Can good biblical scholars also be theologians?  Especially in light of the Theological Interpretation of Scripture club (J.B. Green, R. Hays, F.B. Watson, R.W.L. Moberly, B. Gaventa, M.M. Thompson, etc…), many would say “Of course!”  It is interesting, though, that I came across two very different views of this at the same time while reading two separate documents. Firstly, I am reviewing M. Zetterholm’s Approaches to Paul (Fortress, 2009) for RBL (due in January).  Zetterholm argues, essentially, that it is... Read more

Though we are, of course, in an economic downturn, I was surprised that the book hall at SBL was teeming with life.  Though many publishers had downsized (in space and number of books), books were being snatched up quickly.  I will report my ‘picks’ from SBL soon, but I thought I might start off by discussing the “hottest” books.  These books, from what I could see, sold well, sold quickly, and sold out.  Now, it may have helped that a... Read more

A few months ago, Smyth and Helwys (a Christian academic publisher out of Macon, GA) contacted me and asked me if I would read R. Scott Nash’s new 1 Corinthians commentary for the Smyth & Helwys series.  I had seen the series before in the library – Ben Witherington has written for them (Matthew) and Mitchell Reddish (Revelation) and Charles Talbert (Romans) also have nice volumes in the series. Though I had not heard of Dr. Nash (Assoc. Prof. of... Read more

Just a reminder that the SBL regional conferences are not actually too far away, as some are in February and the call for papers closes in the next 6 weeks or so.  I haven’t been to a regional since 2005, so I am looking forward to it.  Though these conferences are not as big of a production, that can be an advantage.  Also, you don’t incur the travelling costs (especially as the Eastern Great Lakes regional is only an hour... Read more

I have offered thoughts on how to present a paper at SBL before, but I usually have new reactions and thoughts immediately after presenting. First of all, it is not really that important how many people are at your session -it is more important that those who do attend (hopefully more than a handful) know something about your topic and can comment.  So, don’t be too discouraged if you expected 50 and got 15.  It could still be very useful... Read more

As I met and interacted with folks at SBL, I began to see that as many of the old guard have retired or are soon to be (James Dunn, Howard Marshall, Larry Hurtado, Richard Bauckham, etc…), there is also a crop of impressive younger scholars that are making their marks on NT research.  I offer a list of only some of the most incisive and those who have great potential.  It is difficult to know where to draw the line... Read more

It is Sunday night, so we have had a couple of days of ‘conferencing’ and a little more to go.  New Orleans has been a big hit in many ways as it has some fun culture and great food!  The people that work at the hotels have been very nice and there is a positive and friendly vibe everywhere, I think. PAPERS: To be honest, I have only had time to visit two sessions.  The first one, which is really... Read more

Like many, many others, I am off as well to SBL.  I am excited this year for a number of reasons – giving a paper, seeing old friends, eating delicious New Orleans cuisine, scoping out books to eventually review (me?  PAY?  Never!).  Also, I have a job interview, though I will leave the details for another time.  At the same time, I do get tired of the conference scene – at my stage (looking for a full-time tenure track job)... Read more

I always get excited to see what Eerdmans has coming down the pipeline.  Check out the schedule through May HERE. Highlights A History of Biblical Interpretation, Vol. 2: The Medieval through the Reformation Periods by Alan J. Hauser and Duane F. Watson, eds. The Gospel and Letters of John, Vol. 1: Introduction, Analysis, and Reference by Urban C. von Wahlde January 2010 Against the Tide: Love in a Time of Petty Dreams and Persisting Enmities by Miroslav Volf Introduction to... Read more