Biblical & Theological Studies
A central figure in Christian tradition, Mary of Nazareth, the mother of Jesus, is both pivotal in theologies of the incarnation and a source of theological controversy. In this volume, bible scholar and priest Christopher Bryan examines the role of Mary in the theology of the first generations of Christians. Considering every reference to Mary in the New Testament in the order that the biblical texts were written, Mary of Nazareth situates biblical texts’ treatment of Mary within the first-century culture and examines changing theologies of Mary and the incarnation among the earliest generations of Christians. The book concludes with Bryan’s reflections on Christian memories of Mary and their implications for some historical theological controversies.
Ideal for Bible study or group discussion, Mary of Nazareth makes current biblical scholarship accessible and engaging. Further notes in the back of the book invite interested readers to dig deeper.
“Bryan winsomely combines deep scholarship, theological insight, profound piety, and accessible prose. This work is a moving meditation on Mary of Nazareth as she exists in the pages of the New Testament and the Christian imagination.” ― Robert MacSwain, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology, The School of Theology, The University of the South
“Christopher Bryan’s book on Mary is of a piece with his other works: historically critical, the result of wide scholarly research, and the work of a wise Anglican catholic spirit. It is written for a wide audience, far beyond the guild, and I for one am deeply glad to have been part of that world.” ― William S. Stafford, Ph.D., D.D., Emeritus Dean of The School of Theology, The University of the South
“This is classic Christopher Bryan: close and judicious analysis of the relevant biblical texts about Mary, careful consideration of early Christian remembrance about the mother of Jesus, concluding with a respectful assessment of traditional beliefs regarding the Virgin Mother which leads to a direct challenge about her continuing significance for us all today, all undergirded by three quarters of a century of scholarship and pastoral ministry, and, throughout, beautifully written and clearly expressed – what more could you want?”
― Richard A Burridge, formerly Dean of King’s College, London, author of What are the Gospels (recipient of the Razinger Prize, 2013).
Son of God: Reflections on a Tradition (2022)
What do Christians mean when they call Jesus “son of God”? In this study of the phrase “son of God” as applied to Jesus of Nazareth, Christopher Bryan examines the testimony of various New Testament witnesses who used this expression to speak of him, and asks where they got it, what they meant by it, and how it might have been understood.
In Bryan’s view, any attempt to address these questions stands self-condemned if it does not point to both the words and works of Jesus himself in the memory of early Christians, and the Torah of Israel as then understood, centering on Israel’s Scriptures. Of course Paul and his fellow believers did not proclaim Jesus in a vacuum. They proclaimed Jesus in the Roman Empire during the decades following the death of Augustus. With regard to the meaning of the phrase “son of God,” what becomes clear, Bryan argues, is that whereas “Lord” (another expression frequently used in the New Testament for Jesus of Nazareth) reflects believers’ sense of Jesus’ relationship to them, “son of God” reflects their sense of his relationship to God. It is a title that reflects their consciousness of Jesus’ holiness-that is, his “set-apartness,” his consecration, and even his divinity.
Listening to the Bible: The Art of Faithful Biblical Interpretation (2013)
With an appendix on liturgical reading by David Landon
Bryan traces the history of modern approaches to the Bible, particularly historical criticism, noting its successes and failures. Basing his work on a wide knowledge of literature and literary critical theory, and drawing on the insights of the greatest literary critics of the last hundred years, notably Erich Auerbach and George Steiner, Bryan asks: what should be the task of the biblical scholar in the 21st century? Setting the question within this wider context enables Bryan to indicate a series of criteria with which biblical interpreters may do their work, and in the light of which there is no reason why that work cannot relate faithfully to the Church. This does not mean that sound biblical interpretation can ignore the specificity of scientific or historical questions, or dragoon its results into conformity with a set of ecclesial propositions. Bryan argues, however, that interpreters of biblical text cannot ignore its existence in the community of faith; and that although textual interpretation has scientific elements, it is, ultimately, an exercise in imagination.
In the book’s final chapter, actor-director David Landon explores some techniques of oral delivery of scripture.
“Elegant, nimble, AND ABOVE ALL SANE! I could wish to be still teaching so I could assign it.” -Robert W. Jenson, Senior Scholar, Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton (ret.).
“This is a powerful, cultured, serious, and passionate invitation to the reader to discover the potential fruitfulness that awaits us all when biblical scholars recognize the critical importance of their work for the worshipping, believing community; and when the preacher sees clearly the centrality of the scholars’ task as s/he ponders the word of life today. As with all Christopher Bryan’s work the immensely readable, engaging style is a huge plus. Whether telling an anecdote or analyzing a dense academic argument, the prose is always limpid and compelling. The invitation to the reader to enter something of Bryan’s world with its broad range of literary and cultural reference is just that – an invitation – and has the potential to open the reader to new vistas.” –Fr. Peter Allan CR, Principal, the College of the Resurrection and the University of Sheffield.
The Resurrection of the Messiah (2011)
Christopher Bryan combines literary, historical, and theological approaches in this study of the Resurrection. Throughout his learned yet elegantly written book, he exhibits a willingness to face hard questions, as well as appropriate reverence for the faith that over centuries has enabled millions of people to lead lives of meaning and grace.
“Bryan offers not only an elegant and erudite exposition of what the NT says about Jesus’ resurrection and the good grounds for believing it but also a survey of numerous ancillary areas.” —The Catholic Biblical Quarterly
“This is an exciting contribution to the literature and immensely readable. It is particularly strong in presenting the Gospel texts as performed text and in exploring some of the questions provoked by such a reading, with reference to classical and modern exemplars. Bryan has a large appreciation of the way theatre works and his references to both Greek drama and Shakespeare are effective and illuminating. The breadth of reference throughout is stimulating and heartening in a work that also pays such close attention to text.” — Father Peter Allan CR, Lecturer and Vice-Principal, the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield.
“Christopher Bryan constructs straightforward, consecutive and easily traceable arguments, and writes strikingly clear prose — with an occasional touch of whimsy. These are uncommon virtues in the academic world. Indeed, he has actually hewn a good read through the dense exegetical thickets that scholarship has cultivated around the Resurrection-the thorns and brambles are there for those vocationally committed to dealing with them, but relegated to the plentiful footnotes.” — Robert Jenson, Senior Scholar, Center of Theological Inquiry (ret.)
Render to Caesar: Jesus, the Early Church, and the Roman Superpower (2005)
“With admirable learning and balanced judgement, Bryan covers a wide range of ancient texts pertaining to religion and politics. In showing that the prophets, Jesus, and the NT writers were mainly concerned with the origin and purpose of political power, he clarifies in what sense the biblical tradition is and is not political. While providing sensible correctives to overstatements by other scholars, Bryan also presents an accurate picture of the early church’s pace in the Roman Empire.”
—Daniel J. Harrington, S.J.
And God Spoke: The Authority of the Bible for the Church Today (2002)
Christopher Bryan looks at the nature of the Bible’s authority and inspiration and how the Bible can inform our decision-making today. He explores common questions about scripture, such as: What do we mean when we say that the scriptures are revelatory, that they are inspired, that they are the Word of God? How do we define the Bible’s authority for the past and the future? What does a church that takes the Bible’s authority seriously look like? How does it read, study, and pray with the Bible? And God Spoke was among the books chosen as commended reading for the bishops at the 2008 Lambeth Conference, as well as being among the study books used by the international Education for Ministry program.
“This is a well-written, carefully reasoned presentation which will be helpful to both clergy and laity who struggle with how to interpret what they read in the scriptures in the face of the factions, sectarian and divisive, which claim an absolute authority of interpretation, usually their own.” (The Anglican Journal )
A Preface to Romans: Notes on the Epistle in Its Literary and Cultural Setting (2000)
Bryan approaches St. Paul’s letter to the Romans with a number of aims in view. First, he wants to show which literary type or genre would have been seen by Paul’s contemporaries as being exemplified in the letter. He also attempts to determine what we can surmise of Paul’s attitude and approach to the Jewish bible. The study involves discussion of and comparison with other literature from Paul’s time, place and milieu, including other writings attributed to Paul.
A Preface to Mark: Notes on the Gospel in Its Literary and Cultural Settings (1997)
A Preface to Mark is a literary study which, from the standpoint of the newer critical methodologies, explores two questions. First, Bryan attempts to determine what kind of text Mark would have been seen to be, both by its author and by others who encountered it near the time of its writing. He examines whether Mark should be seen as an example of any particular literary type, and if so which. He concludes that a comparison of Mark with other texts of the period leads inevitably to the conclusion that Mark’s contemporaries would broadly have characterized his work as a “life.” Second, Bryan looks at the evidence that exists to indicate whether Mark, like so much else of its period, was written to be read aloud. He points out ways in which Mark’s narrative would have worked particularly well as rhetoric.
Shabbat (The Living Festivals Series) (1985)
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Religious and Moral Education Press; New edition (1 Nov. 1994)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1851750649
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1851750641
UNSPSC-Code : 55101500 (Printed publications)
Way of Freedom: An Introduction to the Epistle to the Romans with Study Guide (1975)
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Seabury Press (1 Jan. 1975)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 124 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0816421110
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0816421114
UNSPSC-Code : 55101500 (Printed publications)