcover) The long-awaited new volume in this classic series. 640 pp.

Matthew:

The Gospel of Matthew (Sacra Pagina Series, Vol. 1) Daniel J. Harrington (hardcover) An introduction to the first gospel. Part of a good middle of the road Catholic Bible study series from what I've seen.

The Gospel of Matthew (Interpreting Biblical Texts Series) Donald Senior (paperback)A good overview of Matthew's text using a thematic approach from one of the preeminent Matthean scholars of our day.

Matthew (Abingdon New Testament Commentaries) Donald Senior (paperback) Good commentery for the more serious student from a man noted for his authority in Matthean studies.

Matthew (Anchor Bible, Vol 26) C. S. Mann (hardcover) Another strong volume in a serious series of biblical commentaries.

All Things Are Possible to Believers: Reflections on the Lord's Prayer and the Sermon on the Mount, Rudolf Schnackenburg. (paper) If his other works are any indication, this is another worthwhile investment. I'll let you know when I read it.

Luke:

Gospel of Luke : A Commentary on the Greek Text (New International Greek Testament Commentary) I. Howard Marshall, (hardcover) An in depth examination of Luke's text. Strong on scholarship.

The Gospel of Luke (Sacra Pagina Series, Vol.3) Luke Timothy Johnson (hardcover) A good beginning text for an investigation into the third gospel.

The Gospel According to Luke, I-IX (Anchor Bible, Vol 28) Joseph A. Fitzmyer (hardcover) This series is generally strong and Fitzmyer's text is one reason for that.

The Gospel According to Luke (X-Xxiv) : Introduction, Translation, and Notes (Anchor Bible, Vol 28A), Joseph A. Fitzmyer

Acts of the Apostles:

The Acts of the Apostles (Sacra Pagina Series, Vol 5) Luke Timothy Johnson (hardcover). Part of a strong series written by Catholic Biblical scholars. Good for the average layperson who has a hunger for Bible study.

John:

Gospel According to John 1-12, Raymond Brown (Anchor Bible). It is hard to imagine doing serious studies on John's Gospel without this commentary.

Gospel According to John: Chapters 13-21, Raymond Brown (Anchor Bible). Finally back in print and worth the wait; Brown's commentary on John is one of the most respected in the field.

The Gospel of John (Sacra Pagina Series, Vol 4) Daniel Harrington (hardcover) Another worthwhile addition to a library for the non-technical scholar. 616 pages.

The Gospel According to St. John, Volume 1 , Rudolf, Schnackenburg (hardcover). Along with Brown's text, one of the finest English language commentaries available. This is the first of three volumes, which were available in paperback at one point.

The Interpretation of the Fourth Gospel, Charles Harold Dodd (paperback). A classic by C.H. Dodd.

John, the Son of Zebedee: The Life of a Legend, R. Alan Culpepper (hardback). A study of the personality behind the Johannine texts. The author starts with the apostolic period and examines how the various legends and stories about John developed and how the man has been perceived through the ages.

Jewish Feasts and the Gospel of John (Zacchaeus Studies : New Testament) Gale A. Yee (paper). I haven't read this one yet, but the topic sounds interesting. If you read it first, let me know what you think. Hard to find unfortunately. But they might find a used copy for you.

The Community of the Beloved Disciple, Raymond Brown (paperback). Brown's study of the Johannine community. Excellent background for the gospel and letters.

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Infancy Narratives:

The Birth of the Messiah (Anchor Bible Reference Library), Raymond Brown (hardcover). A classic investigation of the Infancy Narratives in Matthew and Luke's texts. Intermediate scholars and beyond only. This is the revised edition. Beginners should seek out Brown's shorter commentaries on the same material. (see below)

A Coming Christ in Advent : Essays on the Gospel Narratives Preparing for the Birth of Jesus :Matthew 1 and Luke 1, Raymond Brown (paperback) Brown's basic introduction to the Infancy Narratives. Part of a series of small books which are a great introduction to a number of popular Biblical texts. Good for self study or group work.

An Adult Christ at Christmas : Essays on the Three Biblical Christmas Stories, Matthew 2 and Luke 2, Raymond Brown (paperback). Brown's short introduction to the Christmas gospels. Another part of his series of introductory texts. Good for self study and groups.

Parables:

Parables of Jesus 2nd revised edition, Joachim Jeremias (paperback). A classic in the field along with Dodd's work.

Parables of Jesus in the Light of the Old Testament, Claus Westermann (paper). Westermann is an Old Testament scholar so this should prove to be an informative book.

Hear Then the Parable : A Commentary on the Parables of Jesus Bernard Brandon Scott (paper) . A reissue of a helpful commentary on the parables. Not too technical.

Miracles:

Miracle Stories of the Early Christian Tradition, Gerd Theissen (hardcover). A very detailed examination of the miracle stories as they are found in the gospels. Though hard to find, I was successful in obtaining several copies through Amazon.com

Passion Narratives:

The Death of the Messiah : From Gethsemane to the Grave : A Commentary on the Passion Narratives in the Four Gospels/Boxed (The Anchor Bible Reference). (hardcover)An intensive two-volume work by one of the finest English-language scripture scholars which provides an in-depth commentary on the Passion Narratives, stories concerning the arrest, trial, execution and burial of Jesus of Nazareth. Quite a good read, but for the intermediate and beyond only. Beginners should seek out Brown's shorter commentaries on the same material. (see below)

A Crucified Christ in Holy Week : Essays on the Four Gospel Passion Narratives, Raymond Brown (paperback). A short work providing an overview of the Passion Narratives from the canonical gospels. Part of a series which is geared for basic Bible study. Good for self study and groups.

The Empty Tomb and Beyond:

A Risen Christ in Eastertime : Essays on the Gospel Narratives of the Resurrection, Raymond Brown (paperback). Part of Brown's series of introductory texts to key Biblical texts. Good for self study and groups.

Other:

A Once-And-Coming Spirit at Pentecost : Essays on the Liturgical Readings Between Easter and Pentecost, Raymond Brown (paperback). The fifth in a series of introductions to key liturgical biblical texts. Good for self study or group work.

Reading the Gospels with the Church : From Christmas Through Easter, Raymond Brown (paperback). Good for people who want to understand the flow of the gospel texts in light of the liturgical calendar.

Letters and History of the Early Christian Churches

The Johannine Epistles: Introduction and Commentary, Rudolf Schnackenburg. As Brown published a commentary on John's Gospel and then his letters, so Schnackenburg. A detailed examination of the short letters attributed to John with typical in-depth scholarship as would be expected from a scholar of this level. Intermediate scholars and beyond.

The Churches the Apostles Left Behind, Raymond Brown (paperback). Brown investigates the legacy of the apostles and the character of their communities. Very good introduction to the sub-apostolic times.

Paul

Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free F. F. Bruce (hardcover) A well written introduction to the apostle and his theology.

Peter

Peter : Apostle for the Whole Church (Studies on Personalities of the New Testament),Pheme Perkins, (hardcover) Another volume in a series which investigates some of the key personalities of the New Testament World.

Herod

Herod : King of the Jews and Friend of the Romans (Studies on Personalities of the New Testament) Peter Richardson (hardcover). A well reviewed study of one of the fascinating personalities of First Century Palestine.

Associated Topics

Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus : An Investigation into Economic & Social Conditions During the New Testament Period, Joachim Jeremias (paperback). Provides a world of information on Jerusalem of 2000 years ago. A very helpful little book.

The Scepter and the Star : The Messiahs of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Other Ancient Literature (The Anchor Bible Reference Library) John J. Collins (hardcover). Still another fascinating book from the ABRL. An intensive study of the development of the concept of messiah in the Biblical world.

The Faith of Qumran : Theology of the Dead Sea Scrolls Helmer Ringgren, James H. Charlesworth, Emilie T. Sander (paper)

The Shadow of the Galilean: The Quest of the Historical Jesus in Narrative Form, Gerd Theissen (paperback). Theissen's text, a series of letters, is based on sources such as Josephus, and traces a Jew who was used by Pilate to give an account of First Century Jewish groups, including the Essenes, Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots and the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. I found this book in a bookstall in a London Church and have been using it with classes and recommending it to people since. An interesting twist on First Century Judaism. (See also his book on miracles below.) N.B. This is a work of fiction based on serious scholarship!

The Gnostic Scriptures : A New Translation With Annotations and Introductions (The Anchor Bible Reference Library) Bentley Layton (paperback). Provides a fascinating insight into the background of Christianity and Hellenistic Judaism.

Reclaiming the Dead Sea Scrolls : The History of Judaism, the Background of Christianity, and the Lost Library of Qumran (Anchor Bible Reference Library), Lawrence H. Schiffman (paperback) From the card catalog description: "Schiffman shows us that the Scrolls library in the Dead Sea caves was gathered by a breakaway priestly sect that left Jerusalem in the aftermath of the Maccabean revolt." Certain to give food for thought.

Masada I : The Yigael Yadin Excavations 1963-1965 Final Reports Yigael Yadin, Joseph Naveh, Yaacov Meshorer (hardcover) Published in 1989. A report on the excavations of one of Israel's most historic sites. This is where the Zealots fled to during the Roman siege. When the Romans finally broke through they discovered that they took their own lives. Truly for the scholars among us.

  
Jewish Contemporaries of Jesus : Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Gunter Stemberger (paperback). A brief introduction to the treereligious groups who were contemporaries of Jesus. This text provides helpful background material on each of the three sects mentioned by Jospehus.

Apocrypha

New Testament Apocrypha : Vol. 1 Gospels and Related Writings Wilhelm Schneemelcher (editor) (hardcover) a collection of apocryphal gospels and other similar writings. THis is part of a major collection of texts which provides an insight into early Christianity.

New Testament Apocrypha : Vol. 2 Writings Relating to the Apostles Apocalypses and Related SubjectsWilhelm Schneemelcher (editor) (hardcover) Primary texts along with some notes and introductory material.

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revised March, 2000