Expository Times online is now posting articles in advance as they are in line for publication. One such article, by Steve Walton (London School of Theology) is entitled “What is Progress in New Testament Studies.” This article is a slightly revised version of his public lecture that marked his promotion to full professor. As a public lecture it is appropriately meant to be non-technical and does a fine job of promoting the study of the New Testament as a true academic... Read more

I have, sitting on my desk, about 25 new books that I got at SBL and elsewhere – can’t wait to be done with finals grading and kick back with a good book (or 2 or 20) during the Christmas break. I would like to spotlight or review each and every one eventually, but for now I would like the mention five new and interesting books on Jesus and the Gospels. The Historical Jesus: A Guide for the Perplexed (Helen... Read more

Anthony Le Donne asks the question, “If you could study under two (and only two) living historical Jesus scholars, who would they be?” I encourage you to go to Anthony’s blog and comment!  I think it would interesting to ask the same about the study of Paul… Any thoughts? I think I might say (for Paul), if I could spend the weekend at a Pauline seminar, I would want to hear from Beverly Gaventa (where can I pre-pre-order her Romans... Read more

The relatively new commentary series from Baker Academic called “Paideia” is continuing to release New Testament volumes at a steady rate. Some of the best volumes to date include Charles Talbert’s work on Colossians/Ephesians as well as Frank Matera on Romans. Recently, Duane Watson and Terrance Callan published (in one volume) on 1-2 Peter. By way of reminder, the Paideia series focuses on the final form of the text and draws attention to cultural, literary, and theological dimensions of the... Read more

Have you heard of “Tab for a Cause”? It is a non-profit group that has developed a Google Chrome extension that donates money earned through banner ads that appear every time you open a new tab on your browser. Tab for a Cause is a not-for-profit organization that helps you give easily to a cause you are passionate about. After installing the Tab for a Cause extension, one of every few new tabs you open is redirected to a donation... Read more

I am doing a lecture next week on Romans 9-11. Does anyone have recommendations regarding short and succinct entry-points into the controversies of this section and how various scholars have read these chapters? So far, I am working with Mark Reasoner’s Romans in Full Circle as well as a variety of introductions to Paul and the NT. Read more

The Dec 2012 issue of JSNT is online and has some very interesting articles including one by Paul Foster where he calls for a re-evaluation of the scholarly tendency to treat 2 Thessalonians as pseudonymous. Essentially, Foster says, due to developments in research, the very outdated arguments for why 2 Thess was not written by Paul are no longer convincing. I think Foster is right about this, and this also applies (I would argue) to Colossians. Read more

I recently discovered that Mike Gorman was the author of the Gospel of John study notes for the Wesley Study Bible (the study Bible I primarily use for personal reading and for classroom use). Wonderful notes! Also, recently, on his blog, he posted a series of “theses” on GJ that make up the outline for his final lecture in his seminary course on Johannine Literature. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these points – he capably summarizes the best of the consensus... Read more

In First Things, RR Reno offers his third list of theology grad program rankings (first in 2006, then 2009, now 2012). Duke and Notre Dame top the list, and a thumbs up is given to Catholic University, Wycliffe College/Toronto School of Theology, Boston College, Princeton Seminary, Perkins School of Theology, Yale, Marquette, and Univ of Dayton. Reno also mentions that, for evangelicals, he would recommend Wheaton and TEDS. Interestingly, he mentions that Princeton would be a good choice for evangelicals because... Read more

I just saw the announcement that the April 4-6, 2013 Wheaton Theology Conference will cover the topic “Christian Political Witness.” The theme has this description: Our conference title is drawn from the words of Jesus to his disciples, “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles” (Matt. 10:18). The 2013 Wheaton Theology Conference explores the biblical and theological contours of the complex relationship between Christian faith and political authority.... Read more