Praise for previous volumes in the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible "This remarkable project is especially lucky in its inaugural volume on Acts of the Apostles by the noted historian of dogma, Jaroslav Pelikan. If the rest of the commentators live up to the high standard set by Pelikan . the series could end up marking a turning point in the history of biblical hermeneutics. One finishes this marvelously lucid book not only excited at the prospect of future volumes, but also wondering if this series will be revolutionary in another sense: Could this be a set of commentaries on the Bible that people will actually read?"-- Edward T. Oakes, SJ , First Things "[ Acts ] has all the marks of Pelikan's scholarship: a close reading of the Greek text; a verse-by-verse commentary on that text studded with references to the great patristic commentators; and a constant eye on the theological and homiletical possibilities of the text itself, as well as its place in the liturgical life of the church both West and East."-- Lawrence S. Cunningham , America "Pelikan's inaugural volume on Acts sets a high and honorable standard for the series. Pelikan's interpretive focus on creeds and other church traditions results in an evocative network of conceptual associations, linking words and ideas in Acts to doctrines from church history.
The reader's theological understanding of Acts is enriched by Pelikan's successful effort to place Acts in theological conversation with centuries of Christian creeds and other rules of faith."-- John B. Weaver , Calvin Theological Journal "The comments that Pelikan has to offer on each point [in Acts ] are truly valuable, insightful, and clearly articulated, a masterful treatment from a true master of his discipline. [The series editors] have invited a diverse range of theologians and historians of theology to this project: We await with anticipation the wide range of offerings that are sure to emerge."-- John Behr , Pro Ecclesia "What's nice to see is that the individual commentators have been allowed to retain their own voices in this series; [in Matthew , Stanley] Hauerwas is as delightfully irascible and hard-hitting as ever. Hauerwas attends to the Gospel chapter by chapter, teasing out theological themes while resisting the temptation to create a systematic Christology. He draws on theologians like Barth, Augustine, Origen and especially Bonhoeffer, whom he quotes and paraphrases often, as well as New Testament scholars and eclectic writers like Wendell Berry. Insightful and provocative, Hauerwas adds a valuable theological perspective to the Gospel of Matthew.
"-- Publishers Weekly.