So, even just a day later I am eager to fit this thesis for publishing.  My examiners were happy to pass my thesis as is for the phd, but they tacitly made it known that it needed work for publication.  I am OK with that, but the question is always – how much do I do?  How significant should the changes be to strengthen the thesis?  Adding some clarifying footnotes?  Completely re-writing sections? I would like to know from you... Read more

I have finally finished reading Seeking the Identity of Jesus: A Pilgrimage (eds. Gaventa and RB Hays; Eerdmans).  This is a scholarly book about Jesus, obviously.  And, yet, it is of a different kind than the traditional book that goes on a quest for the ‘historical Jesus’.  As a project undertaken by scholars associated with the Center of Theological Inquiry (Princeton, NJ), this book fits within the Theological Interpretation of Scripture (TIS) movement (as diverse as its members may be). ... Read more

I passed my viva (with the correcting of some typos)!  It took place from 2pm-4pm and Francis Watson and Simon Gathercole were both very friendly and helpful.  They did press me hard on a few things, and I certainly need to reflect some more on some issues before sending it to a publisher, but they passed me without need for any adjustments to the argument of my thesis. This is very exciting and I am going to take some time... Read more

In my recent preparation for my viva (tomorrow!), I have been doing some ‘general reading’ in Pauline theology.  I had to stop and ponder when I reached this choice sentence from Lou Martyn: [Paul] says in effect that the foundation of the cosmos has been subjected to a volcanic explosion that has scattered the pieces into new and confusing patterns. This is in response to his reading of Galatians.  How strange it is that Paul’s says that neither circumcision NOR... Read more

Probably many of you will have already heard about the sad news that Graham Stanton, an eminent NT scholar, has passed away.  I did not know Prof. Stanton, but I have been impressed with his scholarship.  Also, an acquaintance of mine, Stephen Witmer, studied under Prof. Stanton at Cambridge – I assume as one of his last students. He had a great experience. It is because of people like Stanton that I wanted to study at Cambridge.  Things did not... Read more

As a Paul researcher, I am bewildered and intimidated by ‘Jesus’ research.  Where do I begin?  What is the lay of the land?  It would take many years to answer the second question sufficiently, but I found a book that might be a good place to start.  Actually, it is not out yet (forthcoming Oct. 2009; IVP).  I am excited to see it, though: The Historical Jesus: Five Views. Who might be good representatives of five different views?  IVP did... Read more

Its never too early to be thinking about getting a job in 2010!  So, I will be applying for some research fellowships here and there.  The thing is, I have never written a research proposal.  So, this is a plea to anyone with experience in this area and especially those of you who have been successful. 1. Any general tips? 2. How long was your proposal? 3. How technical was your proposal? 4. How long was your bibliography in your... Read more

In a previous post I mentioned the desire of the Tyndale Fellowship (UK) to re-define itself (or clarify its identity) and sharpen its yearly study groups and triennial conference.  How can this fellowship be of use to evangelical scholars in a way that cannot compare with other scholarly societies and conferences? I offered some suggestions to the chair of the NT group, David Wenham, but I will ‘air’ them here as well. I proposed that, since the future of the... Read more