The Bible and Culture

The discussion of Gal. 2-4 which ensues, beginning on p. 966 and here we find Tom making some excellent points about what Galatians is and is not about. For example, it is not primarily about 'how shall we be saved' (answer by justification by faith). Paul is addressing those who already are Christians and the question for them is 'how then shall we now live, and live together as Jew and Gentile in Christ'. Further, Paul's arguments are meant to demonstrate that Gentiles do not need to … [Read more...]

On p. 957, Tom says this: "the declaration 'dikaios' 'in the right' is therefore bestowed on those who are both 'in the Messiah' and indwelt by the Messiah's spirit, by the Messiah himself." Here, this seems to suggest regeneration precedes the declaration. There are two problems with this analysis: 1) it contradicts what Paul specifically says in 1 Cor. 12--- there he says 'by one Spirit we have all been baptized into the one body, and given the one Spirit from which we all may drink' (this … [Read more...]

Between pp. 944 and 966 we get as clear a short exposition of Tom's views on 'justification' as one is likely to find, certainly more focused and succinct than in his book on Justification, and it merits a couple of blog posts of discussion. He will make seven points about his 'seventh' point in the sequence of Pauline thought that leads to Paul's treatment of justification.Firstly, it is Tom's view that present justification is a declarative thing, God declaring a person 'in the right' … [Read more...]

Here is an excellent post by my friend Timothy George on my favorite metaphysical poet, John Donne (proving that Stanley Fish has no clue what he is talking about when it comes to Donne or his poetry). See what you think.John Donne in LentApril 7, 2014by Timothy Georgehttp://images.firstthings.com/uploads/article_533f0cfa4060e.jpgJohn Donne, it is clear, is not everyone’s cup of tea. In a notable essay in 1990, Stanley Fish wrote this: “Donne is sick and his poetry is sick. . … [Read more...]

Here are three good posts by my friend and colleague Larry Hurtado on all the hoopla about the Jesus' wife fragments... see what you think... BW3 ------- Breaking News: Published Reports on “Jesus’ Wife” Fragment by larryhurtadoI've just learned that the long-awaited reports on further analysis and scientific testing of the sensationalized "Jesus' Wife" fragment (Coptic) have been published in the latest issue of Harvard Theological Review. The link is here, which will take you to t … [Read more...]

Here is a fine post by my friend Philip Jenkins on the original ending of Mark's Gospel. I mostly agree with him, though I think in fact we can find the original ending of Mark in Mt. 28.9-10, and then the report of the appearance in Galilee at the end of Mt. 28. We don't need to go as far afield as the Gospel of Peter, a later 2nd century document, to figure this out.... (see my Mark commentary). But see what you think about his reasoning...------ MARK’S ENDING April 11, 2014 By Philip J … [Read more...]