Earlier in the week I heard the news about the dismissal of Dr. Anthony Le Donne from Lincoln Christian University. I was gob smacked because I had just finished reading Le Donne’s very fine book The Historiographical Jesus: Memory, Typology, and the Son of David, which I thought was a very solid thesis, well-argued, and certainly not controversial or even “liberal” in its orientation. It looked like a good and learned Gospel Ph.D thesis by a scholar who, as it... Read more

For the Paulinists among you, here is a quiz testing your knowledge of Paul’s letters. There are ten questions, see how well you do! 1. Complete this phrase, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’—  so that …” (more…) Read more

I just came across Matthew Barrett’s review at TGC of Justification: Five Views. It’s a good review, covering the book well, focusing mainly on the Protestant vs. Catholic issues.  Barrett comes down on the side of Horton in the end (I like Horton, but I’m rubbing my face with my hands in frustration). I was still grateful for this generous comment: Ultimately, however, [i.e., despite the critique of my take on imputation] Bird stands within the Protestant tradition in his... Read more

I am excited to announce that Dr. Mariam Kamell (Ph.D St. Andrews Uni) has been appointed as Assistant Professor of NT at Regent College in Vancouver. Mariam is a fun person, great communicator, written some funky stuff on James, and we await her forthcoming book on social justice too. Read more

I wish I was in Princeton right now. This is why: Read more

This week I’ve been happy to host my former colleague Rev. Prof. Andrew McGowan (University of the Highlands and Islands and Senior Minister at East Church Inverness). Andrew is also involved in the doctrinal commission of the World Reformed Fellowship (WRF). The WRF has completed a monumental task of writing a new confession of faith. The purpose of the new confession was (1) to provide a statement of faith that would be agreed upon by Reformed churches that used different... Read more

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings: Psalm 23; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 Read more

Good stuff from N.T. Wright on the Gospels. Incidentally, I’m hoping to deliver a lecture in a North American Reformed Seminary next year on the topic: “Not by Paul Alone: Why the Reformed Churches Need more Gospels.” Read more

Danny Zacharias, IT guru and NT padawan, has a cool webiste called NT Greek Resources which highlights several of his Greek learning tools like The Singing Grammarian and ParseGreek. Good stuff, esp. if learning Greek on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad is your thing. Read more

My colleague and friend Scot McKnight is leaving North Park. Read his post Farewell North Park. I am personally sad to see him go. But wish him great blessing in the next phase of his ministry. Scot’s been a significant influence in my life over the last 7 years. Thank you Scot for your friendship and your generous spirit. You’ve given me a lot, and I don’t just mean books! I will remember fondly our 6:30 am chats on Tuesdays... Read more