‘Joshua’ is newest Believers Church Bible Commentary.

"Joshua" by Gordon Matties has been released as the newest volume in the Believers Church Bible Commentary series. The series is a cooperative project of the Church of the Brethren, Brethren in Christ Church, Brethren Church, Mennonite Brethren Church, Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite Church Canada. The series is published by Herald Press and MennoMedia, and is available to purchase through Brethren Press.

Also new from Brethren Press is the summer quarter of “A Guide for Biblical Studies.” Written by Kim McDowell, pastor of University Park Church of the Brethren in Hyattsville, Md., the lessons for June-August focus on the theme “God Calls for Justice” and study texts from Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and the Kings and Chronicles books, as well as the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.

“Joshua” is the 25th volume in the commentary series. In it, Matties calls for “an openness to the unexpected” in the book, and suggests that reading Joshua carefully will open windows into how and why we read scripture at all. “In an age of fear and insecurity, in which ethnic nationalism continues to give rise to conflict and war, we dare not avoid critical engagement with biblical texts that have been used to justify colonialism, conquest, occupation, and ethnic cleansing,” said a publisher’s release. “Building on the idea of scripture as dialogue partner, Matties advocates for the book of Joshua even as he engages in a difficult conversation with it.”

Matties is professor of biblical studies at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Most recently he served as dean of humanities and sciences at CMU, led numerous study tours to Israel/Palestine, and dabbled in film studies. He holds a doctorate in Old Testament from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and is a member of River East Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg where he serves as moderator of the church.

“A Guide for Biblical Studies” may be purchased from Brethren Press for $4.25 per book, or $7.35 for large print--buy one for each member of a study group. “Joshua” may be purchased from Brethren Press for $29.99 plus shipping and handling. Call 800-441-3712 or order from www.brethrenpress.com.

Source:5/16/2012 Newsline