Spring/Summer Releases from Baker Academic

Here are some Biblical Studies highlights from the Spring/Summer Baker Academic catalog.

Handbook of Women Biblical Interpreters, edited by Marion Ann Taylor. 130 interpreters studied in this ~600 page handbook: Elizabeth Achtemeier, Catherine of Sienna, Julian of Norwich, Phoebe Palmer, Teresa of Avila, etc… Looks interesting!
Jonathan Pennington is publishing a textbook called Reading the Gospels Wisely: A Narratival and Theological Introduction (256pp.). This reminds me a bit of Eddie Adams’ recent release on Parallel Lives of Jesus in that both of these books focus on narrative criticism. Still, I think there is probably room for both contributions. This one is coming in September.
What Christians Believe About the Bible: A Concise Guide for Students, by Don Thorsen and Keith Reeves, introduces perspectives on what various traditions believe regarding the nature of Scripture. I think that such a book has been needed for some time, and a writing partnership between a Bible scholar (Reeves) and a theology scholar (Thorsen) makes good sense. Look for this in August.
Tremper Longman has a Job commentary coming in August.
The Brazos Theological Commentary series continues to publish volumes, with David Lyle Jeffrey’s contribution on Luke coming in May. If you try to read these as “exegetical” commentaries, you will probably be disappointed. But for pastors, wanting to get at the theological heart of a text, there is some good stuff. When I am preaching, I usually try to take a peak at the Brazos volume if it is published.
Speaking of commentaries, be on the lookout for Craig Keener’s gargantuan first volume on Acts (Introduction and Acts 1:1-2:47) in the summer. At 1000+ pages, we can expect the same detailed background study and exegetical discussion we have seen in other commentaries on John and Matthew from Keener.
I have been looking forward to the release of A Theological Introduction to the Pentateuch: Interpreting the Torah as Christian Scripture, edited by Richard Briggs and Joel Lohr. This is sort of a textbook-like tribute to the work and legacy of Walter Moberly (Univ of Durham) by friends and former PhD students. This will be on my SBL list for sure!
Have I talked about commentaries yet? Well, get ready for more volumes from the Paideia series. Duane Watson and Terrance Callan will give us their perspective on 1-2 Peter in August. Pheme Perkins on 1 Corinthians in April.
Steve Moyise is at it again – an expert in the use of the OT in the New, he has now written The Later NT Writings and Scripture: The OT in Acts, Hebrews, the Catholic Epistles, and Revelation (June). His previous work on Revelation is especially good, so this book should be very insightful. One thing I like about Moyise – he is not wordy – he is able to write concisely and very clearly.