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.

Sonja Ammann
Götter für die Toren: Die Verbindung von Götterpolemik und Weisheit im Alten Testament
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10669
Reviewed by Christl M. Maier

M. Daniel Carroll R. and J. Blair Wilgus, eds.
Wrestling with the Violence of God: Soundings in the Old Testament
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11082
Reviewed by Eric A. Seibert

Jordi Cervera I Valls
Jesús en la Carta als Hebreus: Una cristologia de matriu jueva
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10470
Reviewed by Jeffrey L. Morrow

James H. Charlesworth, Lee Martin McDonald, and Blake A. Jurgens, eds.
Sacra Scriptura: How “Non-canonical” Texts Functioned in Early Judaism and Early Christianity
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9720
Reviewed by Tobias Nicklas

Jørgen Christensen-Ernst
Antioch on the Orontes: A History and a Guide
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=8810
Reviewed by Mark Wilson

Sean Freyne
The Jesus Movement and Its Expansion: Meaning and Mission
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9890
Reviewed by Richard Horsley
Reviewed by Brian J. Wright

Heather M. Gorman
Interweaving Innocence: A Rhetorical Analysis of Luke’s Passion Narrative (Luke 22:66–23:49)
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10997
Reviewed by Steve Smith

Yaakov Huster
Ashkelon 5: The Land behind Ashkelon
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10609
Reviewed by Carol Meyers

Andrew Knapp
Royal Apologetic in the Ancient Near East
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10923
Reviewed by Danny Mathews

Halvor Moxnes
A Short History of the New Testament
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10697
Reviewed by Dieter T. Roth

Jack M. Sasson
Judges 1–12: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9974
Reviewed by Victor H. Matthews

Michael K. Snearly
The Return of the King: Messianic Expectation in Book V of the Psalter
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11011
Reviewed by Richard Bautch

Max Stern
Psalms and Music: Influences of the Psalms on Western Music
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10507
Reviewed by James F. McGrath

Eric J. Tully
The Translation and Translator of the Peshitta of Hosea
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10382
Reviewed by Jerome A. Lund

Do Theological Studies Majors Work Hard?

I think they do. But according to this study, not nearly as hard as STEM majors. Theological studies majors come in at 30 out of 86 majors. At least we beat philosophy which comes in at 31.

New Dead Sea Scrolls Cave

This was heavily reported yesterday but just in case you missed it, a new cave, the twelfth, that likely held some Dead Sea Scrolls has been discovered and excavated. Unfortunately, no new scrolls or fragments of scrolls with texts were found. But they did find, pieces of six jars consistent with those that contained scrolls found in the other caves, papyrus and parchment fragments, a leather strap that might have been used to tie scrolls, Neolithic flint tools, and a carnelian stamp seal. Two modern pickaxes were also found, suggesting that the cave had been looted.

There are too many sources to list. But the Hebrew University of Jerusalem story has links for good quality photos here. The Logos Academic blog has additional photos and explanation here. The Washington Post has a good article here.

Although it is bit early to tell, this discovery might support at least two points. First, there are likely other caves yet to be discovered. Second, that some of the recent Dead Sea Scrolls fragments that have been sold recently might be authentic. But great caution should be exercised before we know more.

Paul's Departure from Malta?

February 8 is one suggested date for Paul's departure from Malta. You can read more about it here.

H.B. Charles on Biblical Preaching

You can read H. B. Charles' understanding of biblical preaching here.

The Imminent Return of Christ and the Canon

Michael Kruger has a good discussion here on what implications that an imminent return of Christ might of had on the production of Scripture. Kruger seems skeptical that the early church had an expectation of the imminence of the Lord's return but argues that even if they did, the conclusions regarding the writing of Scripture are wrong. I happen to think that the early church had an expectation of imminence but Kruger is right that this would not necessarily mean that such an expectation would have precluded the desire or need for Scripture.

Abandoning Scriptural Authority

This article has been out a few days, but D. A. Carson's article here is worth reading.

Preaching Tips

Trinity College principal Emma Ineson recently posted a request on Facebook for preaching tips from alumni and friends could that could be shared in an Introduction to Preaching module she was about to teach. Here is a post on the results and an edited compilation of the tips can be accessed on this PDF.

HT: Antony Billington

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.

Bill T. Arnold and Richard S. Hess, eds.
Ancient Israel’s History: An Introduction to Issues and Sources
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10062
Reviewed by Emanuel Pfoh

John Barton, ed.
The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Companion
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11295
Reviewed by Phil J. Botha

Ben Blackwell, John Goodrich, and Jason Maston, eds.
Reading Romans in Context: Paul and Second Temple Judaism
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10419
Reviewed by Günter Röhser

Ignacio Carbajosa and Andrés García Serrano, eds.
Una Biblia a varias voces: Estudio textual de la Biblia Políglota Complutense
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10325
Reviewed by Jeffrey L. Morrow

Jan Dochhorn, Susanne Rudnig-Zelt, and Benjamin Wold, eds.
Das Böse, der Teufel und Dämonen – Evil, the Devil, and Demons
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11225
Reviewed by Carol A. Newsom

Cynthia Edenburg
Dismembering the Whole: Composition and Purpose of Judges 19–21
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11259
Reviewed by Edgar W. Conrad
Reviewed by Klaas Spronk

Bart D. Ehrman
Jesus before the Gospels: How the Earliest Christians Remembered, Changed, and Invented Their Stories of the Savior
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11126
Reviewed by James F. McGrath

Richard B. Hays, Stefan Alkier, and Leroy A. Huizenga, eds.
Reading the Bible Intertextually
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10576
Reviewed by Josh Mathews

H. A. G. Houghton
The Latin New Testament: A Guide to Its Early History, Texts, and Manuscripts
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11243
Reviewed by John C. Poirier

Judaism and Rome Website

I don't know much about this project but some might be interested in this Judaism and Rome website. This project attempts to re-think Judaism’s relationship with the Roman Empire, especially from the 2nd Century BC to the 4th Century AD.

Review of Preaching Old Testament Narratives

Benjamin H. Walton, Preaching Old Testament Narratives (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2016).

Preaching narratives, especially Old Testament narratives well, can be a challenge. So I approached Benjamin Walton’s treatment with some anticipation. This fairly brief volume (208 pp.) consists of two parts, thirteen chapters, and four appendices. The first section covers the issues and methods related to studying and creating messages from Old Testament narratives. The second relates to the nuts-and-bolts of delivering the message. Through both sections, Walton uses 2 Samuel 11–12 as an example of his methodology.

This volume is clearly written and provides a pretty good methodology for moving from text-to-sermon-to-delivery. There are helpful suggestions (e.g., mini-synopses, pp. 100-101) sprinkled throughout and I appreciate the fact that he provides an example message drawn from 2 Samuel 11–12 to illustrate his approach.

Criticisms of the book are relatively minor. Walton apparently loves acronyms and there are a number of them in this work. You have CUT, THT, OTM, PPA, and others which stand for complete units of thought, take home truths, original theological messages, and picture painting applications. But I found myself getting a bit lost in this alphabet soup and having to develop a cheat-sheet just to keep things straight. I would also take issue with Walton on his view of application. For example, he states that, “The third key difference is that unlike NT epistles, Old Testament narratives do a lot of describing and not a lot of prescribing” (p. 34). While it can be problematic when Old Testament narratives are reduced to messages like “be a Daniel” or reducing texts to mere moralizing is probably not the best way to go, I think we need to take 2 Timothy 3:16 seriously. All Scripture (which includes OT narrative) is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. So while narratives are certainly descriptive, they must also be in some way prescriptive. The issue, then, is “how” are they prescriptive.

But these criticisms are relatively minor and one who seeks to begin preaching or better preach Old Testament narratives should consider this volume.

You can read an excerpt here.

Thanks to Kregel for providing the free copy used for this review.

Free Logos Book for February: Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Christian Discipleship by N. T. Wright

The free Logos Book for February is N. T. Wright’s Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Christian Discipleship. Unfortunately many may have already picked this up last year when it was offered for 99 cents. In any case, you can check out the offer here.

What is Biblical Preaching?

Eric Geiger attempts to answer that question here.

Where Paul May Have Eaten

Carl Rasmussen has a fascinating post here on where he might have eaten on his travels.

The Value of Seminary

Elizabeth Garn writes about five reasons she is glad that she went to seminary here. Number three is huge.

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.

David Balch
Contested Ethnicities and Images: Studies in Acts and Arts
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10369
Reviewed by Eric D. Barreto

Ellen T. Charry
Psalms 1–50: Sighs and Songs of Israel
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10890
Reviewed by J. Clinton McCann Jr.

Kevin Corrigan and Tuomas Rasimus, eds.
Gnosticism, Platonism and the Late Ancient World: Essays in Honour of John D. Turner
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9522
Reviewed by Robert Joseph Morehouse

F. W. Dobbs-Allsopp
On Biblical Poetry
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10714
Reviewed by Benjamin D. Sommer

Tung Chiew Ha
Biblical Narrative Learning: Teaching Adequate Faith in the Gospel of John
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10944
Reviewed by Akio Ito
Reviewed by Dirk van der Merwe

Teresa Morgan
Roman Faith and Christian Faith: Pistis and Fides in the Early Roman Empire and Early Churches
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10538
Reviewed by Jason A. Myers

Tobias Nicklas
Jews and Christians? Second-Century ‘Christian’ Perspectives on the ‘Parting of the Ways’
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10263
Reviewed by Shira L. Lander

Robert H. Stein
Jesus, the Temple and the Coming Son of Man: A Commentary on Mark 13
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10028
Reviewed by Andrew R. Angel

Lauri Thurén
Parables Unplugged: Reading the Lukan Parables in Their Rhetorical Context
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10139
Reviewed by Dieter T. Roth

Hurtado on the “Conversion” of Paul

Larry Hurtado has a good post here on the “conversion” of Paul. Although Hurtado leaves the question of whether Paul's experience should be understood as a conversion or a call open, I lean toward the conversion side. But I recognize that an awful lot depends on how conversion is defined.

Writing from an Editor's Perspective

Some points in Anna Pitoniak's article, "What Being an Editor Taught Me About Writing" are worth reading and adapting for academic writing and the writing of sermons. 

HT: George Hillman

Free Ebooks from Brill

Brill is offering a number of free eBooks during Academic Book Week (Monday 23 – Saturday 28). See Brill's offer here. The following two titles have the most relevance to biblical studies.

Studies in the Making of the Early Hebrew Book
Early Christian Manuscripts

Audio: The Pastor and Biblical Languages

Ray Van Neste and Jason Allen discuss why pastors should study the biblical languages here.

N. T. Wright on Bible Study

Although this posted a few days ago, N. T. Wright has some interesting and helpful thoughts on Bible study here in case you missed it.

Bible Usage Survey

The Bible Society has posted the interesting results of their survey of over 3,700 Bible readers mostly from the UK. You can access a PDF of the results here.

HT: Antony Billington

Joshua's Long Day, Again

This new study dates and explains the sun standing still Joshua 10. The study assumes the solar eclipse explanation. I believe that the dating is wrong and I am doubtful that the eclipse view best explains the event.

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.

Samuel E. Balentine
Have You Considered My Servant Job? Understanding the Biblical Archetype of Patience
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10313
Reviewed by Jeffery M. Leonard 

Davida H. Charney
Persuading God: Rhetorical Studies of First-Person Psalms
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11140
Reviewed by Philippus J. Botha

Bruce Clark
Completing Christ’s Afflictions: Christ, Paul, and the Reconciliation of All Things
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10368
Reviewed by Alexander E. Stewart

Sonya Shetty Cronin
Raymond Brown, ‘The Jews,’ and the Gospel of John: From Apologia to Apology
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10289
Reviewed by R. Alan Culpepper

Christian A. Eberhart
Kultmetaphorik und Christologie: Opfer- und Sühneterminologie im Neuen Testament
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=9328
Reviewed by Jennifer W. Knust

Ole Jakob Filtvedt
The Identity of God’s People and the Paradox of Hebrews
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10709
Reviewed by Nicholas Moore

Christian Frevel
Geschichte Israels
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11102
Reviewed by Markus Witte

Dayne S. Kalleres
City of Demons: Violence, Ritual, and Christian Power in Late Antiquity
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11048
Reviewed by J. Harold Ellens
Reviewed by Sarah Rollens

Ernest C. Lucas
Proverbs http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10978
Reviewed by Ryan P. O’Dowd

Yoo Hong Min
Die Grundschrift des Ezechielbuches und ihre Botschaft
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10839
Reviewed by Sven Petry

Manfred Oeming and Petr Sláma, eds.
A King Like All the Nations? Kingdoms of Israel and Judah in the Bible and History
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10812
Reviewed by Joseph Price

George L. Parsenios
First, Second, and Third John
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10156
Reviewed by Jan G. van der Watt

Brian Neil Peterson
John’s Use of Ezekiel: Understanding the Unique Perspective of the Fourth Gospel
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11199
Reviewed by Pieter de Vries

Michael Widmer
Standing in the Breach: An Old Testament Theology and Spirituality of Intercessory Prayer
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11085
Reviewed by Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer

Constructive Sermon Critique

David Murray has some good advice for providing constructive sermon critiques here. Although these are more geared to the classroom one could also adapt these for a church setting or even self-evaluation.