Obadiah: A Jewish Perspective

  
Here is an interesting take on the prophet Obadiah. The author argues that according to the rabbis Obadiah was a Edomite who converted to Judaism. This was a new view to me and one in which I am a bit skeptical given the commonness of the name Obadiah and the uncertainties associated with the historical context of the book. 
  

Free Bonhoeffer Audio: God Is in the Manger

Christianaudio.com's free audiobook download for the month of December is God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Here is the publisher's description:

"There are only two places where the powerful and great in this world lose their courage, tremble in the depths of their souls, and become truly afraid. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ."
 

"No priest, no theologian stood at the cradle of Bethlehem. And yet, all Christian theology finds its beginnings in the miracle of miracles, that God became human."
 

These stirring words are among forty devotions that guide and inspire readers as they move thematically through the weeks of Advent and Christmas, from waiting and mystery to redemption, incarnation, and joy. Supplemented by an informative introduction, short excerpts from Bonhoeffer's letters, and passages from his Christmas sermons, these daily devotions are timeless and moving reminders of the true gift of Christmas.

For more information or to get your download go here.

Jude as Sermon

  
Thomas White has a six-part series on the Theological Matters blog concerning how the book of Jude demonstrates the qualities of a good sermon.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
 

Journal for the Study of the New Testament 35:2

  
The latest issue of the Journal for the Study of the New Testament is out. Here is a list of the articles and links to abstracts.

Whose Abraham, Which Promise? Genesis 15.6 in Philo’s De Virtutibus and Romans 4
Orrey McFarland
pp.107-129
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/35/2/107

A Bio-Bibliographical Study of James Rendel Harris (1852–1941), Illustrated from his Discovery and Investigation of the ‘Absolutely Unique’ Logion after Matthew 17.26
J. Lionel North
pp.130-149
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/35/2/130

Who Wrote 2 Thessalonians? A Fresh Look at an Old Problem
Paul Foster
pp. 150-175
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/35/2/150

An Intercalation Revisited: Christology, Discipleship, and Dramatic Irony in Mark 6.6b-30
Geoffrey David Miller
pp. 176-195
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/35/2/176
 
This issue also contains one review article.

Basics of Verbal Aspect in Biblical Greek 
Robert Crellin
pp. 196-202
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/35/2/196
  

Pictorial Library of the Bible Lands

I have often used pictures from the Pictorial Library of the Bible Lands (PLBL) in the classroom. But last summer I used it in a way that I had not done previously. I was in Israel teaching a group about the Bible and the Bible lands, a group that was also very interested in photography. So in my preparation for our field trips to various sites I used the PLBL to help plan the trip and to help inform my picture-taking suggestions to the group. Now I have been to Israel a number of times prior to this trip but PLBL still proved to be a valuable resource in this regard. I was glad that I had decided to load the entire PLBL to my laptop before leaving home. If you teach the Bible, plan to go to the Bible lands, or have been there before, I would suggest you check this resource out (go here). 
  

Jesus' Prediction of the Fall of Jerusalem

Jimmy Akin has a nice post defending the idea that Jesus could predict the fall of Jerusalem here. Akin is largely correct here, but the reason that many in biblical studies who reject Jesus' prediction do so because of an a priori rejection of the possibility of predictive prophecy in general.  

Donald Hagner's New Testament Introduction

Christian Book Distributors Deal of the Day has Donald Hagner's brand new New Testament introduction at a 42% discount ($28.99). This is better than the 40% discount offered at ETS/SBL ($30.00). You can access the sale through the link below.

The New Testament: A Historical and Theological Introduction By Donald A. Hagner / Baker Academic The capstone work from an esteemed evangelical scholar. Employing the framework of salvation history, Hagner treats the New Testament as a coherent body of texts, emphasizing its unity without neglecting its inherent variety. While addressing matters of authorship and historicity, he focuses primarily on understanding the theological content and meaning---especially with regard to Christianity's origins. 848 pages, hardcover from Baker.

ESV Bible Sale

  
The Westminster Bookstore is offering 60% off on select ESV Bibles. The sale is good until December 3.

ESV Study Bible (TruTone, Navy, Angle Design): $30.00 - 60% Off 

ESV Bible, Large Print Compact (TruTone, Navy/Taupe, Curve Design): $11.20 - 60% Off 

ESV Study Bible, Bonded Leather, Black/Saddle, Timeless Design: $30.00 - 60% Off 

ESV Bible, Classic Thinline Edition (Genuine Leather, Black, Red Letter): $18.00 - 60% Off
  

Audio Course on Revelation

  
BiblicalTraining.org has posted a new audio course on Revelation taught by Robert Mulholland Jr. The course is free but you have to registered to download it. You can check out the course here.
 

Barkay on "Ten Key Points on Authenticity of Artifacts"

  
You can access free audio of Gabriel Barkay on “Ten Key Points on Authenticity of Artifacts” here. It looks like this audio has been out for a few months but it was new to me.