I have, for sometime now, wondered whence this ‘new school’ came that promotes ‘theological exegesis’.  It interests me because some of my favorite NT scholars (Joel Green, Beverly Gaventa, Richard Hays, M. Bockmuehl; M.J. Gorman) endorse this agenda (now represented by a journal – the Journal of Theological Intepretation).  But, what is ‘theological exegesis’?  I actually had an opportunity to ask one of the above mentioned scholars about this and he said that it was not a very concrete discipline... Read more

I just received this in the post and I am excited to finally have a copy.  The Oxford Handbook of Biblical Studies, first published in 2006, is finally available in paperback and a fraction of the original cost (was ₤85, now ₤27.50; ₤26.13 at Amazon.co.uk). What does it contain?  In more than 800 hundred pages, you have dozens of recognized scholars giving introductions and state-of-the-discipline discussions on such topics as: NT History of Interpretation (last 70 years; R. Morgan); Rogerson... Read more

I am currently studying Romans.  The questions of why Paul wrote the letter (the so-called ‘Romans Debate’) is still wide-open and scholarship is still far from generating a consensus view. There are, though a few very popular theories and one that is continually gaining steam is that the letter is audience-centered with special attention to the matter of the weak and strong (see 14-15). I think this approach has many merits as Paul (though not the founder of the church)... Read more

I recently finished reading Markus Bockmuehl’s Seeing the Word – a book that wishes to ‘refocus’ New Testament study.  He surveys the state of the field and finds it bewilderingly fragmented, compartmentalised, methodologically lost, and unclear about what it (the discipline) wishes to study and what it might accomplish.  He suggests that some new directions (such as canonical criticism) are illuminating, but not a centripedal force in the discipline.  He suggests two things: first, that we pay more attention to... Read more

Currently I am studying 2 Corinthians and particularly Paul’s temple language in 6.14-7.1.  Scholars have struggled over this ‘fragment’.  It contains an unusual number of hapax, it seems to use language about separation from (Gentile) unbelievers in a way we wouldn’t expect of Paul.  It does not seem to fit neatly into its literary context and further Paul’s argument about reconciliation and the nature of apostolic ministry.  So, many, if not most, scholars feel the need to do something with... Read more

In my current doctoral research I am investigating Paul’s cultic language (especially related to the people of God) and how Paul’s theology is shaped by his understanding of temple, sacrifice, priesthood, and worshiper. I have been going book by book through Paul’s undisputed letters starting with 1 Thessalonians (in chronological order of their writing). I just completed my work on 1 Corinthians and I wanted to share some of the resources that aided me most. This list can help anyone... Read more

I was reading an article about the life (so far) of Richard Hays (Duke prof of NT).  After leaving Perkins School of Theology without a degree (due to his discouragement at the spiritual torpor in mainstream methodism at that time), Hays moved to Massachusetts where he taught high school English and built a close-knit spiritual community that became a successful house church.  Feeling called again to seminary, he applied to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.  He was turned down because at that... Read more

A few of us NT Postgrads are helping to teach seminars for the undergrad students here at Durham and part of our responsibilities involve marking essays (3000 words in length each).  As we are working with first year undergrads, they have not written a great number of research essays.  So, having marked the autumn term essays we were asked to have a review session with our students (we each work with small groups) and offer feedback and advice about essay... Read more