English may be the biggest obstacle to learning Greek! Greek textbooks use jargon such as "noun," "verb," "morphology," and "syntax," which sometimes sounds foreign. Many of us may remember them from grade school, but the memories may now be foggy from time and disuse. This book is written for hazy memories of English that need a brush up before learning Greek. Different than other aids to learning Greek, Brushing Up English to Learn Greek introduces verbal aspect to beginning students. En...

In this volume, Peter S. Perry describes what performance criticism is and shows its application to biblical studies and theology. He draws on the best thinkers and practitioners in this field as well as his own experience to show how performance criticism can open up the meaning of and appreciation for biblical texts. In addition, Perry presents challenges for the future of performance criticism and its role in biblical interpretation generally.Each volume in the new Insights seri...

Rhetorical criticism and biblical performance criticism are natural partners in understanding communication of biblical texts. This collection of essays brings a diversity of scholars of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament together to orient graduate students and scholars interested in rhetorical and performance criticism to current methods and resources, including those offered by material remains, ritual, rhetorical handbooks, and ancient speeches and dramas. Each contribution immerses th...

What's so humorous about the Bible? Quite a bit, especially if experienced with others! Nine biblical scholars explore their experiences of reading and hearing passages from the Bible and discovering humor that becomes clearer in performance. Each writer found clues in their chosen biblical text that suggested biblical authors expected an audience to respond with laughter. Performers have a powerful role in either bringing out or tamping down humor in the Bible. One audience may be more di...