The one-volume commentary should provide quick access to a reading of the Bible focused on identity and will be useful for students and pastors.

Klyne Snodgrass, Northpark University, USA, Proposal Review

This would be a unique 1-volume resource. Any scholar or student/pastor interested in social-scientific approaches to the biblical texts would want a copy.

Mark T. Finney, University of Sheffield, UK, Proposal

This commentary on the New Testament, from the perspective of social-identity theory, is welcome news indeed, providing unique insights into the actions and attitudes of the persons in the biblical narratives, and what motivates them to do what they do and say what they say.

BEN WITHERINGTON, Asbury Theological Seminary, USA

Social-identity theory has established itself as a critical constellation of perspectives for understanding early Christian relationships between individuals and groups, intragroup dynamics such as leadership, and intergroup relations. This important volume not only sets out the methodology of applying social-identity theory to biblical texts with utmost clarity and purpose, but also offers a wide array of rich and engaging applications to New Testament texts. It deserves to be a 'go-to' volume for researchers and students in this area.

LOUISE LAWRENCE, University of Exeter, UK

As the first of its kind, this volume provides concise commentaries on all New Testament books from an established social-psychological perspective. Whether or not one agrees with the details of interpretation offered in each chapter, the contributors show the potential of the social-identity approach in highlighting the dynamics of identity formation in the New Testament writings, while also creating new opportunities for critical and constructive interpretation of the New Testament in search for present expressions of Christian identity. This is crucial reading for all who look for more secure footing in the midst of loose identity talk that often surfaces in early Jewish and Christian studies

PETRI T. J. LUOMANEN, University of Helsinki, Finland

The breadth and diversity, as well as the interdisciplinary nature of the respective readings, illuminates the identity formation processes in the earliest Christ-movement. It is a bold endeavour to cover all the New Testament writings in one volume, but the editors and contributors must be congratulated for holding together the diversity of approaches in relation to the diversity of the original texts. They present an exceedingly valuable compendium for students and scholars alike.

KATHY EHRENSPERGER, University of Potsdam, Germany