332 THE BIBLE TODAY

various narrative sources on the life of the Prophet and the emergence of Islam),
and the kinds of authority ascribed by Christians and Muslims both to Jesus and
Muhammad and to each religions sacred texts. The end result is very informative;
in addition, Peters provides a helpful map of the various sources available for
further study on this subject. While, as the title of this book indicates, there are
parallels between Jesus and Muhammad and the religions they founded, Peterss
study also delineates the profound differences to be found at almost every turn
between these two religious systems.
John J. Pilch, Flights of the Soul: Visions, Heavenly Journeys, and Peak Experi-
ences in the Biblical World. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans (www.eerdmans.com),
zo11. Pages, xiii + z8. Paper, $z.oo.
Veteran readers of The Bible Today will remember John Pilchs enticing articles over
many years exploring the social and cultural world of the Bible. This volume
explores a related interest of Pilch, who is visiting professor of New Testament at
Georgetown University, namely, the impact of what he calls alternate states of
consciousness on the biblical literature, particularly the many accounts of dreams,
visions, and extraordinary experiences on the part of biblical characters. The chapters
in the book are drawn from previously published articles that originally appeared
in a variety of journals and cover topics such as Ezekiels visions, Pauls ecstatic
visions, the transhguration of Jesus, and the resurrection appearances. Readers who
appreciate Pilchs explorations of this mysterious world will hnd this enjoyable and
informative reading.
Cackie Upchurch, ed., Little Rock Catholic Study Bible. Collegeville MN:
Liturgical Press (www.litpress.org), zo11. Pages, xv + z6z. Paper, $q.q.
Here is a helpful new tool for Bible study, an outgrowth of the popular and highly
respected Little Rock Scripture Study program. It follows the now fairly standard
format of one-volume study Bibles. This volume contains the full New American
Bible translation, including the newly revised Old Testament, along with the NABs
ofhcial and very helpful introductions and footnotes. In addition there are introduc-
tory articles on various aspects of the Bible and how Catholics should approach it,
as well as an introductory explanation of how this edition of the Bible might be put
to best use. At the end of the volume there are additional resources, such as an
article on the use of the Bible in the Lectionary, a series of maps, and a timeline of
biblical events. The heart of the Bibles study feature is found in numerous mar-
ginal cross-references to biblical passages along with various sidebars and some
illustrations clarifying personalities, events, or other aspects of particular passages
calling for special explanation. Those using the Little Rock Scripture study program
in particular will hnd this a wonderful supporting resource.
Albert Vanhoye, A Different Priest: The Epistle to the Hebrews. Miami FL:
Convivium Press (www.conviviumpress.com), zo11. Pages, o. Paper, $z6.qq.
The author of this commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews is a venerable Jesuit
biblical scholar who served as Secretary of the Pontihcal Biblical Commission and
whose service to the church as a scholar was rewarded by his being named a
Donald Senior, CP 333
Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI. Vanhoye has had a lifelong interest in this elegant
New Testament book, and in this commentary he focuses on the rhetorical style and
literary structure of the text. He begins with an overall scan of the texts structure
(which, he notes, takes a homiletic form more than that of a letter) and then
provides a section-by-section analysis, noting the rhetorical styles and concluding
with a substantial section on the interpretation and meaning of the segment. This is
a rich study that reects a lifetime of careful scholarship and profound reection on
its subject.
Mark J. Zia, What Are They Saying About Biblical Inspiration? Mahwah NJ:
Paulist Press (www.paulistpress.com), zo11. Pages, vi + 11. Paper, $16.q.
Here is another addition to this practical and helpful series. Zia, who is an Associate
Professor of Theology at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, takes up a topic
that has been too long in limbo, namely that of biblical inspiration. While funda-
mentalist Christians have a clear and overly nave view of biblical inspiration (God
just dictated the text to the biblical author . . .), most recent biblical and theological
scholarship simply avoids the topic. In the spirit of the series, Zia summarizes six
authors approaches to the topic (including two Catholic scholars, James Burtchaell
and Bruce Vawter). He concludes with his own suggestion, tying biblical inspiration
to the context of the Eucharist and offering a helpful summary of the basic aspects
of biblical inspiration found in the literature he has reviewed. Regarding, as it does,
the Eucharist as both the possible origin and explanatory context for biblical inspi-
ration, Zias work was probably completed prior to the publication of Denis
Farkasfalvy, OCist, Inspiration & Interpretation (Washington DC: Catholic University
of America Press [www.cuapress.cua.edu], zo1o), in which Farkasfalvy makes
precisely that case. One of the outcomes of Zias survey is to demonstrate how
Catholic biblical scholars and theologians in particular need to turn once again to
this question, which is important for understanding the unique religious authority
ascribed to the Scriptures.
Donald Senior, CP, serves as editor of The Bible Today and is the president
of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he is also professor of New
Testament studies. He received his doctoral degree from the University of
Louvain in Belgium and is the author of numerous books and articles on
the New Testament. In the fall of zoo1 he was appointed to the Pontihcal
Biblical Commission by Pope John Paul II.