Audio Interview with Craig Keener

You can access a sixteen minute interview by Shawn Wilhite and Trey Moss with Craig Keener here.

Baking Like the Ancient Israelites

Bible Archaeology Review's website has an interesting article entitled, "Biblical Bread: Baking Like the Ancient Israelites" here.

The True Meaning of the Text Versus Your Ingenuity

David Allen has been posting excerpts from Marvin R. Vincent's 1884 volume, The Expositor in the Pulpit. This has been particularly valuable since this volume appears to be very difficult to find. And if you haven't been following along you would miss some great quotes like this one for the thirteenth post.

Your own ingenuity will often suggest tempting interpretations; but your invariable answer to this seductive Balak must be: “I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.” Far on in your ministry you will know what it is to have a chapter or a text suggest a novel and striking line of thought, and to feel that the sermon is as good as made, only to see your pet fancy dissolved under the touch of sound exegesis. Never try to rebuild it.

Sometimes it will seem as though the true meaning of your text yields you baser ore than your own thought about it; but work your shaft resolutely on the line of the Word, and you will soon be undeceived. God’s thought is always richer than man’s. You may groan over a vanished sermon, but your people will rejoice in a better one.

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.

Robert L. Cole
Psalms 1–2: Gateway to the Psalter
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9054
Reviewed by W. Dennis Tucker Jr.

Paba Nidhani De Andrado
The Akedah Servant Complex: The Soteriological Linkage of Genesis 22 and Isaiah 53 in Ancient Jewish and Christian Writings
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9459
Reviewed by John W. Fadden

David A. Lamb
Text, Context and the Johannine Community: A Sociolinguistic Analysis of the Johannine Writings
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9873
Reviewed by Wendy E. S. North

Jennifer Houston McNeel
Paul as Infant and Nursing Mother: Metaphor, Rhetoric, and Identity in 1 Thessalonians 2:5-8
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9921
Reviewed by Thomas R. Blanton IV

Gregory Mobley
The Return of the Chaos Monsters—and Other Backstories of the Bible
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8515
Reviewed by Bernard F. Batto

Dietmar Neufeld
Mockery and Secretism in the Social World of Mark’s Gospel
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9869
Reviewed by Joshua D. Garroway

Thomas Römer
Dark God: Cruelty, Sex, and Violence in the Old Testament
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9266
Reviewed by Juan Miguel Betancourt

Laura C. Sweat
The Theological Role of Paradox in the Gospel of Mark
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9726
Reviewed by M. Geert van Oyen

Arthur P. Urbano
The Philosophical Life: Biography and the Crafting of Intellectual Identity in Late Antiquity
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9543
Reviewed by Edmund P. Cueva

H. H. Drake Williams III
Jesus Tried and True: Why the Four Canonical Gospels Provide the Best Picture of Jesus
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9626
Reviewed by Richard A. Burridge

Revelation Resources

Matt Capps has lists and links here to some resources for studying the book of Revelation.

Remembering Greek Prepositions

The following video by Rob Plummer has some mnemonic suggestions for remembering some of the major Greek prepositions.

Illustration Checklist

Peter Mead has a helpful nine-point illustration checklist here.

J. Ramsey Michaels on Books that Influenced Him

I like books and I like when people talk about about books that influenced them and why. So I like this post by J. Ramsey Michaels on some of the books that influenced him.

Interactive Map of Joshua 12

Chris McKinny at the BiblePlaces blog  has an interesting discussion of Joshua 12 generally and includes a nifty interactive map. You can check it out here.

Three Types of Pastor-Theologians

You can read about three types of pastor-theologians here.

Reading the Mishnah

David Miller has some helpful thoughts on reading the Mishnah 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.

Nathan J. Barnes
Reading 1 Corinthians with Philosophically Educated Women
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9820
Reviewed by Timothy A. Brookins

Richard J. Bautch and Jean-François Racine, eds.
Beauty and the Bible: Toward a Hermeneutics of Biblical Aesthetics
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9433
Reviewed by Richard Viladescu

Raffaella Cribiore
Libanius the Sophist: Rhetoric, Reality, and Religion in the Fourth Century
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9548
Reviewed by Thomas Olbricht

Roland Deines; Christoph Ochs and Peter Watts, eds.
Acts of God in History: Studies Towards Recovering a Theological Historiography
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9599
Reviewed by Wil Rogan

Leann Snow Flesher, Carol J. Dempsey, and Mark J. Boda, eds.
Why? … How Long? Studies on Voice(s) of Lamentation Rooted in Biblical Hebrew Poetry
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9724
Reviewed by George Savran

Greg W. Forbes
1 Peter: Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9983
Reviewed by Terrance D. Callan

Lisbeth S. Fried
Ezra and the Law in History and Tradition
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10026
Reviewed by Thomas Hieke

Martin Heide
Das Testament Abrahams: Edition und Übersetzung der arabischen und äthiopischen Versionen
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9183
Reviewed by Curt Niccum

Clayton N. Jefford
The Epistle to Diognetus (with the Fragment of Quadratus): Introduction, Text, and Commentary
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9488
Reviewed by Jonathan A. Draper

Lance Jenott and Sarit Kattan Gribetz, eds.
Jewish and Christian Cosmogony in Late Antiquity
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9593
Reviewed by Steven Thompson

Hubert James Keener
A Canonical Exegesis of Psalm 8: YHWH’s Maintenance of the Created Order through Divine Reversal
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9861
Reviewed by Philippus J. Botha

Karl McDaniel
Experiencing Irony in the First Gospel: Suspense, Surprise and Curiosity
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9702
Reviewed by Glenna Jackson

Maciej M. Münnich
The God Resheph in the Ancient Near East
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9474
Reviewed by Michael S. Moore

Douglas E. Oakman
Jesus, Debt, and the Lord’s Prayer: First-Century Debt and Jesus’ Intentions
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9999
Reviewed by David A. Fiensy

Iain Provan
Seriously Dangerous Religion: What the Old Testament Really Says and Why It Matters
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9838
Reviewed by Richard S. Briggs

Robert M. Royalty Jr.
The Origin of Heresy: A History of Discourse in Second Temple Judaism and Early Christianity
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8845
Reviewed by Joseph Azize

Benjamin Sargent
David Being a Prophet: The Contingency of Scripture upon History in the New Testament
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9798
Reviewed by Kenneth D. Litwak

Ched Spellman
Toward a Canon-Conscious Reading of the Bible: Exploring the History and Hermeneutics of the Canon
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9927
Reviewed by John Barton

Rivka Ulmer and Moshe Ulmer
Righteous Giving to the Poor: Tzedakah (“Charity”) in Classic Rabbinic Judaism
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10023
Reviewed by Zev Garber

Samson Uytanlet
Luke-Acts and Jewish Historiography: A Study on the Theology, Literature, and Ideology of Luke-Acts
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9850
Reviewed by Andrew W. Pitts

Songs 8:6 and Cylinder Seals

Leon Mauldin has a nice post here on cylinder seals and how that relates to the seal imagery used in Songs 8:6.

Owning but Ignoring the Bible

Apparently, Christians are not the only ones who own a Bible but don't actually read it. According to this article, "95 percent of Jewish Israelis have a Bible at home, six percent of those are not sure where it is."

Free Audio: Doug Moo on Galatians

You can access free audio Of Doug Moo speaking on Galatians here. This was recorded In July 2014 at a two-day intensive course at Oak Hill.

HT: Brian Fulthrop

Ancient Near Eastern History and Archaeology Quizzes

Ancient Near Eastern history and archaeology nerds might enjoy taking these quizzes at the ASOR website.

From Where Did God Bring Out the Israelites (Exod 20:2)?

Lee Fields has a great post here asking and answering, "From Where Did God Bring Out the Israelites (Exod 20:2)?"

The Pe before Ayin in Lamentations

Many Bible students know that Lamentations contains four alphabetic acrostics. And those who have studied biblical Hebrew know that the letter ayin precedes pe. But a question then arises as to why the acrostics in Lamentations 2, 3, and 4 has the pe lines before ayin. A number of answers have been provided but they do not usually appear in a newspaper. So check out this interesting article in the Jewish Link of New Jersey.

Facebook and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Facebook users might be interested in Trinity Western University Dead Sea Scrolls Institute relatively new Facebook page. See 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
Exodus 1–18
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9028
Reviewed by William Johnstone

Wolfgang Grunstaudl
Petrus Alexandrinus: Studien zum historischen und theologischen Ort des Zweiten Petrusbriefes
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9842
Reviewed by Rob van Houwelingen

Brad E. Kelle, Frank Ritchel Ames, and Jacob L. Wright
Warfare, Ritual, and Symbol in Biblical and Modern Contexts
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9855
Reviewed by Kyle H. Keimer
Reviewed by William L. Lyons

Jason T. Lamoreaux
Ritual, Women, and Philippi: Reimagining the Early Philippian Community
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9536
Reviewed by Angela Standhartinger

Matthew Lynch
Monotheism and Institutions in the Book of Chronicles: Temple, Priesthood, and Kingship in Post-exilic Perspective
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9809
Reviewed by Michael B. Hundley

Steve Mason and Tom Robinson, eds.
Early Christian Reader
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9431
Reviewed by H. H. Drake Williams III
Reviewed by Arie W. Zwiep

Matteo Munari
Il compimento della Torah: Gesù e la Scrittura in Mt 5, 17-48
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9653
Reviewed by Andrea Ravasco

Ernest Nicholson
Deuteronomy and the Judaean Diaspora
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9777
Reviewed by Jeremy M. Hutton

Eyal Regev
The Hasmoneans: Ideology, Archaeology, Identity
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9352
Reviewed by James S. Lee

Clare K. Rothschild, Jens Schröter
The Rise and Expansion of Christianity in the First Three Centuries of the Common Era
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9214
Reviewed by Eve-Marie Becker

Seizo Sekine
Philosophical Interpretations of the Old Testament
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9800
Reviewed by Walter Moberly

Angela Thomas
Anatomical Idiom and Emotional Expression: A Comparison of the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9923
Reviewed by Benjamin M. Austin

Keith W. Whitelam, ed.
Holy Land as Homeland? Models for Constructing the Historic Landscapes of Jesus
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8961
Reviewed by Emanuel Pfoh

Online Education Videos

David Murray has a nice post here listing seven characteristics of the best online education videos.

Pastor or Professor?

See Michael Kruger's discussion here on whether you should you be a pastor or professor?"

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.

Bob Becking, ed.
Reflections on the Silence of God: A Discussion with Marjo Korpel and Johannes de Moor
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9610
Reviewed by Ulrich Berges

Kathryn D. Blanchard and Jane S. Webster, eds.
Lady Parts: Biblical Women and The Vagina Monologues
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9089
Reviewed by Janet Everhart

Judy Fentress-Williams
Ruth
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8831
Reviewed by Mary Joan Leith

Bernd Janowski
Arguing with God: A Theological Anthropology of the Psalms
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9422
Reviewed by Walter Moberly

John MacGinnis
The Arrows of the Sun: Armed Forces in Sippar in the First Millennium BC
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8541
Reviewed by Russell Mack

Amy L. B. Peeler
You Are My Son: The Family of God in the Epistle to the Hebrews
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9870
Reviewed by Scott D. Mackie

Jerry L. Sumney
The Bible: An Introduction
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9912
Reviewed by Ryan Bonfiglio

Graham H. Twelftree
Paul and the Miraculous: A Historical Reconstruction
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9365
Reviewed by Clare K. Rothschild

Geza Vermes
The True Herod
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9871
Reviewed by John Painter

Jason A. Whitlark
Resisting Empire: Rethinking the Purpose of the Letter to “the Hebrews”
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9986
Reviewed by Arie W. Zwiep

The Message of the Bible in One Sentence

Dane Ortlund has a great post here asking the question, "What's the Message of the Bible in One Sentence?" and then listing answers from "a handful of thoughtful scholars and pastors."

HT: Justin Taylor

Reverse Etymological Fallacy

Robert Plummer has a nice description and illustration below of the reverse etymological fallacy.