In the latest issue of Theology 116.3 (2013) is a series of articles by Aussie authors about the New Atheists and Biblical Study. Articles include: Mark G. Brett “Dawkins and Badiou: Two Atheist Approaches to the Bible.” Dorothy A. Lee “The New Testament and the New Atheism: Alternative Narrations.” Neil Pembroke “Young Australian Christians reading Dawkins and Hitchens: A Qualitative Study.” Neil Ormerod “Theology and the New Atheism: Science, Religion and Metaphysics.” I was particularly interested in Pembroke’s article, not the... Read more

Now available on-line is the audio for my inaugural Ridley College public lecture on “What is ‘evangelical’ about Evangelical Theology?“ Read more

Chalmers, Aaron. Exploring the Religion of Ancient Israel: Priest, Prophet, Sage, and People. Exploring Topics in Christianity Series. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2012. By Graham Scott (Crossway College) Exploring the Religion of Ancient Israel is a concise and well-written introduction to Israelite religion. Chalmer’s analysis devotes key chapters to each of the three key roles in Israelite religion: prophet, priest and sage. The final chapter rewards the reader with a fascinating examination of the common people of Israel. Old Testament students... Read more

R. Alan Streett Heaven on Earth: Experiencing the Kingdom of God in the Here and Now Eugene, OR: Harvest, 2013. Amazon.com My friend Alan Streett, Research Professor at Criswell College, has written a useful introduction to the meaning and relevance of the kingdom of God to Christian life. This book is well informed about empire studies, voluntary associations in the ancient world, the Christus Victor model of the atonement, use of Psalm 110 in the early church, and more. Man,... Read more

Roman 1:18-32 could be called “Mapping the Crack Shack of the Human Heart. ” Here is my paraphrase, comments welcomed! The Pagan World in the Grip of Sin (Rom 1:18-32) In speaking of God’s saving justice, we cannot forget his punitive justice against evil either. For the righteous rage of God is even now being revealed from heaven against all who act without recourse to God and who descend into utterly wicked ways. I’m talking about those people who suppress... Read more

I’ve taught in a number of colleges where for many students English is not their first language. It is always a struggle then to find them good quality literature to read that is also written at a fairly easy comprehension level for people who don’t yet  have the best English-reading skills. A book like that would be good not only on campuses with international students, but anywhere that people use the Bible as part of Teaching English as a Second... Read more

Justin Boulmay has a nice review of my Jesus is the Christ. Michael Bird’s newest book, Jesus is the Christ: The Messianic Testimony of the Gospels, is a short but strong work that seeks to defend what is perfectly obvious to anyone except for those who don’t want to see it: Jesus of Nazareth claimed to be the Messiah, and the four evangelists who wrote our gospels bear witness to this in their works. Going through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Bird... Read more

Recent Bishop Paul Barnett gave the Matthew Hale Public Library Lecture in Brisbane on the title “Why I Am Still a Christian.” You can read the whole talk on Paul Barnett’s blog. Why am I still a Christian?  Ultimately it is the Lord’s doing.  He made the invitation, ‘Whoever comes…’ and he gives the assurance, ‘no one will snatch them out of my hand’. Read more

Arthur A. R. Nelson A Book of Prayers Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2012. Available at Amazon.com. This is a little book of written prayers on difficult topics covering inner life, times of grief, difficulty, illness, marital problems, parenting, celebrations, and home and church. Prayers cover topics such  “For One Who Has Been Raped” to ” On Being Released from Prison” to “For a Child in Shared Custody” to “For the Unemployed.” A book like this is helpful, because in the... Read more

For all of you JE junkies who think that Edwards is your home boy, you will not want miss the Jonathan Edwards Congress In Melbourne in 2015 (lots of time to get ready): In response to the suggestions of the worldwide network of Jonathan Edwards Centers, Ridley College has the honour of hosting this significant event. Drawing on the scholarship and fellowship of JECs in the US, Germany, Hungary, Benelux, Poland, South Africa, Brazil, Japan and Australia, we invite academics,... Read more