Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts Books

Book SynopsisWorld-renowned scholar Michael Gorman examines the important Pauline theme of participation in Christ and explores its contemporary significance for Christian life and ministry. One of the themes Gorman explores is what he calls "resurrectional cruciformity"--that participating in Christ is simultaneously dying and rising with him and that cross-shaped living, infused with the life of the resurrected Lord, is life giving. Throughout the book, Gorman demonstrates the centrality of participating in Christ for Paul's theology and spirituality.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionPart 1: Paul and Participation1. Participating in Christ: An Overview2. The Cross: Revelation of Christ and God, of Humanity and the Church3. Cruciform or Resurrectiform? Paul's Paradoxical Practice of Resurrectional Cruciformity4. A New Translation of Philippians 2:5 and Its Significance for Paul's Theology and Spirituality5. The Apocalyptic New Covenant and the Shape of Life in the Spirit according to Galatians6. Reading Galatians 2:15-21 Theologically: Beyond Old and New, West and East7. New Creation! Justification and Participation from Galatians to 2 Corinthians8. Righteousness, Resurrection, Reconciliation: From 2 Corinthians to Romans9. Theosis in 2 CorinthiansPart 2: Paul and Participation Today10. Being "In Christ" Today: Paul's Letter to the Contemporary Church in North America11. Paul on Practicing and Preaching the Resurrection Today Indexes

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Book SynopsisIn this addition to the award-winning BECNT series, leading evangelical biblical scholar Thomas Schreiner offers a substantive commentary on Revelation. Schreiner's BECNT volume on Romans has been highly successful, with nearly 40,000 copies sold. In this volume, Schreiner presents well-informed evangelical scholarship on the book of Revelation. With extensive research and thoughtful chapter-by-chapter exegesis, he leads readers through the text of Revelation to help them better understand the meaning and relevance of this biblical book. As with all BECNT volumes, this commentary features the author's detailed interaction with the Greek text and an acclaimed, user-friendly design. It admirably achieves the dual aims of the series--academic sophistication with pastoral sensitivity and accessibility--making it a useful tool for pastors, church leaders, students, and teachers.

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Book SynopsisThe description of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53 is a beloved biblical text with an unshakable place in the theology and self-understanding of the church. Since New Testament times, this text has fed the church's thinking about the person and work of Jesus Christ. Leading Old Testament theologian Gordon McConville offers a lively exposition of Isaiah 53 that is at once true to its Old Testament context, conversant with the history of interpretation, and deeply Christian. McConville illuminates the text's contribution to our apprehension of who Jesus is and explores the various ways the text can speak to us in faithfulness to its scriptural authority and character. The author explores the theological and spiritual issues that arise from the poetry's words and phrases and shows how this classic text can speak to the life of the church today. The Touchstone Texts series addresses key Bible passages, making high-quality biblical scholarship accessible to the church. The series editor is Stephen B. Chapman, Duke Divinity School.Table of ContentsSeries Preface1. Introduction2. The Form of Isaiah 533. Exposition of Isaiah 534. The Servant and Christ5. The Servant in the Church's MinistryIndexes

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Book SynopsisThe story of the good Samaritan in Luke 10 is one of Jesus's most well-known parables. It continues to fascinate readers with its powerful imagery and ethical significance. In this exposition, New Testament scholar Emerson Powery shows how this classic and beloved text can speak afresh to the life of the church today. Powery explains that in every generation, followers of Jesus need to be reminded that mercy is a natural consequence of faith. Jesus's parable of the good Samaritan emphasizes this point in a dramatic way by placing an "enemy" as the central hero of the story. Powery explores diverse interpretations of the good Samaritan, carefully investigates this parable within the theology of the Gospel of Luke, and connects the parable to contemporary events. The book encourages readers to think through the ethical implications of this story for their own contexts. The Touchstone Texts series addresses key Bible passages, making high-quality biblical scholarship accessible to the church. The series editor is Stephen B. Chapman, Duke Divinity School.Table of ContentsContentsSeries PrefaceThe Preamble1. Who Is My Neighbor? Luke 10 for the Life of the Church2. The Good Samaritan in Christian Tradition: What You See Depends on Where You Stand3. Mercy and the Neighbor: Reading the Parable4. Samaritan Lives Matter: Is the Church Engaged in Good Trouble?Conclusion: Imagining a "Samaritan" for the Life of the ChurchIndexes

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Book Synopsis2020 Burkitt Medal for Biblical Studies When reading the book of Romans, we often focus on the quotable passages, making brief stopovers and not staying long enough to grasp some of the big ideas it contains. Instead of raiding Paul's most famous letter for a passage here or a theme there, leading New Testament scholar Beverly Roberts Gaventa invites us to linger in Romans. She asks that we stay with the letter long enough to see how Romans reframes our tidy categories and dramatically enlarges our sense of the gospel. Containing profound insights written in accessible prose and illuminating references to contemporary culture, this engaging book explores the cosmic dimensions of the gospel that we read about in Paul's letter. Gaventa focuses on four key issues in Romans--salvation, identity, ethics, and community--that are crucial both for the first century and for our own. As she helps us navigate the book of Romans, she shows that the gospel is far larger, wilder, and more unsettling than we generally imagine it to be.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction 1. When in Romans . . . Watch the Horizon2. When in Romans . . . Consider Abraham3. When in Romans . . . Give Glory to God4. When in Romans . . . Welcome One AnotherConclusionFor Further ReadingIndexes

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Book SynopsisThis five-views work brings together an all-star lineup of Pauline scholars to offer a constructive, interdenominational, up-to-date conversation on key issues of Pauline theology. The editors begin with an informative recent history of biblical tradition related to the perspectives on Paul. John M. G. Barclay, A. Andrew Das, James D. G. Dunn, Brant Pitre, and Magnus Zetterholm then discuss how to interpret Paul's writings and theology, especially the apostle's view of salvation. The book concludes with an assessment of the perspectives from a pastoral point of view by Dennis Edwards.Table of ContentsContentsPaul in Perspective: An Overview of the Landscape More Than Forty Years after Paul and Palestinian Judaism B. J. Oropeza and Scot McKnight 1. The Roman Catholic Perspective on Paul Brant PitreTraditional Protestant Perspective Response to Pitre A. Andrew DasNew Perspective Response to Pitre James D. G. DunnPaul within Judaism Perspective Response to Pitre Magnus ZetterholmGift Perspective Response to Pitre John M. G. BarclayRoman Catholic Perspective Reply to the Respondents Brant Pitre2. The Traditional Protestant Perspective on Paul A. Andrew DasRoman Catholic Perspective Response to Das Brant PitreNew Perspective Response to Das James D. G. DunnPaul within Judaism Perspective Response to Das Magnus ZetterholmGift Perspective Response to Das John M. G. BarclayTraditional Protestant Perspective Reply to the Respondents A. Andrew Das3. The New Perspective on Paul James D. G. DunnRoman Catholic Perspective Response to Dunn Brant PitreTraditional Protestant Perspective Response to Dunn A. Andrew DasPaul within Judaism Perspective Response to Dunn Magnus ZetterholmGift Perspective Response to Dunn John M. G. BarclayNew Perspective Reply to the Respondents James D. G. Dunn4. The Paul within Judaism Perspective Magnus ZetterholmRoman Catholic Perspective Response to Zetterholm Brant PitreTraditional Protestant Perspective Response to Zetterholm A. Andrew DasNew Perspective Response to Zetterholm James D. G. DunnGift Perspective Response to Zetterholm John M. G. BarclayPaul within Judaism Perspective Reply to the Respondents Magnus Zetterholm5. The Gift Perspective on Paul John M. G. BarclayRoman Catholic Perspective Response to Barclay Brant PitreTraditional Protestant Perspective Response to Barclay A. Andrew DasNew Perspective Response to Barclay James D. G. DunnPaul within Judaism Response to Barclay Magnus ZetterholmGift Perspective Reply to the Respondents John M. G. BarclayAfterword: Pastoral Reflections on Perspectives on Paul: Five Views Dennis EdwardsIndexes

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Book SynopsisHow did Paul understand time? Standard interpretations are that Paul modified his inherited Jewish apocalyptic sequential two-age temporality. Paul solved the conundrum of Christ's resurrection occurring without the resurrection of the righteous by asserting that the ages are not sequential but rather that they overlap. Believers live in already-not yet temporality. In this groundbreaking book, Ann Jervis instead proposes that Paul thought not in terms of two ages but in terms of life in this age or life in Christ. Humans apart from Christ live in this age, whereas believers live entirely in the temporality of Christ. Christ's temporality, like God's, is time in which change occurs--at least between Christ and God and creation. Their temporality is tensed, but the tenses are nonsequential. The past is in their present, as is the future. However, this is not a changeless now but a now in which change occurs (though not in the way that human chronological time perceives change). Those joined to Christ live Christ's temporality while also living chronological time. In clear writing, Jervis engages both philosophical and traditional biblical understandings of time. Her inquiry is motivated and informed by the long-standing recognition of the centrality of union with Christ for Paul. Jervis points out that union with Christ has significant temporal implications. Living Christ's time transforms believers' suffering, sinning, and physical dying. While in the present evil age these are instruments purposed for destruction, in Christ they are transformed in service of God's life. Living Christ's time also changes the significance of the eschaton. It is less important to those in Christ than it is for creation, for those joined to the One over whom death has no dominion are already released from bondage to corruption. Scholars and students will profit from this lively contribution to Pauline studies, which offers big-picture proposals based on detailed work with Paul's letters. The book includes a foreword by John Barclay.Table of ContentsForeword by John BarclayIntroduction: Thinking about Time1. Paul's Conception of Time in Salvation Historical Perspective2. Paul's Conception of Time in Apocalyptic Perspective3. Time in Christ--Not in the Overlap of the Ages4. Christ Lives Time5. The Nature of the Exalted Christ's Time6. The Future in the Exalted Christ's Time7. Union with Christ and Time8. Life in Christ's Time: Suffering, Physical Death, and SinConclusionIndexes

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Book SynopsisWith their messages of doom and judgment, the Minor Prophets have not been popular subjects in the history of biblical interpretation. In this exegetical and expository commentary, noted scholars remedy this neglect by offering an authoritative, evangelical treatment on the prophets. This volume, the first of three, features commentary by Thomas McComiskey (Hosea), Raymond Dillard (Joel), and Jeffrey Niehaus (Amos). The authors not only provide meticulous exegesis of the Hebrew text but also relate the message of the ancient prophets to contemporary life in practical and meaningful ways.

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Book SynopsisWith their messages of doom and judgment, the Minor Prophets have not been popular subjects in the history of biblical interpretation. In this exegetical and expository commentary, noted scholars remedy this neglect by offering an authoritative, evangelical treatment on the prophets. This volume, the second of three, features commentary by Jeffrey Niehaus (Obadiah), Joyce Baldwin (Jonah), Bruce Waltke (Micah), Tremper Longman III (Nahum), and F. F. Bruce (Habakkuk). The authors not only provide meticulous exegesis of the Hebrew text but also relate the message of the ancient prophets to contemporary life in practical and meaningful ways.

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Book SynopsisWith their messages of doom and judgment, the Minor Prophets have not been popular subjects in the history of biblical interpretation. In this exegetical and expository commentary, noted scholars remedy this neglect by offering an authoritative, evangelical treatment on the prophets. This volume, the third of three, features commentary by J. Alec Motyer (Zephaniah and Haggai), Thomas McComiskey (Zechariah), and Douglas Stuart (Malachi). The authors not only provide meticulous exegesis of the Hebrew text but also relate the message of the ancient prophets to contemporary life in practical and meaningful ways.

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Book SynopsisChristianity Today Book Award Winner This work argues that the heart of patristic exegesis is the attempt to find the sacramental reality (real presence) of Christ in the Old Testament Scriptures. Leading theologian Hans Boersma discusses numerous sermons and commentaries of the church fathers to show how they regarded Christ as the treasure hidden in the field of the Old Testament and explains that the church today can and should retrieve the sacramental reading of the early church. Combining detailed scholarly insight with clear, compelling prose, this book makes a unique contribution to contemporary interest in theological interpretation.Table of ContentsContents1. Patristic ReadingThe Church Fathers on Sacramental Reading of ScriptureScripture as SacramentMetaphysics and Hermeneutics: Origen, Hobbes, and SpinozaSacramental Reading in Origen: Discerning Heavenly PatternsIrenaeus's Recapitulation as Sacramental ReadingRetrieving Sacramental Reading: Meaning, Virtue, Progress, and ProvidenceConclusion2. Literal ReadingGregory of Nyssa and Augustine on the Creation Accounts of GenesisPatristic Interest in Reading by the LetterGregory of Nyssa, On the Making of ManGregory's Literal Reading as TheologicalAugustine's Turn to Literal ExegesisTheological Literalism in Saint AugustineConclusion3. Hospitable ReadingOrigen and Chrysostom on the Theophany of Genesis 18Interpretation as HospitalityOrigen: The Son of God at MamreOrigen: Hospitality as AllegoryChrysostom: Divine Condescension at Mamre and in ScriptureChrysostom: Hospitality as Interpersonal Moral VirtueConclusion4. Other ReadingMelito of Sardis and Origen on the Passover of Exodus 12The Exodus: Allegory as Arbitrary Reading?Typology in ScriptureMelito of Sardis, On PaschaOrigen, Treatise on the PassoverConclusion5. Incarnational ReadingOrigen on the Historical Narrative of JoshuaAllegory and EventOrigen's Polemical ContextScripture as Incarnate LogosMysterii video sacramentumHistory's Rightful PlaceFrom History to Spirit: Biblical RationaleConclusion6. Harmonious ReadingClement of Alexandria, Athanasius, Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, and Augustine on the Music of the PsalmsTuning People with the PsalmsHarmony in the Platonic TraditionHarmony in the Early ChurchRestoring Harmony: Virtue and Emotions in the PsalmsHarmony with the Voice of ChristGregory of Nyssa on the Order of the PsalmsConclusion7. Doctrinal ReadingAthanasius and Gregory of Nyssa on the Wisdom of Proverbs 8Spiritual Interpretation and Christian DoctrineFrom Origen to EusebiusAthanasius: Interpretive StrategiesAthanasius: Exegesis 1 and 2Gregory of Nyssa: Turning the PeacockGregory of Nyssa: Christ Created, Established, and Born in UsReading Wisdom SacramentallyConclusion8. Nuptial ReadingHippolytus, Origen, and Ambrose on the Bridal Couple of the Song of SongsContemporary Readings of the Song of SongsHippolytus: Allegory and EconomyOrigen: Ecclesial and Personal ReadingsAmbrose: Ecclesial AsceticismConclusion9. Prophetic ReadingIrenaeus, Cyril of Alexandria, Origen, Eusebius, Gregory of Nyssa, Jerome, Ambrose, and Augustine on the Servant Songs of IsaiahProphecy and Fulfillment: A Sacramental BondEdward Pusey's Sacramental TypologyLooking for Christ in Isaiah's PropheciesChrist as the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53Christological Reading and the Wirkungsgeschichte of the TextChristological Mystery Hidden in the Servant SongsWounded by Love: Associations of the Chosen Arrow (Isa. 49:2)Conclusion10. Beatific ReadingGregory of Nyssa, Augustine, and Leo the Great on the Beatitudes of Matthew 5Spiritual Interpretation of the New TestamentInterpreting between Cave and MountainGregory of Nyssa and Multiplicity of MeaningVirtue and SalvationVirtue and InterpretationNumbering the Steps of VirtueConclusionConclusionIndexes

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Book SynopsisPopular author Jack Levison offers a fresh take on the Holy Spirit through a careful reading of every reference to the Spirit in the Gospels. Viewed through the lens of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, the Spirit shows up at odd times and in odd teachings--in desert sojourns, a strange saying about scorpions and snakes, and puzzling sayings about birth from above and springs from below. Grounded in scholarship, yet accessible and inviting, this companion volume to Levison's A Boundless God analyzes key aspects of Jesus's experience of the Holy Spirit, offering nuggets of insight on every page.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction1. Spirit and the Swell of Expectation2. Spirit, Fire, and a Vital Message3. Spirit and the Sway of Baptism4. Spirit and the Torment of Temptation5. Spirit, Promise, Praise, and Prayer6. Spirit and the Threat of Blasphemy7. Spirit and the Hazard of Hostility8. Spirit, New Birth, and Living Water9. Spirit and Inspired Memories10. Spirit and Our FutureConclusionAppendix: Relevant References to Pneuma in the Canonical GospelsIndexes

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a clear and constructive account of the nature and attributes of God. It addresses the doctrine of God from exegetical, historical, and constructive-theological perspectives, bringing the biblical portrayal of God in relationship to the world into dialogue with prominent philosophical and theological questions. The book engages questions such as: Does God change? Does God have emotions? Does God know the future? Is God entirely good and loving? How can God be one and three? Chapters correspond to the major metaphysical and moral attributes of God.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction: The Covenantal God of Scripture1. The God of Scripture and the God of the Philosophers2. The Unchanging God Who Suffers in Love: Aseity, Immutability, and Qualified Passibility3. The God of the Past, Present, and Future: Omnipresence and Eternity4. The God Who Knows Everything: Omniscience and Foreknowledge5. The Almighty Sovereign Who Creates, Sustains, and Covenants: Omnipotence and Providence6. The Goodness of God and the Problem of Evil: Faithfulness and Omnibenevolence7. Trinity of Love: A Canonical Exploration of Divine Triunity8. The God of Covenantal TheismIndexes

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Book SynopsisThis highly readable investigation of the early church explores the revolutionary nature, dynamics, and effects of the earliest Christian communities. It introduces readers to the cultural setting of the house churches of biblical times, examines the apostle Paul's vision of life in the Christian church, and explores how the New Testament model of community applies to Christian practice today. Updated and revised throughout, this 40th-anniversary edition incorporates recent research, updates the bibliography, and adds a new fictional narrative that depicts the life and times of the early church.Table of ContentsContents Preface to the Third Edition Preface to the Second Edition Preface to the First Edition Introduction 1. The Sociocultural and Religious Settings 2. The Gospel of Other-Directed Freedom 3. Church in Family Business Residences 4. Church as Present Heavenly Reality 5. The Community as a Loving Household 6. The Community as an Organic Harmony 7. Mutual Learning and Testing of Faith 8. Common Meals and Signs of Fellowship 9. The Sharing of Gifts and Ministry 10. The Interplay of Grace and Order 11. Unity and Diversity among the Members 12. The Contribution of Women in Church 13. Abolishing Religious Distinctions between Members 14. Defining Leadership by Function, Not Position 15. The Role of Visiting Missioners 16. The Link between Mission and Church 17. The Nature of Paul's Authority 18. The Exercise of Paul's Influence Conclusion Appendix 1: The Drift of the Pastorals Appendix 2: Going to Church in the First Century Glossary Indexes

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Book SynopsisThis addition to the Catholic Biblical Theology of the Sacraments series provides readers with a deeper appreciation of God's gifts and call in the Sacraments through a renewed encounter with God's Word. New Testament scholar Isaac Morales, OP, offers a biblical theology of the initiatory rite of baptism that will be interesting and informative to the church catholic. Morales provides a synthetic biblical account of the sacrament of baptism, rooted in the rich water symbolism of the Old Testament and finding its full flourishing in baptismal participation in the saving events of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection as described in the New Testament. This book provides lay teachers with background and depth on topics taught frequently in the parish, making it suitable for classroom use and parish ministry. The series editors are Timothy C. Gray and John Sehorn. Gray is president of the Augustine Institute, which has one million subscribers to its online content channel, Formed.org. Gray and Sehorn both teach at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, which prepares students for Christian mission through on-campus and distance-education programs.Table of ContentsContentsSeries PrefaceIntroduction: The Fountain of SalvationPart 1: Written for Our Instruction: Water in the Old Testament1. The Waters of Life2. The Waters of Death3. The Waters of Freedom4. The Waters of PurityPart 2: The Substance Belongs to Christ: Baptism in the New Testament5. Christ, the Model of Baptism6. Christ, the Source of Baptism7. Baptism "in the Name"8. Dying and Rising with Christ9. Being Clothed with Christ10. Baptism and New Birth11. Baptismal Purity12. Baptismal UnityConclusion: Salvation through WorshipAppendix: Infant BaptismSuggested ResourcesIndexes

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Book SynopsisAcademy of Parish Clergy 2022 Top Five Reference Book There are few biblical texts more familiar to Christians than Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want . . ." It is one of the Bible's most popular passages, retaining a special place in ministry and giving hope to the burdened. Internationally recognized Old Testament scholar Richard Briggs helps readers understand the power and vision of Psalm 23. He offers a close word-by-word and phrase-by-phrase reading of this classic and beloved text, showing how it can speak afresh to the life of the church today. Briggs explores the reception of Psalm 23 down through the ages, covers background issues, and examines the ways the psalm addresses practical issues such as stress, death, enemies, and hope. The book helps reconnect the Christian church to the Old Testament, making it perfect for sermon preparation and small group study. The Touchstone Texts series addresses key Bible passages, making high-quality biblical scholarship accessible to the church. The series editor is Stephen B. Chapman, Duke Divinity School.Table of ContentsContentsSeries PrefacePreface1. Introduction: On Attending to Psalm 232. The World behind Psalm 23: Background3. The World in Psalm 23: Exegesis4. The World in Front of Psalm 23: Ministry5. Conclusion: Hearing and Preaching Psalm 23 TodayAppendix: Notes on Psalm 23 in HebrewIndexes

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Book SynopsisThis series on the seven Sacraments provides readers with a deeper appreciation of God's gifts and call in the Sacraments through a renewed encounter with God's Word. In this volume, a leading Catholic scholar offers a biblical theology of the priesthood rooted in the Old and New Testaments. Half a millennium after the Protestant Reformation and in the midst of an ongoing clerical crisis in the Catholic Church, this book presents a comprehensive biblical vision and defense of the sacramental priesthood and an informed theological response to the problem of priestly sin. It gives expression to the ministerial priesthood's biblically grounded, sacramental share in the sacrificial ministry of Jesus Christ. Series editors are Timothy C. Gray and John Sehorn. Gray is president of the Augustine Institute, which has one million subscribers to its online content channel, Formed.org. Gray and Sehorn teach at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, which prepares students for Christian mission through on-campus and distance-education programs.Table of ContentsContentsList of SidebarsSeries PrefacePart 1: Introduction1. Priesthood and the Project of Catholic ExegesisHermeneutical Interlude: A Catholic AlternativePart 2: "The Sons of Aaron in Their Splendor"2. "The Glory of the Lord Appeared" (Lev. 9:23): Priesthood as TheophanyExcursus 1: Purity and HolinessExcursus 2: Levi, Levites, and the Priesthood3. "Like People, like Priest" (Hosea 4:9): Priestly Sin and the Prophetic CritiqueExcursus 3: Corruption of Priests and TempleExcursus 4: The Priesthood of Eli and Sons at Shiloh4. "I Will Clothe You with Festal Apparel" (Zech. 3:4): The Promise of a New PriesthoodExcursus 5: David's Royal PriesthoodExcursus 6: Transfiguration of the Temple and the Future of TheophanyPart 3: "The Order of Melchizedek"5. "Feed My Sheep" (John 21:17): The Inauguration of New Covenant OrdoExcursus 7: Israel's Last ProphetExcursus 8: The Language of Pastoral Order6. "A Spiritual Temple, a Holy Priesthood" (1 Pet. 2:5): Priestly Sacrifice and the New LawExcursus 9: The Laying On of HandsExcursus 10: "Mediator of a New Covenant" (Heb. 12:24): Priests in the Letter to the Hebrews7. Conclusion: Jesus as Charismatic Founder of a Hierarchical ChurchSuggested ResourcesIndexes

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Book SynopsisThis book addresses a topic of vital concern to the church: How does the ancient biblical text speak to us today? Michael Graves, an expert in ancient exegesis, describes how Old Testament texts interpret earlier Old Testament traditions, explores New Testament reception, and explains how insights from this process translate into present-day biblical interpretation. Graves clearly explains and illustrates this approach with fulsome discussions of five themes that are addressed in various ways in the Bible: personal responsibility; sacrificial offerings; insiders and outsiders; marriage, polygamy, and divorce; and the afterlife. By attending to the way these topics are addressed throughout the entire biblical witness, we become better interpreters and teachers who are more adept at discerning the Bible's teaching on these topics and others for our modern world.Table of ContentsContents1. Introduction: Interpreting Scripture and Inner-Biblical Interpretation2. Corporate and Individual Responsibility: Individual Responsibility within Community Obligations3. Insiders and Outsiders: Outside and Inside Exist, but Invite the Outsider to Join4. Marriage, Polygamy, and Divorce: Human Well-Being Now, Closeness to God as the Ultimate Goal5. Sacrificial Offerings: Devoting Our Lives Fully to God, Receiving the Greater Gift6. The Afterlife: Old Testament Hopes Become Reality in Jesus7. Biblical Interpretation Then and NowIndexes

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Book SynopsisJeannine Brown, a seasoned teacher of biblical interpretation, believes that communication is at the heart of what happens when we open the Bible. We are actively engaging God in a conversation that can be life changing. In this guide to the theory and practice of biblical hermeneutics, Brown emphasizes the communicative nature of Scripture, proposing a communication model as an effective approach to interpreting the Bible. The new edition of this successful textbook has been revised and updated to interact with recent advances in interpretive theory and practice.Table of ContentsContentsPreface to the Second EditionIntroduction: Scripture as Communicative ActPart 1: Theoretical Perspectives on Scripture as Communication1. Terminology and Context for Hermeneutics2. A Communication Model of Hermeneutics3. Authors, Texts, Readers: Historical Movements and Reactions4. Affirmations about Meaning from a Communication Model5. Developing Textual Meaning: Implications, Effects, and Other Ways of Going "Beyond"6. An Invitation to Active Engagement: The Reader and the BiblePart 2: Practical Guidance for Interpreting Scripture as Communication7. Genre and Communication8. The Language of the Bible9. The Social World of the Bible10. Literary Context, Intertextuality, and Canon11. Conceptualizing Contextualization12. Contextualization: Understanding Scripture IncarnationallyAppendix A: Guidelines for ExegesisAppendix B: Historical CriticismAppendix C: Parallelism in Hebrew PoetryAppendix D: Epistles: Following an Author's Flow of ThoughtAppendix E: Narratives: Visualizing Plot and ThemeAppendix F: How to Go About Topical StudiesGlossaryIndexes

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Book SynopsisHow does Christ's obedience relate to our salvation? Speaking into current conversations about the nature of salvation, respected New Testament scholar Brandon Crowe argues that we are saved by Christ's perfect obedience, which has implications for understanding the gospel message, Christian hope, and discipleship. Jesus is not only the quintessential model of faithfulness in a fallen world, but his unique work frees us from the burden of perfect obedience.Table of ContentsContentsPart 1: Definitions1. What Is Required?2. The Basis of JustificationPart 2: Exegesis3. The Obedience of the Last Adam4. The Mosaic Law and Perfect Obedience5. Jesus's Obedience and Salvation in the Gospels6. The Obedience of the Perfect Priest7. Obedience, Resurrection, and SalvationPart 3: Implications8. Jesus's Obedience and Our Justification9. Jesus's Obedience and Our Obedience10. What Is Required Is FinishedIndexes

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Book SynopsisSouthwestern Journal of Theology 2023 Book Award (Honorable Mention, Theological Studies) New Testament Theology is a major new contribution to New Testament scholarship by renowned scholar Eckhard Schnabel. While many New Testament theologies approach the material through a particular thematic construct (e.g., covenant), Schnabel takes a different approach. First, he focuses on Jesus Messiah and his significance for the early church. Second, he seeks to describe the theology of the New Testament as it was written and read in its historical context. This approach honors the fact that the authors and original readers of the New Testament were real people dealing with real issues in their specific ecclesiological, cultural, and missiological settings. Schnabel comprehensively combines a historical description of the New Testament's theology with a systematic reflection on the New Testament's message and the convictions of Jesus and his early followers. This valuable contribution to the field will be insightful reading for students, scholars, and pastors.Table of ContentsPart 1: History, Faith, and Theology1. Introduction2. Historical Contexts3. The Foundational Significance of JesusPart 2: The Proclamation of Jesus4. The Beginning: John the Baptist5. The Life and Mission of Jesus6. The Proclamation of JesusPart 3: The Proclamation of the Jerusalem Apostles7. The Missionary and Pastoral Responsibilities of the Jerusalem Apostles8. The Proclamation of the Jerusalem ApostlesPart 4: The Proclamation of the Apostle Paul9. The Missionary Work and Pastoral Responsibilities10. The Gospel as Proclamation of the Fulfillment of God's Promises in Jesus Messiah11. The Proclamation of Jesus Messiah12. The Reality of the World13. The Gift of Salvation through Jesus Messiah14. The Messianic People of God15. The Return of Jesus, the Day of Judgment, and the FinalConsummationPart 5: The Consolidation of the Apostolic Mission16. The Theological Convictions of Mark17. The Theological Convictions of Matthew18. The Theological Convictions of Luke19. The Theological Convictions of John20. The Theological Convictions of the PreacherPart 6: The Message of the New Testament21. The Unity of the New Testament22. Fundamental Reality: The Revelation of God, Creator and Savior23. Incarnational Revelation: Jesus Messiah, Savior, Lord24. Personal Salvation: Forgiveness of Sin and Reconciliation with God25. Continuing Transformation: The Life of the Church as MessianicCommunity26. Joyful Expectation: Life and Death, the Return of Jesus, and Eternal LifeIndexes

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Book SynopsisIn Gift and Giver, leading New Testament scholar Craig Keener takes a probing look at the various evangelical understandings of the role of the Holy Spirit in the church. He explores topics such as spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit, the Spirit's power for evangelism, and hearing God's voice. His desire is for Christians to "work for consensus, or at least for unity in God's work despite our differences on secondary matters." Employing a helpful narrative approach and an ample number of stories, Keener enters into constructive dialogue with Pentecostals, moderates, and cessationists, all the while attempting to learn from each viewpoint. He seeks to bridge the gap between cessationists and Pentecostals/charismatics by urging all Christians to seek the Holy Spirit's empowerment. His irenic approach to this controversial issue has been endorsed by charismatics and non-charismatics alike. Sure to provoke helpful dialogue on a topic that has caused unfortunate divisions within the church, Gift and Giver will be a valuable addition to college and seminary courses on pneumatology. It will also be helpful to lay readers interested in a balanced discussion of spiritual gifts. This repackaged edition includes an updated preface and a substantive new afterword.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction1. Recognizing the Spirit's Voice2. Learning to Hear God's Heart by the Spirit3. The Spirit Empowers Us for Evangelism4. The Spirit and How We Live5. Are Spiritual Gifts for Today?6. A Closer Look at Some Spiritual Gifts7. The Spirit and Salvation8. When Are We Baptized in the Spirit?9. Tongues and the Spirit10. Why Discern the Spirit?ConclusionAfterword: Looking Back on Twenty YearsAppendix: What Can Bible Stories Teach Us?

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Book SynopsisStudying the New Testament can be an exciting--and intimidating--experience. This readable survey is designed to make the adventure less daunting and more rewarding. Two experienced classroom teachers offer a new edition of their bestselling and award-winning textbook (over 250,000 copies sold). This fourth edition takes into account the dramatic shift in the global Christian population. Other distinguishing features include abundant images, maps, and charts--all in full color; sidebars that address ethical and theological concerns and provide primary source material; focus boxes isolating key issues; chapter outlines, learning objectives, and summaries; and study questions. An accompanying website through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources offers an array of resources for students and professors. Resources for students include flash cards and self quizzes. Resources for professors include discussion questions and a test bank.Table of ContentsContentsTo the ProfessorTo the Student1. Why Study the New Testament?Part 1: Encountering Jesus and the Gospels2. The Middle East in the Days of Jesus3. The Gospel and the Four Gospels4. The Gospel of Matthew: The Messiah Has Come!5. The Gospel of Mark: Son of God,Servant of All6. The Gospel of Luke: A Savior forAll People7. The Gospel of John: Eternal Lifethrough His Name8. Man from Galilee: The Life of Jesus Christ9. Lord, Teach Us: The TeachingMinistry of Jesus Christ10. Modern Approaches to the NewTestament: Historical Criticismand Hermeneutics11. The Modern Study of the Gospels12. The Modern Search for JesusPart 2: Encountering Acts and theEarliest Church13. The World and Identity of theEarliest Church14. Acts 1-7: The Earliest Days of the Church15. Acts 8-12: Salvation for Both Jew and Gentile16. Acts 13-28: The Light of Christ to the Ends of the EarthPart 3: Encountering Paul and HisEpistles17. All Things to All People: Life andTeachings of the Apostle Paul18. Romans: Right with God19. Corinthians and Galatians:Apostolic Counsel for Confused Churches20. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon: Lettersfrom Prison21. Thessalonians, Timothy, and Titus: A Legacy of FaithfulnessPart 4: Encountering the GeneralEpistles and the Apocalypse22. Hebrews and James: Maintaining Full Commitment to Christ23. Peter, John, and Jude: A Call toFaith, Hope, and Love24. Revelation: God Is in Control!Epilogue: Matters to PonderGlossaryIndexes

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Book SynopsisChristianity Today 2023 Award of Merit (Apologetics & Evangelism) Critics outside the church often accuse the Old Testament God of genocide, racism, ethnic cleansing, and violence. But a rising tide of critics within the church claim that Moses and other "primitive," violence-prone prophets were mistaken about God's commands and character. Both sets of critics dismiss this allegedly harsh, flawed, "textual" Old Testament God in favor of the kind, compassionate, "actual" God revealed by Jesus. Are they right to do so? Following his popular book Is God a Moral Monster?, noted apologist Paul Copan confronts false, imbalanced teaching that is confusing and misleading many Christians. Copan takes on some of the most difficult Old Testament challenges and places them in their larger historical and theological contexts. He explores the kindness, patience, and compassion of God in the Old Testament and shows how Jesus in the New Testament reveals not only divine kindness but also divine severity. The book includes a detailed Scripture index of difficult and controversial passages and is helpful for anyone interested in understanding the flaws in these emerging claims that are creating a destructive gap between the Testaments.Table of ContentsContentsPart 1: The Great Divorce: How Wide the Divide between the Old and New Testaments?1. The Old Testament God: Critics from Without and from Within2. Is the God of the Old Testament the Same as the God of the New? (1): Marcion versus Moses3. Is the God of the Old Testament the Same as the God of the New?(2): Moses versus Jesus?4. Is the God of the Old Testament the Same as the God of theNew? (3): Moses versus Jesus? (Continued)Part 2: Lex Rex (the Law, the King): What Makes the Law of Moses So Special?5. "From Heaven or from Human Origin?" Is the Mosaic Law JustAnother Ancient Law Code?6. Multiple Sources and Late Dates? Does the Mosaic Law Have Multiple Authors? Was Fighting the Canaanites a Fiction from the Sixth Century BC?7. Differences between the Law of Moses and Ancient Near EasternLaws (1): The Biblical Vision and Worldview8. Differences between the Law of Moses and Ancient Near EasternLaws (2): Human Dignity, Relationship, and Equality9. Differences between the Law of Moses and Ancient Near EasternLaws (3): Poverty and WealthPart 3: Crime and Punishment:Violations and Penalties in Old Testament Law10. A Bit of Ancient Near Eastern Context11. Israel's Punishments as Nonliteral in the Pentateuch12. Israel's Punishments as Nonliteral in Old Testament HistoryPart 4: For Whom the Bell Tolls:Harsh Texts and Difficult Old Testament Questions13. How Was David "a Man after God's Own Heart"?14. Why Does God Harden People's Hearts?15. Divine Smitings (1): Noah's Flood, Egypt's Firstborn, Uzzah'sDeath16. Divine Smitings (2): Elisha and the Bears, and Punishing Childrento the Third and Fourth Generations17. "Bashing Babies against the Rock"? Imprecatory Psalms in the Old Testament18. "Let His Homestead Be Made Desolate": Imprecatory Psalms inthe New Testament19. Loving Jacob, Hating Esau? Putting Divine and Human Hatred inPerspectivePart 5: Of Human Bondage:Women and Servants in Israelite Society20. Is the Old Testament Really Misogynistic and Patriarchal?21. Espousing Multiple Wives? Revisiting the Matter of Polygamy22. Other Troubling Texts about Women: The Nameless Concubine,the Question of War Rape23. "Servants" in Israel: Persons or Property?24. The "Acquisition" of "Foreign Slaves" (1): A Deeper Dive intoLeviticus 25 00025. The "Acquisition" of "Foreign Slaves" (2): Two Objections and theRunaway OptionPart 6: War and Peace:Warfare and Violence in the Old Testament (and the New)26. Jesus Loves Canaanites--andIsraelites Too: "Jesus 101" and theOld Testament's "Dark Texts"27. "We Left No Survivors": Exaggeration Rhetoric in Israel's War Texts28. Revisiting the Translation of Herem: "Utter Destruction," "Consecration," "Identity Removal," "Removal from Ordinary Use"?29. Deuteronomy's Intensified Rhetoric and the Use of Haram30. Did the Israelites "Cruelly Invade" the Land of Canaan?31. The "Actual" God in Old Testament WarfarePart 7: The Heart of the Matter:The Summing Up of All Things in Christ32. "God Is Christlike, and in Him There Is No Un-Christlikeness at All": Our Critics from Within33. Our Critics from Without (1): Two Important Questions34. Our Critics from Without (2): Five Big StepsQuestions for Small GroupsIndexes

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Book SynopsisThe Gospel Coalition 2022 Book Award Winner (Academic Theology) Southwestern Journal of Theology 2022 Book Award (Honorable Mention, Hermeneutics/Bible Reference/Biblical Backgrounds) Two experts in exegesis and dogmatics show how Christology and the doctrine of the Trinity are grounded in Scripture and how knowledge of these topics is critical for exegesis. The book outlines key theological principles and rules for the exegesis of Christian Scripture, making it an ideal textbook for hermeneutics and interpretation courses. The authors explore how the triune God revealed in Christ shapes Scripture and its readers and how doctrinal rules intrinsic to Scripture help guide exegesis.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction: Theology for Better ExegesisPart 1: Biblical Reasoning1. Seek His Face Always: The End of Biblical Reasoning2. The School of Christ: The Pedagogical Context of Biblical Reasoning3. The Curriculum of Christ: The Source and Practice of Biblical ReasoningPart 2: Christological and Trinitarian Rules for Exegesis4. Worthy Are You: Understanding Scripture as Honoring God5. The Lord Is One: The Trinity's Unity and Equality in Scripture's Twofold Discourse6. Varieties of Activities but the Same God: The Trinity's Inseparable Operations and Scripture's Appropriation7. One and the Same: The Unity of Christ and Scripture's Communication of Idioms8. Greater Than Himself and Less Than Himself: Christ's Two Natures and Scripture's Partitive Discourse9. God from God: From Missions to Processions10. Putting the Rule-Kit to Work: Reading John 5:17-30Conclusion: From Glory to GloryAppendix: Table of Principles and RulesIndexes

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Book SynopsisSouthwestern Journal of Theology 2023 Book Award (Honorable Mention, Biblical Reference/Biblical Backgrounds) Often students want to maintain their Biblical Greek when they're between courses, but they don't know where to start. This book provides ninety days of guided reading and brief exercises to help students retain or revive their knowledge and skill in reading and interpreting Biblical Greek. Noted language expert Benjamin Merkle guides readers through level-appropriate texts selected from across the New Testament canon, encouraging them to read and analyze one or two verses a day. The book begins with easy texts and gradually increases in difficulty through the 90 days. Each reading ends with a section called "For the Journey," which provides a practical application or reflection on the text, and an answer key so that students can check their work. This follow-up to Merkle's Exegetical Gems from Biblical Greek is ideal for Greek language students after their first year of study and for those who want to revive their knowledge and love of Biblical Greek. A companion volume on Hebrew is forthcoming.Table of ContentsIntroductionJourney 1: EasyRoute 1: John 1:1-9Route 2: John 1:10-18Route 3: Revelation 1:4-9Route 4: Revelation 7:9-17Route 5: Matthew 5:43-48Route 6: John 8:39-44Journey 2: IntermediateRoute 7: Luke 2:1-8Route 8: Luke 2:9-15Route 9: Romans 1:11-17Route 10: Ephesians 2:1-10Route 11: Ephesians 2:11-18Route 12: 1 Timothy 2:1-7Journey 3: DifficultRoute 13: Mark 8:31-37Route 14: James 2:18-26Route 15: 1 Peter 4:12-19Route 16: Jude 17-25Route 17: Hebrews 3:1-6Route 18: Hebrews 13:20-25Appendix: Supplemental VocabularyIndexes

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Book Synopsis"Tackles scripture from a broad-thinking, feminist perspective. . . . Smart and impressive."--Publishers Weekly One reason the Bible has endured for millennia is its ability to reach our common humanness and give uplifting insights about struggle, resilience, and hope. Intertwining academic knowledge and candid, personal, and sometimes humorous stories, Julie Faith Parker helps readers engage biblical texts with both mind and heart--to learn the Bible's stories, explore theological ideas, question common assumptions, develop interpretive skills, and grow in their own faith. The title chapter demonstrates how feminism interprets the Bible with fresh eyes and offers empowering insights, an approach used in the rest of the book. In each chapter, Parker reads biblical texts through a feminist lens. The book discusses both neglected and well-known Old Testament passages with one chapter on the New Testament. Parker's reflections show how vital our readings of the Bible can be as a source of strength, guidance, and joyful defiance. Additional features include questions for conversation or reflection and an overview of the entire Bible, summarizing each book in one line.Table of Contents1. In the Beginning . . .2. Eve Isn't Evil--Why I Love Her and You Should Too3. Think Your Family's a Mess? Biblical Families R Us4. Sex Workers, Slaughters, and Deities without Borders5. Profit from Prophecy6. The job of Job7. Guns and Psalms8. Song of Songs in Sing Sing9. My Favorite Feminist Jew10. Curious, Like Eve? Learn MoreAppendix 1: Bible BasicsAppendix 2: Resources for Further ExplorationIndexes

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Book SynopsisWhat was the apostle Paul's relationship to Judaism? How did he view the Jewish law? How did he understand the gospel of Jesus's messiahship relative to both ethnic Jews and gentiles? These remain perennial questions both to New Testament scholars and to all serious Bible readers. Respected New Testament scholar Matthew Thiessen offers an important contribution to this discussion. A Jewish Paul is an accessible introduction that situates Paul clearly within first-century Judaism, not opposed to it. Thiessen argues for a more historically plausible reading of Paul. Paul did not reject Judaism or the Jewish law but believed he was living in the last days, when Israel's Messiah would deliver the nations from sin and death. Paul saw himself as an envoy to the nations, desiring to introduce them to the Messiah and his life-giving, life-transforming Spirit. This new contribution to Pauline studies will benefit professors, students, and scholars of the New Testament as well as pastors and lay readers.Table of ContentsIntroduction1. Making Paul Weird Again2. Radically New or Long-Lost Reading of Paul?3. Judaism Doesn't Believe Anything4. Paul, An End-Time Jew5. The Gentile Problem6. Jesus the Messiah7. The Gentile Problem and Cosmetic Surgery8. Pneumatic Gene Therapy9. The Bodies of the Messiah10. Living the Resurrected Life11. Resurrection as the Culmination of the Messiah's Coming12. The Messiah and the JewsConclusionIndexes

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Book SynopsisTraditional views of the atonement tend to be reductive, focusing solely on Jesus's death on the cross. In his 2011 groundbreaking book Atonement and the Logic of Resurrection in the Epistle to the Hebrews, David Moffitt challenged that paradigm, showing how the atonement is a fuller process. It involves not only Jesus's death but also his resurrection, ascension, offering, and exaltation. In the succeeding years, Moffitt has continued to expand and clarify his thinking on this issue. This book offers a more fulsome articulation of his work on the atonement that reflects his recent thinking on the topic. Moffitt continues to challenge reductive views of the atonement, primarily from the book of Hebrews, but he engages other New Testament passages as well. He offers fresh insights on sacrifice and atonement, the importance of resurrection and ascension, Jesus's role as priest, and a new perspective on Hebrews. This important book brings Moffitt's award-winning and influential scholarship to a broader audience. The book includes a foreword by N. T. Wright.Table of ContentsContentsForeword by N. T. Wright1. Rethinking the Atonement: An Introduction2. Modeled on Moses: Jesus's Death, Passover, and the Defeat of the Devil in the Epistle to the Hebrews3. Wilderness Identity and Pentateuchal Narrative: Distinguishing between Jesus's Inauguration and Maintenance of the New Covenant in Hebrews4. Isaiah 53, Hebrews, and Covenant Renewal5. "If Another Priest Arises": Jesus's Resurrection and the High-PriestlyChristology of Hebrews6. Blood, Life, and Atonement: Reassessing Hebrews' Christological Appropriation of Yom Kippur7. Weak and Useless? Purity, the Mosaic Law, and Perfection inHebrews8. Serving in the Tabernacle in Heaven: Sacred Space, Jesus's High-Priestly Sacrifice, and Hebrews' Analogical Theology9. It Is Not Finished: Jesus's Perpetual Atoning Work as the Heavenly High Priest in Hebrews10. Observations on Directional Features of the Incarnation and Jesus's Sacrifice in Hebrews11. Jesus's Heavenly Sacrifice in Early Christian Reception of Hebrews: A Survey12. Righteous Bloodshed, Matthew's Passion Narrative, and the Temple'sDestruction: Lamentations as a Matthean Intertext13. The Sign of Jonah and the Prophet Motif in the Gospel of Matthew: Moving toward the Gentile Mission14. Atonement at the Right Hand: The Sacrificial Significance of Jesus's Exaltation in Acts15. Affirming the "Creed": The Extent of Paul's Citation of an EarlyChristian Formula in 1 Corinthians 15:3b-7Indexes

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Book SynopsisAs the old adage goes, you have to ask the right questions before you can get the right answers. And that's exactly what the Not Your Average Bible Study series helps you do. Rather than spoon-feeding you with individual facts, this study of James coaches you on how to think through the text as a whole. Tested and proven in Bible Study Magazine, it's perfect for group and individual studies alike.We can easily become entangled in the cares of this world and forget the important things in life. When we lose sight of the big picture, James reminds us what truly matters--the gospel. He challenges us to be "doers of the Word, and not hearers only." The gospel should define how we think, feel, and act.Each section of the guide begins with a concise introduction, providing context for the biblical passage. Next, you'll consider questions designed to prompt your own in-depth study. You'll also find specific prayer suggestions, along with ideas for further research. Experience the joy of discovering biblical insights for yourself--then apply these lessons to your everyday life.This is not your average Bible study!

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Book SynopsisIn his letter to the Ephesians, Paul emphasizes the unity of believers in the inaugurated new creation. He first sets before his audience the salvation freely offered to us through faith in Christ, then applies this truth to their lives, calling them to live lives of love. In this volume, S. M. Baugh approaches this important letter from a first-century perspective, examining ancient sources to determine what Paul's words meant in their ancient context, while also interacting with recent scholarship. The result is a commentary that is academically rigorous and at the same time presents Ephesians as the good news it was meant to be.About the Evangelical Exegetical Commentary Series:The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary series incorporates the latest in critical biblical scholarship and is written from a distinctly evangelical perspective. Each comprehensive volume combines historical and literary explanations with insights for understanding the text within the Bible's larger story and applying it to everyday life.Trade ReviewUsually full-length commentaries devote much of their space to surveying and evaluating the secondary literature--a useful but rarely a fresh or exciting venture. Baugh's commentary is different. Every page reflects years of exacting study of primary sources--classical literature, inscriptions, the first-century historical context (especially the history of Ephesus, gleaned from both archaeological and documentary evidence), coupled with a profound commitment to biblical theology. This does not mean he spends so much time on the historical and literary contexts that he fails to study the letter itself: far from it. Rather, Baugh's impressive learning is in service of understanding Ephesians. Baugh's comments are invariably measured, judicious, the product of informed and careful scholarship, lightly worn. Mercifully, the excellent scholarship comes in readable prose, making this a thoroughly interesting and stimulating work. This is now unquestionably the best technical commentary on Ephesians.--D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School"We have a number of excellent commentaries on Ephesians, and so we might wonder if there is a need for another one. S. M. Baugh, however, has written a fresh and independent commentary on the letter. His expert knowledge of the Greco-Roman world shines through his exposition, as does his facility in Greek grammar. Students, pastors, and scholars will find Baugh to be a must read as they study the text and theology of one of Paul's most important letters."--Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation"S. M. Baugh is the exegete's exegete and this commentary is pure gold. Turning first to controversial passages I've preached or written on before, I discovered, sure enough, that I had more work to do! He doesn't just give us his answers, but shows us his work by thorough attention to ancient sources, contexts, literary practices, and engagement with the history of Christian interpretation. For the pastor-scholar intent on mining the mystery revealed in Ephesians, this commentary is indispensable."--Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California"This is not just an outstanding commentary, it is an important one. Decades of study of Scripture and of many aspects of the ancient world come together to produce a fresh and enlightening study of Paul's letter to the Ephesians. The reader will learn, perhaps for the first time, what really constitutes an author's "style," with an introduction to rhythm, meter, cola, periods, rhetoric, and literary composition, that is, to issues that help us appreciate how ancient readers would have read and heard the text. Illustrations are copiously supplied from Biblical and classical literature and from ancient inscriptions. Baugh gives attention to actual manuscripts of Ephesians, to their characteristics and the ways they divide the text. One might expect the author of a NT Greek Grammar to treat all relevant aspects of the Greek language in the text of epistle, and this expectation is happily satisfied, to the benefit of the expositor of Scripture. Excurses at the end of the commentary enrich our understanding of various background issues based on Baugh's wide learning in ancient language and culture. All of these features that we might associate with an academic commentary are joined to a theological and devotional approach to the text as God's word for his people. Baugh's method of treating the text according to ancient ways of reading it and hearing it ought to form a model for much future work in Biblical commentary."--Charles E. Hill, John R. Richardson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, Reformed Theological Seminary"S. M. Baugh's commentary on Ephesians is a model of how commentaries ought to be written and organized. The fruit of thirty years of study, Baugh's Ephesians is packed with exegetical insight, well-expressed in clarity of analysis and charity of argument. It is also filled with pastoral wisdom and helpful application. Baugh's defense of Pauline authorship of Ephesians in the context of his larger discussion of the composition of such first century epistles is compelling. If you plan on preaching through Ephesians (or Paul's letters in general), this is a 'must have' volume."--Dr. Kim Riddlebarger, co-host of the White Horse Inn radio broadcast and author of The Lion of Princeton

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Book SynopsisWhen interpreting Scripture, do we take an academic or a spiritual approach? Do we emphasize the human or the divine agency? Do we focus on man's authorship or God's inspiration?Mark Bowald argues that these are false dichotomies. We need to understand both the human qualities of Scripture and the divine, as an overemphasis on either will lead to distortions. In Rendering the Word in Theological Hermeneutics, Bowald surveys various schools of thought, explaining where they lose the balance between the two. He analyzes the hermeneutical methods of George Lindbeck, Hans Frei, Kevin Vanhoozer, Francis Watson, Stephen Fowl, David Kelsey, Werner Jeanrond, Karl Barth, James K. A. Smith, and Nicholas Wolterstorff.Bowald shows that we should view Scripture as equally human and divine in origin and character. And our reading of Scripture should involve both critical rigor and openness to the leading of God's Spirit.Trade ReviewRendering the Word is one of the most astute treatments of scriptural hermeneutics in recent years. It is a work of considerable theological perception, most of all in its clear-minded and penetrating analysis of the place and significance of divine agency in the interpretation of Scripture.--John Webster, professor of divinity at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. Author of Confronted by Grace"Theological hermeneutics has no more avid cartographer than Mark Bowald. Readers who are still wondering what theological interpretation of Scripture is would do well to orient themselves to the discussion by consulting Bowald's charts. Bowald does more than map out this strange new continent, however; he makes a constructive dogmatic claim about the role of divine agency. This is intelligent theological mapmaking, a book to take up and read to find one's way through the issue of God's presence and activity in biblical interpretation."--Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

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Book SynopsisIn the book of Exodus, the promises to the patriarchs begin to see their fulfillment: Yahweh takes a people for himself and dwells among them. He is not a distant deity, but a God who speaks and acts to deliver his people from oppression. In this two--volume commentary, Eugene Carpenter interacts with the Hebrew text to trace these and other important themes through Exodus. He also discusses how key theological concepts of Exodus continue throughout the Bible and offers suggestions for applying the message of the book to modern-day readers.About the Evangelical Exegetical Commentary Series:The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary series incorporates the latest in critical biblical scholarship and is written from a distinctly evangelical perspective. Each comprehensive volume combines historical and literary explanations with insights for understanding the text within the Bible's larger story and applying it to everyday life.Trade ReviewEugene Carpenter's magnum opus is impressive in its scholarly breadth and depth. This commentary highlights the history and theology of Exodus. In Dr. Carpenter's view, these two are mixed inseparably: 'History cannot be scuttled in Exodus; it is part of the texture and matrix of theological truth.' --Dr. Wayne McCown, provost emeritus, Roberts Wesleyan College, and founding dean emeritus, Northeastern Seminary"The legacy of Gene Carpenter's life and scholarship continue well beyond his years. Few have equaled his tireless commitment to good exegesis and a biblical theology of ministry. This volume is a testament to a man who committed his life to Jesus Christ and his Word."--Terry Linhart, chair, religion and philosophy, Bethel College, Indiana

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Book SynopsisRevelation is like no other book in the New Testament. Its bizarre images need explaining even for seasoned Bible readers, but when we turn to biblical scholars we find that they don't all agree.In Revelation Verse by Verse, Grant R. Osborne offers a clear exposition of the book that takes seriously both its first-century context and what it means today. Where he disagrees with other interpretations of particular images, he briefly mentions them but remains focused on the text throughout. Rather than being a book that stirs up fear, Revelation is instead a hopeful and even devotional book, focused on the certainty of God's bringing his plans to completion, the futility of Satan and his plans, and the glory of the Lamb.Revelation Verse by Verse is the first volume in the Osborne New Testament Commentaries, a new series from noted Bible scholar Grant R. Osborne directed toward pastors and committed laypeople.Trade ReviewA well-known writer of New Testament commentaries tackles a well-known New Testament book. The result is an instructive reading of this often-discussed text. Read Osborne's Commentary on Revelation and learn.--Darrell L. Bock, Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary"Somehow and seemingly at every turn in this most unusual of New Testament books, Grant Osborne has studiously avoided the cliche as well as the trendy. Instead, he has kept a steady eye on the big ideas of Revelation: the Christ of this book is the Lion, the Lamb and the Lord; the victory over evil most assuredly comes from a cosmic battle waged by the Father of the Lord Jesus against evil and all its dominions; and our means to that victory is a Spirit-generated faithful obedience through suffering."--Scot McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Professor in New Testament, Northern Seminary"Many people avoid the book of Revelation because it seems strange and its interpretation is controversial. Grant Osborne brings his many years of intense and intelligent study of Revelation to bear in this compelling reading of this book's powerful vision of Christ's second coming. I recommend it to all readers and especially pastors."--Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College"Grant Osborne has spent his entire professional career teaching and writing about good principles for the interpretation of Scripture and then modeling them in his own scholarship, not least in commentaries on numerous New Testament books. The Osborne New Testament Commentaries, therefore, are a welcome new series by a veteran New Testament scholar determined to spend as much time as God gives him in his retirement years distilling the conclusions of the finest of scholarship without bogging down the reader in the detailed interaction with all the various perspectives that have been suggested. If all the volumes are as good as this inaugural work on Revelation, the series will become a most welcome resource for the busy pastor or teacher." --Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary"Grant Osborne has produced a marvelously written volume on the book of Revelation that will be immensely helpful for pastors and church leaders, including both students and teachers of Scripture. Carefully designed and thoughtfully structured, this commentary will enable readers to understand both the historical and textual meaning of this challenging book, as well as to grasp its theological and contemporary significance. It is genuine joy to recommend this fine volume. I pray it will receive the wide readership it deserves."--David S. Dockery, President, Trinity International University"The book of Revelation provides plenty of passages for challenging exegesis and interpretation. In this verse by verse commentary, Grant Osborne does not back away from the often controversial issues, but distills reams of previous material into useful insights and potential, effective teaching points. I am sure that pastors and other lay teachers will benefit greatly from this commentary on Revelation." --Stanley E. Porter, President, Dean, and Professor of New Testament, Roy A. Hope Chair in Christian Worldview, McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada"Revelation is well known for its historical quagmires and hermeneutical imponderables, and is sometimes characterized by idiosyncratic and even perhaps eccentric interpretations. Grant Osborne's thoughtful approach, being fiercely biblical in nature, attempts to strip away what may be modern and superficial in thinking and seeks to unveil the book's central message by placing it into its ancient historical setting." --Barry J. Beitzel, Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School"One of our premiere evangelical scholars on the New Testament, Grant Osborne has applied years of his life to the text of the New Testament's most challenging book. Yet his commentary on Revelation is no ivory-tower tome. The rich, deep-rooted research on display here weaves its way through a down-to-earth prose that is at once wonderfully accessible and devotional, sure to stretch the minds and warm the hearts of Christian leaders and laypeople alike." --George H. Guthrie, Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible, Union University"Revelation is the most confusing and the least taught, read, or studied book in the Bible. It also has the most radically different interpretations by pastors and scholars. FINALLY, Dr. Osborne has provided a most effective, easy to comprehend, and qualitative orthodox interpretation of the book of Revelation. Dr. Osborne is conservatively trained and prophetically insightful and sensitive--a rare and valuable combination. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How can you effectively understand the book of Revelation? One verse at a time. Dr. Osborne's verse-by-verse interpretation is a must-read and must-study for pastors, scholars, and the laity, each of whom will solve the confusion by reading this commentary." --Raleigh B. Washington, President and CEO, Promise Keepers

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Book SynopsisIn his epistle to the Philippians, Paul addresses internal struggles and external pressures that the church faced. In the letter he presents the sacrificial life of Christ as the ultimate example, "the ethical foundation for all of life," and then calls believers to imitate Christ in their own lives.In this volume, Mark J. Keown scrupulously examines Philippians with a clear eye on the original text and a fine-tuned ear to first-century culture while also interacting with the full history of scholarship on Philippians. Keown also carefully considers the letter's theological and devotional importance for present-day believers. The result is the most comprehensive commentary on Philippians yet published.

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Book Synopsis'Wilt thou be made whole?' is the question Jesus addresses to the paralyzed man who had waited in vain for years at the pool of Bethesda. Finally he says, 'Take up your bed and walk.' This thoughtful book asks what power within ourselves Jesus's call can awaken, that can help make us whole and healthy. Kühlewind presents meditations to help the reader think about Jesus's various psychological and physical healing in the Bible. These exercises lead us to a new, deeper understanding of the healing process, and how we might heal ourselves.

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Book SynopsisThe Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible encourages readers to explore how the vital roots of the ancient Christian tradition inform and shape faithfulness today. In this volume, a leading theologian known for his expertise on Barth offers a theological reading of Philippians. George Hunsinger draws on patristic and medieval theology and on Calvin, Edwards, Barth, and Torrance as he explores what the biblical text means for ecclesial interpretation today. As with other series volumes, this commentary is designed to serve the church, providing a rich resource for preachers, teachers, students, and study groups.

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Book SynopsisMany of us tend to live as though Jesus represents the "spiritual part" of our lives. We don't clearly see how he relates to the rest of our experiences, desires, and habits. How can Jesus, the Bible, and Christianity become more than a compartmentalized part of our lives? Highly regarded New Testament scholar and popular teacher Jonathan Pennington argues that we need to recover the lost biblical image of Jesus as the one true philosopher who teaches us how to experience the fullness of our humanity in the kingdom of God. Jesus teaches us what is good, right, and beautiful and offers answers to life's big questions: what it means to be human, how to be happy, how to order our emotions, and how we should conduct our relationships. This book brings Jesus and Christianity into dialogue with the ancient philosophers who asked the same big questions about finding meaningful happiness. It helps us rediscover biblical Christianity as a whole-life philosophy, one that addresses our greatest human questions and helps us live meaningful and flourishing lives.Table of ContentsContentsYour Personal Lord and PhilosopherPhilosophers, Martyrs, and Canoes The Genius of Ancient PhilosophyThe Bible as Philosophy?The Philosophical "Big Ideas" in the Old TestamentThe Philosophical "Big Ideas" in the New TestamentEducating EmotionsA Big Emotional DebateChristianity's Sophisticated SolutionRestoring RelationshipsThe Necessity of RelationshipsChristianity's Renewed RelationshipsBeing Human and HappyHumans, We Have a ProblemChristianity's Whole, Meaningful, and Flourishing Life

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Book SynopsisThis in-depth discussion of New Testament scholarship and the challenges of history as a whole proposes Bayes's Theorem, which deals with probabilities under conditions of uncertainty, as a solution to the problem of establishing reliable historical criteria. The author demonstrates that valid historical methods-not only in the study of Christian origins but in any historical study-can be described by, and reduced to, the logic of Bayes's Theorem. Conversely, he argues that any method that cannot be reduced to this theorem is invalid and should be abandoned. Writing with thoroughness and clarity, the author explains Bayes's Theorem in terms that are easily understandable to professional historians and laypeople alike, employing nothing more than well-known primary school math. He then explores precisely how the theorem can be applied to history and addresses numerous challenges to and criticisms of its use in testing or justifying the conclusions that historians make about the important persons and events of the past. The traditional and established methods of historians are analyzed using the theorem, as well as all the major "historicity criteria" employed in the latest quest to establish the historicity of Jesus. The author demonstrates not only the deficiencies of these approaches but also ways to rehabilitate them using Bayes's Theorem. Anyone with an interest in historical methods, how historical knowledge can be justified, new applications of Bayes's Theorem, or the study of the historical Jesus will find this book to be essential reading.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisWise proverbs stick with us and help us navigate life.Our financial decisions might be guided by "a penny saved is a penny earned," or we might remember not to be lazy from "the early bird catches the worm."God has given us a book filled with such memorable wisdom--the Old Testament book of Proverbs. In Living Well, you'll look at a different topic in each chapter and learn how Proverbs can guide us to live wiser, more God-honoring lives. Whether in our finances or our relationships, our approach to work or play, following the way of wisdom is often countercultural, but always best. Living Well gives us the blueprint for such a life--starting with God's own wisdom from the book of Proverbs.Trade ReviewTextually faithful, gospel-rich, and well-organized, this is a go-to resource for understanding the great Book of wisdom.--J.D. Greear, pastor, The Summit Church (Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina); author, Gaining by Losing: Why the Future Belongs to Churches that Send"This book is vintage Allan Moseley! It is biblical, clear, practical, and witty. It perfectly represents the genre of Proverbs. The Proverbs were intended for real life. Moseley masterfully puts this on full display in this very fine work."--Dr. Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary"N. Allan Moseley helps us see God's wisdom for relationships, health, money, and life in general in a light that brings to life the deeper meaning of proverbs we have perhaps read many times. Living Well will remain on my table, next to my Bible, for those daily encounters when I need another helping of God's promised wisdom."--Dan Forest, lieutenant governor of North Carolina

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Book SynopsisIn his epistle to the Philippians, Paul addresses internal struggles and external pressures that the church faced. In the letter he presents the sacrificial life of Christ as the ultimate example, "the ethical foundation for all of life," and then calls believers to imitate Christ in their own lives.In this volume, Mark J. Keown scrupulously examines Philippians with a clear eye on the original text and a fine-tuned ear to first-century culture while also interacting with the full history of scholarship on Philippians. Keown also carefully considers the letter's theological and devotional importance for present-day believers. The result is the most comprehensive commentary on Philippians yet published.

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Book SynopsisMany familiar Gospel narratives are filled with geographic details that we gloss over because of our distance from the Holy Land. Yet climate, landscape, natural resources, and other features of geography leave a lasting mark on the societies and cultures that have developed within them. In a world of dirt roads and dry riverbeds, where shepherds watch their flocks in the hills and fishermen mend their nets by the sea, Jesus taught from hill and plain, using the surrounding landscape as the backdrop for his teaching. Jesus' parables and illustrations are often brimming with geographic clues, but the significance of these distinctive details is often lost on us today. The Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels puts readers in the sandals of the disciples as they travel throughout Israel with Jesus, explaining the significance of geography for mining the riches of the biblical text.

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Book SynopsisJude calls believers to stand firm in their belief in Jesus' messiahship, even when various forms of rebellion occur around them. In this comprehensive volume, Herbert Bateman examines the historical, cultural, and literary context of Jude's letter, identifying the "godless" as Zealots and other Judaeans caught up in an insurgence against Rome. At the same time, the letter admonishes readers to extend mercy to those who inadvertently rebel against God, both inside and outside the church.The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary series incorporates the latest in critical biblical scholarship and is written from a distinctly evangelical perspective. Each comprehensive volume combines historical and literary explanations with insights for understanding the text within the Bible's larger story and applying it to everyday life.

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