The Two Kinds of Commentaries….

Last updated on: March 5, 2009 at 10:48 am By Nijay Gupta

I, like many other NT researchers, have spent much time (and perhaps too much time) in commentaries. I own probably 200 of them. Some are great, many are mediocre, and some are almost worthless. I have noticed that there are two kinds of commentaries (and perhaps more). There are commentaries that comment and there are commentaries that construct. The first kind of commentary is, perhaps, the traditional kind – verse-by-verse, the author looks at exegetical issues and gives notes on... Read more

March – May releases from Eerdmans

Last updated on: March 4, 2009 at 10:14 pm By Nijay Gupta

Eerdmans has just posted their forthcoming books for March-May. Some of the most attractive items include: Gorman, M.J. Inhabiting the Cruciform God: Kenosis, Justification and Theosis in Paul’s Narrative Soteriology (March). Argument: cruciformity is, at its heart, theoformity (what Christian tradition has labelled ‘theosis’). Peterson, D.G. The Acts of the Apostle (Pillar series; March). This is supposed to be especially good on literary and theological analysis. I have always liked what he has written, but I can’t say he is... Read more

Be on the Lookout for….

Last updated on: March 4, 2009 at 9:33 am By Nijay Gupta

I am pleased to announce that, in June, an article of mine will appear in Currents in Biblical Research: ‘The Theo-Logic of Paul’s Ethics in Recent Research: Crosscurrents and Future Directions in Scholarship in the Last Forty Years’ 7.3 CBR (2009): 340-66. In this article I compare and contrast the contributions made by VP Furnish, P. Sampley, W. Schrage, R. Hays, and D. Horrell. I also point to future needs in this area. Part of the purpose of writing this... Read more

A Paul Book Worth Buying….

Last updated on: March 2, 2009 at 8:42 pm By Nijay Gupta

A little (Michael) Birdy reminded me about a very important book that will be coming out in April (2009) from Paternoster. This is truly a new Paul book worth buying… On a very controversial topic, this is a volume containing perspectives from many of the leading scholars in Pauline research including Francis Watson, Douglas Campbell, Mark Seifrid, Mike Bird, and a foreword by JDG Dunn. I am happy to see that Hendrickson Publishers is publishing this volume in the US.... Read more

My Forthcoming Book Picks

Last updated on: March 1, 2009 at 8:46 pm By Nijay Gupta

This is a small group of books I hope to get my hands on in the next few months Dunn, J.D.G Beginning from Jerusalem (Christianity in the Making Vol. 2; Eerdmans, 2009). This behemoth volume (over 1000 pages) from Dunn is meant to cover the period 30-70CE which covers the early Jerusalem community, the Hellenists, Paul’s life, and other figures of the first century. Campbell, D. The Deliverance of God: An Apocalyptic Rereading of Justification in Paul (Eerdmans, 2009). Another... Read more

Interview with Joel B. Green (Part 2)

Last updated on: February 20, 2009 at 12:46 pm By Nijay Gupta

We now continue with the second (and last) part of the interview that I conducted with Joel Green. Please check out the first part, if you have not already done so, HERE. NKG: Your book is about the ‘body’ and the ‘soul’ in the discussion of the human person. What about the human spirit? Would you treat such passages (Acts 7.59; 1 Cor. 14.14) in the same way? JBG: I don’t treat the tripartite view of the human person for... Read more

How to Please ‘Theological Interpretation’ Scholars

Last updated on: February 19, 2009 at 7:05 pm By Nijay Gupta

Now that ‘Theological Interpretation’ is becoming a more specialized sub-field, one can begin to get a sense for what such scholars like and dislike. Here is my list of do’s and dont’s. This list is meant to be facetious…but I think there may be a grain of truth in some of these 🙂 1. Criticize traditio-historical exegesis 2. Make it apparent that you are only pursuing one possible ‘meaning’ of the passage 3. Always, always, always quote Barth. 4. Refer... Read more

Interview with Joel B. Green (PART 1)

Last updated on: February 19, 2009 at 12:33 pm By Nijay Gupta

I am pleased to post an interview below that I conducted with Dr. Joel B. Green (Fuller Theological Seminary) on the subject of his new book Body, Soul, and Human Life (Baker, 2008). In order to better prepare yourself for understanding both my questions and some of Dr. Green’s answers, I encourage you to read my brief summary and review of the book HERE. Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Green for his participation. Respectful comments and further questions... Read more

Asbury Seminary names new president…!

Last updated on: February 18, 2009 at 9:21 pm By Nijay Gupta

Asbury Seminary has named Dr. Timothy Tennent (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) as their eighth president. I remember Dr. Tennent from my time at GCTS and he is a great choice. He teaches World Missions at GCTS and his course is one of the most popular. He has done extensive teaching all around the world and especially in India. He has a great vision for the global church and is a fair, balanced, creative, enthusiastic scholar. Blessings on you and your family,... Read more

Forthcoming Interview with Joel B. Green

Last updated on: February 18, 2009 at 1:52 pm By Nijay Gupta

I am pleased to announce that I will soon be posting an interview I conducted with Joel B. Green (Fuller Theological Seminary) on the subject of his new book Body, Soul, and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible (Baker, 2008). In preparation for this interview, it might help to read my summary and review of the book HERE. Read more