Dr. Jeffrey A. Gibbs, associate professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has authored a new book, "Jerusalem and Parousia: Jesus' Eschatological Discourse in Matthew's Gospel." The book is a slightly revised version of Gibb's doctoral dissertation, completed in 1995 at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, under the guidance of Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury. It examines Matthew 24:1-26:2 in light of Christ's other statements in Matthew's gospel regarding His Second Coming.

In outlining his approach in the book, Gibbs writes, "The focus will be holistic. I shall attempt to allow Matt. 24:4 - 25:46 to be interpreted in light of the overall eschatological point of view of Jesus and the narrator of the Gospel. Furthermore, I am seeking to understand the role that the eschatological discourse plays within the entire narrative of the Gospel. The goal is to read the discourse of Matt. 24:1 - 26:2 as the implied reader does" (p. 22).

"Our faculty has demonstrated its leadership in scholarly publication both for our church and as a contribution to the larger academic community," commented Dr. Andrew Bartelt, vice president for academic affairs at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. "Clearly conversant with cutting-edge issues of contemporary scholarship, Dr. Gibbs' careful exegetical method not only reaches sound conclusions but also models the very best principles of biblical interpretation."

"Jerusalem and Parousia" is published by Concordia Academic Press, a division of Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo.

For more information, contact Rev. Glen Thomas, vice president for seminary relations at Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; 314-505-7371.