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Publications
Books
Provoked to Jealousy
1994
Bell carries out a detailed exegesis of Romans 10.14-21 and 11.11-32. He argues that the main source of the jealousy motif, the jealousy of Jews for Gentile Christians, was Deuteronomy 32.1-43, the "Song of Moses". He investigates the "Song" in the light of its Jewish and Christian use and argues that it provides a background not on for the jealousy motif but also for Paul's understanding of the election, fall and salvation of Israel.
No one seeks for God
1998
In this exegetical and theological study of Romans 1.18-3.20 Bell look at the Jewish and Graeco-Roman background to Paul's thought and considers the implications for systematic theology.
The Irrevocable Call of God
2005
Bell examines Paul's theological understanding of Israel. He asks in what way Paul was critical or supportive of the Jewish people, what were his hopes for the future, and how is one to view certain contemporary issues regarding Israel in the light of Paul's theology.
Deliver us from Evil
2007
Bell considers the interpretation of the exorcisms of Jesus in the light of the author's theory of myth and relates this to the view of redemption found in Paul and in the letter to the Hebrews. Thereby he raises questions concerning the truth of these myths.
Wagner's Parsifal
2013
Parsifal, Wagner's final opera, is considered by many to be one of the greatest religious musical works ever composed; but it is also one of the most difficult to understand and many have questioned whether it an be considered a "Christian" work at all. Bell argues that despite his personal failings Wagner made a fundamental theological contribution through his many writings and ultimately in Parsifal which, he argues, preaches Christ crucified in a way that can never be captured by words alone. He argues that Wagner offers a vision of the divine and a "theology of Good Friday" that can both function as profound therapy and address current theological controversies.
Theology of Wagner's Ring Cycle I
2020
Wagner's Ring is one of the greatest artworks of Western civilisation, but what is it all about? The power and mystery of Wagner's creation was such that he himself felt he stood before his work 'as though before some puzzle.' A clue to the Ring's greatness lies in its multiple avenues of self-dislosure and the corresponding plethora of interpretations that over the years has granted ample scope for directors and will no doubt do so well in the distant future. One possible interpretation, which Bell argues should be taken seriously, is the Ring as Christian theology. In this first of two volumes he considers among other things how the composers's Christian interests may be detected in the 'forging' of the Ring, looking at how he appropriated his sources (whether they be myths and sagas, writers, poets, or philosophers) and considering works composed around the same time, especially his Jesus of Nazareth.
Theology of Wagner's Ring Cycle II
2020
Wagner's Ring addresses fundamental concerns that have faced humanity down the centuries, such as power and violence, love and death, freedom and fate. Further, teh work is articularly relevant today, addressing as it does the fresh debates around the created order, politics, gender, and sexuality. In this second of two volumes Bell argues that Wagner's approach to these issues may open up new way forward and offer a fresh perspective on some of the traditional questions of theology such as sacrifice, redemption, and fundamental questions about God.
Theology of Paul in Three Dimensions
2022
Paul's theology is highly controversial and has both inspired and appalled his listeners. This book presents the major theme in Paul's theology and also asks what he got right, what he got wrong, and what in his theology needs reinterpreting for the twenty-first century.
Articles I: Theoretical Atomic Physics
(a) “Di-electronic Recombination: I. General Theory.” Journal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics 18 (1985) 1589-1629 (with M.J. Seaton; my contribution 50%).
(b) “Convergence of the Coulomb-Bethe Approximation for Electron Impact Excitation of Positive Ions.” Journal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics 19 (1986) L95-97 (with M.J. Seaton; my contribution 50%).