There are many obstacles that stand between you and Greek proficiency. The first is mastering morphology, and there are plenty of helps from published books to Bible software like BibleWorks. The second is vocabulary, and there are plenty of ways to improve your bank of Greek vocabulary….
The concept of crucifixion seems straightforward enough, but is “crucify” a correct translation of σταυρόω? For what were people crucified, and when did this punishment arise? Did it occur in the ancient Near East, or in the Roman Empire prior to Jesus? How do the Latin terms crux and patibulum relate to the Greek noun σταυρός? If you thought this whole crucifixion thing was straightforward, meet these three WUNT monographs from Mohr Siebeck that will unsettle you… or maybe not. Chapman and Schnabel’s The Trial and…
Teaching Christian doctrine is no easy task, and making it interesting is even harder. Since Augustine’s On Christian Teaching, manuals of doctrine and hermeneutics have flooded the church, but for me the real test is whether I can use a book in a small group in my church. Mike Bird’s What Christians Ought to Believe passes that test with flying….
It’s not often I get excited about a New Testament introduction textbook, but Köstenberger , Kellum, and Quarles have exceeded expectations. Their new work, The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament, is a tour de force for issues related to the NT. At 1,100+ pages, this work leaves no stone unturned and should be welcomed by NT professors, pastors, and students alike. Even better, this new second edition is completely updated with the latest scholarship. Contents The work divides…
Ephesians is not easy Greek. The sentences are complex and flowing; the syntax is ambiguous; genitives abound and interpretive decisions never cease. The Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament series from B&H Academic has so far produced many volumes, such as John, Philippians, and others. This latest volume covers every phrase in Ephesians with acute exegetical skill as well as concision. One of the best features of this volume is how brief it is. It spans only 246 pages,…
In the last two and a half centuries, biblical theology has come to the fore, and among topics in biblical theology, the role of covenant and how the covenants relate to one another looms large. Two broad approaches to the relationship between the OT covenants and the New Covenant have emerged: dispensationalism and covenantalism. While dispensationalism is newer to the scene,…
For two decades, Wallace’s Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics has been the favorite textbook for intermediate Greek courses in seminaries and Christian colleges and universities. As much as we all owe a debt to Wallace’s grammar with its comprehensiveness, exegetical discussions, and useful charts, it is now two decades old and….
N. T. Wright draws as much criticism as he does commendation. His prolific academic career has given plenty to interact with, and he’s recently added a capstone to his career by publishing his 1,700 page volume on Pauline theology, Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Many reviews appeared….
To this date, I think one of the most difficult academic tasks is to learn about Paul’s life and missions. This topic requires memorizing much information, such as the laws of the Roman empire, the geography of the cities Paul visited, the years in which Paul visited cities, the various historical reconstructions of Paul’s journeys, the methodologies for harmonizing Paul’s letters with Acts, and much, much more. If you have never visited the regions of Paul’s journeys, and if you do…
“Those who meet God face to face are changed.”
That’s the motto of David Wenkel’s book, Shining Like the Sun, which surveys the theme of human encounters with God throughout the Bible…..