God's Holy Fire: The Nature and Function of the Scripture

The title of this volume, God's Holy Fire, is taken from William Butler Yeats' poem, 'Sailing to Byzantium.' This poem speaks of a yearning for a place of truth and beauty that is beyond our daily routines. Like the poet, we desire to live in such a place. The image of fire also evokes the words of Jeremiah 20:9, 'Is not my word like fire?' Fire has the power to consume and renew life. Jeremiah speaks of a 'fire in [his] bones' so overpowering that he can no longer hold it within himself (20:9). The image indicates that the Bible contains potent words for any age. - from the Introduction

Dr. Cukrowski is the Associate Dean of the College of Biblical Studies at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. He also is an Associate Professor of New Testament. After earning his B.A. and M.A. from ACU, he went on to earn his M.Div. and S.T.M from Yale Divinity School, and later earned his Ph.D. from Yale University. He is a member of the Minter Lane Church of Christ in Abilene. Interested in both the historical and theological dimensions of scholarship, he enjoys teaching courses related to the literature, language, and background of the New Testament. Dr. Cukrowski and his wife, Karen, have two daughters: Kathryn and Krista. Dr. Hamilton is an Assistant Professor of Old Testament in the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. After earning his B.A., Religion from Freed-Hardeman College, he went on to earn his M.A. in Hebrew Bible and his M.Div from ACU. Later, he earned his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible / Ancient Near Eastern History from Harvard University. Dr. Hamilton is interested in integrating historical studies with theology in the classroom and in scholarly writing. His recent publications have been in Harvard Theological Review, Restoration Quarterly, Stone-Campbell Journal, and Review of Biblical Literature. Currently, he is writing a book on bodily aspects of royal imagery in the Old Testament, as well as material for churches. Dr. James Thompson is the Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. In addition, he is also a Professor of New Testament and an Editor for the Restoration Quarterly. After earning his B.A. and M.A. at ACU, he went on to earn his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. He has also earned a B.D. from the Union Theological Seminary in New York. Dr. Thompson has been at ACU since 1992 and has served as chair of the Graduate Department of Bible and Ministry since 1997. Prior to his coming to ACU, he served as professor and President of the Austin Graduate School of Theology in Austin, Texas. He is the author of several books, including Our Life Together, The Mark of a Christian, Strategy for Survival, The Church in Exile, Equipped for Change and commentaries on 2 Corinthians and Hebrews. He was a translator of the Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. His research interests include the relationship between biblical interpretation and preaching.