Book Reviews by Mark D. Nanos

Todd A. Wilson, The Curse of the Law and the Crisis in Galatia (WUNT 2.225; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2007): (Biblical Interpretation forthcoming).

Nancy Calvert-Koyzis, Paul, Monotheism and the People of God: The Significance of Abraham for Early Judaism and Christianity (JSNTS 273; London and New York: T&T Clark International): Review of Biblical Literature (8/8/2005); Journal of Biblical Literature 124.4 (2005) 775-78.

David Odell-Scott, Paul's Critique of Theocracy: A/Theocracy in Corinthians and Galatians (JSNTS 250; London and New York: T&T Clark International): Biblical Interpretation 13.4 (2005) 438-41.

Richard A. Horsley, Jesus and Empire: The Kingdom of God and the New World Disorder (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003): Interpretation 59.3 (2005) 308-9.

Jerome I. Gellman, Abraham! Abraham! Kierkegaard and the Hasidim on the Binding of Isaac (Aldershot, England and Burlington, Vermont: Ashgate, 2003): Religious Studies Review 30.2-3 (2004) 147.

Athol Dickson, The Gospel According to Moses: What my Jewish Friends Taught me about Jesus (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2003): Religious Studies Review 30.1 (2004) 34.

Basil S. Davis, Christ as Devotio: The Argument of Galatians 3:1-14 (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2003): Catholic Biblical Quarterly 67 (2005) 335-37.

S. A. Cummins, Paul and the Crucified Christ in Antioch: Maccabean Martyrdom and Galatians 1 and 2 (SNTSMS 114; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001): Biblical Interpretation 12.1 (2004) 113-16.

Stephan K. Davis, The Antithesis of the Ages: Paul's Reconfiguration of Torah (CBQMS 33; Washington, DC: The Catholic Biblical Association of America, 2002): Catholic Biblical Quarterly 65 (2003) 119-20.

James D. G. Dunn, ed., Paul and the Mosaic Law (Rev. Ed.; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001): Dialog 40.3 (2001) 240-42; alternate version of the review in Review of Biblical Literature (10/07/2002).

Jerry L. Sumney, "Servants of Satan", "False Brothers" and Other Opponents of Paul (JSNTSS 188; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999): Journal of Biblical Literature 120.3 (2001) 578-81; Review of Biblical Literature (2/19/2001).

Johann D. Kim, God, Israel, and the Gentiles: Rhetoric and Situation in Romans 9—11 (SBLDS 176; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 1999): Catholic Biblical Quarterly 63 (2001) 152-54.

Mark Reasoner, The Strong and the Weak: Romans 14.1—15.13 in Context (SNTSMS 103; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999): Journal of Biblical Literature 120.1 (2001) 178-80: Review of Biblical Literature (6/20/2000).

Christopher Bryan, Preface to Romans: Notes on the Epistle in Its Literary and Cultural Setting (Oxford, et al: Oxford University Press, 2000): Review of Biblical Literature (7/13/2000).

Roy E. Ciampa, The Presence and Function of Scripture in Galatians1 and 2 (WUNT 2.102; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1998): Catholic Biblical Quarterly 62 (2000) 140-42.

Charles H. Cosgrove, Elusive Israel: The Puzzle of Election in Romans (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997): Journal of Biblical Literature 119:1 (2000) 149-51; Review of Biblical Literature (3/01/2000).

Jonas Holmstrand, Markers and Meaning in Paul: An Analysis of 1 Thessalonians, Philippians and Galatians (Coniectanea Biblica. NTS 28; Translated by Martin Naylor; Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell International, 1997): Biblical Interpretation 8.4 (2000) 435-37.

Editors Siân Jones & Sarah Pearce, Jewish Local Patriotism and Self-Identification in the Graeco-Roman Period (JSPSS: 31; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998): Biblical Interpretation 7.4 (1999) 457.

Sam K. Williams, Galatians (Abingdon New Testament Commentaries; Nashville: Abingdon, 1997): Catholic Biblical Quarterly 60 (1999) 782-83.

Brendan Byrne, S. J., Romans (Sacra Pagina 6; Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press/Michael Glazier, 1996): Catholic Biblical Quarterly 60 (1998) 558-60.

Gerhardsson, Birger, The Shema in the New Testament: Deut 6:4-5 in Significant Passages (Lund: Novapress, 1996): Biblical Interpretation 6 (1998) 446-48.

Stanley K. Stowers, A Rereading of Romans: Justice, Jews, and Gentles (New Haven & London: Yale University Press, 1994): Theology 98 (1995) 392-94.

Peter D. Gooch, Dangerous Food: 1 Corinthians 8-10 in Its Context (Ontario, Canada: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1993): Journal of Beliefs and Values 16 (1995) 30-32.

Krister Stendahl, Final Account: Paul's Letter to the Romans (Minneapolis, Fortress Press, 1995): Journal of Beliefs and Values 15 (1995) 27-28.

1997-Present: reviewer of numerous booknotes for Jewish Book World.

Reviews of Mark D. Nanos Books

The Mystery of Romans: The Jewish Context of Paul's Letter (Fortress, 1996). Winner of The 1996 National Jewish Book Award for Jewish/Christian Relations

Go to Fortress for a brief description and table of contents.

Go to Amazon for 17 sample page views and several reader reviews.

Endorsements from the cover:
"As one who has argued that Romans 9–11 is the climax of the letter (esp. 11:11-36); and that 15:14-33 are decisive for understanding the letter as Paul's apologia for his mission... I find myself outdone by this tour de force.... Nanos's construction is fascinating and 'productive'... and will stay in my head as I continue to read and ponder Romans.... This is a well done book, and its extensive notes constitute an interesting tapestry of relatively recent insights in Pauline studies."
— Krister Stendahl, Harvard Divinity School

"A provocative new book on Paul that takes seriously the notion that Paul was a Jew within the Jewish community and yet also a person for whom the experience of Christ made an important difference. This book will challenge older notions ... and help build a new consensus."
— Alan F. Segal, Barnard College

"Nanos's stress upon the Jewish background of Paul combined with the new perspective enables him to bring meaning from familiar texts in such a way that exciting new interpretive vistas are opened up."
— William S. Campbell, Westhill College, University of Birmingham

"Worthwhile reading for every student of Paul and for everyone interested in Jewish-Christian relations in the first century."
— Sarah J. Tanzer, McCormick Theological Seminary

"Nanos views Romans through an insightful prism. His arguments are made with clarity and fairness."
— Thomas H. Tobin, S.J., Loyola University of Chicago

Reviews:

Reviews of The Mystery of Romans by N. Elliott, S. Stowers, and E. E. Johnson, with a reply by M. Nanos, from the 1997 SBL Annual Meeting. Pages 149-77 in Critical Review of Books in Religion. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1998.

By Ronald Allen, in Homiletic 25.1 (2000) 34-36.

By Richard Ascough, in Religious Studies Review 24.1 (1998) 94.

By John Barclay, in Theology (1997) 217-18.

By Douglas A. Campbell, in Toronto Journal of Theology 13.2 (1997) 284-86.

By John J. Clabeaux, in Journal of Ecumenical Studies 35.1 (1998) 123-24.

By John J. Clabeaux, in Explorations: American Interfaith Institute/World Alliance of Interfaith Organizations 12.2 (1998) 5.

By James D. G. Dunn, in Journal of Theological Studies 48.2 (1997) 599-602.

By Ernest Dyck, unpublished manuscript (1998).

By Pamela Eisenbaum, in Jewish Book World 15.2 (1997) 31-32 .

By Neil Elliott, in Catholic Biblical Quarterly 59 (1997) 587-89.

By Neil Elliott, in Journal of Beliefs and Values 18.1 (1997) 103-7.

By Kenneth Grayston, in Expository Times 122.

By J. P. Holding, on Tektonics Web Site, July, 1999.

By Charles Kiker, in Christian Century (Sept. 25 - Oct. 2, 1996) 905-6.

By Brian Kvasnica, in Mishkan 28 (1998) 97-98.

By Amy-Jill Levine, in Jewish Quarterly Review 89.1-2 (1998) 222-24.

By Rich C. Nichol, in Messianic Times (Spring, 1997) 26.

By Mary C. Orr, in Interpretation (1997) 317.

By J. Murphy-O'Connor, in Revue Biblique 4 (1996) 621-23.

By Heikki Räisänen, in Teologisk Tidskrift 6 (2000) 545-46 (in Finnish).

By Bradford B. Taliaferro, in Currents in Theology and Mission 25.1 (1998) 57.

By Virgil Thompson, in Augsburg Fortress Book Newsletter 568 (Spring, 1996) 1.

By Peter Tomson, in Journal for the Study of Judaism 28.3 (1997) 345-47.

By James C. Walters, in Bible Revue (Dec., 1996) 53-54.

By Henry Wansbrough, in Journal of Jewish Studies 48.1 (1997) 151-54.

By Jason Vickers, "How does one Review The Mystery of Romans?" unpublished manuscript (1998).

The Irony of Galatians: Paul's Letter in First-Century Context (Fortress, 2002)

Go to Fortress for a brief description and table of contents.

Go to Amazon for several reader reviews.

Endorsements from the cover:
"The Irony of Galatians is the most thorough and innovative investigation of this letter since Betz's Hermeneia commentary (1979). It develops a completely new approach to Galatians as a response to local Jewish 'influencers' who sought to bring members of Christian cells into the status of honored proselytes within their synagogues. With his mastery of historical, social, and linguistic details, Mark Nanos challenges centuries of traditional interpretations--including my own. This incisive book is certain to become the storm center of future debate, throwing new light onto the interaction between Jewish and Christian groups in the first century."
— Robert Jewett, Visiting Professor, University of Heidelberg

"Like a judge hearing a case of domestic conflict and ferreting out the issues, Mark Nanos gives a rigorous, fair-minded assessment of a Jewish context for Galatians and of Paul's engagement as a Jew with both Jews and Gentiles in that context. In the service of his historical construal, he adeptly employs rhetoric, genre criticism, literary theory, the social sciences, philology, and comparative history of religions. The result is a sensitive reading of how Paul, the Galatians, and the influencers variously seek understandings of identity in terms of who is included in the people of God, which is also a question of how marginalized people find a place of belonging in a dominant in-group. Even the most venturesome aspects of his thesis will demand serious attention from other scholars."
— Robert L. Brawley, Albert G. McGaw Professor of New Testament, McCormick Theological Seminary

Reviews:

In The Bible Today (July/August, 2002) 266.

In Currents in Theology and Mission (April, 2004).

By Michael Bachmann, in Biblische Zeitschrift 48.1 (2004) 97-103 (Review essay; German).

By K. E. Brower, in The Evangelical Quarterly 76.3 (2004) 260-62.

By Steven D. Burton, in Jewish Book World (2002) 31-32.

By Stephen Chester, in Biblica 84.1 (2003) 135-39.

By A. Andrew Das, in Interpretation 57.3 (July, 2003) 328-29 (full text requires payment).

By Martinus C. de Boer, in Biblical Interpretation 12.4 (2004) 421-24.

By Paul B. Duff, in Journal of Religion 82.4 (2002) 621-22.

By Erik M. Heen, in Journal of Biblical Literature (2002) 376-77. Also available online in Review of Biblical Literature (RBL 9/23/2002).

By J. P. Holding, at Tektonics Web Site, July, 2002.

By Richard W. Johnson, in Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 46.1 (2003) 134-36.

By Brigitte Kahl, in Union Seminary Bulletin 56.3-4 (2002) 200-202.

By Robert D. Keay, in Horizons in Biblical Theology 24.2 (2002) 122-23.

By Edger Krentz, in Currents in Theology and Mission 31.2 (April, 2004) 139.

By David W. Kuck, in Religious Studies Review 29.1 (Jan., 2003) 94.

By Ian McDonald, in Expository Times 114.5 (Feb., 2003 Book of the Month) 145, 161-64.

By Dieter Mitternacht, in Swedish Theological Quarterly 79 (2003) 60-62 [in Swedish; for an English translation click here].

By Tobias Nicklas, in Review of Biblical Literature 5/9/2005 [in German].

By Peter Oakes, in Journal of Semitic Studies 49.1 (2004) 165-67.

By Rod Olsen, in Lutheran Libraries (Fall 2002) 90-91.

By Russell L. Resnik, in Kesher: A Journal of Messianic Judaism 15 (2002) 90-96 .

By William A. Richards, in Anglican Theological Review 85.2 (2003) 396-97.

By Anders Runesson, in Svensk Exegetisk Årsbok 68 (2003) 221-23 [in Swedish; for an English translation click here].

By Matthew L. Skinner, in Theology Today 59.3 (2002) 520 .

By George M. Smiga, in Catholic Biblical Quarterly 65 (2003) 131-33 .

By Graham Stanton, in Journal of Theological Studies 56:2 (2005) 568-72.

By Thomas H. Tobin, S.J., in Theological Studies 64.4 (2003) 839-40 (Full text requires payment).

By Dirk van der Merwe, in Neotestamentica 37.2 (2003) 355-57.

The Galatians Debate: Contemporary Issues in Rhetorical and Historical Interpretation (Hendrickson, 2002)

Go to Hendrickson to see the Table of Contents, Introduction to the volume, and a sample essay by H. D. Betz.

Go to Amazon for reader reviews.

Reviews:

In The Bible Today May/June (2003) 202.

In International Review of Biblical Studies/Internationale Zeitshriftenshau für Bibelwissenschaften und Grenzgebiete 49 (2002-03; Abstract).

In New Testament Abstracts 47.2 (2003) 382-83.

In Revue Biblique 111.1 (2004) 113-14 (Abstract).

By J.-N. Aletti in Recherches De Science Religieuse 9313 (2005) 390 (French).

By Willi Braun, in Catholic Biblical Quarterly 66 (2004) 347-48.

By Richard B. Cook, in Biblical Theology Bulletin 32.3 (2003) 119-20.

By Jean Doutre, in Revue Science et Esprit 55.3 (2003) 365-68 (French).

By Thomas Kazen, in Svensk Exegetisk Årsbok 69 (2004) 248-? (Swedish).

By Philip Kern, in Reformed Theological Review 63.1 (April, 2004).

By Tobias Nicklas, in Review of Biblical Literature 7/17/2004 [German].

By J. Radermakers, S.J., in Nouvelle Revue Théologique 127.1 (2005) 128-29 [French].

By Mark A. Seifrid, in Trinity Journal 25.2 (2004) 267-70.

By Moises Silva, in Westminster Theological Journal (2003) 369-70.

By Barry Smith, in Bulletin for Biblical Research 14.2 (2004) 303-4.

By Graham Stanton, in Journal of Theological Studies 55.2 (2004) 654-55.

By Alistair I. Wilson, in Themelios 29.2 (2004) 105.

By S.F.Winter, in Regent's Reviews 22 (Autumn, 2003) 13-14.