Flesh and Blood Jesus, by Dr. Daniel Russ, to be Released July 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2008

MEDIA CONTACT:
Cyndi McMahon
Office of College Communications
[email protected]

WENHAM, MA-In July 2008 bookstores throughout the country will be making room on their shelves for the new book Flesh-and-Blood Jesus: Learning to Be Fully Human from the Son of Man (Baker, 2008) written by Dr. Daniel Russ of Gordon College.

Russ, a Danvers resident and director of the Center for Christian Studies at Gordon, has been teaching on the subject of Christ for nearly 40 years. In his new book he approaches the subject by focusing on Christ's humanity, chronicling his journey from birth to resurrection. "I want readers to understand Jesus Christ more fully by reflecting on his sinless humanity," said Russ.

Dr. Robert Walter Wall, the Paul T. Walls Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan Studies at Seattle Pacific University, read the unpublished manuscript of Flesh-and-Blood Jesus. "Dan Russ has written a book of uncommon power and insight. Flesh-and-Blood Jesus is exquisitely written," Wall said. "By turns, theologically profound and profoundly practical, this book is a gift to the Church. We should gladly receive and read it in the company of others, whether in a congregation, a classroom, or around the family table."

Inspired by his years of Christian study and teaching, Russ began his book Flesh-and-Blood Jesus as a guide to help Christians understand not only Christ's humanity, but also their own. The introduction to his book reads, "I invite you to enter into the humanity of Jesus Christ and to allow his humanity to enter you, not as an abstract idea but through the incidents and encounters of his life as he lived it out over 33 years and beyond."

In Flesh-and-Blood Jesus, Russ makes the distinction between sinfulness and humanity, explaining that humanity is often confused with three characteristics of sin: finiteness, dependency, and neediness. Russ dispels this common misconception and allows readers to approach the idea of humanity, both Christ's and their own, from a new perspective.

Mark Sargent, provost at Gordon College, appreciates the way Russ approaches his study of Christianity. "Dr. Russ thinks creatively, enjoys cross disciplinary conversations, and always brings an optimistic spirit to any task," said Sargent. "He treats others, regardless of their opinions, with respect and dignity and understands education as a humane endeavor. I look forward to reading his work on Jesus' humanity."

Flesh-and-Blood Jesus is not the first book Russ has worked on. He has also contributed to a number of books on classics, biblical studies and cultural leadership, including The Terrain of Comedy (The Bible as a Genesis of Comedy), The Epic Cosmos (Exodus as Epic), Classic Texts and the Nature of Authority, and An Invitation to the Classics. He recently contributed an essay on the Book of Job to a book entitled The Tragic Abyss, published in 2004 and co-authored an essay on "The Moral Imagination" published in Christianity and the Soul of the University by Baker Publishing Group in May 2006.

As he waited for the upcoming release of Flesh-and-Blood Jesus: Learning to Be Fully Human from the Son of Man, Russ recently finished writing a manuscript tentatively entitled "Graced Time" and is working on a proposal for a book on the theme "Remember Me: Longing to be Significant to Others."

Russ holds a B.A. in English from the University of Evansville, a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, a M.A. in English from the University of Dallas and a Ph.D. in Literature and Psychology from the University of Dallas.

Flesh-and-Blood Jesus: Learning to Be Fully Human from the Son of Man is available for pre-order at Amazon.com and will be available in bookstores July 1, 2008.

For more information on Dr. Daniel Russ or the upcoming release of Flesh-and-Blood Jesus: Learning to Be Fully Human from the Son of Man, please contact Cyndi McMahon at 978.867.4236 or email [email protected].

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Gordon College is a Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences on Boston's North Shore. The college offers majors in 36 fields and has graduate programs in education and music education. Leading the way in Christian college merit, Gordon is nationally ranked for its excellence in academics and its role in character building. These achievements recognize Gordon as one of the nation's top Christian colleges.

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