There are many commentaries on individual books of the Bible,
but the reader who wishes to take a broader view has less choice.
This series is intended to meet this need. Its structure is thematic,
with each volume embracing a number of biblical books. It is
designed for use with any of the familiar translations of the Bible;
quotations are normally from RSV, but the authors of the indi-
vidual volumes also use other translations or make their own
where this helps to bring out the particular meaning of a passage.

To provide general orientation, there are two volumes of a more
introductory character: one will consider the Old Testament in its
cultural and historical context, the other the New Testament,
discussing the origins of Christianity. Four volumes deal with
different kinds of material in the Old Testament: narrative,
prophecy, poetry/psalmody, wisdom and law. Three volumes
handle different aspects of the New Testament: the Gospels, Paul
and Pauline Christianity, the varieties of New Testament thought.
One volume looks at the nature of biblical interpretation, covering
both Testaments.

The authors of the individual volumes write for a general
readership. Technical terms and Hebrew or Greek words are
explained; the latter are used only when essential to the under-
standing of the text. The general introductory volumes are
designed to stand on their own, providing a framework, but also to
serve to raise some of the questions which the remaining volumes
examine in closer detail. All the volumes other than the two
general ones include discussion of selected biblical passages in
greater depth, thus providing examples of the ways in which the
interpretation of the text makes possible deeper understanding of
the wider issues, both historical and theological, with which the
Bible is concerned. Select bibliographies in each volume point the
way to further discussion of the many issues which remain open to
fuller exploration.

P.R.A.

G.N.S.

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