Engelska

The seventh-century CE Hebrew work <i>Sefer Zerubbabel </i>(Book of Zerubbabel), composed during the period of conflict between Persia and the Byzantine Empire for control over Palestine, is the first full-fledged messianic narrative in Jewish literature. Martha Himmelfarb offers a comprehensive analysis of this rich but understudied text, illuminating its distinctive literary features and the complex milieu from which it arose.<br/><br/><i>Sefer Zerubbabel</i> presents itself as an angelic revelation of the end of times to Zerubbabel, a biblical leader of the sixth century BCE, and relates a tale of two messiahs who, as Himmelfarb shows, play a major role in later Jewish narratives. The first messiah, a descendant of Joseph, dies in battle at the hands of Armilos, the son of Satan who embodies the Byzantine Empire. He is followed by a messiah descended from David modeled on the suffering servant of Isaiah, who brings him back to life and triumphs over Armilos. The mother of the Davidic messiah also figures in the work as a warrior.<br/><br/>Himmelfarb places <i>Sefer Zerubbabel</i> in the dual context of earlier Jewish eschatology and Byzantine Christianity. The role of the messiah's mother, for example, reflects the Byzantine notion of the Virgin Mary as the protector of Constantinople. On the other hand, <i>Sefer Zerubbabel </i>shares traditions about the messiahs with rabbinic literature. But while the rabbis are ambivalent about these traditions, <i>Sefer Zerubbabel</i> embraces them with enthusiasm.

Dogs is multi-award-winning photographer Tim Flach's stunning follow-up to the critically acclaimed Equus. Here, Flach once again sets out to document fully the lives of animals whose history is powerfully linked to our own and to provide a unique perspective on one of our closest companions: this time, dogs. Using photographs of dogs both solitary and in groups, as well as in varied settings and locations, Flach uses his lens to present a inimitable and engaging portrait of the physical and spiritual lives of dogs (breeds and crossbreeds of all types) around the globe. Since the wolf first snuck into the caves of our ancestors to take warmth from the fire, dogs have been man's constant companion. Dogs delves deep into the psyche of this enduring bond to create an exquisite study of man's best friendA". From specimens on show at Crufts and Westminster to shelter dogs lovingly rescued by volunteers; from the grace and agility of racing greyhounds to adored domestic companions; from Afghan hounds to Hungarian komondors, the dogs featured in Dogs promise to deliver one of the most appealing, popular and exciting photographic tributes to dogs ever published.

Dr Naomichi Masaki highlights the liturgical thinking of Theodor Kliefoth (1810-1895) who served in Schwerin, Germany and found his liturgical ideal in the Reformation era. 1850 his liturgical thinking started to influence the Swedish Church. One consequence was that the culmination of the Lord's Supper's Preface no longer should be formulated "It is right and proper" but instead "He alone in worthy of thanks and praise". Rev Dr Masaki is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft Wayne, Indiana USA

Rebel In The Ranks - Martin Luther, The Reformation, And The Conflicts That [Bok / Inbunden]