When discussing peace in the Middle East, the same familiar litany of questions are heard: "Is it safe to travel over there?" "Do you think there will ever be peace over there?" "Why can't they all just 'get along' over there?" "They've been fighting for thousands of years over there." People often assert, with an air of deep self-assurance, that "there will never be peace in the Middle East," or "the Arabs will never allow the Jews to live in peace," or, with more than a tinge of theological naivete, "only Christ can bring peace to the holy land." Such familiar refrains are as misguided as...

This volume, the inaugural volume in Claremont's series on the New Testament and Christian Origins, celebrates the distinguished career of Dr. Dennis R. MacDonald. As students and scholars of the New Testament will know, MacDonald almost single- handedly established the discipline of Mimesis Criticism. However, MacDonald's scholarly achievements far exceed his role in establishing that emerging discipline within New Testament studies. MacDonald's scholarship and interests range widely over the entire discipline of Christian origins. His work has striven above all to situate the New Testament...