Product Review

Three volumes with Chrysostom's homilies on Old Testament prophets, heroes and texts. Volume One includes homilies on Hannah, David and Saul. Volume Two includes homilies on Isaiah and Jeremiah. Volume Three includes homilies on various Psalms and on the obscurity of the Old Testament. "Sometimes by choice, sometimes of necessity, St John Chrysostom in the course of his ministry in Antioch and Constantinople addressed congregations on Old Testament texts and figures, including the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. It may have been political developments in Antioch, like the Statues affair in 387 putting emperor and bishop at odds, that made a prolonged commentary on David and Saul also an apposite subject. Or the liturgy of the day may have required exposition of a psalm text sung as a response. Or perhaps the relative obscurity of the Old Testament in general called for comment. In these three volumes a score of Chrysostom's homilies on Old Testament prophets, heroes and texts are finally made available in English, throwing light on him as homilist, scriptural interpreter, liturgical leader, moral and spiritual guide, and even as political commentator. Volume Two includes homilies on Isaiah and Jeremiah."