'David Horrell has done us all a most valuable service. Not only has he selected nicely varied examples of innovation in the use of social-scientific method in New Testament studies; he has also introduced each essay, and the collection as a whole, with a judicious assessment based on his own acute and comprehensive mastery of this field. New Testament students, teachers and researchers will find here every help and stimulus for a voyage of discovery, guided by a first-rate explorer.' Dr John Barclay, University of Glasgow. 'The editor has managed to select the gems from a vast and growing field within NT scholarship. This book can be recommended as the best of its kind.' Internationale Zeitschriftenschau fur Bibelwissenschaft und Grenzgebiete 'Both in the excellent introduction and in the thirteen carefully-selected studies which follow, it makes a case for social-scientific study as a valid way of interpreting the NT. One may wish to debate issues with individual contributors but one cannot quarrel with the editor, who has provided a first-rate introduction to the field in every respect: by the breadth of studies selected, in the critical introductions to each individual article or extract, and by means of a comprehensive and up-to-date Bibliography.' William Strange, Trinity College Cambridge, Anvio 'The astuteness of David Horrell's introduction, the diversity of interests represented in the thirteen essays he has selected, and the extensive notes and bibliography make this book a powerful new resource for the social-scientific interpretation of the New Testament. Anyone interested in this flourishing field, from beginner to practitioner, will find this an invaluable work.' Professor Philip F. Esler 'David Horrell's collection is... invaluable for mapping out this terrain and assessing the different issues raised by various practitioners. Classic articles which pioneered an approach are reprinted here. [...] The value of each chapter is greatly enhanced by a short critical introduction by the editor. [...] Any process of selection will provoke criticism about omissions and inclusions. But this collection respresents an informed insight over a wise field, so the student is in good hands.' Dr John M Court, Head of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Kent at Canterbury, Church Times '. . . welcome as a timely and necessary contribution to this newly established discipline. In my view, this is an ideal textbook for use in undergraduate teaching and as an introductory text on the subject at postgraduate level.' Anthony Bash, Journal of Theological Literature