What Are They Saying About the Social Setting of the New Testament? - book reviews

National Catholic Reporter, May 28, 1993 by William C. Graham

In another volume from the same series, Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Carolyn Osiek asks and answers What are they saying about the social setting of the New Testament?, an expanded and revised edition (Paulist, 127 pages, $7.95 paperback).

She is attentive to a significant problem and opportunity: The Bible is the word of God in human words. As God's word, it transcends history and culture. As human word, it is subject to history and culture. The social and sociological study of early Christianity helps get to the true meaning of the text.

Osiek has, I think, credibly entered into one of the most significant studies awaiting the church in the next century.