In my research I am interacting quite a bit with the question of Paul’s hermeneutic of morality, his theology of life-walk, his moral reasoning, or, as Brian Rosner puts it, the ‘logic’ of his ethics.  Sadly there have been few throughout history that have dealt directly with this issue in Paul.  In fact, before Bultmann, one could hardly find someone who dedicated detailed work to this matter.  So, I intend to do blog reviews of the major modern contributors to... Read more

In the next section of my research I am working on, I am doing a whirlwind tour of Paul’s ethical framework.  I aim to read the top 15-20 books on the subject.  I have created a rough list, but I was hoping any of you ethicists and/or Paulinists could draw to my attention other books.  Please note, though, that I am not interested in any specific ethical issues (homosexuality, abortion, death penalty, etc…) and I only want to deal with... Read more

I recently stumbled across this statement by Don Carson about two ways to approach a dissertation and it is insightful for students looking forward to doctoral research, those of us currently in progress, and professors who advise and prepare future researchers.  Carson writes: ‘I frequently tell my doctoral students as they embark on their research that dissertations…can…be divided into two camps.  In the first camp, the student begins with an idea, a fresh insight, a thesis he or she would... Read more

In NT studies, there has been, for some time, a lot of talk about “identity” – Paul’s “Identity.” “Identity formation.” “Social identity.” In a lot of these conversations, it is presumed that identity is important and the influence and formation of it is crucial for the NT writers. But what is identity? How is it understood cognitively, socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually? Often the methodological questions about “identity” are ignored. Well, in the last year or so we have seen some... Read more

The more advanced you get in your own research area, it seems, the further away you get from being able to have simple and mutually beneficial dialogues with scholars from other disciplines, let alone the average bible college student or informed layperson.  AS I think about teaching in a seminary one day, I am trying to be more well-rounded and striving to reflect on issues and questions beyond the Pauline scholarly circle.  If you are like me, this is hard... Read more

I am knee-deep in book reviews right now and a couple of them are biblical commentaries.  Now, given that commentaries are a standard and popular genre of biblical research and didactic literature, I think it is helpful to cover a number of things in a book review so that the reader can make a decision about consulting/purchasing that resource.  I have some basic things I think people would like to know about, but I very much welcome comments on what... Read more

Currently in my thesis research I am looking at Paul’s perspective on and theology of suffering. I was hoping any of you out there could offer bibliographic items that are seminal or highly recommended on this. What I have been working with so far is: Jervis, L.A. At the Heart of the Gospel (2007). Gorman, M.J. Cruciformity (2001). Smith, Barry D. Paul’s Seven Explanations of the Suffering of the Righteous (2000). Harvey, A.E. Renewal Through Suffering (1996). Bloomquist, G. The... Read more

On ntgateway.com/bnts, more paper abstracts have appeared from the various seminar groups.  I will highlight a few: Jesus Seminar Justin Meggitt (University of Cambridge) ‘How did Jesus cure?’ Given the historical likelihood that Jesus of Nazareth was believed by many of his contemporaries to have been a successful healer, how did he effect such cures? It has become common in NT studies to avoid such questions by either declaring them inadmissible or providing supernaturalist explanations which would be unacceptable in... Read more

This year’s NT study group for the Tyndale Fellowship (Cambridge) recently ended and it was a delightful time in an intimate setting with a good mixture of research students, scholars, and other interested parties. The theme was “Peter in the New Testament” with a view towards the Peter of the NT epistles, the Peter of the Gospels, and even apocryphal perspectives on Peter. Recognized scholars who offered papers included Richard Bauckham, Markus Bockmuehl, Michael Bird, and Tomas Bokedal.  Other scholars... Read more

If you are doing a NT phd it should come as no surprise that job hunting is a lot easier if you have published an article or two.  I am nearing the completion of my second year, so attempting to catch the eye of potential hirers is on my radar.  I have pondered what from my research to try to publish in journal form. At the recent Tyndale Fellowship conference (which I will blog about in a few days when... Read more