The epistles of the New Testament provide insight into the realities of the life of the early church, guidance for those called to lead the church, and comfort in the face of theological questions. The Protestant Reformers of the sixteenth century also found wisdom and guidance in these letters. In this RCS volume, Lee Gatiss and Bradley Green guide readers through a diversity of early modern commentary on the New Testament epistles.
Paul's epistle to Philemon is one of the shortest books in the entire Bible, and it certainly leaves plenty to the imagination. From the pen of an accomplished New Testament scholar, this vivid historical fiction account follows the slave Onesimus, fleshing out the lived context of first-century Ephesus and providing a social and theological critique of slavery in the Roman Empire.
Who was Priscilla? Ben Witherington combines biblical scholarship and winsome storytelling to give readers a vivid picture of this important New Testament woman. In this work of historical fiction, Priscilla's story makes the first-century biblical world come alive as she looks back on her long life and remembers the ways she has participated in the early church.
Around 56 AD, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome. He entrusted this letter to Phoebe, whom he describes as the deacon of the church at Cenchreae and a patron of many. But who was this remarkable woman? Biblical scholar and popular author and speaker Paula Gooder imagines Phoebe's story—who she was, the life she lived, and her first-century faith—and in doing so opens up Paul's world.
The Revelation to John—with its vivid images and portraits of conflict leading up to the formation of a new heaven and a new earth—was widely read, even as it was variously interpreted in the early church. Drawing heavily on both Eastern and Western ancient commentators, much appearing in English for the first time, this ACCS volume is a treasure trove of early interpretation.
Because the Catholic Epistles focus on orthodox faith and morals, the Fathers drew on them as a means of defense against the rising challenge of heretics and as a manual for spiritual warfare. This ACCS volume opens up a treasure house of ancient wisdom that allows these faithful witnesses to speak with eloquence and intellectual acumen to the church today.
The epistle to the Hebrews offers a profound high Christology and makes an awe-inspiring contribution to our understanding of Jesus as our High Priest. Including thirty-four homilies from John Chrysostom and commentary from other church fathers from around the world, this ACCS volume offers a rich treasure of ancient wisdom from Hebrews for the enrichment of the church today.
For the early church fathers, certain passages in the shorter letters of St. Paul proved particularly important in doctrinal disputes and practical church matters. Including comment from John Chrysostom as well as other Greek, Western, Syrian, and Egyptian figures, this ACCS volume opens up a treasure house of ancient wisdom for the church today.
In Paul's letters to the Corinthian church, the pastoral issues of a first-century Christian community stand out in bold relief. This ACCS volume highlights the wisdom of Paul's epistles to the Corinthian church as interpreted by early church fathers such as Chrysostom, Didymus the Blind, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Origen, and Ambrosiaster.
St. Paul's letter to the Romans has long been considered the theological high-water mark of the New Testament. Featuring comment from "Ambrosiaster," Origen and more, this ACCS volume collects the best and most representative of patristic commentary and homily on Romans, offering valuable material that has been unavailable in English translation until now.