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The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible enlists leading theologians to read and interpret scripture creedally for the twenty-first century, just as the church fathers, the Reformers, and other orthodox Christians did for their times and places.
Esther & Daniel, like each commentary in the series, is designed to serve the church and demonstrate the continuing intellectual and practical viability of theological interpretation of the Bible.
"A fascinating conversation between two books that capture opposite aspects of the life of faith emerges in this volume of the Brazos Theological Commentary. In Esther, God seems to disappear from history, leaving the faithful to their own desperate devices. And in Daniel we read about God breaking into the chaos of history. Imaginatively and convincingly, Wells and Sumner show the theological, ethical, and even missional importance of these 'outlier' books within the Christian canon. Powerfully written, this book is designed to stimulate serious conversation in the church."
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Ellen F. Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School
"This volume in the Brazos Theological Commentary series shows two keen theological imaginations interacting with two challenging books of the Bible. Wells and Sumner offer readings of Esther and Daniel that display their insights as careful, thoughtful readers, while also revealing their roles as contemporary tradents passing on insights from their historic predecessors to their contemporary community. Preachers, students, and scholars who care about the possibility of responsible theological interpretation--especially with regard to the relation of Jewish and Christian readings of biblical books--will find much of great value here."
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A. K. M. Adam, tutor in New Testament and Greek, St. Stephen's House, University of Oxford
"Here is a form of biblical interpretation the church should never have forgotten. Wells and Sumner read not uncritically, not even postcritically, but with a form of criticism born of cross and resurrection. And just so, they remind us how beautiful are the books of Esther and Daniel."
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Jason Byassee, Butler Chair in Homiletics and Biblical Hermeneutics, Vancouver School of Theology
General editor:
R. R. Reno (editor,
First Things)
Series editors:
Robert W. Jenson (Center of Theological Inquiry)
Robert Louis Wilken (University of Virginia)
Ephraim Radner (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto)
Michael Root (Catholic University of America)
George Sumner (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto)
About the author
Samuel Wells (PhD, University of Durham) is vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church at Trafalgar Square in London, England. He previously served as dean of the chapel and taught at Duke University. Wells is the author of several books, including
Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics,
Be Not Afraid, and
Transforming Fate into Destiny: The Theological Ethics of Stanley Hauerwas.
George Sumner (PhD, Yale University) is bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. He previously served as principal and Helliwell Professor of World Mission at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, and has served in various pastoral roles.
Summary
Two respected theologians offer a theological reading of Esther and Daniel in this addition to the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible.
