by Rex Rouis
I really enjoyed this book on the Gospel miracles of Jesus. My paperback copy (no eBook version is yet available) is thoroughly marked and underlined. The book compares the character, status, and demeanor of the miracle petitioners against the normal customs of that time period, thereby showing what, if anything makes the people who received from the Lord stand out. It shows how, in spite of their eccentricities, Jesus mercifully and graciously responded to them. It shows their faith in action, and how Jesus responded to that faith – with little regard for extenuating circumstances, both personal and public.
This is a very readable academic book. It is a very analytical textural study that is still very approachable for us common folk. Ms. Cotter has an ability to see through the tendency of most Biblical academics to dilute passion from the text and replace it with softer wordings that tend to be more religious. Her portrayals breathe life into the text. Demons don’t ‘cry out,’ they ‘scream’ when exorcised, a military Centurion says ‘Sir’ instead of ‘Master’ when addressing our Lord, and Jesus Himself shows true verbal emotion when He is angry. All of this goes to create a very refreshing and clear picture of the Gospel miracle encounters. Bravo!
For information and purchase please visit the following sites: Baker Books Amazon.com Christian Books.com and Loyola University Chicago Department of Theology