In the latest volume in the Emory Studies in Early Christianity series, the contributors seek a better understanding of how various biblical authors present their arguments, support their claims, and attempt to persuade their readers.

A century ago the rhetorical analysis of texts focused on the study of rhetorical figures in texts (elocutio). In the mid-twentieth century, scholars such as James Muilenburg, Hans Dieter Betz, and Wilhelm Wuellner introduced biblical scholars to the illustrious tradition of rhetorical study. These scholars tended to focus on the arrangement of the texts themselves (dispositio).

During the last ten years, however, interpreters have increasingly studied the rhetorical argumentation in texts. The authors in this volume examine rhetorical argumentation in the Hebrew Bible, the Gospels, the Pauline letters, and the Book of Revelation, offering striking new readings of these materials.

Contributors include: J. David Hester (Amador), Center for Rhetoric and Hermeneutics; R. Dean Anderson, Valkenburg, The Netherlands; Harold W. Attridge, Yale Divinity School; L. Gregory Bloomquist, St. Paul University, Ottawa; Michael R. Cosby, Messiah College; Rodney K. Duke, Appalachian State University; Frans H. van Eemeren, University of Amsterdam; Anders Eriksson, Lund University; Alan J. Hauser, Appalachian State University; Roy R. Jeal, William and Catherine Booth College; Manfred Kraus, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tübingen; John W. Marshall, University of Toronto; Roland Meynet, Pontificia Università Gregoriana; Thomas H. Olbricht, Emeritus, Pepperdine University; Carol Poster, Florida State University; Rollin A. Ramsaran, Emmanuel School of Religion; Vernon K. Robbins, Emory University and University of Stellenbosch; Russell B. Sisson, Union College; Jerry L. Sumney, Lexington Theological Seminary; C. Jan Swearingen, Texas A & M; Lauri Thurén, Univeristy of Joensuu; Johan S. Vos, Vrije Universiteit; and Duane F. Watson, Malone College.

Sharon Creech is the author of many prize-winning international best-selling children's books including the Smarties shortlisted, Newbery Medal winning WALK TWO MOONS. He latest older fiction title THE WANDERER was a Newbery Honor title and was also short listed for the Carnegie Prize. This is Sharon's second book for Bloomsbury. Her novels are wonderful, life enhancing stories that beautifully describe a world in which people grow to be better and wiser and happier. She has said of her writing: 'Sometimes I am asked why I don't write books that reflect real-life violence in grittier settings. The answer to that is: because that is not the world I want to live in, nor is it the world I want to offer children. There are beautiful places and beautiful people in this world, plenty of them, and I like to celebrate those places and those people.'