The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context

Monotheism, the idea that there is only one true God, is a powerful religious concept that was shaped by competing ideas and the problems they raised. Surveying New Testament writings and Jewish sources from before and after the rise of Christianity, James F. McGrath argues that even the most developed Christologies in the New Testament fit within the context of first century Jewish "monotheism." In doing so, he pinpoints more precisely when the parting of ways took place over the issue of God's oneness, and he explores philosophical ideas such as "creation out of nothing," which caused Jews and Christians to develop differing concepts and definitions about God.

History

McGrath, James F.

World

University of Illinois Press

Monotheism, the idea that there is only one true God, is a powerful religious concept that was shaped by competing ideas and the problems they raised. Surveying New Testament writings and Jewish sources from before and after the rise of Christianity, James F. McGrath argues that even the most developed Christologies in the New Testament fit within the context of first century Jewish "monotheism." In doing so, he pinpoints more precisely when the parting of ways took place over the issue of God's oneness, and he explores philosophical ideas such as "creation out of nothing," which caused Jews and Christians to develop differing concepts and definitions about God.

John's Apologetic Christology: Legitimation and Development in Johannine Christology (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, Series Number 111)

James McGrath offers a convincing explanation of how and why John arrived at a christological portrait of Jesus that is so different from that of other New Testament authors, and yet at the same time clearly has its roots in earlier tradition. McGrath suggests that as the author of the Fourth Gospel sought to defend his beliefs about Jesus against the objections brought by opponents, he developed and drew out further implications from the beliefs he inherited. The book studies this process using insights from the field of sociology.

Reference

Encyclopedias & Subject Guides

Cambridge University Press

James McGrath offers a convincing explanation of how and why John arrived at a christological portrait of Jesus that is so different from that of other New Testament authors, and yet at the same time clearly has its roots in earlier tradition. McGrath suggests that as the author of the Fourth Gospel sought to defend his beliefs about Jesus against the objections brought by opponents, he developed and drew out further implications from the beliefs he inherited. The book studies this process using insights from the field of sociology.

The A to Z of the New Testament: Things Experts Know That Everyone Else Should Too

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Eerdmans

Studies of the historical Jesus typically reduce John the Baptist to a subordinate role in the story of Christian origins. This meticulous historical study focuses on John himself, revealing his extensive and enduring influence. In the popular imagination, John the Baptist plays the supporting role of Jesus's unkempt forerunner. But meticulous historical study reveals his wide-reaching and enduring influence on the history of religion. The first study of its kind,&nbsp;John of History, Baptist of Faith&nbsp;sheds light on the historical John the Baptist and his world. James F. McGrath applies historical-critical methodology not only to the New Testament but also to the Mandaean Book of John, a holy text of the last extant gnostic sect. McGrath uses the teachings of John's pupil, Jesus, as a window into his mentor's beliefs. Along the way, he brings new clarity to questions of contention among scholars, such as John's use of immersion as a substitute for temple sacrifice.&nbsp; Bold in its claims yet careful in its method,&nbsp;John of History, Baptist of Faith&nbsp;lends fresh insight into John, Jesus, and their world. McGrath's pioneering monograph will challenge and intrigue students and scholars of the New Testament and Second Temple Judaism.

John of History, Baptist of Faith: The Quest for the Historical Baptizer

Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist

Biographies & Memoirs

Leaders & Notable People

What is the difference between a god and a powerful alien? Can an android have a soul, or be considered a person with rights? Can we imagine biblical stories being retold in the distant future on planets far from Earth? Whether your interest is in Christianity in the future, or the Jedi in the present--and whether your interest in the Jedi is focused on real-world adherents or the fictional religion depicted on the silver screen--this book will help you explore the intersection between theology and science fiction across a range of authors and stories, topics and questions. Throughout this volume, James McGrath probes how science fiction explores theological themes, and vice versa, making the case (in conversation with some of your favorite stories, TV shows, and movies) that the answers to humanity's biggest questions are best sought by science fiction and theology together as a collaborative effort.

Theology and Science Fiction (Cascade Companions)

Literature & Fiction

History & Criticism

Cascade Books

What is the difference between a god and a powerful alien? Can an android have a soul, or be considered a person with rights? Can we imagine biblical stories being retold in the distant future on planets far from Earth? Whether your interest is in Christianity in the future, or the Jedi in the present--and whether your interest in the Jedi is focused on real-world adherents or the fictional religion depicted on the silver screen--this book will help you explore the intersection between theology and science fiction across a range of authors and stories, topics and questions.   Throughout this volume, James McGrath probes how science fiction explores theological themes, and vice versa, making the case (in conversation with some of your favorite stories, TV shows, and movies) that the answers to humanity's biggest questions are best sought by science fiction and theology together as a collaborative effort. ""Dr. McGrath's love of theology and science fiction is contagious, shining through on every page. The result is an impressive book that is both thought-provoking and easily accessible, whether the reader is an individual or a study group member, a serious sci-fi fan or a congregational leader.""   --C. K. Robertson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church; Editor of Religion as Entertainment ""I've always considered science fiction to be the quintessential literature of our species, because it is the only literature to fully address what most makes us human: our ability to engage the cosmos. Religion is another way of doing this, and James McGrath explores these intersections in a provocative and erudite book that not only calls on a variety of human religions, but science fiction on both page and screen."" --Paul Levinson, author of The Plot to Save Socrates ""Those of us who enjoy science fiction take its nature very seriously. And those of us who are excited by Christian faith take the Bible very seriously. There is therefore no better commentator to explore the relationship between theology and science fiction than James McGrath, a serious biblical scholar and science fiction fan who embodies the joy and excitement of the relationship in this accessible and insightful book."" --David Wilkinson, Principal of St. John's College, Durham University ""Refuting the dichotomies that have plagued so much writing on religion, theology, and science fiction, and refusing simply to press one in service of the other, James McGrath weaves a wonderfully nuanced tale of two of humankind's most important and influential ways of imagining our place in the universe--and the place of the universe in our imagination. Few interested in this relationship can afford to miss this book."" --Douglas E. Cowan, author of Sacred Space: The Quest for Transcendence in Science Fiction Film and Television James F. McGrath is Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University in Indianapolis. He is the author of the science fiction short story ""Biblical Literalism in the New Jerusalem"" (2016), the editor of Religion and Science Fiction (2011), and the coeditor of Religion and Doctor Who: Time and Relative Dimensions in Faith (2013).

Wipf and Stock

What Jesus Learned from Women

Product Description 
Dehumanization has led to serious misinterpretation of the Gospels. On the one hand, Christians have often made Jesus so much more than human that it seemed inappropriate to ask about the influence other human beings had on him, male or female. On the other hand, women have been treated as less than fully human, their names omitted from stories and their voices and influence on Jesus neglected. When we ask the question this book does, what Jesus learned from women, puzzling questions that have frustrated readers of the Gospels throughout history suddenly find solutions. Weaving cutting edge biblical scholarship together with an element of historical fiction and a knack for writing for a general audience, James McGrath makes the stories of women in the New Testament come alive, and sheds fresh light on the figure of Jesus as well. This book is a must read for scholars, students, and anyone else interested in Jesus and/or in the role of ancient women in the context of their times.\nAbout the Author 
James F. McGrath is the Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of John's Apologetic Christology, The Only True God, and Theology and Science Fiction.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by McGrath, James F.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by McGrath, James F.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by McGrath, James F.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context

The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context

John's Apologetic Christology: Legitimation and Development in Johannine Christology (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, Series Number 111)

John's Apologetic Christology: Legitimation and Development in Johannine Christology (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, Series Number 111)

The A to Z of the New Testament: Things Experts Know That Everyone Else Should Too

John of History, Baptist of Faith: The Quest for the Historical Baptizer

Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist

Theology and Science Fiction (Cascade Companions)

Theology and Science Fiction (Cascade Companions)

What Jesus Learned from Women