Global Perspectives on the Bible

"Mark Roncace, a master of pedagogy and of editing books devoted to such, has teamed up with his colleague Joseph Weaver, to give us two stunning collections that we have long needed in the field of teaching Bible. The volume is true to its name: The cast of contributors is large, diverse, and ranges across the planet, from north to south and "first" to "two-thirds." These are truly helpful resources, providing much to think about and debate with, and will keep teachers and their students deeply engaged... I plan on having both at my elbow the next time I teach my introduction to Old Testament course." --Brent A. Strawn, Professor of Old Testament, Emory University " This tour-de-force of a textbook offers up the very real opportunity to be transformed by encountering the stranger, challenging readers not only to think differently about the Bible in global perspective, but, even more critical for the liberal arts tradition, to engage their own humanity in fresh, exciting, and potentially liberative ways." --Todd Penner, Gould H. and Marie Cloud Professor of Religious Studies, Austin College, Sherman, Texas "A rich anthology of the way people around the world interpret the Bible. Global Perspectives on the Bible is testimony indeed that location matters when it comes to reading the Bible. The provocative contributions contained in this volume will surely lead to lively conversation on how to interpret the Bible in the 21st century. An essential resource for the teacher who seeks to bring the world into the classroom." --L Juliana Claassens, Fakulteit Teologie, Universiteit van Stellenbosch "This book meets two pressing needs for students and teachers of the biblical literature: it provides a textbook that students both can and will want to read, and it facilitates an introductory engagement with the Bible that makes sense in our increasingly diverse and interconnected global world. ...Those who use it will come away with a new appreciation for the dynamics of biblical interpretation, a better understanding of other interpreters and the places from which they come, and a more thoughtful assessment of their own lives and views. " --Brad E. Kelle, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Point Loma Nazarene University "Roncace and Weaver have brought together brief readings from a variety of writers with the hope that students will not only see the enormous impact the Bible has had in our world, but also that by engaging these different viewpoints, students will come to understand their own viewpoint better. A wonderful and potentially transformative resource for the classroom!" --Dan W. Clanton, Jr., Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, Doane College "Roncace and Weaver, along with their stunning international collection of contributors, have produced a unique resource for introducing the Bible. Global Perspectives on the Bible offers an encounter with the text and with the world that yields illumination, discomfort, and wonder." --Mark McEntire, Professor of Religion, College of Theology and Christian Ministry, Belmont University