Here at the end of 2023, I went back through my planner to look at my year in the rearview mirror. What did I see? A LOT! Mostly good, some very bad, and much to be thankful for. Here is my professional year in review. Tell Her Story (released March 2023) My 2023 started with preparing for the release of Tell Her Story. I have published about 20 books and you never know beforehand whether the book is going to soar, flop,... Read more
My friend Dr. Joy Vaughan has published an important new book about the biblical world of spirits and exorcism. Phenomenal Phenomena is an academic book, but worth the investment. Vaughan was kind enough to write up a bit about her work and why it is important for better understanding the biblical writers’ “enchanted worldview.” Demon Problems, the Bible, and Enchanted Eyewitnesses by Dr. Joy Vaughan Luke 13:11-12 tells the story of a woman having a spirit of infirmity for eighteen... Read more
My friend, Dr. Dru Johnson, has written an intriguing new book called What Hath Darwin to Do With Scripture? It is an interdisciplinary study bringing the Bible and evolutionary theory into conversation, highlighting clear differences, but also noticing that they are sometimes addressing the same questions. Johnson was kind enough to share a bit about the book, check it out! Darwin and the Bible: Conflicting Perspectives, But Great Conversation Partners by Dr. Dru Johnson I read the required amount of Darwin... Read more
Eerdmans is running a massive ebook sale. I couldn’t figure out which books were on sale and which weren’t. Sorry, but here are some recent books I recommend that are on sale (including some of my own work). Most sale items are between $5-12 Read more
Nijay: Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards wrote an amazing new book called Humility Illuminated. He kindly agreed to write a short essay about his book for my blog. Read it and I hope you will be inspired to read his book. Let’s Stop Celebrating Arrogance by Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards (North Park Theological Seminary) I’d often thought that humility meant viewing myself as insignificant. Humility seemed to require me to downplay my strengths so as not to offend others, or not to... Read more
Recently I read Dr. Ingrid Faro’s new book Demystifying Evil (IVP Academic). It is a bit of a personal account thoughtfully blended with biblical, theological, and pastoral insight. If you wonder and worry about how to dispel the darkness in the world, this is the book for you. Dr. Faro graciously wrote up a bit about the topic for my blog. Removing Evil’s Mask by Ingrid Faro Evil comes at us from many directions. We often feel blindsided when we’re... Read more
Dr. Holly Carey, Women Who Do: Female Discipleship in the Gospels (Eerdmans, 2023). I got a chance to sit down and chat with Holly about her book and congratulate her in person. It is a richly insightful study that illuminates the gospels. Get it for Christmas, buy two and give one to a friend. I am excited to have Holly as a guest in my winter course, my students are looking forward to learning from her about the material in... Read more
This is post #3 in a short series on books to buy at SBL this year, or if you are not going, order them for Christmas! Today’s category is “Biblical Themes and Hot Topics,” basically a catch-all. Humility Illuminated, Dennis Edwards A great book from one of my favorite authors. Edwards shows his strength as both a scholar and pastor. Demystifying Evil: A Biblical and Personal Exploration, Ingrid Faro My colleague, friend, and a great leader. Faro tackles the complex... Read more
This is a short series on Nijay’s book picks for SBL 2023: for the first post (Gospels and Acts) see HERE. Paul and His Letters If you haven’t read Sandra Glahn’s excellent new book on Artemis of Ephesus and 1 Timothy, you’re missing out. Great scholarship written in an accessible way. Nobody’s Mother Matt Thiessen has written a concise introduction to Paul with a special interest in recovering Paul’s Jewishness. The Jewish Paul Any new book from Tom Wright is... Read more
It’s that time of the year, where introverted scholars from all over the world head to one place to geek out on books and new research. Whether you are going or not, publishers often advertise special sale prices during the end of the year. So, I will be doing a short blog series on my “book picks” to check out this year. The first category is Gospels and Acts. GOSPELS AND ACTS First up, Frank Dicken’s Reading Luke, a concise guide to studying... Read more
Crux Sola: Formed by Scripture to Live like Christ
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In