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Some of the greatest moments of religious history have occurred when a poignant experience or event flies in the face of the traditional theological worldview cherished by an individual or society. A fascinating case study of one such occurrence lies open in the text of 4 Ezra (2 Esdras 3-14), wherein a learned Jewish scribe of the first century CE rethinks his inherited theological views concerning a trascendent creator who is powerful, loving and just. This guide introduces the reader in a non-technical but informed manner to the text of 4 Ezra, locating it in its historical, theological and social setting, reviewing interpretive approaches, and demonstrating how the author boldly struggles to understand God's grand reputation in the light of a world out of joint. The guide also examines 4 Ezra's influence within the Christian Church, and introduces the historical situations and theologies of the Christian texts, 5 Ezra (2 Esdras 1-2) and 6 Ezra (2 Esdras 15-16).

The Ascension of Isaiah is an important but neglected apocalypse from the early second century CE. Its author wrote at a time when charismatic prophecy was falling into decline and when the experience of oppression from the Roman government was causing deep problems for pious Christians. He responded by providing assurance about the promised parousia and also by offering theoretical attempt to explain how the heavenly Christ had defeated the cosmic powers who inspired hatred of the Christians. The Ascension of Isaiah gives a badly-needed insight into the state of Syrian Christianity just after the death of Ignatius and it shows an early knowledge of some of the New Testament writings. This Sheffield guide examines the life-setting of the apocalypse and also offers a commentary on the complete text.

The two apochryphal books, Tobit and Judith, are Jewish legends presumably created in the 3rd or 2nd century BCE. This text discusses the problems between real history and historical fiction, the genres and purposes of the two books, and the literary and religious motives of the tales.