Todd Scacewater

Todd (PhD, Hermeneutics) serves with Wycliffe Bible Translators as a professor of international studies at Dallas International University.

Blogs 10 Unforgettable Lessons on Fatherhood. Ray Ortland bears witness to his father Ray Ortland Sr., pastor of Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena for twenty years, who led a life devoted to his family and to God. We reviewed a great Greek resource by Murray Harris, an exegetical guide to Colossians and Philemon. If you want to improve your Greek, this is one of the best resources available. We also reviewed His Mission: Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, ed. Carson, which has a…

Greek Reading: Colossians 1:1-4

May 21, 2015

Todd Scacewater

The first video in a series walking through the Greek text of Colossians to focus on translation, basic grammar and syntax, vocabulary, and morphology.

His Mission: Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, ed. D. A. Carson & Kathleen Nielson

May 20, 2015

Todd Scacewater

This new work is a truly pleasure to read and an excellent source of pastoral exposition and application of Luke’s Gospel. Contributors include John Piper on Luke 1-2, Colin Smith on the sermon at Nazareth (Luke 4:14-30), Crawford Loritts on Jesus’ power toward the afflicted (Luke 8:26-56), D. A. Carson on Jesus’ resolve to head toward Jerusalem (9:18-62), Kevin DeYoung on Jesus’ mission to save the lost (Luke 15:1-32), Steven Um on Jesus and money (16:1-15), Gary Millar on Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion (22:39-23:49), and Tim Keller on Jesus’ vindication in Luke 24….

Colossians and Philemon (EGGNT), by Murray Harris

May 18, 2015

Todd Scacewater

Harris’ introduction is brief, noting some brief arguments for Paul as the author of both Colossians and Philemon. Paul probably wrote the letters during his first Roman imprisonment (4, 207-209) in order to exhort them away from their relapse into paganism and to combat false teaching (5). Harris provides a bibliography for further reading on the occasion for the letters and the “Colossian heresy.” The purpose of the series is to deal extensively with grammatical and syntactical issues, while briefly explaining the implications of such issues for theological interpretation. Harris interacts heavily with secondary literature, showing that he has done the difficult job of wading through various grammatical analyses of the texts by others. He does a superb job of explaining the various grammatical and syntactical possibilities for each phrase….

Weekly Roundup 5/9-5/15

May 15, 2015

Todd Scacewater

Blogs

Eerdmans gives five recent studies in Paul sure to make a big impact

Senior scholar and authority on early Christianity, especially early Christian worship, made a few posts this week on the supposed “hymns” of Col 1:15-20 and Phil 2:6-11 and has weighed in with a few posts. (We added a few comments of our own here.)

We featured a great Greek resource, Devotions on the Greek New Testament, ed. Duvall & Verbrugge, that helps you stay….

Devotions on the Greek New Testament, ed. Duvall & Verbrugge

May 13, 2015

Todd Scacewater

This work includes contributions from various New Testament seminary professors such as Craig Blomberg, Darrell Bock, Scot McKnight, Ben Witherington III, and many others. Each devotional is a brief two pages or so. They begin with either a brief sentence from the Greek New Testament or with a paragraph. The author then explains anything difficult about the sentence or paragraphs, breaking down the meaning of words, syntax, grammar, and anything else notable….

Weekly Roundup: New Books 5/2-5/8

May 8, 2015

Todd Scacewater

Biblical Studies Anthony Petterson, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi (Apollos Old Testament Commentary) Michael Gorman, Becoming the Gospel (The Gospel and Our Culture Series), Kindle Edition

Grief Undone: A Journey with God and Cancer, by Elizabeth Groves

May 7, 2015

Todd Scacewater

One certain truth in life that everyone must face, especially pastors and counselors, is the grim reality of death. Many have either grieved personally or have walked alongside friends who grieve the loss of a loved one. Death does not choose selectively but comes for us all. It is dark, terrifying, serious, horrible, and inescapable.

On one hand, no one can ever fully prepare for it prior to experiencing its devastating power in one’s life, whether it be family or one’s own keen sense of mortality. That said, there is much wisdom to be found in the Word of God and in the experiences of His people, and one would be wise to listen to elder saints who have walked through the valley of the shadow of death….

The World of the New Testament, ed. Green & McDonald

May 4, 2015

Todd Scacewater

The World of the New Testament is a collection of forty-some introductory articles to different areas of New Testament background. The chapters are written by senior scholars in the field, such as the editors, J. Charlesworth, M. Bird, G. Green, and more. The articles are concerned with the historical background of the New Testament, with some consideration to literary features of the writings, but are not concerned with the theology espoused within them.

The work starts with an essay on New Testament chronology and then follow five sections: (1) Exile….

Weekly Roundup: New Books 4/25 to 5/1

May 1, 2015

Todd Scacewater

Biblical Studies James Edwards, The Gospel According to Luke (Pillar NT Commentaries; Kindle Edition) Chris Tilling, Paul’s Divine Christology Martin and Wright, Gospel of John (Catholic Commentary on Ancient Scripture)