The Theological Significance of Deuteronomy

  

"The theological significance of Deuteronomy can scarcely be overestimated. Inasmuch as this book offers the most systematic presentation of theological truth in the entire Old Testament, we may compare its place to that of Romans in the New Testament. Moreover, since Deuteronomy reviews so much of Israel’s historical experience of God’s grace as recounted in Genesis through Numbers, a comparison with the gospel of John may be even more appropriate. Just as John wrote his gospel after several decades of reflection on the death and resurrection of Jesus, so Moses preached the sermons on Deuteronomy after almost four decades of reflection on the significance of the Exodus and God’s covenant with Israel. Thus, like the gospel of John, the book of Deuteronomy functions as a theological manifesto, calling on Israel to respond to God’s grace with unreserved loyalty and love."

Daniel I. Block, Deuteronomy, NIV Application Commentary, ed. Terry Muck (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 25.
  

Expository Preaching Workshop - Preaching the Gospels

  
The annual expository preaching workshop at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will take place on March 4-5, 2013. This year's focus will be on preaching the Gospels. Early registration for the workshop is $25 for students and $50 for non-students through February 25, 2013. After February 25, registration fees increase to $50 for students and $75 for non-students. The workshop will run from 4:00-9:00 pm on Monday and 8:00 am-4:00 pm on Tuesday. You can read more, see the speakers and a schedule, or register here.

Reading Qohelet

  
I love teaching the book of Ecclesiastes but it can be real a challenge.  Michael Fox describes part of the challenge well in the following comment.
 
“I try and read Qohelet without “solving” the problems raised by the contradictions in his perceptions of toil, wisdom, and justice. I am not sure I have entirely succeeded because there is tremendous interpretive pressure to raise the valleys and lower the hills, to make the way straight and level before the reader. But a reading faithful to this book, at least, should try to describe the territory with all its bumps and clefts, for they are not merely flaws, but the essence of the landscape.”

Michael V. Fox, Qohelet and His Contradictions, Bible and Literature Series18, ed David M. Gunn (Sheffield: Almond, 1989), 28.

Sentiment Analysis of the Bible

   
Kregel Academic on Facebook posted this interesting infographic. I know it may be a bit hard to see but if you click on the image you may be able to see it well enough.

Top Ten Discoveries Related to Biblical Archaeology in 2012

  
See this article for a suggested list of the top ten discoveries related to biblical archaeology in 2012.
 

Dr. Stan Toussaint

  

This is a bit late. But I am hoping that the aphorism "better late than never" applies here. In any case, one of my favorite professors at Dallas Theological Seminary has retired. Dr. Stan Toussaint taught at Dallas for 47 years. That fact alone is worthy of distinction. But what  is even more noteworthy is the positive and powerful influence that "Dr. T." had on so many students (including myself) over the years. My life and ministry have never been the same since taking Dr. T.'s classes and then later having the great privilege and opportunity of filling in for him on occasion. He was a master at balancing and blending the academic with the pastoral, the rigorous examination of the text with an equally rigorous application of that text to life. I count my time with Dr. T. as one of God's gracious blessings. 

You can read a nice write up on Dr. Toussaint here.

The Neglect of Wisdom in Education

  
"Modern society with its commitment to progress and novelty, its hurried fascination with youth, and its suspicion of anything old (including old people), makes it difficult to find time to reflect, ponder, and wonder. In such a climate, wisdom is unlikely to flourish. Even in the domain of contemporary schooling, despite a natural affinity with the tradition that cares deeply about education, there is likely to be resistance to biblical wisdom’s lessons since there is little evidence that wisdom could be an “outcome” of a standardized curriculum. In addition, schools may resist wisdom’s expectations of practice in the ordinary world of everyday life in the community and its insistence upon virtues such as silence, reflection, reverence, and humility.”

Charles F. Melchert, Wise Teaching: Biblical Wisdom and Educational Ministry (Phillipsburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 1998), 8. 
 

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.

Eberhard Bons and Jans Joosten, eds.
Septuagint Vocabulary: Pre-history, Usage, Reception
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8215
Reviewed by Francis Dalrymple-Hamilton
Reviewed by Daniel M. O'Hare

Deborah O'Daniel Cantrell
The Horsemen of Israel: Horses and Chariotry in Monarchic Israel
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8286
Reviewed by Raz Kletter

Daniel R. Driver
Brevard Childs, Biblical Theologian: For the Church's One Bible
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8567
Reviewed by Philippus J. Botha

Peter Enns
Ecclesiastes
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8440
Reviewed by Gert T. M. Prinsloo

Daniel C. Harlow, Karina Martin Hogan, Matthew Goff, and Joel S. Kaminsky, eds.
The "Other" in Second Temple Judaism: Essays in Honor of John J. Collins
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8027
Reviewed by James D. G. Dunn

Bruce W. Longenecker
Hearing the Silence: Jesus on the Edge and God in the Gap-Luke 4 in Narrative Perspective
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8563
Reviewed by Michal Beth Dinkler

Stéphane Saulnier
Calendrical Variations in Second Temple Judaism: New Perspectives on the 'Date of the Last Supper' Debate
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8531
Reviewed by Helen Jacobus

Karlheinz Schüssler, ed.
Biblia Coptica: Die koptischen Bibeltexte. Vollständiges Verzeichnis mit Standorten. Band 4/Lieferung 4: sa 721-780
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8464
Reviewed by Blossom Stefaniw

Jarvis J. Williams
Maccabean Martyr Traditions in Paul's Theology of Atonement: Did Martyr Theology Shape Paul's Conception of Jesus's Death?
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8091
Reviewed by Jan Willem van Henten  

Free Logos Book for January: Jonathan Edwards’ A Treatise concerning Religious Affections

The free Logos Book for January is Jonathan Edwards’ A Treatise concerning Religious Affections. You can also enter to win the entire Works of Jonathan Edwards. Go the Logos' Free Book of Month page to enter and download your free book today!
 

Hebrews Resources

  
Nicholas Batzig has a helpful collection of links to various resources for the book of Hebrews. You can the list here.
 

Westminster Clearance Sale

The Westminster Bookstore has placed a number of books on clearance at 60% off. Here is a select list of titles which might be of interest.

Matthew 1–13, Ancient Commentary on Christian Scripture by Manlio Simonetti. @ $20 (60% off)

Matthew 14–28, Ancient Commentary on Christian Scripture by Manlio Simonetti. @ $20 (60% off)

Luke, Ancient Commentary on Christian Scripture by Arthur A. Just Jr. @ $20 (60% off)

Romans, Ancient Commentary on Christian Scripture by Bray, Gerald @ $20 (60% off)

Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Titus, 1-2 Timothy And 1-3 John by Ben Witherington III @ $16.00 (60% off)

Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs, Apollos Old Testament Commentaries by Daniel C. Fredericks and Daniel J.Estes @ $16.00 (60% off)

1 Chronicles, Word Biblical Commentary by Roddy L. Braun @ $20 (60% off)

Ezekiel 1–19, Word Biblical Commentary by Leslie C. Allen @ $20 (60% off)

Ecclesiastes, Word Biblical Commentary by Roland E, Murphy @ $20 (60% off)

New Bible Atlas by John Bimson @ $12 (60% off)

Studying the Historical Jesus: A Guide to Sources and Methods by Darrell L. Bock @ $9.60 (60% off)

It’s Still Greek to Me: An Easy-To-Understand Guide to Intermediate Greek Grammar by David Alan Black @ $8.80 (60% off)

Calvin and the Biblical Languages by John D.Currid @ $6.80 (60% off)

Historical Reliability of John’s Gospel: Issues & Commentary by Craig Blomberg @ $10.40 (60% off)

How Biblical Languages Work: A Student's Guide to Learning Hebrew and Greek by Peter James Silzer and Thomas John Finley @ $8.00 (60% off)

The Historical Jesus of the Gospels: Jesus in Historical Context by Craig S. Keener @ $24.00 (60% off)

Hermeneutics: An Introduction by Anthony C. Thiselton @ $12.80 (60% off)

The Background of the New Testament and its Eschatology by W. D. Davies and D. Daube @ $28.80 (60% off)

You can access all of the clearance items here.
 

Wallace (and Sprinkle) on the New Persprective

  
Dan Wallace interacts here with Preston Sprinkle's challenge of a key point in the New Perspective on Paul. 
 

Theology as a Work in Progess

"What we call “theology” is a work in progress. It is not a fixed body of knowledge that can never grow or develop; it continues to expand as our relationship with God deepens. At the same time, it does not change, because God does not change. Theologians may have to express themselves in new ways when challenged by fresh discoveries that raise questions our ancestors never dreamed of. We may have to adapt our language to different circumstances and present the age-old message of Christ in ways previously unknown. Many theologians are goats, who relish these opportunities and use them to take the church away from its foundations. This has given theology a bad name in many circles. But these are false teachers who must be exposed and avoided. True theologians are sheep who hear their Shepherd’s voice and interpret his words for the benefit of the rest of the flock. In this task, theology will continue until the time comes when it will no longer be needed. When that happens we shall know all things, and be enfolded forever in the unchanging and all–encompassing love of God."

Gerald Bray, God Is Love: A Biblical and Systematic Theology (Wheaton: Crossway, 2012), 27.

Wallace: Five More Myths about Bible Translations

  
A few months ago I posted a link to fifteen myths about Bible translations from Dan Wallace (go here). He has now posted five more myths here.

Denominations

  
I know that thinking positively about denominations has fallen on hard times. But I have long believed that on their best days they can still serve a helpful function. So it is nice to read someone else who sees denominations as a good thing.

Nestle-Aland 28 Available Online

The new Nestle-Aland 28 is now available online here.

HT: Michael Gorman

How to Become A Biblical Scholar

  
An interview with C. Clifton Black addresses the issue of becoming a biblical scholar here.
 

Review of The Handy Guide to New Testament Greek

Douglas S. Huffman, The Handy Guide to New Testament Greek: Grammar, Syntax, and Diagramming (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2012).

During my Bible college days I remember purchasing A Card-Guide to New Testament Greek by Benjamin Chapman and Gary Shogren. This was a laminated sheet, printed on the front and back, highlighting the basic information covered in first year Greek. Zondervan also now produces a four-page laminated overview produced by William Mounce.

Huffman’s work is more than these two resources but less than a first-year Greek grammar and/or a second-year Greek syntax. It is a supplemental resource designed to conveniently distill the information typically covered in first and second year Greek courses and texts. By this measure, Huffman’s guide is largely successful. There is a lot of information packed in these 112 pages. It is full without feeling cramped. The printing is easy on the eyes and the use of color is both attractive and helpful. This guide contains helpful definitions, explanations (simple without being simplistic), descriptions, examples, tables, and memory devices (e.g., “Old MacDonald nouns,” p. 10). The work is rounded out by a solid chapter on diagramming that reads more like a book than the first two chapters. The value of this resource is also enhanced by a fairly comprehensive and nicely organized bibliography (for the table of contents go here). I actually enjoyed going through this guide and my overall impression of this work is very positive. 

The main challenge as I see for this niche product is finding an audience outside of the Bible college or seminary classroom where it is a required text. If this resource is intended to be used after graduation then I suspect the best hope will be to put it out in the main ebook formats. 

Douglas Huffman is a Professor and associate Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola University. You can read an excerpt here.

Thanks to Kregel Academic for providing the free copy of this book used in writing this unbiased review. 
  

Luke Commentary on Sale

  
Christian Book Distributor's "Deal of the Day" is I. Howard Marshall's Luke Commentary.

The Gospel of Luke: New International Greek Testament Commentary [NIGTC]

CBD has the volume at $47% off or $35.99. This is about $20 better than either Amazon who has the same volume for $55.31 or the Westminster Bookstore at $56.91.
 

Merry Christmas!

  
Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ in celebration of His birth and Merry Christmas to all from my family to yours.
 

Christmas in Koine

  
Daniel Streett has posted a collection of links for Christmas songs in Koine Greek 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.

Frederick Dale Bruner
The Gospel of John: A Commentary
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8442
Reviewed by Sonya S. Cronin

Georg Fischer and Dominik Markl
Das Buch Exodus
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8142
Reviewed by Paul Sanders

Peter Hon Wan Lau
Identity and Ethics in the Book of Ruth: A Social Identity Approach
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8253
Reviewed by Timothy Stone

Nancy C. Lee
Lyrics of Lament: From Tragedy to Transformation
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7435
Reviewed by Ulrich Berges
Reviewed by Leonard Mare

Mikeal C. Parsons
Body and Character in Luke and Acts: The Subversion of Physiognomy in Early Christianity
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8324
Reviewed by Stephan Witetschek

Matthew S. Rindge
Jesus' Parable of the Rich Fool: Luke 12:13-34 among Ancient Conversations on Death and Possessions
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8342
Reviewed by Matthew Hauge

John H. Sailhamer
The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Composition and Interpretation
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8130
Reviewed by Andrew Steinmann

Simon P. Stocks
The Form and Function of the Tricolon in the Psalms of Ascents: Introducing a New Paradigm for Hebrew Poetic Line-form
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8553
Reviewed by Gert T. M. Prinsloo

Klaus Wachtel and Michael W. Holmes, eds.
The Textual History of the Greek New Testament: Changing Views in Contemporary Research
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8381
Reviewed by James Leonard

Upcoming Lectures at the Lanier Theological Library

  
Those in and around Houston, Texas might be interested in three upcoming free lectures at the Lanier Theological Library in 2013.

January 29, 2013: Paige Patterson speaking on "The Expectation of the Reign of Christ on a Millennial Earth"

March 23, 2013: Alister McGrath speaking on "C.S. on Lewis and the Post Modern Generation: His Message 50 Years Later"

April 27. 2013: D. A. Carson on a topic not yet announced

You can see more about the lectures and register to attend here.

   

Audio: Moo on Romans

  
Readers of this blog know that I have highlighted the work of BiblicalTraining.org. It is a great resource. They have just announced the release a course by Doug Moo on Romans. All Biblical Training courses are free but you have to register. You can check out the Romans course here.
 

Top Ten End of the World Songs

  
In honor of all the hype about tomorrow, you can find suggestions for the top ten end of the world songs here, here, and here.