I just finished watching Prof. Mary Beard’s trenchant public lecture called “WOMEN IN POWER.” It offers not only lessons in ancient history, but also food for thought for women in government, higher ed, and the public eye today. She ends with a bit of her own story of navigating the academic world, which is well worth hearing. Oh to have a small bit of her vast knowledge of the ancient world! But for now it is enough to watch free... Read more

Adam Winn has written a really engaging historical fiction story of Jesus in his last days and the circumstances that led to his death “on the ground level” so to speak. Winn took some time recently to talk about conceiving of and writing this fascinating work. I admire the grit and wisdom it takes to pull of historical fiction, which he does so well. Read this book! What inspired you to write Killing a Messiah? AW: For many years I... Read more

Jesus and the Forces of Death: The Gospels’ Portrayal of Ritual Impurity within First-Century Judaism The new book, Jesus and the Forces of Death, is a quick and compelling read about how we should interpret Jesus’ attitude toward ritual impurity when we read the Gospels. What was Jesus opposing in his ministry and miracles? There is a long and sad history of assuming and arguing he was rejecting Jewish religion, Judaism, Jewish ritual, or religion itself. This is clearly wrong, and... Read more

The Preformed Christ Hymn is Not Preformed…Or a Hymn It has been long said that more ink has been spilled (and keyboard keys clicked!) on Philippians 2:5-11 than on almost any other passage in the Bible. That is the say, scholars have long disagreed about the “Christ Hymn’s” origins, meaning, and purpose; but all agree that this is a key text that gives insight into NT Christology. Here in this myth-busters blog I argue that the long held views that... Read more

Eerdmans July 2020 Sale Eerdmans is running a big ebook sale. Below are my top picks. See the full list HERE. John Barclay, Paul and the Gift—$24.50 (retail $55)   Gregory K. Beale, Revelation—$12.25 Douglas Campbell, Paul—$7.70   Stephen Fowl, Philippians —$5.50   Joel Green, 1 Peter—$5.20. Larry Hurtado, How on Earth Did Jesus Become a God?—$5.20 Hurtado, Lord Jesus Christ—$9.00 Andy Johnson, 1-2 Thess—$6.15 Craig Keener, Matthew—$12.00 Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book—$3.60 Fleming Rutledge, Advent—$10.50 Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion—$12.00 Marianne Meye Thompson, Colossians, Philemon—$5.20 Stephen Westerholm, Justification Reconsidered—$5.25         Read more