Book Reviews Archives - Page 10 of 12

Galatians: A Handbook on the Greek Text (BHGNT), by David A. deSilva

June 15, 2015

I’m not sure why a series such as this one wasn’t published sooner. The Baylor Handbooks on the Greek New Testament are a beautiful addition to the library of any student, pastor, or scholar. The purpose of these volumes is to give a grammatical and syntactical analysis of the Greek text of each book of the Bible. This is the “prequel” to commentary proper (ix). However, as we will see, deSilva’s volume does more than label Greek words or phrases with their corresponding syntactical category.

Reading the Old Testament by Lawrence Boadt and Historical Criticism

June 11, 2015

Todd Scacewater

I would classify this work as first Christian, second critical, and third Catholic. While I’m not Catholic, the benefit of a Catholic textbook on the OT is that it includes discussion of the other seven Greek intertestamental works that are important for NT backgrounds (and, of course, for seeing to where the stream(s) of the OT flow). Moreoever, Boadt enlists Pope Pius XII’s support for a critical approach to the OT based on his Divino Afflante Spiritu (1943). More recently in 1989, Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) called for a “criticism of criticism”….

Evangelical Faith and the Challenge of Historical Criticism, eds. Hays and Ansberry

June 9, 2015

Todd Scacewater

You should buy this book and read it. I don’t suggest that because I agree with the basic premise of each chapter, but because I disagree with it. This book takes various historical-critical conclusions and determines whether they can be squared with Evangelical (or even orthodox) dogma. The tension between Evangelicalism and historical criticism tension is perhaps felt more in Old Testament studies, with dating conclusions in constant flux….

IVP Bible Background Commentaries: Old and New Testaments

June 3, 2015

Todd Scacewater

Craig Keener’s Bible Background Commentary has sold over half a million copies. It was first published in 1993 and has been of great assistance to students and pastors for a quick reference to the background issues at stake in a certain passage. What’s the deal with head coverings? Baptism for the dead? Who are the Epicureans? What was Ephesus like, and what is the Temple of Artemis? These are questions that you could certainly Wikipedia in a jam, but why not allow a seasoned scholar who focuses on NT background explain it for you? And he does it in one not-so-large volume!

The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Theology, ed. Samuel Balentine

May 26, 2015

Warren Campbell

Any pastor, academic, or student of theology will be impressed with the list of contributors assembled for this project, as many of the authors comprise the foremost names in biblical and theological studies around the world. While not intending to be exhaustive, the OEBT seeks to elucidate biblical persons, places, and themes for their theological significance. This encyclopedia is therefore a reference work with a very particular aim–to thoroughly expound the theological significance of a particular set of central subjects, not to provide a brief definition an exhaustive list of subjects. Since this encyclopedia set covers a variety of subjects, it seems fitting to treat each subject separately as the means of evaluating the work as a whole….

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….

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….

Doing Philosophy as a Christian, by Garrett DeWeese

April 30, 2015

Todd Scacewater

If you are a Christian academic, pastor, or scholar, and you have always felt intimidated or daunted by philosophy (or the prospect of learning philosophy), look no further. Garrett DeWeese had you in mind. This is not a history of philosophy (on which, see W. T. Jones’ History of Philosophy), but an overview of the various realms within philosophy. Anyone wishing to become acquainted with philosophy must become acquainted with at least the main areas of metaphysics (the nature of reality), epistemology (the nature of knowledge), and ethics. One could do this by surveying histories of philosophy to see how each branch developed diachronically, but one would be better served to get the philosophical categories in mind before trodding through Plato’s dialogues….