As I prepare for a course I am teaching next year, I wanted to share some of my favorite resources.  This week and next week are my times to prepare for my Genesis (chs 1-3) lectures.  Through the help of my readers and other guides, I have found the following resources useful: A Theological Introduction to the OT (Birch et al.; 1999) – I tire of historical “surveys” that leave you with dates and bare facts, but have no discussion... Read more

I have begun reading IVP’s The Historical Jesus: Five Views (eds. Beilby and Eddy) which boasts the participation of Robert Price, John Dominic Crossan, Luke Timothy Johnson, James D.G. Dunn, and Darrell Bock. The book begins with a lengthy review of the quest(s) for the historical Jesus.  This intro is very readable and covers just about all you need to know.  It would make an excellent reference work for the non-specialist biblical scholar or for classroom use. The first argument... Read more

I recently received IVP’s “academic alert” (Spring 2010) which has lots of interesting little tidbits and interviews.  One is with Anthony Thiselton regarding his new book The Living Paul: An Introduction to the Apostle’s Life and Thought. This was a very interesting dialogue.  Check it out HERE. Here are some things that you learn. – Thiselton had intended to write a larger tome, but was convinced that a simple lay-level intro was needed. – He avoids peddling strange theories, but... Read more

When you do a PhD, you end up reading loads of monographs on a very narrow topic – for me, Paul and cultic metaphors (temple, sacrifice, priesthood, cultic worship, consecration).  Then, when you land a job (God willing!), you are required to teach on broader topics.  One of the courses which I will teach at Seattle Pacific University next year is Christian Scriptures – specifically from a literary and theological perspective. I like the idea of calling it Christian Scriptures... Read more

I found out about a periodical aimed at young theological students called Catalyst.  They offer articles from an evangelical perspective within the United Methodist Church.  The articles are very short and are geared towards the uninitiated student – the most basic information on a subject.  These work well for earnest laypeople or college and seminary students. When I began to peruse their back issues I was amazed at the number of world renowned biblical scholars they brought on to write... Read more

I am trying to get together a series of three documents that offer brief summaries of N.T. Wright’s views on Paul, Jesus, and Biblical Theology.  I am writing on Paul and I have worked out who is doing Biblical Theology.  I am looking for someone to tackle Jesus and the Gospels according to Wright. The goal is that it will prep people for Wheaton Conference (April 16-17, 2010) where Wright’s theology and hermeneutics will be discussed by top-rank scholars.  So-... Read more

In seminary, I had a church history course with Garth Rosell – one of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s finest professors.  He has such a winsome spirit and has a passionate heart for seeing God’s people grow. Anyway, at one point he commented how we Americans are obsessed with collecting Bibles.  You have a Gideon’s Bible someone gave you, your Bible from confirmation or Sunday School or whatever.  Your “Study Bible.”  But then you wanted something with more zing so you got... Read more

This is a special ecological Expository Times.  Looks like it includes a nice piece by Edward Adams and a review of the Green Bible by David Horrell.  Do check it out. Read more

The 2010 New Testament group of the Tyndale Fellowship summer conference has selected the theme “Remembering Martin Hengel” on the basis of which a number of scholars will be giving papers in honor of the great German historian and theologian. Observe some of the papers: Andrea Kostenberger – “The Use (or Non-Use) of John’s Gospel in Historical Jesus Research: Neglect and Possibility” Richard Bauckham – “Eyewitnesses and the Gospel of Mark” Donald Hagner – “The Parting of the Ways Once More” Steve... Read more

The University of Durham has invited Morna Hooker (Cambridge) to give the second-annual C.K. Barrett lecture on February 16.  The title of her paper will be: “Scriptural Holiness: Paul’s Understanding of Sanctification.”  Last year’s lecture, the inaugural presentation, was given by Richard B. Hays and it was a very happy occasion (as Barrett was present) and the paper was well-received. Morna is a nice choice as she (informally?) worked a bit with Barrett on her doctoral research (if I recall... Read more