The New Interpreter's Bible is a twelve-volume series, updating the popular Interpreter's Bible from a few decades ago. There are several key features common to all of the volumes of this series. First, each includes a two-column, double translation of the Biblical text (NIV - New International Version, and NRSV - New Revised Standard Version) arranged by topical unit or story. Then, they provide commentaries that look at the passages as a whole, as well as verse-by-verse. Third, interesting Reflection pieces that relate the passages to each other, to history, and to current concerns occur at the conclusion of each passage. Fourth, introductory articles for each book are provided that discuss transmission, historical background, cultural setting, literary concerns, and current scholarship. Finally, there are general articles about the Bible, each Testament, and various types of literature (Narrative, Gospel, Wisdom Literature, etc.) are provided to give general placement and knowledge about the text overall.The list of contributors, editors, and consultants on the project is a veritable Who's Who of biblical and theological scholarship, representing all major traditions and schools of thought liberal and conservative. Leander Keck, of the Yale Divinity School, is the primary editor of the series.
The volumes were published individually, and can be purchased individually, which is a good thing, given that they are a bit expensive. But for any serious biblical scholar, preacher, student, or enthusiast, they are invaluable.
--Volume XI--
The eleventh volume of the New Interpreter's Bible is the volume that completes the Pauline corpus in the New Testament, from 2 Corinthians to Philemon. Some of these letters are undisputed from Paul; others are of questionable attestation. (1 Corinthians and Romans, other Pauline letters, are to be found in the tenth volume.) Each letter is introduced with an essay exploring dating, place, linguistic issues, and topical/theological issues.
J. Paul Sampley of Boston University introduces 2 Corinthians. One of the primary issues for 2 Corinthians is that the text is most likely made up of more than one letter, but there is a wide variance of opinion regarding the sequencing, number and contexts of the pieces.
Richard Hays of Duke University addresses Galatians. Hays looks both at the significant theological issues and the pastoral concerns addressed by Paul in this letter.
Pheme Perkins (who has contributed to other volumes of this series) of Boston College explores Ephesians in this volume. Perkins looks at issues of authorship as well as issues of the substance of the text, theologically and linguistically.
Morna Hooker of Cambridge writes about Philippians. 'The characteristic note of Paul's letter to the Philippians is above all that of joy - a remarkable feature, in view of the fact that this letter was written in prison, where its author was held under a capital charge!' Despite Philippi's small size, it provided an important opening in Paul's mission.
Andrew Lincoln of Cheltenham and Gloucester College addresses Colossians, looking at the text of the short letter as well as the large body of work generated exploring the possibilities of exactly what it is that Colossians opposes.
Abraham Smith of Andover-Newton looks at both letters to the Thessalonians. The letters differ in significant ways, leading many to believe that they were written by different authors. Smith explores the evidence and arguments for this.
James Dunn of the University of Durham explores both letters to Timothy and the letter to Titus. 'The Pastoral Epistles - 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus - are among the most valued of New Testament writings. Yet the Pastorals are among the most discredited of NT writings. Why this paradox?' With this intriguing opening, Dunn looks at issues of theology, ecclesiology, and pastoral intent, as well as possible socio-political underpinnings and questions about the authorship.
Cain Hope Felder of Howard University finishes this volume with Philemon, the shortest of the Pauline letters, a mere 335 words in the original Greek. Philemon is unique in many ways, ways which Felder explores introducing the book.
High praise goes to the general editorial staff for working with such strong authors/scholars, that their work fits together well as part of this set while retaining their individual characteristics (much like the writers of the Bible itself!).
--Other volumes available--
The following is a list of each volume in this twelve-volume set, and the contents of each.
Volume I: General Articles on the Bible; General Articles on the Old Testament; Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus
Volume II: Numbers; Deuteronomy; Introduction to Narrative Literature; Joshua; Judges; Ruth; I & II Samuel
Volume III: I & II Kings; I & II Chronicles; Ezra, Nehemiah; Esther; Additions to Esther; Tobit; Judith
Volume IV: I & II Maccabees; Introduction to Hebrew Poetry; Job; Psalms
Volume V: Introduction to Wisdom Literature; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs; Book of Wisdom; Sirach
Volume VI: Introduction to Prophetic Literature; Isaiah; Jeremiah; Baruch; Letter of Jeremiah; Lamentations; Ezekiel
Volume VII: Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature; Daniel; Additions to Daniel; Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Johan; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi
Volume VIII: General Articles on the New Testament; Matthew; Mark
Volume IX: Luke; John
Volume X: Acts; Introduction to Epistolary Literature; Romans, I Corinthians
Volume XI: II Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; I & II Thessalonians; I & II Timothy; Titus; Philemon
Volume XII: Hebrews; James; I & II Peter; I, II & III John; Jude; Revelation
