Feb 14, 2014

Simply the Bible


Nick Page. Simply the Bible. Oxford: Lion Books, 2013. 

Kregel recently sent me a copy of Simply the Bible by Nick Page. The publisher describes the book as follows.

“For those who find the Bible a bit daunting, or those who require a quick, pithy overview, Simply the Bible provides an instant introduction. Arranged in canonical order, each chapter contains a 500-word summary that conveys the essential facts and meaning for each book of the Bible. In addition to the summary, each chapter has a bulleted overview and a listing of the key characters.
“Lavishly illustrated throughout in full color, Simply the Bible is an excellent and affordable guide to accompany a program of daily Bible reading, and the ideal starting point for anyone who wants to get better acquainted with the world's best-selling book. It also includes an introduction to each book of the Apocrypha and a "Surprise Me!" fact in each chapter.”

My initial and cursory impressions are positive. Simply the Bible provides a succinct and helpful overview of each biblical book. One might disagree here and there with what the author has chosen to spotlight but such is expected in a work like this. Novice Bible readers will find help in getting the big picture and more advanced teachers and preachers can find material to incorporate into lessons and sermons. One final note: the advice of not judging a book by its cover might apply here. I found the cover a bit “cheesy” for my tastes, but one of my daughters noted that the style was common among younger readers. 


You can access an excerpt here.

Latest Issue of Review of Biblical Literature

The latest issue of Review of Biblical Literature is out. Reviews can be accessed by clicking the links below.

Rainer Albertz and Jakob Wöhrle, eds.
Between Cooperation and Hostility: Multiple Identities in Ancient Judaism and the Interaction with Foreign Powers
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9290
Reviewed by Michael L. Satlow

Greg Carey
The Gospel according to Luke: All Flesh Shall See God’s Salvation
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9082
Reviewed by Ernest van Eck

Bruce Chilton, Anthony Le Donne, and Jacob Neusner, eds.
Soundings in the Religion of Jesus: Perspectives and Methods in Jewish and Christian Scholarship
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8556
Reviewed by Benjamin I. Simpson
Reviewed by Peter-Ben Smit

David A. deSilva
Global Readings: A Sri Lankan Commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8900
Reviewed by David S. Harvey

Craig A. Evans
Matthew
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8907
Reviewed by Donald A. Hagner

Rivka Nir
Joseph and Aseneth: A Christian Book
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9056
Reviewed by Thomas J. Kraus

Peter Yaw Oppong-Kumi
Matthean Sets of Parables
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9097
Reviewed by J. R. C. Cousland

Christopher A. Richardson
Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith: Jesus’ Faith as the Climax of Israel’s History in the Epistle to the Hebrews
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9096
Reviewed by Philip Church

C. A. Strine
Sworn Enemies: The Divine Oath, the Book of Ezekiel, and the Polemics of Exile
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9420
Reviewed by John T. Strong

Heath A. Thomas, Jeremy Evans, and Paul Copan, eds.
Holy War in the Bible: Christian Morality and an Old Testament Problem
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9270
Reviewed by Guenther Haas

Amram Tropper
Simeon the Righteous in Rabbinic Literature: A Legend Reinvented
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9168
Reviewed by Joshua Schwartz

Robert Wafawanaka
Am I Still My Brother’s Keeper? Biblical Perspectives on Poverty
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8925
Reviewed by Timothy J. Sandoval

Feb 13, 2014

N. T. Wright Videos

Fortress Press has posted three 30 minute videos of N. T. Wright with Ronald Allen, Michael Gorman, and Richard Hays on Paul and the Faithfulness of God. You can access all the videos here.






Feb 12, 2014

The Church and Social Media


Brandon Cox's article in Christian Media Magazine entitled "5 Reasons Why the Church Must Engage the World with Social Media" is worth considering.

Feb 11, 2014

Using the Old Testament for Counseling

David Murray has a nice post here on the use of the Old Testament in counseling.

Feb 10, 2014

Innovation in Theological Education

Some might be interested in this article in Christian Century.