Exciting Fall ’13 Baker Academic Titles

Yes, folks, that’s right. The fall Baker catalog is out – I feel like a kid in a candy shop, except the shop only has pictures and descriptions of candy. Well, I am still excited.  Here is what I hope to get my hands on this fall!

#1: Old Testament Theology: Reading the Hebrew Bible as Christian Scripture – Walter Moberly. Whilst (I had to throw the British “st” on there in honor of the author) I was a student at Durham, I had the privilege of being a member of St. John’s Senior Common Room (a kind of academic club). There were regularly luncheons and I had the honor of chatting with Prof. Moberly a few times during those occasions. He is absolutely brilliant, and a model British gentleman. His students all adore him and for good reason. He is truly interdisciplinary, and as comfortable in Systematics and Historical Theology (and the New Testament) as he is in the Old Testament! I read his Theology of Genesis a few years back and found it exceptionally challenging and cogent. Incidentally, SBL this year will feature a review panel discussion of his new Old Testament Theology in the “Theological Interpretation of Scripture” group, and the list of panelists is quite impressive: Ellen Davis, Ben Ollenburger, Claire Mathews McGinnis, H.G.M. Williamson, and Joel Kaminsky (and Moberly, of course).

#2: Galatians – Douglas Moo. While I am more in agreement with Dunn than Moo on Pauline soteriology, I have a lot of respect for Moo’s careful exegesis and his irenic spirit. Westerholm’s endorsement hails this as a future “standard” for Galatians research. I wouldn’t be surprised, if this commentary reaches the quality of his Romans work.

#3: Evangelical Faith and the Challenge of Historical Criticism – eds. C.M. Hays and C.B. Ansberry. Are Historical Criticism and Evangelical Faith friends or foes? This book attempts to engage in this question. Because this book released in the UK in June, there has already been some online reviews and chatter. Google it.

#4: Paul and the Miraculous – Graham Twelftree. I will simply repeat my endorsement for the book:

“Well researched, fresh, engaging, and appropriately cautious about drawing tempered
conclusions, this examination allows a neglected area of New Testament study to be
brought into the forefront. While the reader may not agree with every part of Twelftree’s
historical reconstruction of Paul, it is nearly impossible to reject his main hypothesis that
the miraculous played an important role in Paul’s ministry and theology.”

#5: Love in the Gospel of John – Francis Moloney. What can I say other than Moloney is an extremely gifted scholar, and I anticipate this book being helpful, not only for exegetical and theological insight, but also for discipleship and Christian formation.

#6: Acts – William Kurz. I have been impressed so far with the Catholic Commentary series. It is very well-produced and there is much attention given to Catholic doctrine and piety.