Dec 7, 2013

A Hardcover Edition of the Satellite Bible Atlas

If you are in the market for a good Bible atlas, I would encourage you to take a look at the new hardcover edition of the Satellite Bible Atlas. This is a nice resource. BiblePlaces now has the hardcover edition for $28. You can also buy a 55" x 20" wall/door map for $7. (Do note that the map is folded not rolled.) You can combine the atlas and the map for $32 (a savings of $3).  You can order the atlas and/or map here.


Dec 4, 2013

The Unique One: 18 Distinctives of Jesus Christ


My friend Cecil Price has just published The Unique One: 18 Distinctives of Jesus Christ. "In The Unique One, you will discover how:

  • the Bible compares to other ancient documents
  • Jesus Christ differs from the founders of other major religions
  • both Old and New Testaments harmonize the identity of the Messiah
  • major teachings of the Christian faith compare to other religions the words and works of Jesus can improve your life."
 You can get the book using this Amazon link.

Dec 3, 2013

Review of Preaching? Simple Teaching on Simply Preaching


Motyer, Alec. Preaching? Simple Teaching on Simply Preaching. Ross-shire: Christian Focus, 2013.

While this book is a about preaching, it is a bit different in its approach from other how-to volumes. It is mixture of preaching methodology and biblical exposition. In fact, expositions form a significant portion of the content. Also, unlike most texts on preaching, this one is more conversational in tone. It is like listening to an experienced preacher sharing his insights and advice. There is a logical progression in the order of the topics presented but I get a sense of disconnectedness and I am not sure what the appendices really do for this book (and these appendices are about 20% of the book). I am also a bit puzzled by the question mark in the title. What does it signify?

That being said, the patient reader will find plenty of sound advice about preaching and solid demonstrations of exposition. There is not much new here (as the author admits p. 8) but getting better at preaching often involves being reminded of the fundamentals. This is something that Motyer does well. The book is easy to read and the conversational tone makes one feel that author is talking with you and not merely at you. It is obvious that he cares deeply about preaching, preachers, and the Word of God. This fact alone should encourage one to give this volume a look.

Dr. Alec Motyer is a well-known Bible expositor and former principal of Trinity College, Bristol.


Thanks to Christian Focus Publications for providing the copy used in this unbiased review.

Dec 2, 2013

The State of Academic Publishing

Some readers might be interested in this in this article in Publishers Weekly about academic publishing and the recent AAR/SBL meeting. I guess I did my part in helping academic publishing to thrive, although I bought considerably less this year than in recent years.

Journal for the Study of the New Testament 36:2

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.

‘The Rock Was Christ’: The Fluidity of Christ’s Body in 1 Corinthians 10.4
Matthew Thiessen
pp. 103-126
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/36/2/103

(Why) Was Jesus the Galilean Crucified Alone? Solving a False Conundrum
Fernando Bermejo-Rubio
pp. 127-154
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/36/2/127

Apocalyptic and Covenant: Perspectives on Paul or Antinomies at War?
David A. Shaw
pp. 155-171
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/36/2/155

Taking the Jews out of the Equation: Galatians 6.12-17 as a Summons to Cease Evading Persecution
Alexander V. Prokhorov
pp. 172-188
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/36/2/172

Romans 4: A Critique of N.T. Wright
Jan Lambrecht
pp. 189-194
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/36/2/189