The Portrayal of Nebuchadnezzar in 2 Kings and Jeremiah

Claude Mariottini has a nice post here about the portrayal of Nebuchadnezzar in 2 Kings and Jeremiah.

The Latest Issue of the 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.

Johannes Beutler
A Commentary on the Gospel of John
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11870
Reviewed by Stephen C. Barton

Christiane Böhm
Die Rezeption der Psalmen in den Qumranschriften, bei Philo von Alexandrien und im Corpus Paulinum
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11811
Reviewed by Max Botner

Lisa M. Bowens
An Apostle in Battle: Paul and Spiritual Warfare in 2 Corinthians 12:1–10
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11822
Reviewed by Gudrun Nassauer

John Paul Heil
The Gospel of John: Worship for Divine Life Eternal
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10999
Reviewed by David Rensberger

Robert D. Holmstedt and John Screnock
Esther: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10791
Reviewed by Ethan C. Jones

Lydia Lee
Mapping Judah’s Fate in Ezekiel’s Oracles against the Nations
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11404
Reviewed by John T. Strong

Eugene E. Lemcio
Soaring with St. John: Flight Paths of the Eagle; A Pedagogical Aid
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10065
Reviewed by Jey J. Kanagaraj

D. Eric Lowdermilk
Two Can Play That Game: Manipulation, Counter-manipulation, and Recognition in John 21 through the Eyes of Genesis
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11564
Reviewed by Kasper Bro Larsen

Christina Petterson
From Tomb to Text: The Body of Jesus in the Book of John
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11569
Reviewed by Alicia D. Myers

Clemens Scholten
Theodoret, De Graecarum affectionum curatione: Heilung der griechischen Krankheiten
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10383
Reviewed by Jonathan Douglas Hicks

Susanne Scholz
Introducing the Women’s Hebrew Bible: Feminism, Gender Justice, and the Study of the Old Testament
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11879
Reviewed by Laura Quic

Yves Simoens
Homme et femme: De la Genèse à l’Apocalypse
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10479
Reviewed by Jeffrey M. Tripp

Gary V. Smith
Interpreting the Prophetic Books: An Exegetical Handbook
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11467
Reviewed by Patricia K. Tull

Marvin A. Sweeney
The Pentateuch
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11986
Reviewed by Eckart Otto

Ben Witherington III
A Week in the Fall of Jerusalem
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11834
Reviewed by Joshua Schwartz

Balaam and Rembrandt

Here is an interesting article on Rembrandt's interpretive depiction of Balaam and the donkey.

Bibliography on Jews in Acts

Michael Kok has provided a brief but solid bibliography covering scholarly views on how the Jewish community is portrayed in the book of Acts here.

A Series of Posts on Σκύβαλον

Mike Aubrey posts his complete discussion of σκύβαλον here.

Recent Fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls

There have been a number of recent challenges to the authenticity of at least some of the recently acquired fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls including this one by Kipp Davis.

Tips for Bible Memorization

Bible memorization is a wonderful and ancient spiritual discipline. Here are five tips to help one do it.

The Latest Issue of the 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.

Garwood P. Anderson
Paul’s New Perspective: Charting a Soteriological Journey
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11472
Reviewed by B. J. Oropeza

Kenneth E. Bailey
The Good Shepherd: A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11465
Reviewed by Wayne Baxter

Dianne Bergant
A New Heaven, A New Earth: The Bible and Catholicity
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11219
Reviewed by John Painter

Ben C. Blackwell
Christosis: Engaging Paul’s Soteriology with His Patristic Interpreters
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11437
Reviewed by Joshua Madden

Jeremiah W. Cataldo
Biblical Terror: Why Law and Restoration in the Bible Depend upon Fear
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11574
Reviewed by Shawn J. Kelley

Lisbeth S. Fried
Ezra: A Commentary
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11128
Reviewed by Tamara Cohn Eskenazi

T. Christopher Hoklotubbe
Civilized Piety: The Rhetoric of Pietas in the Pastoral Epistles and the Roman Empire
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11876
Reviewed by Mark Harding

Torsten Jantsch
Frauen, Männer, Engel: Perspektiven zu 1Kor 11,2–16
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11398
Reviewed by J. Andrew Doole

Yung Suk Kim
Resurrecting Jesus: The Renewal of New Testament Theology
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10639
Reviewed by Joel Stephen Williams

Jon D. Levenson
The Love of God: Divine Gift, Human Gratitude, and Mutual Faithfulness in Judaism
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10905
Reviewed by J. Michael Thigpen

Kelly D. Liebengood
The Eschatology of 1 Peter: Considering the Influence of Zechariah 9–14
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10040
Reviewed by John H. Elliott

Robert Mucha
Der apokalyptische Kaiser: Die Wahrnehmung Domitians in der apokalyptischen Literatur des Frühjudentums und Urchristentums
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10660
Reviewed by Russell Morton

James Nogalski
Interpreting Prophetic Literature: Historical and Exegetical Tools for Reading the Prophets
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10819
Reviewed by Ryan P. Bonfiglio

Gabrielle Oberhänsli-Widmer and Michael Welker, eds.
Liebe
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10914
Reviewed by Oda Wischmeyer

Richard E. Payne
A State of Mixture: Christians, Zoroastrians, and Iranian Political Culture in Late Antiquity
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11047
Reviewed by Jason M. Silverman

Andrew E. Steinman
1 Samuel
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11538
Reviewed by David G. Firth

Nicole L. Tilford
Sensing World, Sensing Wisdom: The Cognitive Foundation of Biblical Metaphors
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11676
Reviewed by JiSeong James Kwon

Dorothy Jean Weaver
The Irony of Power: The Politics of God within Matthew’s Narrative
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11796
Reviewed by Glenna S. Jackson

Philip Y. Yoo
Ezra and the Second Wilderness
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11734
Reviewed by Roy E. Garton

Otto Zwierlein
Die antihäretischen Evangelienprologe und die Entstehung des Neuen Testaments
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10917
Reviewed by Eric Scherbenske

David and Goliath

Carl Rasmussen has a good post on the geography of the battle between David and Goliath.David and Goliath here.

A Four-Horned Altar near Tel Shiloh

I was finally able to see the four-horned altar at Givat Harel, near Tel Shiloh today. I don't know that much about it but some information on it can be found here. and here. Unfortunately, the area was not well maintained. 

Free Revelation PowerPoint

Credo Courses is offering Mark Hitchcock's slides from his Revelation course for free here. Note only the PowerPoint is free.

Imprecations in Lament Psalms

Gordon Wenham addresses the problem of imprecations within the lament psalms by making the following three points (with some modification).

1. It is surely better to pray for God to punish the wicked than do it yourself.
2. These prayers for God to punish the wicked are expressions of hope in God’s justice.
3. Imprecations can be prayerful expressions of sensitivity for the suffering of fellow Christians.

Wenham, Gordon. The Psalter Reclaimed: Praying and Praising with the Psalms (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 49.

Online Resources for Paul’s Missionary Journeys

Michael Kok has a brief but helpful list of resources here.

The Latest Issue of the 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. 

Adolf von Harnack; Johann Anselm Steiger, ed.
Einleitung in das Neue Testament: Berliner Vorlesung im Wintersemester 1899/1900
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10833
Reviewed by David Lincicum

David Bentley Hart
The New Testament: A Translation
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11853
Reviewed by Andrew R. Guffey

Katrin Juschka
“Geheiligt werde dein Name!”: Eine auslegungsgeschichtliche Untersuchung zur Namensheiligung im Vaterunser
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10683
Reviewed by Susanne Luther

Joshua E. Leim
Matthew’s Theological Grammar: The Father and the Son
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10898
Reviewed by Steven M. Bryan

Clive Marsh and Steve Moyise
Jesus and the Gospels
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10864
Reviewed by Eve-Marie Becker

Mark A. Seifrid
The Second Letter to the Corinthians
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10006
Reviewed by Thomas J. Kraus

Mitzi J. Smith
Insights from African American Interpretation
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11781
Reviewed by Esau McCaulley

Hermann-Josef Stipp
Studien zum Jeremiabuch: Text und Redaktion
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10377
Reviewed by Andrew Shead

Charlie Trimm
Fighting for the King and the Gods: A Survey of Warfare in the Ancient Near East
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11906
Reviewed by Brad E. Kelle

Ben Witherington III
Psalms Old and New: Exegesis, Intertextuality, and Hermeneutics
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11777
Reviewed by David G. Firth

Psalms as a Source of Ethics

When considering the ethical texts in the Bible, one does not normally think of the Psalms. But Gordon Wenham does a nice job of bringing out the ethical elements in the book. One way he does this is by showing that parts of the psalms deal with each "command" of the Decalogue. There are too many texts to deal with here but check out Wenham's discussion if you are interested

Gordon Wenham, The Psalter Reclaimed: Praying and Praising with the Psalms (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 107-115.

The Assyrians

Here is a pretty good article on the Assyrians.

Galatians 2 and Acts 15

Michael Kok has a brief but fair post here addressing the issue of Galatians 2 and Acts 15.

The Latest Issue of the 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. 

Peter Arzt-Grabner
2. Korinther: Papyrologische Kommentare zum Neuen Testament
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10015
Reviewed by Thomas J. Kraus

Jens Gillner
Gericht bei Lukas
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11064
Reviewed by Nils Neumann

John Goldingay
Do We Need the New Testament? Letting the Old Testament Speak for Itself
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11482
Reviewed by Joseph Cathey

Alan T. Levenson
Joseph: Portraits through the Ages
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11346
Reviewed by John R. Huddlestun

Benjamin L. Merkle; Andreas J. Köstenberger and Robert W. Yarbrough, eds.
Ephesians
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11349
Reviewed by Eric Covington

Steve Moyise
The Old Testament in the New: An Introduction
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10863
Reviewed by Edmon L. Gallagher


Todd Penner and Davina C. Lopez
De-introducing the New Testament: Texts, Worlds, Methods, Stories
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10853
Reviewed by Juan Hernández Jr.

Anders Runesson
Divine Wrath and Salvation in Matthew: The Narrative World of the First Gospel
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11595
Reviewed by David J. Neville

Henrietta L. Wiley and Christian A. Eberhart, eds.
Sacrifice, Cult, and Atonement in Early Judaism and Christianity: Constituents and Critique
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=11850
Reviewed by Joshua Schwartz

Ben Witherington III and Todd D. Still, eds.
The Acts of the Apostles: A Newly Discovered Commentary
https://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=10152
Reviewed by D. A. Carson

Route of the Exodus and the Location of Mount Sinai

Ferrell Jenkins has a nice post here which helpfully indexes his articles related to the route of the Exodus and the location of Mount Sinai.

Abbott and Costello Do 2 Kings 17:4

With apologies to Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First."

Abbott: We're in 2 Kings 17:4. Let's go over the story. Hoshea quit paying tribute to the king of Assyria and sent envoys to Egypt. I forget the King of Egypt's name.

Costello: So. 

Abbott: Huh?

Costello: So.

Abbott: You're right, it's not important, we'll let it go for now.

So, the king of Assyria ...

Costello: So the king of Egypt.

Abbott: I was gonna say the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea.

Costello: That's right.

Abbott: So, the king of Assyria ...

Costello: No, So the king of Egypt.

Abbott: Let me tell the story!

Costello: Well, then, tell it right!

Abbott: Who arrested Hoshea?

Costello: The king of Assyria.

Abbott: Is that so?

Costello: No, that's the king of Egypt.

Abbott: So, the king of Egypt?

Costello: Right.

Abbott: So the king of Egypt arrested Hoshea?

Costello: No, the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea.

Abbott: But you just said the king of Egypt did.

Costello: I didn't say So.

Abbott: Oh, come on! So, the king of Assyria ...

Costello: No, he's the king of Egypt.

Abbott: How do we keep coming back to Egypt?

Costello: You said the king's name.

Abbott: What makes you think I even know his name?

Costello: You said So!

Abbott: I did not!

Costello: I heard you!

Abbott: Let me tell the story!

Costello: Then tell it right!

Credit: Jonathan E Settlemoir

Paul's Use of Deuteronomy 25:4 in 1 Corinthians 9:9

Interpreters have wrestled with how Paul is using Deuteronomy 25:4 in 1 Corinthians 9:9. Allyson Presswood Nance has created a helpful table surveying a number of the different views. I have made a few minor changes and additions.

Paul’s Use of the OT	Interpreters Supporting This View
allegorical	Hans Conzelmann
analogy/principle	Richard Hays, David Garland, Gordon Fee, Mark Taylor, Ambrosiaster, Jodie and Doug Hatlem, Wolfgang Schrage, David Prior, Craig Blomberg?
invoking context	Richard Hays, Francis Watson
literal recapitulation	Jan Verbruggen, Walter Kaiser, David Instone-Brewer
qal vahomer (lesser to the greater)	David Garland, Mark Taylor, David Instone-Brewer, Chrysostem, Ciampa and Rosner, Verlyn Verbrugge, B. J. Oropeza
sensus plenior (theological)	Joseph Fitzmyer, F. F. Bruce
transcend original context	Anthony Thiselton, Craig Blomberg?
Allyson Presswood Nance, “Paul’s Use of the Old Testament: Critical Issues and Hermeneutical Insights,” (unpublished paper) with some additions

Negative Comments on Course Evaluations

Anyone who teaches, preaches, or otherwise is involved in ministry knows that criticism is par for the course. Even the Lord was criticized. Maryellen Weimer's post here provides some good advice on dealing with critical course evaluations in an academic setting but this probably applies to criticism in general.

Free Logos Book for June: Ecclesiastes (WBC)

The free Logos Book for the Month for April is Roland Murphy's Ecclesiastes commentary in the Word Biblical Commentary series You can also purchase John Durham's Exodus for $1.99 and George Beasley-Murray's John commentary in the same series for $9.99. While you are there you can register for a chance win the seven-volume Zondervan Theology Collection. For all these offers, go to the Logos' Free Book of Month page here. Unfortunately, I already own the WBC series but hopefully others will enjoy the offer.

The Use of Lament Psalms

Gordon Wenham gives four theological reasons for using lament psalms (with slight modification).

1. The lament psalms are some of the most quoted in the New Testament.
2. Jesus prayed the lament psalms.
3.The martyr’s prayers in the book of Revelation is based on the lament psalms.
4. The early church prayed lament psalms.

Whenham also adds two practical reasons to use lament psalms.

1. Not everyone who comes to church is full of joy and happiness.
2. Praying lament psalms can help one to sympathize with those in trouble and pray for those who are suffering or persecuted.
 
Gordon Wenham, The Psalter Reclaimed: Praying and Praising with the Psalms (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 45-48.