Every Sunday millions of Christians listen to readings from Scripture. What do they make of them? How do they relate what they hear to their lives? Do they see any connection between these ancient texts and the modern church? In this volume Gareth Lloyd Jones addresses such questions through a series of scriptural studies that demonstrate the relevance of the biblical narrative for Christians today.
In these twelve reflections on texts from the Old and New Testaments, Jones touches on some of the great themes of the Bible and presents familiar stories in a fresh and often unexpected light. He begins each study with a citation of a passage from the Bible, then discusses its meaning, and concludes by relating the message of the passage to contemporary life. Drawing from such texts as the story of Joseph, Israel's apostasy at Sinai, and Jesus' denunciation of the Pharisees, this work ranges over such themes as martyrdom, antisemitism in Christianity, and the history of liturgy. In the process, Jones introduces some current trends in biblical scholarship in a clear and accessible manner.
Written for those with no expertise in theology or prior knowledge of the texts studied. The Bones of Joseph offers a unique blend of interpretation and application, of scholarship and spirituality. It is ideal for general readers and will also serve well as a resource book for discussion and Bible-study groups.