I know I’m a bit late on this, but American biblical scholar J. Louis Martyn passed away earlier this week. Martyn will be best remembered for his contribution to Johannine and Pauline studies. Including a celebrated Galatians commentary in Anchor Bible series. Sean Winter has a great tribute to him and see similar accolades from Daniel Kirk. Read more

I have just finished a chapter for a book on Israel. I am more convinced than ever that Matthew fits comfortably within his late first-century Jewish milieu when it comes his views on question of the future for Israel as a people and Land. Look for the piece in the book which comes out next year with IVP edited by Gerry McDermont. [Side note: it was great fun to visit with Gerry a couple of weeks ago at the Gloria... Read more

A great review of Ridley On-line by TEDS student Jennifer Guo Have you had a desire for formal theological education, but do not have the means to pause your life for a few years and move to a different city/state? While many seminaries are starting to develop online courses and degree programs, recently Ridley Online caught my eye. For those not familiar with Ridley College, it is a leading evangelical institution in Australia with certificate as well as undergraduate and graduate programs.... Read more

For those inclined, Christians for Biblical Equality are having a conference in L.A. in July on the them of “Becoming New: Man and Woman Together in Christ” Speakers include John Stackhouse, Ken Fong, Anne Zaki, and Adelita Garza. I’m particularly interested in Anne Zaki’s story since this is here bio: Anne Zaki was born in Egypt and earned two master’s degrees, one in social psychology from the American University in Cairo and one in divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary. Zaki currently teaches at the Evangelical Theological... Read more

There is a lengthy review by James H. Charlesworth over at RBL on a new book about Qumran and the Scrolls. But in the review, Charlesworth sums up what he thinks are the six basic conclusions most Qumranologists would concur about: The leading Qumranologists would tend to agree on the following six conclusions: (1) Qumran existed during the Hasmonean period (an inclusive claim because it admits the possibility of pre-100 “Essene” life at Qumran and can mean anytime from 152... Read more

These days, we are hearing about the evils of hetero-normativity, the prejudiced and intolerant view that heterosexual relationships are somehow normal. But coming to a theatre near  you will be mono-normativity, the prejudiced and intolerant view that monogamous relationships are somehow normal. Australian activist Simon Copland has an article on Same Sex Marriage Has Been Won: But The Real Fight is Only About to Begin which is really quite disturbing. I used to think the claim that LGBT activist want to legalize same-sex marriage... Read more

I was interviewed over at Amateur Theologians about Romans in light of my forthcoming commentary. How has the theology of Romans shaped your scholarship and personal life?  In many ways! Just yesterday I finished teaching a course on Romans and it was a wonderful pleasure to spend the final hour just getting the students to summarize Romans brick by brick in Paul’s argument. I try get my students to not only memorize several parts of Romans (1:3-4, 16-17; 3:21-26; 6:23;... Read more

For one day only, 2 June, Zondervan is selling an ebook of Evangelical Theology for just $5.99. Don’t miss today’s flash sale on the Evangelical Theology eBook. You can get it for just $5.99 — that’s 84% off!This sale price ends Tuesday, June 2 at 11:59pm ET.   Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Introductionby Michael F. Bird Deal $5.99 | Original $38.99 This is a new kind of systematic theology. Find out how the evangel (= gospel) is the key... Read more

John G. Gager, “Jacob Taubes, Michael Wyschogrod, and radical Jewish approaches to Paul and ‘early Christianity’ ” John Gager’s audio presentation at the Philadlephia Seminar on Christian Origins is available in audio here.   Read more

For my Aussie friends, you might be interested in Church planting advisor/cultural commentator Ed Setzer’s observations on Christianity in Australia. Here at Christianity Today What are some of the best ways to teach the Bible in a secularised society? Are new ways of communication helpful? ES: The great things about a secular society is that the story is new to them. And, I would add, that Australians are secular, but in an oddly spiritual way. The recent McCrindle data finds Australians... Read more