ETS Videos: Progressive Covenantalism and Progressive Dispensationalism

Videos of the three plenary sessions from the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Southwest Region of the Evangelical Theological Society are now available on Youtube. The theme was “Progressive Covenantalism and Progressive Dispensationalism” and the plenary speakers were Dr. Stephen Wellum and Dr. Craig Blaising.

Plenary Session 1 – Dr. Stephen Wellum, “Progressive Covenantalism”

Plenary Session 2 – Dr. Craig Blaising, “Progressive Dispensationalsim”

Panel Discussion – Drs. Wellum and Blaising

Soldiers Using the Bathroom in the ANE

Charlie Trimm has a brief but enlightening post here on how soldiers used the bathroom in the ancient Near East.

Taking Notes on a Computer?

This is fairly balanced article on the advantages and  disadvantages of taking notes on a computer in class.

HT: George Hillman

5 Lessons from Preaching in a Dying Church

Brian Croft has a good word here about what he learned from preaching in a dying church. I think his observations might also fit most churches. In any case, I am looking forward to his further unpacking of these lessons.

The Identity of the 144,000 in Revelation 7

Clint Archer does a nice job of arguing that the 144,000 means 144,000 here. Readers might also want to check out Joel White's essay, "The 144,000 in Revelation 7 and 14: Old Testament and Intertextual Clues to Their Identity" (pp. 179-97) in the festschrift to Greg Beale, From Creation to New Creation.

Beginning Seminary Later in Life

Daniel Darling has some good advice for those beginning seminary later in life here. In fact, this advice is worth considering for anyone coming to seminary.

Creating Better Connections between Preachers and Hearers

Peter Mead shares 20 ways for creating a better connection between preachers and hearers here.

20 suggestions for a better connection between preacher and listeners.
See more: http://evangelicalfocus.com/blogs/2548/peter_mead_The_preacher_listener_connection

20 suggestions for a better connection between preacher and listeners
See more: http://evangelicalfocus.com/blogs/2548/peter_mead_The_preacher_listener_connection

20 suggestions for a better connection between preacher and listeners
See more: http://evangelicalfocus.com/blogs/2548/peter_mead_The_preacher_listener_connection

The Lord with His People in the Wilderness

One aspect of blogging that I find helpful is the opportunity to be exposed to what others are reading and studying. a case in point is this post by Shane Lems summarizing part of Timothy Laniak's, Shepherds After My Own Heart, where he discusses three ways in which the Lord helped His people in the wilderness.

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 but unfortunately you must be a SBL member. 

James Aitken and James Paget, eds.
The Jewish-Greek Tradition in Antiquity and the Byzantine Empire
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10409
Reviewed by Jonathan M. Potter

Anne Fitzpatrick-McKinley, ed.
Assessing Biblical and Classical Sources for the Reconstruction of Persian Influence, History and Culture
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11161
Reviewed by Jason M. Silverman

Joseph A. Marchal, ed.
The People beside Paul: The Philippian Assembly and History from Below
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10918
Reviewed by Isaac Blois

Chris Tilling
Paul’s Divine Christology
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10415
Reviewed by Chris Kugler

Wim J. C. Weren
Studies in Matthew’s Gospel: Literary Design, Intertextuality, and Social Setting
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10059
Reviewed by David Kaden

K. K. Yeo, ed.
From Rome to Beijing: Symposia on Robert Jewett’s Commentary on Romans
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10122
Reviewed by Eric C. Smith

Preaching through Books

Peter Cockrell explains why he does so here. I would encourage all my preaching friends to consider it as well.

10 Things You Should Never Do in a Theological Research Paper

You can read about 10 things you should never do in a theological research paper by downloading a free ebook from Michael Kibbe here.

Free Audio Book of the Month: The Passionate Preaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Christianaudio.com is offering The Passionate Preaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones by Steven Lawson as their free audio download for the month of May. You can access this offer here.

Free Logos Book for May: Live in Liberty

The free Logos Book of the Month for May is Live in Liberty: The Spiritual Message of Galatians by Daniel Bush and Noel Due. You can also purchase Embracing God as Father: Christian Identity in the Family of God by the same authors for .99 cents and a third book, Confronted by Grace: Meditations of a Theologian by John Webster for $1.99. For all offers you can go to the Logos' Free Book of Month page here.

The Skeptical State of Bible Reading in 2017

Christianity Today has posted an article on, "The Skeptical State of Bible Reading in 2017" here.

James Versus Jacob

Mark Wilson notes the problems associated with translating Jacob with James in the New Testament here.

Corinth Excavations Archaeological Manual

David Pettigrew notes here that the Corinth Excavations Archaeological Manual is being published but you can download a free PDF. David's informative post is here and you can download the PDF here.

Audio: The Historical Reliability of the Gospels

Credo Courses is offering audio of Craig Blomberg's "The Historical Reliability of the Gospels" for $5. That is not bad for over 13 hours of content. Credo is also offering 50%-off for video and other materials associated with this course. You can see the details here.

Resources on the Song of Solomon

David Murray has a helpful list here for helpful resources for studying the Song of Solomon.

Archaeology and Biblical Studies

Terry Wilder argues here that archaeology and biblical studies are distinct but friendly disciplines.

Ph.D.?

Todd Chipman has some important questions to ask here.

A Parable for Greek and Hebrew Students

Gary Manning has posted a clever and humorous parable for language students 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 but unfortunately you must be a SBL member.

Jeff W. Childers, trans.; George A. Kiraz, ed.
The Antioch Bible: The Gospel of Luke according to the Syriac Peshitta Version with English Translation (Syriac Edition)
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10038
Reviewed by David A. Smith

Karin Finsterbusch and Armin Lange, eds.
Texts and Contexts of Jeremiah: The Exegesis of Jeremiah 1 and 10 in Light of Text and Reception History
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11321
Reviewed by Marvin A. Sweeney

Simon Gathercole
Defending Substitution: An Essay on Atonement in Paul
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10364
Reviewed by Don Garlington

Jogy Cheruvathoor George
The Metaphor of Shepherd in the Gospel of Mark
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10654
Reviewed by Wayne Baxter

Jean-Daniel Macchi
Le livre d’Esther
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11320
Reviewed by Kristin De Troyer

Scot McKendrick, David Parker, Amy Myshrall, and Cillian O’Hogan, eds.
Codex Sinaiticus: New Perspectives on the Ancient Biblical Manuscript
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10713
Reviewed by S. Matthew Solomon

Paola Mollo
An Intratextual Analysis of the Mirroring Birth Stories of Samson and Samuel: Explaining the Narrative Logic of Literary Montage
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11063
Reviewed by Catherine Lewis-Smith

Susanne Scholz and Pablo R. Andiñach, eds.
La Violencia and the Hebrew Bible: The Politics and Histories of Biblical Hermeneutics on the American Continent
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11283
Reviewed by Hector Avalos
Reviewed by Brandon Grafius

Jan van der Watt, ed.
The Quest for the Real Jesus: Radboud Prestige Lectures by Prof. Dr. Michael Wolter
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9401
Reviewed by Stephan Witetschek

Witherington on Adam and the Genome

I have been enjoying Ben Witherington's interaction with the book Adam and the Genome by Dennis Venema and Scot McKnight. I am not sure how many posts Witherington will do but the first five are here, here, here, here, and here.

Christ's Resurrection and Missions

William Barrick has some great thoughts here on Christ's resurrection and missions.

Zondervan Lecture Videos Sale

Zondervan is offering its lecture videos at 55%-off with free shipping. This sale is only good for three days, April 18-20. Use the source code VIDEO. You can check it out here.