After a very long discussion in PFG (80-196), Wright summarizes succinctly the worldview of the first-century Pharisees: Living somewhere on the spectrum between the extreme and possibly violent zeal of the ardent Shammaite and the extreme and possible flexible caution of the ardent Hillelite, the Pharisee was passionately concerned about the ancestral traditions, particularly the law of Moses and the development of that into the oral law, and about the importance of keeping this double Torah not simply because it... Read more

I’m currently reading Theodore De Bruyn’s translation of Pelagius’ commentary on Romans and it is fascinating stuff. I strongly urge everyone to read the prologue (which you can view on Amazon.com preview !!!!). It sounds so much like James Dunn or N.T. Wright – yes, Reformed critics will say, “Aha,” I knew there were pelagian heretics – not about grace and synergism, but about how Romans tackles the issue of Jewish boasting and Gentile anti-Semitism. Pelagius concludes the prologue by... Read more

Over at the Aussie Bible Society’s Newspaper, Eternity, Michael Jensen offers a nice review of Evangelical Theology. Read more

Okay folks, on a summary of Paul’s letter to the Romans, tell me who this quote comes from (no Google searches, has to be off the cuff): Thrusting himself between those who were disputing in this way, the apostle interrupts the questions of the two parties so as to establish that neither of them deserved salvation by their own righteousness; rather, both peoples sinned knowingly and gravely, the Jews inasmuch as they dishonored God by transgression of the law, the... Read more

Below is an on-line talk by Richard Hays on Canon and Creed given at Trinity School for Ministry’s Ancient Evangelical Futures Conference. It has some good stuff about Hays’ disagreements with Wright, his take on Luke’s christology, and moving from the New Testament to Nicea. HT: Nijay Gupta. Read more

According to CT, BibleGateway.com’s list of top Bible searches for 2013, from over 242 countries, was: 1. John 3:16 2. Jeremiah 29:11 3. Philippians 4:13 4. Romans 8:28 5. Psalm 23 6. Proverbs 3:5-6 7. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 8. Romans 12:2 9. Philippians 4:6 10. Joshua 1:9 Read more

In what could be the greatest partnership since Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Chris Skinner of Peje Iesou will be joining Nijay Gupta over at CruxSola to blog on biblical studies. I think I will name the biblioblogosphere’s new power couple either “Ninner” or “Skinjay”! See announcement here. Read more

Over at TGC is a great interview by Justin Taylor with Doug Moo. They talk about how Doug came to Christ, his Galatians commentary, his future writing projects, but also how Moo changed his mind on justification. Moo now argues that for Paul, justification is both now and not yet. Whereas in his Romans commentaries (all  three of them or five if you count one volume Bible commentaries) he argued that justification for Paul was initiatory and a present experience.... Read more

I just came across this debate on you.tube between Michael Licona and Dale Martin on “Did Jesus Believe He Was Divine?” Very engaging and thought provoking. Read more

My good friend Ben Myers, has been progressively tweeting #canon fodder, tweet length summaries of every book of the Bible. He has posted the complete series on his blog. Do check it out, it is rather awesome. Here’s a few of my favourites: 1 Kings: So, you really want a monarchy huh? Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 2 Kings: I told you so. Isaiah: When the four corners of creation are picked up like a tablecloth, all the crumbs... Read more