Kenneth Bailey has written another book on the Bible from a Mediterranean perspective. (See my review of his treatment of Jesus through Middle Eastern eyes.) This one is called Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians. 1 Corinthians is one of my favorite letters by Paul of Tarsus. Bailey’s book adds insights and textures from the surrounding culture of the time to the document. He treats most of the controversial passages in the letter and analyzes them in... Read more

Frederick Dale Bruner has just released a new book. It’s called The Letter to the Romans: A Short Commentary. I’m not familiar with Bruner, but I found his commentary interesting. Namely, because it’s an extremely concise interpretation of Romans, which is rare for scholars. He also interacts with other interpreters of Romans from different centuries. Scholars and non-scholars alike. If you teach Romans, you’ll want to add this to your library along with other commentaries on Paul’s masterpiece. You won’t... Read more

In the last several years journaling Bibles have become extremely popular. One of Tyndale’s offerings in this category is The NLT Reflections Bible. Journaling Bibles are usually wide margin Bibles which allow you ample room of lined note space (see photo) for note-taking or reflection or even artwork. This format can be very advantageous as it allows you to have both the text and your thoughts and reflections in one place. Creative people might really enjoy a Bible that has... Read more

Alejandro Field has released a new book. It’s called Pastor Pastor: Feed My Sheep. Recently, I caught up with Alejandro to discuss his book. Enjoy! Go here to read a Spanish version of this interview. When readers ask “what’s your book about?” they are really wanting to know “how is this book going to solve a problem I have?” How would you answer that question? As we read the book, we find ourselves following the stories of two pastors during... Read more

Many people ask, “Which is the best Bible?” My tongue and cheek reply is ,“Of course the one that is open and read.” With theme of having your Bible open in mind, Thomas Nelson has a unique offering with their updated version of The Open Bible. What is an Open Bible? The Open Bible is the ultimate reference Bible, offering clean and easy navigation through Scripture. This Bible’s complete reference system includes the leading topical index showing with over 8,000... Read more

The Abide Bible by Thomas Nelson is an elegant edition of the Holy Scriptures. First, let’s cover the physical features: This is an attractive looking Bible that comes in an equally attractive box (see pictures). The Abide Bible I received has a brown Leathersoft (imitation leather) cover but has a realistic grain and texture. It has perimeter stitching which adds greatly to the durability. Other noteworthy features are Thomas Nelson’s exclusive NKJV Comfort Print which is a 9-point type size... Read more

Allen Taylor has written a new book. It’s called I Am Not the King. I caught up with Allen recently to talk to him about his new book. Here’s the interview. Enjoy! When readers ask “what’s your book about?” they are really wanting to know “how is this book going to solve a problem I have?” How would you answer that question? For many Christians, knowing what to say to others when witnessing is difficult. They don’t feel comfortable with... Read more

Interpreting the Parables is a book by Craig L. Blomberg. IVP graciously sent me a copy to review. Blomberg begins the book by discussing the previous scholarly consensus in interpreting the parables along with the sizeable minority report, newest developments, methods and controversies in interpretation, form criticism, redaction criticism, new literary and hermeneutical methods. You know, all the arcane stuff that scholars like to talk about with one another when they’re not writing, reading, or watching television. He then launches... Read more

As many of you know, I’m currently revising and expanding my 2005 book The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. During my research, I was talking to one of my favorite New Testament scholars — Robert Banks, author of Paul’s Idea of Community — about some issues related to first-century family life and the size of houses in that day. Banks referred me to Early Christian Families in Context by David L. Balch and Carolyn Osiek, which the publisher... Read more

Discovering Luke by Joel B. Green has just released. Instead of a verse-by-verse exposition of every verse, this volume does something different. Green looks at how the Gospel of Luke was interpreted through the ages. From the Middle Ages, to the Reformation, to the present. He then discusses how Luke’s book maps to geography, spatial metaphors, and the world in which he lived. Green dissects the anatomy of Luke’s narrative and pays special attention to Mary’s Song in Luke 1.... Read more