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.

Jaap Doedens, The Sons of God in Genesis 6:1–4: Analysis and History of Exegesis
Reviewed by Michael Hundley

Mark S. Gignilliat, Reading Scripture Canonically: Theological Instincts for Old Testament Interpretation
Reviewed by Robert L. Foster

Allison M. Jack, The Prodigal Son in English and American Literature: Five Hundred Years of Literary Homecomings
Reviewed by Anthony Swindell

Alan T. Levenson, Joseph: Portraits through the Ages
Reviewed by Corinne E. Blackmer

Hélène Sader, The History and Archaeology of Phoenicia
Reviewed by Helen Dixon

Patrick Schreiner, Matthew, Disciple and Scribe: The First Gospel and Its Portrait of Jesus
Reviewed by Marc Groenbech-Dam

Mark S. Smith, The Idea of Nicaea in the Early Church Councils, AD 431–451
Reviewed by Young Richard Kim

Loren T. Stuckenbruck, Beth Langstaff, and Michael Tilly, eds., “Make Disciples of All Nations”: The Appeal and Authority of Christian Faith in Hellenistic-Roman Times
Reviewed by S. Scott Bartchy

Meredith J. C. Warren, Food and Transformation in Ancient Mediterranean Literature
Reviewed by Cynthia Shafer-Elliott

Chun Ling Yu, Bonds and Boundaries among the Early Churches: Community Maintenance in the Letter of James and the Didache
Reviewed by Kyle R. Hughes

Journal for the Study of the New Testament 43:1

The latest issue of the Journal for the Study of the New Testament is out. Here is a list of the articles and links to abstracts.

The Gospel of John as Model for Literate Authors and their Texts in Epistula Apostolorum and Apocryphon of James (NHC I,2)
Julia D. Lindenlaub

Scaling Gaius and Diotrephes: Socio-economic Stratification in 1 and 3 John
Jon-Michael Carman

Paul’s Absence from Corinth as Voluntary Exile: Reading 2 Corinthians 1.1–2.13 and 7.5-16 as a Letter from Exile
Adam G. White

The Authentication of the Past: Narrative Representations of History in the Gospel of John
Susanne Luther

Translating from Greek as Source Language? The Lasting Influence of Latin on New Testament Translation
Hans Förster

A Linguistic Analysis of πίστις χριστοῦ: The Case for the Third View
Kevin Grasso

Leviticus 16 and the Scapegoat

The meaning of Leviticus 16 and the scapegoat is debated by interpreters but that is the passage that I thought of when I saw this comic.

When the Psalms Strike You the Wrong Way

Trevin Wax talks about it here.

Predictability in Preaching

While there might be good reasons for preaching predictable messages such as the practice of sound methodology, changing things up can also be beneficial. Matt Henslee suggests some ways to do that here.

Psalm 28 Links

I have been working on a commentary on the Psalms. I have decided to compile some helpful links that I discovered during my research. It includes a mix of exegetical and sermonic links. Here is what I have for Psalm 28 (in no particular order). Feel free to mention any that you find helpful in the comments section.  

Spokane Bible Church: http://www.spokanebiblechurch.com/books/psalm-28

Literary analysis of Psalm 28: http://psalmsstudy.com/psalms-literary-analysis-by-chapter/literary-analysis-psalm-28-song

Analysis by C. J. Labuschagne: https://www.labuschagne.nl/ps028.pdf 

William Barrick’s notes: https://drbarrick.org/files/studynotes/Psalms/Ps_028.pdf

Teaching Obadiah

Nancy Guthrie talks to Jonathan Gibson about teaching Obadiah here.

Deuteronomy 25:11–12

Hilary Lipka has an interesting and informative post here from a Jewish perspective on a text that is not often discussed. Deuteronomy 25:11-12 is rendered in the ESV as follows.

11 “When men fight with one another and the wife of the one draws near to rescue her husband from the hand of him who is beating him and puts out her hand and seizes him by the private parts, 12 then you shall cut off her hand. Your eye shall have no pity.

Lipka's concern relates primarily to the woman's role in this passage.

Free eBook: Reading Acts

Wipf and Stock is offering a free eBook copy of Reading Acts by Joshua Jipp. The offer is only good until September 15 so you have to act quickly. Here are the instructions to get your copy.

1. Click on this link
2. Click "ADD TO CART" on the eBook option
3. Code "ebookfree" is automatically applied within the shopping cart
4. Upon checkout completion, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions of how to download your free eBook

I actually reviewed this book last year. You can access it here.

Free Logos Book for September: Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 8

The free Logos Book for the Month for September is volume 8 of the The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Although this volume is from the first edition and getting a bit long-in-tooth, the contribution of Carson on Matthew is still solid. You can also purchase volume 6 (Isaiah–Ezekiel) in the first series, and volumes 11 (Romans–Galatians), 3 (1 Samuel–2 Kings), and 5 (Psalms) in the revised series for $1.99, $2.99, $3.99, and $9.99 respectively. While you are at it, you can register for a chance to win the 12-volume Zondervan Old and New Testament Introductions package. For all these offers, go to the Logos' Free Book of Month page here.

The New Testament in Its World Podcast

I have been listening to episodes of the new "The New Testament in Its World Podcast" on my daily jogs. The podcast is hosted by Mike Bird and features Tom Wright and other New Testament scholars. So far, it has been interesting although those familiar with New Testament scholarship might not find a lot new here. My main criticism is that each episode so far (I'm on number four) seems a bit disjointed. Podcasts that I am familiar with tend to be tightly focused but this one bounces around quite a bit. But it's free so you can have a listen 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.

Filip Čapek and Oded Lipschits, eds., The Last Century in the History of Judah: The Seventh Century BCE in Archaeological, Historical, and Biblical Perspectives
Reviewed by Tony W. Cartledge

Richard I. Deibert, Second Corinthians and Paul’s Gospel of Human Mortality: How Paul’s Experience of Death Authorizes His Apostolic Authority in Corinth
Reviewed by Frederick David Carr

Patrick Faure, Les Actes des Apôtres: Texte Occidental Reconstituté
Reviewed by Jenny Read-Heimerdinger

Jörg Frey; Jacob Cerone, ed., Qumran, Early Judaism, and New Testament Interpretation: Kleine Schriften III
Reviewed by George J. Brooke

David M. Jacobson, Agrippa II: The Last of the Herods
Reviewed by Joshua Schwartz

Young Ho Kim, Die Parusie bei Lukas: Eine literarisch-exegetische Untersuchung zu den Parusieaussagen im lukanischen Doppelwerk
Reviewed by Nils Neumann

Gili Kugler, When God Wanted to Destroy the Chosen People: Biblical Traditions and Theology on the Move
Reviewed by Jeffery M. Leonard

Philip Michael Lasater, Facets of Fear: The Fear of God in Exilic and Post-exilic Contexts
Reviewed by Lester L. Grabbe

L. Michael White and G. Anthony Keddie, Jewish Fictional Letters from Hellenistic Egypt: The Epistle of Aristeas and Related Literature
Reviewed by Maren Niehoff

Shawn J. Wilhite, “One of Life and One of Death”: Apocalypticism and the Didache’s Two Ways
Reviewed by Jonathan A. Draper

Outlining

L. Scott Kellum has a simple but helpful post here on developing an outline that captures the biblical text.

Psalm 27 Links

I have been working on a commentary on the Psalms. I have decided to compile some helpful links that I discovered during my research. It includes a mix of exegetical and sermonic links. Here is what I have for Psalm 27 (in no particular order). Feel free to mention any that you find helpful in the comments section.

The Fathers on Psalm 27: https://pursuingveritas.com/2019/08/13/the-fathers-on-psalm-27

Spokane Bible Church: http://www.spokanebiblechurch.com/books/psalm-27

Literary analysis of Psalm 27: http://psalmsstudy.com/sing-learn/literary-analysis-psalm-27-adonai

Analysis by C. J. Labuschagne: https://www.labuschagne.nl/ps027.pdf

William Barrick’s notes: https://drbarrick.org/files/studynotes/Psalms/Ps_027.pdf

“Beholding the Beauty of the Lord” sermon by s. Lewis Johnson: http://sljinstitute.net/miscellaneous-topics/beholding-the-beauty-of-the-lord

A Faith that Includes Doubt – Psalm 27 By Benjamin Sommer: https://www.thetorah.com/article/a-faith-that-includes-doubt-psalm-27

The Archaeological Debate Related to Bethsaida

I am not sure there is anything new in this article, but it does go over the archaeological issues related to the location of Bethsaida mentioned in the Gospels. But it does contain some nice visuals.

Deuteronomy 21:23

Marty Lockshin's article, "A Corpse Left Hanging Overnight Is a “Cursing of God" is worth checking out. Although it is written from a Jewish perspective and takes a "humanistic" approach to its significance, it does interact with Paul's usage of the verse (Gal 3:13).

Psalm 26 Links

I have been working on a commentary on the Psalms. I have decided to compile some helpful links that I discovered during my research. It includes a mix of exegetical and sermonic links. Here is what I have for Psalm 26 (in no particular order). Feel free to mention any that you find helpful in the comments section.

Spokane Bible Church: http://www.spokanebiblechurch.com/books/psalm-26

Literary analysis of Psalm 26: http://psalmsstudy.com/psalms-literary-analysis-by-chapter/literary-analysis-psalm-26-walk-sincerity-redeem-gracious

Analysis by C. J. Labuschagne: https://www.labuschagne.nl/ps026.pdf

William Barrick’s notes: https://drbarrick.org/files/studynotes/Psalms/Ps_026.pdf

Examine me, Lord — A Study of Psalm 26: https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1444-examine-me-lord-a-study-of-psalm-26 

Eric Mathis, A Commentary on Psalm 26:1-8: https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1021

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.

David A. Bosworth, House of Weeping: The Motif of Tears in Akkadian and Hebrew Prayers
Reviewed by Anthony P. SooHoo, SJ

Alan H. Cadwallader, ed., Stones, Bones, and the Sacred: Essays on Material Culture and Ancient Religion in Honor of Dennis E. Smith
Reviewed by Rosemary Canavan

James D. Dvorak and Zachary K. Dawson, The Epistle of James: Linguistic Exegesis of an Early Christian Letter
Reviewed by Darian R. Lockett

Benjamin A. Edsall, The Reception of Paul and Early Christian Initiation: History and Hermeneutics
Reviewed by Janelle Peters

Haley Goranson Jacob, Conformed to the Image of His Son: Reconsidering Paul’s Theology of Glory in Romans
Reviewed by J. J. Johnson Leese

Marcel Krusche, Göttliches und irdisches Königtum in den Psalmen
Reviewed by Martin Leuenberger

Nicholas P. Lunn, St. Cyril of Alexandria: Glaphyra on the Pentateuch
Reviewed by Jonathan Douglas Hicks

Shaul Magid, ed.; Jordan Gayle Levy, trans., The Bible, the Talmud, and the New Testament: Elijah Zvi Soloveitchik’s Commentary to the Gospels
Reviewed by Leonard J. Greenspoon

Annette Yoshiko Reed, Jewish-Christianity and the History of Judaism: Collected Essays
Reviewed by Joshua Schwartz

Hélène Sader, The History and Archaeology of Phoenicia
Reviewed by Wolfgang Zwickel

Kumiko Takeuchi, Death and Divine Judgment in Ecclesiastes
Reviewed by Brandon R. Grafius

Tobias Thum and José Declerck, eds., Die Schriften des Johannes von Damaskos 
Reviewed by Johannes Zachhuber

Inerrancy and Evangelicals

Nathan Finn has a good article here on the important but much disputed issue of inerrancy.

Teaching Leviticus

Nancy Guthrie interviews Jay Sklar about teaching Leviticus here. Make sure to check out the link to Dr. Sklar's other resources on Leviticus here.

New Resource for 1 Samuel: Photo Companion to the Bible

BiblePlaces has just released 1 Samuel, the latest volume in the Photo Companion to the Bible series. Like others before it, it is an excellent resource for pastors, professors, students, or really anyone interested in a serious study of the Bible. Not only do you get 3,000 quality images on PowerPoint slides but also succinct but detailed notes on what you are looking at. This tool can enhance your knowledge as you prepare to preach or teach and enliven your presentations to congregation or class. I have used BiblePlaces resources for over twenty years in my own ministry. I highly recommend it. 

Check 1 Samuel out here and note that the special launch price of $49 with free shipping. Not bad for a resource that should be a benefit to you and your ministry for years to come.

The Future of Expository Preaching

Bryan Chapell offers some insights into the future of expository preaching here.

The Statue of Daniel 2

This is an interesting Jewish approach to the statue of Daniel 2 where the author tries to draw a link between the destruction of the statue and Moses' breaking of the first tablets of the Law (Exod 32:19-20). This article also contains a good survey of some ancient parallels to the Daniel passage.

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 Arnold, Der Wahre Logos des Kelsos: Eine Strukturanalyse
Reviewed by John Granger Cook

Manfred Bietak, Paolo Matthiae, and Silvia Prell, eds., Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Palaces, Volume 2: Proceedings of a Workshop Held at the Tenth Icaane in Vienna, 25–26 April 2016
Reviewed by Zachary Thomas

Daniel Boyarin; Tal Hever-Chybowski, ed., The Talmud—A Personal Take: Selected Essays
Reviewed by Yishai Kiel

Luke L. Cheung and Andrew B. Spurgeon, James: A Pastoral and Contextual Commentary
Reviewed by Darian R. Lockett

Andrew R. Davis, Reconstructing the Temple: The Royal Rhetoric of Temple Renovation in the Ancient Near East and Israel
Reviewed by Peter Dubovský

Thomas L. Knoebel, Isidore of Seville: Sententiae
Reviewed by Jonathan Douglas Hicks

Alexander Kraljic, Deuteronomium 10,12–11,32: Gottes Hauptgebot, der Gehorsam Israels und sein Land, eine Neuuntersuchung
Reviewed by Nathan MacDonald

Robert D. Macina, The Lord’s Service: A Ritual Analysis of the Order, Function, and Purpose of the Daily Divine Service in the Pentateuch
Reviewed by Kevin L. Tolley

Tony L. Moyers, Reading Responsibly: A Basic Guide to Biblical Interpretation
Reviewed by Jacob R. Evers

Annette Schellenberg and Thomas Krüger, eds., Sounding Sensory Profiles in the Ancient Near East
Reviewed by Laura Quick

Runar M. Thorsteinsson, Jesus as Philosopher: The Moral Sage in the Synoptic Gospels
Reviewed by Janelle Peters

Jennifer S. Wyant, Beyond Mary or Martha: Reclaiming Ancient Models of Discipleship
Reviewed by Alicia D. Myers

Pastors and Adultery

Last year, Lifeway conducted a phone survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors asking the question, "If a pastor commits adultery, how long, if at all, should the pastor withdraw from public ministry?" I was quite surprised by the results. But you should see the results for yourself here.