I just received three new books from InterVarsity Press in the mail. I’m looking forward to perusing them and considering them for review. The African Memory of Mark looks most interesting. Here are the publisher’s description of each of the new academic titles.
The African Memory of Mark: Reassessing Early Church Tradition by Thomas C. Oden
We often regard the author of the Gospel of Mark as an obscure figure about whom we know little. Many would be surprised to learn how much fuller a picture of Mark exists within widespread African tradition, tradition that holds that Mark himself was from North Africa, that he founded the church in Alexandria, that he was an eyewitness to the Last Supper and Pentecost, that he was related not only to Barnabas but to Peter as well and accompanied him on many of his travels.
In this provocative reassessment of early church tradition, Thomas C. Oden begins with the palette of New Testament evidence and adds to it the range of colors from traditional African sources, including synaxaries (compilations of short biographies of saints to be read on feast days), archaeological sites, non-Western historical documents and ancient churches.
The result is a fresh and illuminating portrait of Mark, one that is deeply rooted in African memory and seldom viewed appreciatively in the West.
Learn more about this book at IVPress.com. Purchase this book, at Amazon.com or Christianbook.com.
The IVP Introduction to the Bible by Philip S. Johnston
The Bible is a truly wonderful book.
Millions of Christians through the ages and across the world have treasured it as their most valued possession, often insisting that anyone can pick up the Bible and read and understand it for themselves. But many of the details remain fuzzy until we find out more about their historical or literary setting.
The IVP Introduction to the Bible is intended to reduce the fuzziness, in two ways:
First, by providing background information to the whole Bible and each testament, as well as the gap between the testaments.
Second, by introducing all the main sections of the Bible and each biblical book in turn.
So the great biblical panorama is brought to life, first with broad brush strokes and then with fine art work.
This Bible introduction is written by an international and interdenominational team of evangelical scholars, among them
- Desmond Alexander, author of From Paradise to the Promised Land
- Tremper Longman III, author of How to Read the Psalms and How to Read Proverbs
- Howard Marshall, author of New Testament Theology
- Mark Strauss, author of Four Portraits, One Jesus
All are involved in teaching biblical studies at a theological college, seminary or university, and each writing in their area of specialization. As they guide you expertly through the details, your understanding of the Bible and its message will be greatly enhanced.
Readers of all stripes, from curious non-Christians to serious students of the Bible, will find The IVP Introduction to the Bible a helpful and enjoyable resource.
Learn more about this book at IVPress.com. Purchase this book, at Amazon.com or Christianbook.com.
Early Christian Thinkers: The Lives and Legacies of Twelve Key Figures by Paul Foster
Written by an international team of leading scholars, Early Christian Thinkers introduces the lives and works of twelve key Christians from the second and third centuries–a pivotal early moment in the history of orthodox doctrine.
Each chapter includes a biographical and historical overview of the thinker, a detailed survey of his or her major writings and ideas, an in-depth discussion of each thinker’s influence on the formation of the tradition, and a consideration of lasting significance in today’s context.
The text requires no prior knowledge of the thinker under discussion, making the book especially useful for students and for all with an interest in Christian origins or patristics.
Learn more about this book at IVPress.com. Purchase this book, at Amazon.com or Christianbook.com.
