Now that Mike Bird has finished a major book on a systematic evangelical theology as well as numerous works on messianism, the historical Jesus, and the theology of Paul, I wonder if it is time for Mike to extend his brand into cook books and romance novels! Clearly he has a lot of time for writing! Well, let’s wait and see if the Romans commentary he is working on kills him first. In the meantime, I am here to talk... Read more

A few days ago I mentioned a new series from Abingdon Press called Reframing New Testament Theology. Dr. Joel B. Green, the editor of the series, was kind enough to answer some questions about this. Can’t wait to get my hands on some of these volumes! Nijay: Can you tell me a little bit about how you got involved in this series and its aims? ​Dr. Green: Actually, the initiative came from Abingdon Press​. The idea was for a series concerned with... Read more

I have the wonderful privilege of teaching on the theology of Mark’s Gospel this evening. I had to stop and write down these powerful words from Alan Culpepper to share with you (from his Smyth & Helwys commentary on Mark). This is Culpepper’s comments on the meaning of Mark’s Jesus enjoining his followers to “take up their crosses” (Mark 8:34). The cross was the result of of Jesus’ opposition to the corruption of religion, the oppression of the poor, and... Read more

Once in a while a student will ask me if he or she should start a blog. Often enough this question is related to how a blog is perceived by PhD-studies programs and perhaps also colleges and seminaries where one might be hired. This is a good question and different bloggers probably will offer different (and even contradictory) advice. So take this as just my two cents. Also, my thoughts on this come on the heels of Jim West declaring... Read more

Abingdon Press has launched a new series under the experienced editorial leadership of Joel B. Green (Fuller Theological Seminary) called Reframing New Testament Theology. The series aims to offer “brief, substantive, yet highly accessible introductions to central questions and themes raised by the study of the New Testament.” (This reminds me a little bit of an older, but very useful, series called Word Biblical Themes, based on the Word Biblical Commentary series.) Abingdon is producing three launch volumes in 2014-2015... Read more

This is Part I of a review series I am doing on James W. Thompson’s new book The Church According to Paul: Rediscovering the Community Conformed to Christ (Baker, 2014). Thompson is scholar-in-residence at the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University. This is the third installment in a series of books on Paul, the first two of which are Pastoral Ministry according to Paul and Moral Formation according to Paul. There are nine chapters in this 200+ page work, and... Read more

Check out my recent post for Missio Alliance on ecumenism and how seminaries can promote unity: “Semne Ecclesia: How the Seminary Can Bless the Divided Church” Read more

In two of the courses I am teaching, we are wrestling with questions about what the Gospels are and how they relate to history. In one course (introduction to Gospels) we delved into the history of discussion of the question about genre. In the other course (Christology of the NT) we talked about the insightful Wright/Hays debacle (SBL review session of Seeking the Identity of Jesus) where it eventually became apparent that both scholars value “theological story” and “history” but disagree on... Read more

Very excited about the Sept 2014 issue of JSNT, especially the essay by David deSilva who is currently working on a large commentary on Galatians (NICNT, revision). Dale Martin, “Jesus in Jerusalem: Armed and Not Dangerous” David deSilva, “Grace, the Law, and Justification in 4 Ezra and the Pauline Letters: A Dialogue” C. Andrew Ballard, “Tongue-tied and Taunted: Paul, Poor Rhetoric, and Paltry Leadership in 2 Cor 5:13” Brian Glenney and John T. Noble, “Perception and Prosopagnosia in Mark 8.22-26” Jeffrey... Read more

You may have caught the hoopla in the news recently over statements Christian music artistic Gungor made about his view of Genesis and creation. Michael Gungor is quoted as saying this: I have no more ability to believe, for example, that the first people on earth were a couple named Adam and Eve that lived 6,000 years ago. I have no ability to believe that there was a flood that covered all the highest mountains of the world only 4,000... Read more