Ruth, Gleaning, and Google Maps

  
See this interesting article which ties in Ruth, gleaning, and Google Maps together.
 

Does Abba Mean Daddy

  
Check out Glen Stanton's post "Does Abba Mean Daddy" here. I know that a post like this might ruin some otherwise good sermons, but we must strive to be true and accurate in our preaching.

 HT: William Varner

Reading for Preaching

  
Cornelius Plantinga is coming out with a book entitled, Reading for Preaching: The Preacher in Conversation with Storytellers, Biographers, Poets, and Journalists. This looks to be interesting. I am a firm believer in the theory that good reading contributes to good preaching.
 

On a Personal Note

Readers of this blog know that I do not normally post messages of a personal nature. But I hope that you will indulge the posting of this kind and thoughtful email that I received yesterday.

To the readers of BibleX,

Charles would not say anything about his latest achievement so I have asked my comments to be posted on BibleX.

As Chair of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary I am proud to announce that Dr. Charles Savelle received his Ph.D. on Saturday May 11th. Congratulations Charles and may our Lord bless you as you continue to serve Him. 

A picture of Dr. Bramer and me.
  

Commentary Recommendations

  
Gene Green offers brief but helpful recommendations for Hebrews-Revelation commentaries here. This completes a series on recommendations for building a New Testament library. You can also access Joel Green's recommendations on Matthew-Acts commentaries here, Nijay Gupta's recommendations on Romans-Ephesians here, and J. Christian Stratton's Philippians-Philemon recommendations  here.

HT: Nijay Gupta
  

James Luther Mays on the Torah Psalms

Here is another nice snippet from older articles from my files that I am in the process of scanning. After discussing the significance of the Torah psalms (1, 19, 119), Mays concludes that,

“The torah psalms point to a type of piety as setting-in-life for the Psalms, a piety that used the entire book as prayer and praise. That means this piety was quite different from any self-righteous, single-minded legalism. Its basic religious commitments were devotion to the instruction of the Lord and trust in the reign of the Lord. The two primary problems with which it lived were wickedness in self and society and the arrogance and power of the nations. The questions with which it wrestled were the incongruence of conduct and experience and the hiddenness of the purpose of God in history. Its way was faithfulness through study and obedience and hope through prayer and waiting. The Psalms were reread in the light of this piety and it in turn was constantly shaped by the use of the Psalms.” 

James Luther Mays, “The Place of the Torah-Psalms in the Psalter,” Journal of Biblical Literature 106 (1987): 12.
  

Ritmeyer on the Eastern Gate

  
Leen Ritmeyer has a fascinating post on the Eastern Gate of the Temple Mount here.
 

The Psalms and Heroes of the Faith

  
Here is a nice reminder about the focus in the Psalms from older articles that I am scanning from my files.

"One does not have to read very much in the Psalms before it becomes evident that the emphasis of this literature is upon the person of God. Worship would be very difficult without a clear picture of its object. The Psalms do not encourage any glorification of the great heroes of the faith. In fact, there is hardly any mention of some of the greatest names in Israel’s history. Only two Psalms name Abraham (47 and 105); the name of Moses occurs only in the title of Psalm 90, three times in Psalm 106, and one time each in Psalms 77, 99, 103, and 105—only nine times in all. The Psalter is entirely silent concerning Noah, Joshua, Gideon, Samson, Elijah, and Elisha. Solomon’s name appears only in titles of two Psalms. Even David’s name occurs only thirteen times apart from titles of Psalms."

Robert D. Bell, "The Theology of the Psalms, Part 2: The Pattern for Worship," Biblical Viewpoint 4 (1970):116.
   

Free Audio Book: A Passion for God: The Spiritual Journey of A. W. Tozer by Lyle Dorsett

 
Christianaudio.com's free audiobook download for the month of May is A Passion for God: The Spiritual Journey of A. W. Tozer by Lyle Dorsett.

For more information or to get your download go here.
  

Murphy on the Presence of God

  
Here is another quote from the articles that I have been scanning. This one is from Roland Murphy in an article on the Psalms.

“While it seems platitudinous to underscore the sense of the Lord’s presence to the psalmist, the generation that has lived through the ‘God is dead’ movement needs to come to terms with Israel’s understanding of the divine presence. The prayer of Solomon (I Kings 8:27) recognized that Yahweh’s presence was a mystery, whether it be in the heavens which cannot contain him, much less in an earthly temple. But this did not prevent Israel from acknowledging his presence to them. This is a very basic fact; they were not talking to themselves, nor did they speak ‘as if’ the Lord were present. His reality is simply taken for granted by them.”

Roland E. Murphy, "The Faith of the Psalmist," Interpretation 24 (1980):231.
  

Messianic Theology of the Old Testament

  
William Varner has made a very helpful document on Messianic Theology of the Old Testament available for free here. Check it out.
 

Words from Waltke

 
I mentioned in a few days ago that I am scanning some old articles from my files. Today, I came across one by Bruce Waltke. He has good words for those of us who are involved in the academic study of the Bible.

"A major temptation confronting any student is that instead of seeking God in his or her own discipline he or she seeks personal achievement and human recognition through it. In a word, we are ever in danger of becoming ‘worldlings,’ by which I mean seeking ‘success’ according to secular evaluations instead of according to sacred values."

A bit later in the article, Waltke states.

"A student cannot say he is devoted to God who carelessly treats the empirical data in which he revealed himself. Here, however, we must face the reality that we are in the process of growing in our knowledge of accredited exegetical procedure and in our application of it to the literature, and therefore as we improve in our exegesis we mature in our knowledge of God."

Bruce K. Waltke, "On How to Study the Psalms Devotionally," Crux 16 (1980): 2, 3. 
  

The Cyrus Cylinder Again

  
Kristen Swenson has a blog post here on the Cyrus Cylinder that is now being exhibited at various locations in the United States. Check out the slideshow as well.


Here is a TED talk by Dr. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museums, which was delivered upon returning the Cylinder from Iran in 2011

The Most Neglected Reality in Education

I found the following comment by Parker Palmer interesting and unfortunately too often true of biblical and theological studies.

“In conventional education, the classroom is not regarded as a place to ‘practice’ anything. Practice goes on in the world, and the classroom is a place set apart. Practice is what students are being prepared for—it is oriented toward the future. Their preparation consists of absorbing accumulated knowledge—it is oriented to the past. So the realities that concern conventional education are 'out there’ in the world, ‘back there’ in the past, and ‘up there’ in the future. The most neglected reality in education is the reality of the present moment, of what is happening here and now in the classroom itself.”

Parker J. Palmer, To Know as We Are Known / A Spiritualityof Education (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 11983), 88.

Review of Charts on the Book of Hebrews

Herbert W. Bateman IV, Charts on the Book of Hebrews, Kregel Charts of the Bible (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2012).

One cannot help but be impressed with Herbert Bateman’s Charts on the Book of Hebrews. There are 104 charts total, but this does not tell the whole story. I would guess that at least half of the charts are more than a page in length and a number of the charts are quite detailed. Indeed, there is such an impressive amount of information that sometimes it borders on overkill (e.g., five charts and eight pages on the issue of Hebrews and the Canon). However, one reader’s informational gluttony might be another reader’s feast. This chart book is also a bit different from some others in that there is a helpful written explanation of the charts in the back (“Chart Comments,” pp. 239–53). Another bonus is the four-part bibliography.

The charts themselves are grouped into four major sections. The first major section covers introductory considerations (e.g., authorship, dating, structure, etc.) (pp. 15–66). The second section addresses background issues, namely, Old Testament and Second Temple influences on Hebrews (pp. 67–105). The third section covers the theology of Hebrews (pp. 107–50). And the fourth section contains charts related to exegetical issues (i.e., interpretive issues, text-critical issues, figures of speech, and important words) (pp. 151–238). Most preachers and teachers will likely find the most useful information in sections three and four, but there is just about something for every student of Hebrews here.

By way of critique, there are a few typos here and there (e.g., the wrong sigma form on p. 119 and a blank page on p. 200). One might also quibble a bit with the treatment of Scot McKnight’s view on the warning passages. It seems to me that McKnight nuances his view concerning those addressed by the passages in calling them “phenomenological believers.” They might be “real Christians” but probably not “real” in the same way as others on this chart who hold that the author is addressing “real Christians.” Finally, the usefulness of this book could be enhanced in two ways. First, it would be very helpful to make these charts available in electronic form as a supplementary CD (or some other means). I for one would be willing to pay a bit more to be able to easily incorporate this material into handouts or presentations. Second, a Scripture index would be quite valuable and a Second Temple literature index could be a great timesaver.

These minor critiques aside, Bateman has provided a great resource for those interested in the serious study of the book of Hebrews. This work will not solve the interpretive challenges of understanding Hebrews, but it does provide a jump start on the data needed to move towards better comprehension.

Thanks to Kregel for providing the review copy for this unbiased evaluation. 
 

McKenzie on the Messianic Kingdom

  
I have been scanning some old articles from my files and came across one from the Roman Catholic scholar John L. McKenzie. I have provided two excerpts, one from the beginning of the article and one from the end. 

“Exegetes are not entirely in agreement on the extent on which messianism should be called eschatological: that is, whether the messianic hope is to be realized within history or outside history. In either case, however, messianism is understood to be a divine intervention in history and the establishment of the kingdom of God over all men. In the conclusion of this paper I shall state the meaning which I think should be attached to the word eschatological. Here at the beginning we must notice that the future kingdom of God is conceived and described in the terms of historical kingdom of Israel as the primary term of analogy; consequently, the messianic hope rarely appears entirely deprived of national features.”

“In conclusion, then, we can state that royal messianism is a conviction that Yahweh has promised the dynasty of David an eternal duration. With this eternal duration Israel is inescapably connected. The Davidic king and the kingdom of Israel are to extend their sway over the entire world and to be the medium through which the kingdom of Yahweh realize itself for all men, a kingship not of conquest and oppression like the world empire of the Assyrians, but a kingdom of justice, righteousness, peace and security. This hope in its earliest form focuses upon the dynasty as a whole, represented in each successive historical king. As time goes on and the historical perseverance of the dynasty becomes uncertain, and it finally comes to an end, the hope turns to an assurance that the promises of Yahweh will find fulfillment only in the restoration of the dynasty. Attention is then focused not upon the dynasty as a whole—for it no longer exists, or is shortly to perish—but rather upon the ruler who will restore the dynasty. This founder of the new dynasty will be another David in the sense that the reign is inaugurated with him. Like David, he will exhibit the qualities of the ideal king. In him the fullness of the spirit will be realized, upon him will rest the gifts of the spirit, and through him the power of Yahweh will establish His reign over the entire world, which will submit in peace to the rule of a righteous God.”

John L. McKenzie, “Royal Messianism, Catholic Bible Quarterly 19 (1957): 25, 51–52.
  

Word Studies Gone Wrong

  
Nicholas McDonald has a short but helpful list of seven ways to do a bad word study here.
 

Modern Day Samaritans

  
See this article on the ancient practices of modern day Samaritans.
 

Robert Alter Interview

  
Robert Alter is interviewed here about his study on and translation of the Hebrew Bible.
 

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. 

Richard B. Hays and Stefan Alkier, eds.
Revelation and the Politics of Apocalyptic Interpretation
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8618
Reviewed by Greg Carey

Matthias Konradt
Israel, Kirche und die Völker im Matthäusevangelium
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7938
Reviewed by Donald Senior

Daniel Marguerat
Lukas, der erste christliche Historiker: Eine Studie zur Apostelgeschichte
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8538
Reviewed by Thomas Bergholz

Victor H. Matthews
The Hebrew Prophets and Their Social World: An Introduction
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8661
Reviewed by Aren M. Maeir
Reviewed by Stewart Moore

Jonathan T. Pennington
Reading the Gospels Wisely: A Narrative and Theological Introduction
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8635
Reviewed by Joel B. Green

Iain Provan and Mark J. Boda, eds.
Let Us Go Up to Zion: Essays in Honour of H. G. M. Williamson on the Occasion of His Sixty-Fifth Birthday
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8648
Reviewed by Keith Bodner

Anthony B. Robinson and Robert W. Wall
Called to Lead: Paul’s Letters to Timothy for a New Day
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8597
Reviewed by James Howard

David T. Runia and Gregory E. Sterling, eds.
Studia Philonica Annual XXIV, 2012
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8658
Reviewed by Scott Mackie

Philippe Wajdenbaum
Argonauts of the Desert: Structural Analysis of the Hebrew Bible
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8575
Reviewed by Casper J. Labuschagne

Some Challenges Related to Preaching the Decalogue

  
I recently posted on some of the advantages of preaching on the Decalogue (see here). Now I want address some of the challenges. I see at least five challenges. 

First, there are differences of opinion concerning the issue of the Mosaic Law and the Christian. Some see a great deal of continuity and others see much discontinuity. 

Second, one has to determine which version of the Decalogue will be used since different traditions have somewhat different lists (see here) and which text will be foundational (Exodus or Deuteronomy).

Third, trying to maintain a balance between affirming the significance of the Decalogue and yet not overemphasizing it can be a challenge. Many Christians already view the Ten Commandments as more important than other Scriptures and a sermon series could exacerbate the problem.

Fourth, relating the individual commandments with the teaching of Jesus and the rest of the New Testament can require a bit of work. The most obvious example of this challenge is the Sabbath commandment.

Fifth, one has to resist the tendency to slip into purely ethical preaching and avoid reinforcing the popular misconception that salvation or the Christian life consists solely of a list of dos and don’ts.

Ultimately these challenges should not dissuade one from preaching through the Decalogue. These five challenges are just that, challenges.

Dave Black's Advice on Publishing

  
See Dave Black's helpful advice to new scholars concerning how to get published.
 

Interview with Craig Blomberg

  
Cliff Kvidahl has a nice interview with Craig Blomberg here.
 

How To Deal with Verses You Don't Like

  
Jeff Weddle has a funny but generally spot on top ten list of how many people deal with verses that they don't like. Read it here.
 

Top Ten Internet Words

  
I was recently asked why we needed new English translations when we already had the KJV. I responded that new translations were needed because languages are constantly evolving. I think that this article on the top ten internet words might help to support my point.