The New Biblical Theology for Christian Proclamation Commentary Series

The B&H Academic blog has a write-up about the forthcoming Biblical Theology for Christian Proclamation commentary series here. The series looks interesting. Here is a list of the volumes and authors.

Old Testament contributors:

T. Desmond Alexander           Genesis

Mark Rooker                           Exodus

Paul Wegner                           Leviticus

Richard Averbeck                   Numbers

Ken Mathews                          Deuteronomy

David Firth                              Joshua

Iain Duguid                             Judges, Ruth

Robert Fyall                            1-2 Samuel

Bob Bergen                            1-2 Kings

Gary V. Smith                         1-2 Chronicles

Andrew Hill                             Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

Barry Webb                             Job

James Hamilton                      Psalms

Allen Ross                               Proverbs

Ernest Lucas                           Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

Jack Collins                             Isaiah

Stephen Dempster                  Jeremiah, Lamentations

Paul Williamson                      Ezekiel

Joe Sprinkle                            Daniel

Anthony Petterson                  Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah

Ray Clendenen                       Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

New Testament contributors:

Charles Quarles                       Matthew

Peter Bolt                                 Mark

Michael Wilkins                        Luke

Ardel Caneday                         John

Alan Thompson                        Acts

David G. Peterson                    Romans

Peter Davids                             1 Corinthians

Jason Meyer                             2 Corinthians

Matt Harmon                            Galatians

Greg Beale                               Ephesians

Doug Moo                                 Philippians

Joel White                                 Colossians, Philemon

Terry Wilder                              1-2 Thessalonians

Andreas Köstenberger             1-2 Timothy, Titus

Thomas Schreiner                    Hebrews

David Chapman                        James

Rick Melick                               1-2 Peter, Jude

Michael Martin                          1-3 John

Eckhard Schnabel                    Revelation

Thoughts on Joshua 5

Joshua 5:1–15 records Israel's final preparations before beginning the conquest at Jericho. Four specific preparatory events are related in this chapter. Here is a table noting the event and the message it is likely emphasizing.

Event	Emphasis
Re-institution of circumcision (5:2–9)	Covenant with God
Observance of Passover (5:10–11)	Redemption of God
No more manna (5:12)	Provision of God
Encounter with a “Man” with sword (5:13–15)	Conquest by God

It might also be worth noting that Joshua's encounter with the "man" with a sword is preceded by the statement, "when Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold" (v. 13, my bold). The only prior occurrence of this threefold statement occurs in relation to Abraham in Genesis 18:2: "He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him" (my bold). This comparison is even more striking when one considers the theophanic nature of both encounters and that both encounters occur before the destruction of prominent cities (Sodom, Gomorrah, and Jericho). This might also link Joshua, not only to Moses (Josh 1), but also to Abraham.

Blogging and an Academic Career

Fellow blogger Nijay Gupta has some insightful remarks concerning blogging and its benefit/detriment to pursuing an academic career here.

Hurtado on Acts and Some Acts-Related Books on Sale

Larry Hurtado has some helpful summarizing thoughts on the continuing and renewed focus given to the book of Acts here. Those interested in Acts might also be interested in a sale that Eisenbrauns has on select books on Acts here. 

Comparing the Crossing of the Red/Reed Sea with the Crossing of the Jordan River

I made this table for a class I am teaching.

Some Comparisons between the Crossing of the Red/Reed Sea with the Crossing of the Jordan River
Exodus	Joshua
God separated the waters (14:21; 15:8)	God separated the waters (3:13, 15–16)
The waters piled up and stood up in a heap (15:8)	The waters stood and rose up in a heap (3:13, 16)
Israel passed through on dry ground (14:22, 29)	Israel passed through on dry ground (3:17; 4:22)
Moses affirmed (14:31)	Joshua affirmed (4:14)
Surrounding nations respond in fear (15:15–16)	Surrounding nations respond in fear (5:1)
Exiting Egypt	Entering Canaan

Preaching Ezra and Nehemiah

The Southern Blog has a nice interview with James Hamilton related to the development of his new book Exalting Jesus in Ezra and Nehemiah.

Ebooks and Seminary Textbooks

John Aloisi has a discussion about the purchase of seminary textbooks and ebooks here. The post provides a helpful list of fairly inexpensive theological books available in ebook format. But I would note that his list of books consists of older works and that most are almost certainly out of copyright and at least some surely could be found for free online. And while I cannot speak for all seminarians, none of the listed texts were required textbooks during my seminary days. That is not to say that these works lack value. Most probably do belong in a well-rounded theological library. But the post might not really address the challenge faced by budget-challenged students who are typically asked to purchase never, and more expensive, textbooks. For newer textbooks, I have typically found that there are minimal differences in cost between a hard copy and the ebook format.