Over at TGC, Ken Stewart has a good review of Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy that is worth checking out. I thought Stewart gave a generous conclusion: What does this “proxy-struggle” for the future of evangelicalism tell us? That there’s a huge overlap of theological concern in the constituencies respresented by Mohler, Bird, and Vanhoozer and that it provides the basis for more efforts at coming to sing in the same key. And should the perspective of Enns plays no further role,... Read more

Over at First Things Owen Strachan and Andrew Walker have written a response to Matthew Vines’ book God and the Gay Christian. The final paragraph was a knock out: We do not judge a Christian teacher only by his age or experience, to be sure. But the new progressives have an authority problem. Whether their own family members or martyred apostles, they show no hesitation in correcting those who would—and should—teach them. They do so, furthermore, with precious little confessional and congregational... Read more

Thesis 1: The “I” in Rom 7:7-25 is not a Christian and cannot be a Christian. While many might take great comfort in a Christian reading of Rom 7:7-25, furnishing proof that even the Apostle Paul struggled with sin in his Christian life, providing hope and succour for the rest of us in our struggle against the flesh – and it’s a position supported by scholars no less than Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, Dunn, and Cranfield – yet the basis for... Read more

My colleague Rhys Bezzant has a great book on Jonathan Edwards and the Church (New York: OUP, 2013), which should be necessary reading for anyone interested in American church history, doctrine of the church, or part of the YRR crowd. Interest in the life and writings of Jonathan Edwards has never been higher. Academics, pastors, and a broad lay readership all find resources for discipleship and ministry by studying the texts of this great leader and teacher. It is remarkable then that... Read more

Over at Reformation21 (Question, is that a Presbyterian version of Forever 21?) Michael Kruger has a review of Bart Ehrman’s How Jesus Became God, concluding: In the end, it is difficult to know what to think of Ehrman’s new volume. While it certainly provides a helpful introduction to some of the key issues in early Christology, it is hampered by a problematic methodology, a lopsided treatment of some of the historical evidences, and a disposition bent on finding contradictions and problems (that... Read more

Over at First Things, Peter Leithart has an interesting post on Double Imputation where he makes a provocative claim: Perhaps double imputation arises from the assumption that the transaction that secures our standing with God takes place exclusively on the cross. Perhaps double imputation is compensation for ignoring the soteriological import of the resurrection. To which I would say, “bingo!” In fact, the one area where Markus Barth, Richard Gaffin, Mark Seifrid, N.T. Wright, Daniel Kirk, and Michael Bird would all agree on is that... Read more

I’m glad to say that I’ll be editing a series of short studies on biblical and theological themes for Logos in their brand spanking new Cutting Edge series. This series engages significant issues in contemporary biblical scholarship, making them accessible to busy students of the Word and applicable in the life of the church. I give an introduction to the series here. The first volume scheduled in the series is by David deSilva on Transformation: The Heart of Paul’s Gospel. This is a controversial... Read more

The Society of Beer Lovers and Associated Academic Research meeting will be happening again in San Diego on Saturday 22 November 2014. Here is the promotional video by the insane John Anthony Dunne and Chris Brewer with a cameo from N.T. Wright. Read more

John D. Woodbridge and Frank A. James Church History: Volume Two: From Pre-Reformation to the Present Day Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013. Available at Amazon.com I’ve read several Church History intro volumes. Chris Cairns is what I used as an undergrad and I’ve usually recommended Bruce Shelly to my undergrad students because of its readability. There are several good Church History Introductions around these days, one’s I’ve heard good things about are by Martin Marty and Robert Wilken. I’m glad... Read more

I have to confess that I never cease to be amazed at the depth of hatred that American liberals have for Catholics. Read the article about the Satanic Temple holding a “Black Mass” at Harvard Uni, which was only cancelled after much outrage and protest. Is it me or does the whole freedom of religion thing apply only to when people want to mock or attack religion? As soon as someone wants to talk about religion and – heaven forbid... Read more