“McMahon’’s explanation of the origins of the historical-critical method and the ways that contemporary scholars use it in their work with the Gospels is clear and concise. Similarly, his treatment of the historical Jesus gives students a connection to the world in which Jesus and the evangelists lived so that they can understand the text as it is written and interpret it for our own times. An abundance of sidebars and summary boxes provide students with essential tools for their study without cluttering the main text. Reading the Gospels is an excellent introduction to the study of the Gospels for undergraduate students.”

“Here is an excellent and thorough introduction to the four Gospels that Catholic professors teaching at the college and seminary level should consider. McMahon, professor of theology at Saint Vincent College, writes from an explicitly Catholic perspective. He begins with an insightful discussion of what the “historical-critical” method is and how it has developed in a Catholic context. Subsequent chapters take up the historical background of the New Testament, the quest for the historical Jesus, and the formation of the gospel tradition. He then turns to a detailed analysis of the context, structure, and theological perspective of each Gospel. This is a first-rate, lucid textbook.”

““Kaltner and McKenzie have done it again! As in their earlier Uncensored Bible, they have written a lively, insightful, and humorous introduction to the Bible that is sure to keep all readers——especially students——awake, informed, and entertained. In the field of biblical studies, that is no small feat! I enthusiastically recommend The Back Door Introduction to the Bible to one and all.””

“A uniquely engaging, provocative, and I daresay fun invitation into the fascinating worlds of the Bible by two master teachers who clearly love what they do and want to share that love with others. It’s a gift to teachers and students alike. I can’t wait to use it in my own introductory courses.”

“”Richard Kyte’’s An Ethical Life: A Practical Guide to Ethical Reasoning is first-rate. It is wonderfully accessible, deeply informed, and genuinely constructive. The text’’s integrating theme is that the influential and contending theories arising out of Mill’’s utilitarianism, Kant’’s categorical imperative, and an Aristotelian account of the virtues can converge——creatively——in one’s personal moral vision, in our shared problem-solving, and in fashioning good public policy. This creative convergence, Kyte emphasizes, depends on a healthy regard for the framework of facts that at every level are the context of moral inquiry.””