Denominational Humor

HT: Fred Butler
 

Lamentations

  

One might quibble with the first part of this statement in light of passages such as Lamentations 3:22-24 which appear to look forward in hope, but Adele Berlin captures the general sense of Lamentations well in noting, "Lamentations does not look forward and does not look back, does not dwell on what went before or what will come after–its gaze is fixed directly on the event itself . . . Lamentations is an expression of the suffering and grief associated with the calamity of destruction, but even more, it is a memorialization of that suffering and grief. It eternalizes the catastrophic moment and its aftermath, freezing it in time, probing it from various perspectives, and preserving it forever," 

Adele Berlin, Lamentations, Old Testament Library (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2002), 1.

Why We Should Preach the Doctrine of Creation

  

At the most recent Advanced Expository Workshop, Matthew McKellar presented the following five reasons (slightly modified) for preaching creation 

  

1. The Bible places great significance upon it (Gen 1:1; John 1:1–3).

2. Creation is a key component of the church’s faith.

3. One’s doctrine of creation is directly related to the understanding of other doctrines.

4. Creation helps one differentiate Christianity from other religions and worldviews.

5. Creation promotes the glory of God.

  

Deadline for Early Registration for The Future of Biblical Archaeology Conference

  
By way of reminder, the deadline for the discounted early registration for The Future of Biblical Archaeology Conference is this Thursday, September 30. I posted on this conference awhile back (see here) and you can get more information here.

Narrative Criticism as a Key

  

"Narrative criticism is best understood as one key among several that are available to biblical interpreters. Used properly, it is able to open some doors and grant access to certain kinds of insight that may not be otherwise attainable. But it will not open all the doors or answer all the questions that people ask about the Bible and about the meaning of biblical material."

Mark Allan Powell, "Narrative Criticism," in .Hearing the New Testament, 2nd ed., ed. Joel B. Green (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010), 254.

  

New Commentary Series: Reformation Commentary on Scripture

I recently received two volumes from InterVarsity which relate to the work of the Reformers. The first volume entitled Reading Scripture with the Reformers is written by Timothy George. According to the Publisher's description,  

In Reading Scripture with the Reformers, Timothy George takes readers through the exciting events of the sixteenth century, showing how this dynamic period was instigated by a fresh return to the Scriptures. George immerses us in the world of the Reformation, its continuities with the ancient and medieval church, and its dramatic upheavals and controversies. Most of all, he uncovers the significant way that the Bible shaped the minds and hearts of the reformers.

This book shows how the key figures of the Reformation read and interpreted Scripture, and how their thought was shaped by what they read. We are invited to see what the church today can learn from the fathers of the Reformation, and how these figures offer a model of reading, praying and living out the Scriptures.

The second volume is Galatians, Ephesians, the first available volume in the Reformation Commentary on Scripture series. You can access the table of contents here. Features of this volume and this series include:

·  Offers the insights of Protestant Reformation interpretations of Galatians and Ephesians

·  Presents the diversity and the unity of Protestant Reformation interpretation of Scripture

·  Highlights the exegetical developments that characterized the Protestant Reformation

·  Features a wealth of material previously unavailable in English

·  Introduces the reader to the richness and complexity of the Reformation era

·  Includes in-depth but accessible introductions by world-class Reformation scholars to Reformation interpretations of each book of the Bible

Murray on the Holy Spirit and Old Testament Believers

  

In case you missed it, David Murray has a helpful series of posts on the Holy Spirit and Old Testament believers here, here, here, and here.

    

Why You Should Buy Electronic Commentaries

  
James Wicker has written a sixteen page paper entitled, "Why I but Electronic Commentaries (and you should too). You can access the pdf here.
 

Thoughts on McKnight's The King Jesus Gospel

  

Like a number of other bloggers, I have been invited to participate in the blog tour of Scot McKnight’s recent book The King Jesus Gospel subtitled The Original Good News Revisited. This book has received strong affirmations from the likes of N. T. Wright and Dallas Willard.

There are a number of main points in this book that I am glad to affirm. I affirm the idea that the subject of the book is of primary importance, namely, the gospel itself. McKnight’s contention is that many Evangelicals have a simplistic or reductionistic view of the gospel that sees the gospel as solely being the plan of salvation or the method of salvation. To that end, I believe that McKnight is largely correct. McKnight, I also believe rightly suggests that whatever the gospel is must be defined by the Scriptures. I also affirm, as McKnight does, that we should not talk about gospels (plural) but of the gospel (singular) (pp. 81–3). McKnight is surely correct that there is no gospel that does not have the story of Jesus at its center (p. 82).

That being said, I have real questions about McKnight’s definition of the gospel as “the story of Jesus as the completion of Israel’s story.” I am not sure that this definition does not betray some of the same overly-reductionistic thinking that McKnight challenges. For example, I am not convinced that equating the Bible with Israel’s story (35–6) is not a bit simplistic. If anything, I think it would be better to think of the Bible as God’s story which is told in part through Israel. But to be fair, I suspect that McKnight must equate the Bible in general, and the Old Testament in particular, with “Israel’s story” because passages such as 1 Corinthians 15 do not explicitly tie the gospel to Israel or Israel’s story (the same point could be made in McKnight’s discussion of the creeds in chp. 5). Instead, what you have in 1 Corinthians 15 is the twice-stated assertion “according to the Scriptures” (vv. 15:3, 4). While we are in 1 Corinthians 15, I find at least one aspect of McKnight’s discussion on this passage puzzling. He writes, “the gospel is the story of the crucial events in the life of Jesus Christ” (49, repeated on 50). The problem is that 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 only mentions four events (Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and resurrection appearances). So I wonder whether what McKnight means by “crucial events” is only the death, burial, and resurrection, and resurrection appearances of Jesus. Or to put it more bluntly is Jesus’ life and ministry part of the gospel, if so, how so? If not, why not? There also appears to be a major lacuna in the discussion since McKnight does not really address what he means by “Israel.” Since “Israel” is such a key component of the discussion, I would have expected that this much debated issue would need to be defined. Similarly, I wonder a bit about what McKnight means by “completion.” There are hints here and there, e.g., “This Jesus is the one who saves Israel from its sins and one who rescues humans from its imprisonments” (37), but since McKnight seems to distance himself somewhat from the salvation sense of the gospel I have to think that he means something more by “completion.”

One additional concern I have is more ministerial in nature. It is that, McKnight seems to argue so forcefully for a robust, well-rounded, and biblically informed gospel that he seems to imply that anyone who shares less than “the story of Jesus as the completion of Israel’s story” is sharing something less than the gospel. I wonder here whether McKnight has made the opposite error from the one he condemns earlier in which he rightly criticizes the over-emphasis of decision-making versus discipleship. That is, he might be placing too much emphasis on front-loading a gospel presentation with content that better belongs as part of the ongoing discipling process.

In summation, I think that McKnight has served the church by bringing this discussion to the fore and that his concerns and criticisms are in many cases valid. But on the whole I remain skeptical of significant aspects of his arguments and thus, his conclusions.

Zondervan provided a free review copy of this book. 
  

Varner on James 5:6c

  
William Varner has an interesting post on the meaning of James 5:6c. Those who have worked through James know that this is a tough passage. I am not sure I agree with the conclusion, but it has given me something to think about.
  

Redeeming the Time

  
I don't commute that much anymore. But those who do might be interested in reading this post "5 Ways to Redeem Your Ride to Work.".
 

Advanced Expository Preaching Workshop: The Interview

Yesterday I posted on the upcoming Advanced Expository Preaching Workshop (Sept. 26, details here) and I promised an interview with Dr. David Allen, one of the workshop speakers. Dr. Allen is the Dean of the School of Theology, Director of the Center of Biblical Preaching, and Professor of Preaching at Southwestern Seminary. I appreciate Dr. Allen's willingness to take part in the following interview.

What is an Advanced Expository Preaching Workshop?

The Center for Expository Preaching at Southwestern Baptist theological Seminary offers two expository preaching workshops every year. The first workshop (Expository Preaching Workshop) is held in the spring. This workshop consists of two days of instruction on the philosophy, theory, and methodology of expository preaching. The presenters are well-known expositors drawn from all over the United States. The second workshop (Advanced Expository Preaching Workshop) is held in the fall. This workshop will take a book of the Bible (in this case Genesis 1–11) and seek to apply the philosophy, theory, and methodology of exposition to that book. The advanced workshop will have presentations on the book (e.g., its structure, theology) and how to preach the book (e.g., preaching plans, example sermons). This year, the Advanced Workshop is presented by expositors selected from Southwestern’s faculty (David L. Allen, Matthew McKellar, Jason Lee), plus our special guest, Dr. Allen P. Ross, Professor of Old Testament at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama.    

Who should attend the Advanced Expository Preaching workshop?

The Advanced Expository Preaching Workshop is designed for pastors and preachers who want to review, retool, or refresh their expository preaching skills. While the workshop is designed for pastors and preachers, Bible college or seminary students interested in expository preaching and/or Genesis 1–11will also benefit. In fact, Sunday school teachers and other laypersons have attended previous workshops to become better equipped to serve in their churches.

What can pastors and preachers hope to take away from this workshop?

They can expect to receive very practical insights into Genesis 1–11 and how to preach the book expositionally. Each attendee will receive notes from the sessions and even lunch is included with registration. In the campus bookstore, some of the better resources on Genesis 1–11 will also be available for purchase as well.

Why did you choose to cover Genesis 1–11?

The Advanced Expository Preaching Workshop is committed to teaching the whole counsel of Scripture. So we alternate our book selections between the Old and New Testaments. Last year the workshop tackled Hebrews and so this year we were looking at a book from the Old Testament. Given the current climate concerning the issues of creation and evolution, we thought it was timely to offer this study. We have heard from many pastors over the past year or two who have requested a workshop on this subject.

What do you think are some of most helpful commentaries or resources for studying Genesis?

At the risk of leaving out some great resources, I would suggest the following:

The two-volumes by Ken Matthews in the NAC series published by B&H are a must. Derek Kidner in the Tyndale OT series is also quite good, along with Sailhamer in the EBC series. Gordon Wenham’s Genesis 1–15 in Word Biblical Commentary series is well-done. Victor Hamilton’s two volumes in the NICOT series is a solid work. Waltke’s Genesis is also helpful. From the standpoint of exposition of Genesis, I would recommend three additional excellent works: (1) James Montgomery Boice’s three volumes on Genesis (published by Zondervan); (2) Allen P Ross, Creation and Blessing is a gold mine for the preacher; and (3) John Walton’s Genesis in the NIV Application Series is also an excellent resource for the pastor.

 

  

Interview with Anthony Thiselton

  
See this interview with Anthony Thiselton. Most of the interview deals with hermeneutical questions. I don't agree with everything here but I think that it is interesting.
 

1 Corinthians 13 and Blogging

  
See this post.
  

Some Benefits of the Theological Interpretation of Scripture

  
See this post by Everett Berry.
 

Advanced Expository Preaching Workshop: One More Week

  

The Advanced Expository Preaching Workshop held at The Riley Center at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is only a week away (Monday, September 26): This conference is attractive for at least four reasons. 

1. The conference is only one day long so your busy schedule doesn't have to take a major hit. 

2. The conference has a good line-up of speakers (Drs. Allen Ross, David Allen, Matthew McKellar, and Jason Lee).

3. The theme of the conference is interesting and timely (Genesis 1-11).

4.  The conference is affordable. The cost is only $25 which includes lunch.

You can get all the details here. 

I will post an interview tomorrow with Dr. David Allen, one of the conference speakers and the Dean of the School of Theology, Director of the Center of Biblical Preaching, and Professor of Preaching at Southwestern Seminary.

  

Preaching from an iPad

  
I have been thinking long and hard about getting an iPad. This article makes me want to pull the trigger and get one.
 

Woodbridge on Evangelical Self-Identity and the Doctrine of Biblical Inerrancy

  

See this essay by John Woodbridge entitled "Evangelical Self-Identity and the Doctrine of Biblical Inerrancy."

  

Walvoord's Revelation Commentary

  

John Walvoord, Revelation, John Walvoord Prophecy Commentaries, rev. and updated ed., Philip E. Rawley and Mark Hitchcock eds. (Chicago: Moody, 2011).

Among Dispensational interpreters, John Walvoord’s commentary on Revelation has long been considered a go-to source for the study of the Apocalypse. Recently, Philip E. Rawley and Mark Hitchcock have updated and revised this standard work.

There are four changes that may make this work more appealing to a future generation of interpreters. First, the wording of commentary been streamlined through the removal of many of the long block quotes contained in the original version. While long quotes are not bothersome to me, many modern readers find them tedious and I must admit this volume is more accessible than the original. A second improvement involves updating the interaction of the commentary with work that has been done in Revelation since the commentary was first published in 1966. Obviously, much has been done in the last forty-five years. Third, this work has been improved by having a cleaner, more attractive type-setting and inclusion of some charts and diagrams. Finally, a fourth improvement involves the addition of a Scripture index that was lacking in the original version.

There is one aspect of this revision that I believe detracts from the value of this work. The revised edition lacks some of the scholarly heft of the original. Gone is the interaction with older resources. Now the oldest work consulted in this volume is from 1967. This lack of interaction can be seen in the relatively paltry bibliography of two pages listing only twenty-five sources. By way of comparison, the 1966 edition had a seven page bibliography containing over 130 entries. One might also add that there is much less interaction with works from other interpretive traditions.

In my opinion, one of the appealing features of the original edition was that it had a good balance between academic interaction and lay-friendly accessibility. The new volume shines at the latter, but has lost a bit of luster concerning the former. So if you are looking for a readable commentary written from a Dispensational perspective this revision might be exactly what you are looking for. But if you are looking for a commentary that interacts more deeply and broadly with interpretive tradition then you will probably have to go elsewhere.   
 

The Importance of Ecclesiology

  
This is a good reminder of the importance of having a robust ecclesiology.
 

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.

David A. Bernat
Sign of the Covenant: Circumcision in the Priestly Tradition
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7283
Reviewed by Ulrich Zimmermann
 
Lewis R. Donelson
I and II Peter and Jude: A Commentary
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7965
Reviewed by Peter H. Davids
 
Neil Elliott and Mark Reasoner, eds.
Documents and Images for the Study of Paul
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7823
Reviewed by Carolyn Osiek
Reviewed by James P. Sweeney
 
Miguel Pérez Fernández
Textos fuente y contextuales de la narrativa evangélica: Metodología aplicada a una selección del evangelio de Marcos
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6615
Reviewed by David E. C. Ford
 
John Paul Heil
Colossians: Encouragement to Walk in All Wisdom as Holy Ones in Christ
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7734
Reviewed by Christopher A. Beetham
 
Job Y. Jindo
Biblical Metaphor Reconsidered: A Cognitive Approach to Poetic Prophecy in Jeremiah 1-24
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7850
Reviewed by Colin Toffelmire
 
Yelena Kolyada
A Compendium of Musical Instruments and Instrumental Terminology in the Bible
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8023
Reviewed by Helen Leneman
 
T. M. Lemos
Marriage Gifts and Social Change in Ancient Palestine: 1200 BCE to 200 CE
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7652
Reviewed by Marianne Blickenstaff
 
Anwar Tjen
On Conditionals in the Greek Pentateuch: A Study of Translation Syntax
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7747
Reviewed by Randall Gauthier

Which Would You Rather Hear?

  

When it comes to comments on your preaching and teaching, which would you rather hear?

"Wow! I have never heard that before? or "Wow! I have never seen that before?"

Earlier in my ministry, I think I would have chosen the former, but the more I teach and preach, the more I have come to prefer the latter. You see, my goal as a  preacher and teacher is not primarily to demonstrate that I have something novel to say. Nor is the goal of preaching to communicate what others might see if only they were as gifted, spiritual, well-trained, etc. as me. Rather, my goal as a preacher and teacher is to help people to see what Scripture has to say. I want my audience to know that the key to seeing what I have seen  is the diligent, careful, prayerful examination of the Scriptures. The best expository message are not one's that spotlight on the preacher, but the best expository messages are those that throw a spotlight on a passage of Scripture.

  

The Value of Historical Theology

  
See Tim Chester's post here on the value of studying historical theology.
 

Biblical Archaeology: Illumination, Probability, not Proof

  
“For those who have the specific purpose of engaging the biblical text, archaeology’s primary role vis-à-vis the Bible should be illumination and probability, not proof. We must learn to enter the biblical world and harmonize it with the text without the burden of ‘proving’ historical reliability, much less theological truth. And yet, with presuppositions aside, the weight of evidence leads us to more historical probability than the ‘minimalists’ allow.”

John M. Monson, "The Role of Context and the Promise of Archaeology in Biblical Interpretation," in The Future of Biblical Archaeology, ed. James K. Hoffmeier and Alan Millard (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004), 317.
  

The Death of Words

  
This is not exactly a biblical post, but I found this article on the life and death of words interesting.