Bruce J. Malina is professor of New Testament at Creighton University and faculty associate in the department of New Testament at the University of Pretoria.
This article appeared in The Christian Century, July 26, 2003, p. 28-31. Copyright by The Christian Century Foundation; used by permission. Current articles and subscription information can be found at www.christiancentury.org This material was prepared for Religion Online by Ted and Winnie Brock.