“As one who preaches regularly and teaches both clergy and laity, I find the Belief series to be just the kind of resource I depend upon for my own preparation and to recommend to adults who wish to move carefully through a book of the Bible. The approach is scholarly rich, theologically nuanced, and accessible to the thoughtful reader.”
—Rev. Patricia J. Lull, Bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
“For the preacher who seeks to do justice not only to biblical texts in all their complexity, but also to the richness of historical and contemporary theology, the Belief series offers a vital new tool. In a time when the great tradition of the scholar-pastor seems simultaneously under duress and more important than ever, these commentaries model a kind of critical engagement that is a genuine path forward.”
—Rev. Maxwell Grant, Senior Minister, Second Congregational
Church of Greenwich, United Church of Christ
“Again and again, the careful scholarship and liveliness of the witness of each author have not only brought theological insight, but also new frameworks for preaching and looking at my own life of faith. This is an excellent series, the best one I have found for parish ministry.”
—Rev. Kelly Nelson, Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Crawfordsville, Indiana
“I highly recommend the Belief series! Theology does matter and this commentary series shows why.”
—Rev. Roy Howard, Pastor, St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, North Bethesda, Maryland
“Our best interpreters of the past were theologians such as Martin Luther and John Calvin. I rejoice to find the Bible back in the hands of their contemporary successors.”
—Patrick D. Miller, Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary
“The variety of voices within this series will be as arresting and provoking as the variety of voices within the Bible itself.”
—David Kelsey, Emeritus, Yale Divinity School
“The interface between biblical texts and constructive theology is never easy or obvious. This welcome series holds great promise for a new engagement at that interface. Expect fresh textual reading from an informed theological perspective.”
—Walter Brueggemann, Professor of Old Testament Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary
“One of the most important contributions of the series is that it defies the caricature of the theologian who never really reads the Bible, but only what other people say about it. Clearly, the authors of Belief are theologians who both read the Bible for themselves and invite others to read it with them. Surely, Belief will assist pastors, laypersons, and scholars both in reading the Bible better, and in doing better theology, for decades to come.”
—Cynthia Rigby, W. C. Brown Professor of Theology, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
“Extraordinary, inspiring, innovative, and passionate for Christ in its vision. Written with pastors in mind, this series is an excellent resource for discerning the intention of the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures and for preaching the love of God.”
—Andrew Sung Park, Professor of Theology, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio
“An outstanding lineup of respected theologians shares with us their perspectives on the theological dimensions of the texts that are the primary source for the church’s witness. Every volume should be eagerly anticipated.”
—Bruce C. Birch, Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC
“With this series, the theological is deliberately brought to the fore, both at the level of the texts and at the level of critics. Most timely and most necessary.”
—Fernando F. Segovia, Oberlin Graduate Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, The Divinity School, Vanderbilt University
“Church leaders who preach and teach will delight in a ready supply of profound and discerning biblical resources that engage seriously with the church’s creeds, practices, and hymns, the history of interpretation, and contemporary theological reflection.”
—Philip W. Butin, Copastor, First United Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville, AR
“One could not ask for a better introduction to this promising series than William Placher’s commentary on Mark. It is rare to find oneself caught up in a commentary beyond the particular text that is under examination. In this instance, I could not put it down. Clarity, verve, humor, and deep faith pervade this study of Mark. The Word is made fresh in wonderful ways.”
—Patrick D. Miller, Charles T. Haley Professor Emeritus of Old Testament Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary
“As a retired Campus Pastor, I have read only Mark, by the late, much lamented William C. Placher of Wabash College, but if others in the series are even nearly as good, buy them!”
—Steve Shoemaker, Ph.D., Religion, Duke (Theology & Literature) Presbyterian Campus Minister, NCSU, 1973-81, Univ. of Illinois, 1981–2008