New Testament Texts and the Roman World

“For over three decades, Dr. Gerald L. Stevens pushed his students to their intellectual limits with a pastor’s heart. Readers will now get a glimpse of the energy, excellence, and passion of that classroom. The authors of each of these essays trust that you will come away with the exegetical principle of their beloved professor, ‘Love the text, and she will love you back.’”


—Stephen Horn, executive director, Louisiana Baptist Convention





“Sound theology combines personal engagements that are once intellectual, visceral, and social. The life’s work of Gerald L. Stevens, celebrated in this volume, exemplifies how those dimensions relate to one another, and in their interaction, produce genuine insight. Each of these essays is a fluent, critical contribution, and in aggregate, they illustrate how the present period is seeing a realignment of theological perspectives on the basis of biblical exegesis.”


—Bruce Chilton, professor of philosophy and religion, Bard College





“The fruit of a lifetime’s work as a scholar with a deep love for training the next generation. Gerald L. Stevens’s love for his students shows up not just in their warm affection for him, but also in his imprimatur stamped upon them. A Festschrift is always a potpourri, but there are multiple treasures here.”


—E. Randolph Richards, research professor of New Testament, Palm Beach Atlantic University





“This volume is a fitting tribute to the one it honors and a demonstration of his ministry’s impact for faith seeking understanding. Here readers will encounter carefully weighed essays on topics pertaining to Luke-Acts, Paul’s epistles, and Revelation that are timely for both church and academy. Balanced and insightful, each article will enhance any reader’s understanding of biblical texts and appreciation of the Christian faith as life lived for others.”


—Robert A. Bryant, professor of Bible, Presbyterian College