tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77984317782492472352024-03-13T22:41:25.528-07:00Christian Resources and Book ReviewsThis site is a compilation of book reviews we post on Amazon.com, GoodReads and on our heavily trafficked blogs. We thought people interested in books would like to get to the "meat" in one place, without having to read the posts on Theology, Apologetics, and Christian Education that populate our other blogs. Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-77262718990060335482017-12-02T23:55:00.004-08:002017-12-02T23:55:53.648-08:00Book Review: The Handy Guide to Difficult and Irregular Greek Verbs
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHd3-BcGng/WiOt3MICyXI/AAAAAAAACwI/7xbd40yyCyYom_jZI10PIfOkGk9qiZqnwCLcBGAs/s1600/handy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="342" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHd3-BcGng/WiOt3MICyXI/AAAAAAAACwI/7xbd40yyCyYom_jZI10PIfOkGk9qiZqnwCLcBGAs/s320/handy.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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<b>The Handy Guide to Difficult and Irregular Verbs</b></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>By Jon C. Laansma and Randall X. Gauthier</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is the book that I needed on my
Greek final exam translation. Irregular verbs, liquid verbs, etc. can be a pain
and sometimes turn mystical when attempting identification for proper
translation. Unfortunately, though the work of its authors was good, it was
poorly executed by the design/printing team. I understand the objective of
having a small and light booklet you can carry in your pocket, but this one is
small enough, and at 80 pages, you could easily add another 40 pages without affecting
its small size at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As it
stands, the text is just too small for a book like this. Greek accents, iota
subscripts, etc. should be clearly seen, especially in a resource that will
most likely be used as an aid to translation. See Appendix I for an
illustration of how differently a word is translated based on the accents (in fact,
the accents tell you they are different words). Also, the black text printed on
the dark green was not a good idea. Perhaps white text would have worked better
in those situations. Enlarge the font so we can see the work of the authors, fix
the design issues, and we may revisit this resource for a better review.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2/5 Stars</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Disclaimer: The book was received for free from Kregel
Ministry books in exchange for an unbiased opinion.</i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-71831282825141261542017-12-02T23:33:00.000-08:002017-12-02T23:33:06.960-08:00Book Review: Mark Through Old Testament Eyes By Andrew T. Le Peau
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xVSKfYIuVk/WiOooseciMI/AAAAAAAACv4/8ho83ft5XDMPskQUlvfsX_xEoplylj7-wCLcBGAs/s1600/mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xVSKfYIuVk/WiOooseciMI/AAAAAAAACv4/8ho83ft5XDMPskQUlvfsX_xEoplylj7-wCLcBGAs/s320/mark.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark Through Old Testament Eyes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Andrew T. Le Peau</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Series title is “A Background and
Application Commentary;” it is, of course, based on the fact that the New
Testament writers were immersed in the world of the Hebrew Bible (our Old
Testament). They did not come up with “Christianity” whole cloth. In fact, they
did not think what they were teaching was “a new religion.” They were Jews
practicing Judaism, and the term “Christianity” was years in the future. The
distinction between Judaism and Christianity as different religions would have
made no sense to the writers of the New Testament. How does this affect our
understanding of the Scriptures? For instance, Protestants (like Martin Luther)
have read the New Testament in light of Roman Catholicism, and come up with
theological positions that have no relationship to the first century. Luther
read Paul as if the latter had been trying to correct Roman Catholic doctrines;
his grace versus works theology opposed things like the sacraments and
indulgences, which were never in the mind of Paul; they simply had not been
invented yet. Paul wrote Romans to correct misunderstandings of the grace of
God through the Gospel and its relationship to the works of the Law of Moses.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, this
series seeks to correct some of those foundational interpretive
misunderstandings, and its first century focus is a welcome corrective to bad
hermeneutics. I think this volume succeeds to a great measure, and it will be
useful to pastors and preachers. For academic use, you may need something more
substantial, and based on the Greek text. And, of course, there should be no
endnotes, but rather, footnotes. We need that information at hand, not to
search for at the end of the book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of the
things I did not like was the fact the commentary ends at Mark 16:8, since many
scholars do not accept the long ending of Mark as authentic. The author gives a
summary of the arguments against the inclusion of the long ending; however, the
author himself says on page 301, “Ultimately it is impossible to come to a firm
conclusion either way. We must be at peace in our uncertainty.” Well, if it is
“impossible” to achieve certainty, shouldn’t a commentary on the book deal with
the text that “possibly” is a part of Mark’s Gospel? This seemed to me similar
to a construction crew saying, “It is impossible to know whether the building
is completely empty of people,” and then blowing it anyway. They should err on
the side of caution. IF the long ending is authentic, and you don’t comment on
it, then, you haven’t done your job appropriately, and in fact, you’ve been
irresponsible. These are eternal matters and we should err on the side of
caution, every time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Disclaimer: The book was received for free from Kregel
Ministry books in exchange for an unbiased opinion.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-279396366668895182017-09-14T18:32:00.003-07:002017-09-14T18:37:24.902-07:00Book Review: Forgiveness and Justice: A Christian Approach by Brian Maier<div class="MsoNormal">
Forgiveness and Justice: A Christian Approach<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Brian Maier<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BIJ-mu7S2TE/Wbsuwyku27I/AAAAAAAACvo/yfuwJKQUj9IAe4698Hyl32L1mQim-C35wCLcBGAs/s1600/forgiveness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BIJ-mu7S2TE/Wbsuwyku27I/AAAAAAAACvo/yfuwJKQUj9IAe4698Hyl32L1mQim-C35wCLcBGAs/s400/forgiveness.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The book seems geared toward
professional counselors because of the language used. When you say
“theological” rather than “Biblical,” you are appealing to theologians, rather
than your average church worker. The same with words like, “models,”
“construct,” “conceptual,” and even the word “justice.” So, the book is for
Christian therapists who are up on the lingo, but lack somewhat in their
theological formation. It is not easy to apply what’s learned in a secular
classroom to the lives of Christians, especially because the two worldviews are
widely disparate. The world accepts many things as given that a Christian must
pause and ask of God’s Word before deciding whether it’s something good, bad,
or even none of the above. Given these, is the book useful?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes, it is,
if for none other reason that most Christian Therapists are lacking in Biblical
formation. Reading this book will at least cause them to mentally engage with
their Bibles and, therefore, with God’s opinions, on subjects they deal with on
a daily basis. More than “evolved ape-like creatures,” humans are created in
God’s image and cannot be reduced to a set of behaviors (that many think are
easily changed given the right motivations), rather, many problems that our
people face have to do with sin, whether their own, or those that others have
done against them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To leave
Christ and His Word outside of the Psychologist’s room is the worst mistake one
could make (while at the same time allowing the disciples of Freud, Rogers and
Jüng in to assist). I truly hope Christian counselors/therapists, etc. get a
hold of this book; if for no other reason that it is a serious attempt to
engage these topics with Scripture.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The book
needs a new cover, and perhaps even an editor’s hand to make its message more
accessible to the masses, but it is a great read for anyone engaging clients
(or fellow brothers or sisters) that have forgiveness issues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 Stars<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Disclaimer: The book was received for free from Kregel
Ministry books in exchange for an unbiased opinion.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-67571285111180528532017-09-14T17:10:00.002-07:002017-09-14T17:11:04.187-07:00Book review: 40 Questions About Church Membership and Discipline By James B. Pate<div class="MsoNormal">
40 Questions About Church Membership and Discipline<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By James B. Pate<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’ve read any of the “40 Questions…” series, you know
how good the work being done is and how much scholarship goes into each
offering. Not all authors are at the same level of expertise, of course; some
are better scholars than others, and some are better at allowing themselves to
be understood. Given that disclaimer, this book is badly needed in today’s
churches; perhaps even more in the Spanish world. So, here’s hoping it gets translated
soon, and that Hispanic Pastors will pick it up to learn from it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztq9Bw12kdI/WbsaVRWXErI/AAAAAAAACvY/GLTqxIUeinoHuz7wjNYQaAE20rkabGeAwCLcBGAs/s1600/9780825444456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztq9Bw12kdI/WbsaVRWXErI/AAAAAAAACvY/GLTqxIUeinoHuz7wjNYQaAE20rkabGeAwCLcBGAs/s400/9780825444456.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The topic
is a very current one and, as I said, badly needed. Not every church has an
established membership process, some don’t even have one at all. Anyone that
comes in through the doors semi-consistently is considered a member; sooner
than that if they start tithing or giving offerings. The missing element of a
mutual agreement (“covenant” may even be a better word) between the church and
the prospective member in today’s environment harms not only the church, but it
cheapens a member’s faithful Christian life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beyond
that, members need to know how their private matters (even their private sins)
will be handled by the leadership. Some people have been surprised to learn,
only too late, that there was no privacy agreement between them and the Pastor;
and everyone ended up knowing everything that had been disclosed behind closed
doors. This is the more common when a respected and/or beloved member decides
to move to a different church in the area. It became open season on the poor
member and character attacks, dressed in “concerned warning” garb made its
rounds in the previous church and also the new one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of course,
we have to also know that not every member has the church’s best interest at
heart all the time, therefore the need for a MUTUAL agreement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Church discipline is also badly needed in our time; just
because someone that committed a sin weeps at the altar does not mean they are
ready to be fully reincorporated to whatever ministry they were involved in
prior to their sin. I should not even have to tell you about how the church
needs to protect its children and youth in every possible way from those that
are not qualified for service in that area, or could be dangerous in other ways
to the spiritual, physical, and even sexual well-being of our children!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where church
discipline does exist, it is not usually done the Scriptural way, but in ways
that the church attorney’s or a denomination’s handbook instructs the Pastor to
do it. Shame on those who call themselves Bible Christians/Pastors, etc., but
leave the Bible aside every time it conflicts with the official church Manual.
This, sadly, will not change until we all learn what the Bible teaches on
topics like this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, yes,
this book is a must-read for every minister, pastor, leader in every church.
And it wouldn’t hurt every member to read it as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I do have
some doubts that a couple of difficult-to-interpret Bible passages were handled
correctly, and think that the “turning over to Satan for the destruction of the
flesh” is handled with kid gloves rather than allowing the horrors of such a
recourse to instruct us and our members to the seriousness of our sin; but
those are rare enough that the book is still the go-to handbook for these
issues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 Stars<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Disclaimer: The book was received for free from Kregel
Ministry books in exchange for an unbiased opinion.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-33271862885156310532017-04-05T00:15:00.002-07:002017-04-05T00:15:41.842-07:00Book Review: Interpreting Apocalyptic Literature: An Exegetical Handbook by Richard A. Taylor
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Rrg26_TKO0/WOSZf0s9QcI/AAAAAAAACtY/Lr1jEf5dlOAeUMU1SuqU3OscfwcU6ifHgCLcB/s1600/apocalyptic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Rrg26_TKO0/WOSZf0s9QcI/AAAAAAAACtY/Lr1jEf5dlOAeUMU1SuqU3OscfwcU6ifHgCLcB/s400/apocalyptic.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">
Book Review: <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Interpreting
Apocalyptic Literature: An Exegetical Handbook</i></b></h2>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
by Richard A. Taylor</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book is part of the “Handbook for Old Testament
Exegesis” series published by Kregel. I have elsewhere given my take on a
couple others from the series. At first glance I’d venture to say that Richard
Taylor takes on the most difficult hermeneutical handbook of the whole series,
dealing with the not-so-easily-definable genre of apocalyptic literature.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The section
on comprehending figurative language was useful as it cited interesting
examples. The bibliographies that appear interspersed throughout the book are
also welcome additions and point to further research sources.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
grandiose statements of any author attempting to teach something usually sound
so good that they may just be too good to be true; that’s when one appreciates
an author that is willing to test his own principles and show others plainly
what he does with a text and how he goes about the exegetical task. In short,
how he puts into practice his own principles. Reading his results we can assess
whether he promised more than he could deliver and whether or not his
exegetical advice works in the way one expects it to. Of course, the author
gets to choose his exemplars, and there’s nothing the reader can do about it.
It could be that the author is just choosing a passage he is most familiar
with. Nevertheless, if we can show me through his process that his methodology
renders sound exegetical conclusions, then, I just might be willing to bite.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I chose to
evaluate Taylor’s work on the basis of his exegetical treatment of Joel
2:28–34. I wanted to see how well he applies his own advice, and what sorts of
results he gets from it. No unexpected insights there, the text and its
interpretation were pretty much standard. Perhaps the author should have chosen
a more complicated pericope in order to demonstrate what his methodology can
accomplish.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The book is
useful, and no one should venture to interpret apocalyptic literature without
its assistance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry review program. The
program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-53387779388385234872017-04-04T21:59:00.001-07:002017-04-04T21:59:21.685-07:00Book Review: Preaching Old Testament Narratives by Benjamin H. Walton
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4et7-2NY64/WOR5VU_0zUI/AAAAAAAACtI/AsurtS0EVWszBEGpVTROe1KQ82bwoEMXACLcB/s1600/Preaching%2BOT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4et7-2NY64/WOR5VU_0zUI/AAAAAAAACtI/AsurtS0EVWszBEGpVTROe1KQ82bwoEMXACLcB/s400/Preaching%2BOT.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">
Book Review: <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Preaching
Old Testament Narratives</i></b></h2>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
by Benjamin H. Walton</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was excited to learn Kregel was publishing this book.
Belonging to a tradition that usually misuses Old Testament narratives in
preaching, I was excited to learn how to do better from now on. With page after
page of endorsements by some well-known names in the preaching and theological
communities (really, twenty-one of them!) the book promised to be a definitive
guide on the subject.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The book is
a step-by-step guide that begins, wonderfully enough, with the topic of
Biblical hermeneutics. Skipping this step is what makes most other books on
homiletics much less useful.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Also quite
helpful is the author’s emphasis on choosing a complete unit of thought in
order to preach it. So many just choose one verse here or there and forget that
the Holy Spirit that inspired the text had a message to convey. Faithfulness to
the Word and the Spirit that birthed it demand that we heed this step.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I also
quite enjoyed and agreed with “Write a Manuscript, Then Ditch It.” Reading a
sermon in the twenty-first century is a no-no in so many ways, and it quickly
alienates Millenials. Talk to people like people. They are not automatons,
neither should you be one. Connect. Look them in the eye and preach the Word to
them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However,
the addition of general preaching tips, though useful in the example above, made
the book longer than it needed to be. I picked up the book to learn how to
preach Old Testament narratives. Nothing more. I already know how to preach,
just teach me this one thing, do in concisely, briefly, clearly and then let’s
part ways. I have a long list of other things I must learn, and I have many
books waiting for my attention.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh, before I
forget. One or two acronyms are cute and maybe useful; use too many and you
lost me. And the author did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry review program. The
program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-58442883447294261282017-04-04T21:01:00.004-07:002017-04-04T21:01:50.576-07:00Book Review: The Spirituality of Paul by Leslie T. Hardin
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QI18dmL7uVM/WORsD1CxSqI/AAAAAAAACs4/liDwEM9wOtwnELtWvg4u-VTapf3mSu1mACLcB/s1600/spirituality%2Bof%2Bpaul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QI18dmL7uVM/WORsD1CxSqI/AAAAAAAACs4/liDwEM9wOtwnELtWvg4u-VTapf3mSu1mACLcB/s400/spirituality%2Bof%2Bpaul.jpg" width="258" /></a> </div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">
Book Review: <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Spirituality of Paul</i></b></h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
by Leslie T. Hardin</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The idea behind <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Spirituality of Paul</i> is a great one. The chapter titles draw the reader
into the book. Who doesn’t want to understand “Paul the man,” aside from Paul’s
theology? Even reading a little bit of “Paul the theologian” seems like a nice
break from all the New Perspective/Old Perspective debates on his theology of
law versus grace. One of the first titles that caught my eye was on “Paul’s
Devotion to Scripture”; next was the chapter on spiritual gifts. I confess I
did not find every chapter as compelling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What I
didn’t like about the book was the way the author concludes the chapters, going
beyond what the biblical explorations warrant to give too much of his own
convictions, feelings, and theology. I read the book to learn about Paul’s
spirituality, not the author’s. Whether you agree that gifts of the Spirit like
tongues are in operation in today’s church or not. I was very uncomfortable
with the author’s pontificating about it at the end of that chapter. Though
pretending not to take sides and advocating a “let’s not judge each other”
line, the author clearly does have a position and makes it clear while
pretending to be neutral. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes, that
ruined the book for me and would not recommend it. I prefer to read an author
who is upfront about his convictions and argues for them by exegesis, citation
of other scholars, and logical argumentation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry review program. The
program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-70050155369089867282017-01-19T13:20:00.002-08:002017-01-19T13:20:29.632-08:00Book Review: A Syntax Guide for Readers of the Greek New Testament by Charles Irons
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Book Review: <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
Syntax Guide for Readers of the Greek New Testament</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
by Charles Irons</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WxBDglE_pK4/WIEticaupFI/AAAAAAAACq0/ixuEH1vp77ssHLCq1WKIiUyC64fbo2mhwCLcB/s1600/Syntax%2Bguide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WxBDglE_pK4/WIEticaupFI/AAAAAAAACq0/ixuEH1vp77ssHLCq1WKIiUyC64fbo2mhwCLcB/s320/Syntax%2Bguide.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Similar cover and format to Philip Wesley Comfort’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Commentary on the Manuscripts and Text of
the New Testament,</i> you will get added benefit if you keep both volumes
handy as you study the Greek New Testament. In fact, I would have loved to have
both volumes combined into one somehow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is intermediate Greek and it may not be helpful for the beginning
student of Koiné Greek; however, I would not have it too far away when
preparing a sermon based on a New Testament text. There’s much to like in the
volume, although many times I wished the author would go into greater detail. I
wonder if the publishers limited him a little too much, in order to match the
size and layout of the aforementioned volume (and probably Comfort also got
limited to the standards of this series). Yes, the aim is to help the
intermediate student read through the New Testament “with minimal interruptions”,
but let’s face it, we still have to have our Greek New Testament open and this
volume (along with Comfort’s), so the interruptions are present no matter what;
given that, I’d love a little more detail.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book needs to update its Bibliography to current NT
Greek linguistic discussions/intermediate grammars to be more accurate and,
therefore, useful to the Seminary student; otherwise, they may get blindsided
by more current research not present in this brief tome.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The resource is recommended, though perhaps the best place for
the information would be as footnotes (along with Comfort’s book) in a Reader’s
Greek New Testament. THEN, the interruptions to the reader would be truly
minimal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry review program. The
program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-7797490551790935602016-10-07T14:10:00.000-07:002016-10-07T14:11:09.716-07:00Book Review: Discovering the Septuagint: A Guided Reader<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGMqVG9NpYo/V_gPQLD-ATI/AAAAAAAACqU/z30KVfe1t1sXFtAABVOwKr4u1wbfUKA-wCLcB/s1600/septuagint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGMqVG9NpYo/V_gPQLD-ATI/AAAAAAAACqU/z30KVfe1t1sXFtAABVOwKr4u1wbfUKA-wCLcB/s320/septuagint.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Book Review: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Discovering
the Septuagint: A Guided Reader</i> edited by Karen H. Jobes</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As far as
Hebrew Bible is concerned (the Christian “Old Testament”) Karen H. Jobes is a
big player and a respected scholar. The book is designed to help students read
the Greek of the Septuagint or LXX, that is, the translation of the Hebrew
Bible into Greek done about three centuries before the time of Christ. However,
anyone interested in learning Biblical Greek should look for help elsewhere;
this material is for someone with a good year of Koiné Greek under their belt
and interested in progressing in their reading skills.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The student
will find help with the wider Greek vocabulary of the Septuagint (as compared
to the more limited vocabulary of the New Testament). There will also be help
with the peculiar Hebrew-influenced syntax of the LXX Greek, as it will be
challenging for the person used to the Greek constructions in the New Testament.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There are
chapters with readings from Genesis, Exodus (the Ten Commandments!), Ruth, some
Psalms, Hosea, Jonah, Malachi, and my favorite, Isaiah, including, of course,
Isaiah 53, the most famous Messianic chapter in the Hebrew Bible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The notes
explicate terms, syntax, and contextual issues; there are also notes on textual
issues both in the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint manuscripts, and even the Dead
Sea Scrolls. I think I would have liked more detailed notes on exegetical issues
(or maybe I’ve just been spoiled by Daniel Wallace’s intermediate Greek syntax).
Jobe’s book also has a brief Glossary of Technical Terms. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry book review program. The
program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-84917107363407129522016-10-07T13:11:00.002-07:002016-10-07T14:08:08.784-07:00Book Review: What Happened in the Garden, edited by Abner Chou<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} </style> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qWhg4Lsioe8/V_gBbOptQJI/AAAAAAAACqE/lVDYg3iyg74JIjN77cBRki659yo1vOlLwCLcB/s1600/what%2Bhappened.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qWhg4Lsioe8/V_gBbOptQJI/AAAAAAAACqE/lVDYg3iyg74JIjN77cBRki659yo1vOlLwCLcB/s1600/what%2Bhappened.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Book Review: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What Happened in the Garden</i> edited by Abner Chou</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Written by the faculty of the Master’s College, the book takes a Bible-believing, conservative stand. What is at stake in the issue at hand is the reality of Adam and Eve as real people directly created by God, and their actual fall into sin that left humanity in need of a Messiah that would atone for all sin and restore creation back to its original state. The story of redemption from that time, through the Patriarchs and Israel to Jesus and the New Covenant community, and the awaited eschaton are explained by that need, unless the story of Adam and Eve is just a metaphor and not an actual event in history. Well, some Christian scholars are precisely asserting the latter and the Master’s College faculty take the task of defending the traditional view in a no less scholarly way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With chapters on Hermeneutics and History, Genetics of Adam, A Map of Misreadings, Genesis 3 and Original Sin, Thermodynamics and the Fall, etc. there’s something for everyone. Nicely footnoted (and the footnotes are at the bottom of each page! Yay!), the authors are in conversation with liberal and conservative scholars on their respective topics.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A good resource to have on a foundational issue. Get this book, read it and share it with your church.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-24803033815520403692016-08-17T23:56:00.004-07:002016-08-17T23:57:11.369-07:00Book Review: Eschatology: Biblical, Historical, and Practical Approaches edited by D. Jeffrey Bingham and Glenn R. Kreider<style>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0pAlov3Z4g/V7Vb8_gHaMI/AAAAAAAACo4/6N0jlCbNJQ407ea7etufCrDPq3Ey6upGACLcB/s1600/Eschatology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0pAlov3Z4g/V7Vb8_gHaMI/AAAAAAAACo4/6N0jlCbNJQ407ea7etufCrDPq3Ey6upGACLcB/s400/Eschatology.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
</h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
Book Review: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eschatology:
Biblical, Historical, and Practical Approaches</i> edited by D. Jeffrey Bingham
and Glenn R. Kreider</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book is edited by two Dallas Theological Seminary
graduates so the overall perspective will be from that Seminary’s ideological
point of view; though the writers come from different universities, including
three former professors of mine at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
It is refreshing that the ideology behind this study is one of Biblical
trustworthiness; one will not have to worry about whether the authors think
Paul was mistaken in his prophetic views (as some liberal Christians assert).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part 1 introduces the foundations for a doctrine of the
future, including a good chapter by Charles C. Ryrie himself. Part 2 is a
Biblical theology of the future, examining what the Bible itself has to say on
the topic, division by division (Historical books, the Prophets, the Synoptic
Gospels, etc.). I was surprised to find myself enjoying the historical part of
the book, and the analyses on part 3 will be helpful to anyone wanting a primer
on, say, Augustine’s view of the future, or that of John Calvin, Jonathan
Edwards, or Jürgen Moltmann. Overall, the authors made an excellent effort in
laying out the basics of each view. Part 4 brings in the praxis of a doctrine
of the future to contemporary situations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, as other books, my personal theological stance on
prophecy is not represented since I am not a traditional or progressive
Dispensationalist, but no one expected the authors to be perfect. <span style="font-family: "wingdings";">:-)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, I applaud Kregel for printing the footnotes at the
bottom of the page (as opposed to endnotes that one has to hunt down to make
sense of), making it more useful to students and scholars; the book is much,
much better because of this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A solid 4/5 stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry book review program. The
program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-2839839442572789922016-05-19T18:37:00.000-07:002016-05-19T18:37:05.036-07:00Book Review: 40 Questions About the Historical Jesus by C. Marvin Pate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81U933PIYAE/Vz5pSu6gltI/AAAAAAAACoI/3YE_jCy_FSIp9dACSTsdnLHB8FDEQBF5ACLcB/s1600/40questionsJesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81U933PIYAE/Vz5pSu6gltI/AAAAAAAACoI/3YE_jCy_FSIp9dACSTsdnLHB8FDEQBF5ACLcB/s320/40questionsJesus.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Book Review: 40 Questions About the Historical Jesus by C. Marvin Pate</b><br />
<br />
Kregel is publishing some exciting books; I am a fan of this series (did I say that before? It’s still true). If you’ve had questions on all the talk about “the historical Jesus”, this is a good book to begin your quest for understanding.<br />
<br />
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Pate is a first-rate scholar, highly respected, and
sometimes he is even correct in his stances. He is well-read and is able to
write in a non-academic way, which sometimes is lacking on other scholars.
;-) Furthermore, this is not a skeptic voice, but a believing one. Pate is a
conservative, but that does not mean he is not a careful scholar (isn’t it sad
I have to make sure to point this out? Liberal propaganda certainly colors the
way people see Bible-believers). You will find some good answers for those that
assert the Gospel stories cannot be taken as historical truth.</div>
<br />
Again, this is a good primer on the topic and I think you could do much worse than this series by Kregel.<br />
<br />
4/5 Stars <br />
<br />
<br />
<i> Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.
</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-79786603112137927592015-12-23T23:53:00.000-08:002015-12-23T23:53:28.513-08:00Book Review: Tough Questions about God and His Actions in the Old Testament
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXL-nz6fNII/VnukNalOtWI/AAAAAAAACmc/X7i571x9PCk/s1600/tough-questions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXL-nz6fNII/VnukNalOtWI/AAAAAAAACmc/X7i571x9PCk/s400/tough-questions.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Book Review: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tough
Questions about God and His Actions in the Old Testament</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Walter C. Kaiser Jr.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Written by one of the biggest names in Hebrew Bible studies,
the book is a much needed, scholarly study of troubling themes in the Old
Testament. I appreciated how Kaiser did not sugar coat nor dumb down the
issues. He tackled questions at their hardest to explain. Issues like Evolution
or Creation (How could there be light before the sun and moon were created?),
Grace or Law, Monogamy or Polygamy (Didn’t heroes of faith like Abraham and
David have many wives?), Peace or Genocide (Didn’t God command the
extermination of entire peoples?), etc. are confronted head on. Yet, Kaiser
approaches the topics as one who believes the Bible to be the Word of God. This
in itself is refreshing in this day and age. Trust me. Not many like him left
in academic circles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If some of God’s actions in the Old Testament have seemed
troublesome to you in the past, this is a book you will thoroughly enjoy.
Though, let me warn you that part of Kaiser’s honesty will cause him to leave
some issues unresolved to your satisfaction. Again, he is handling the Word the
best way he can, while still allowing for mystery in the will and actions of
God; as it should be, I guess. Personally, I like clear-cut answers, and black
or white points of view, but I understand that they are not always possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry book review program. The
program does not require a positive review, only an unbiased one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-1304853526526375862015-10-16T14:29:00.001-07:002015-10-16T14:29:54.154-07:00Book: A Commentary on the Manuscripts and Text of the New Testament<style>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kokGUIFq78g/ViFsJ8ixNdI/AAAAAAAAClI/L9SAE9Bb9NU/s1600/Philip-Comfort-Commentary-on-Manuscripts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kokGUIFq78g/ViFsJ8ixNdI/AAAAAAAAClI/L9SAE9Bb9NU/s320/Philip-Comfort-Commentary-on-Manuscripts.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Book Review: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
Commentary on the Manuscripts and Text of the New Testament</i> by Philip
Wesley Comfort</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, this
is not a book for the average believer. But it is a book pastors and Bible
teachers that care about every word in the Bible should read. With Bart Ehrman
and other skeptics attacking the trustworthiness of the New Testament, the time
has come for Christian leaders to become well informed and conversant with
issues of text criticism. This book, while not answering Ehrman’s twisted logic,
does help us understand the different types of manuscripts the scholars work
from. It would also help those that revere the KJV to understand why other
translations, while not being liberal (ESV, NET, for instance), have some
verses that read differently. The book helps clear up the “missing verses”
misunderstanding so common in popular Bible translation wars.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book includes information on the Early Manuscripts, and
a helpful Annotated List of the Manuscripts of the New Testament. The book also
has a very helpful and informative Appendix on The Significance of the Nomina
Sacra (Sacred Name) and the way it (in its various incarnations) appears in New
Testament Greek manuscripts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Highly recommended resource.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry review program. The
program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-3254860877506351552015-08-13T14:30:00.002-07:002015-08-13T14:30:54.495-07:00Book Review - 40 Questions on Baptism and the Lord's Supper
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0RwFetDs8U0/Vc0MbmMm7aI/AAAAAAAACks/RIrEepNDvoA/s1600/40-questions-about-baptism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0RwFetDs8U0/Vc0MbmMm7aI/AAAAAAAACks/RIrEepNDvoA/s320/40-questions-about-baptism.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal">
40 Questions on Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>By John S. Hammett</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This particular series has proven very helpful as it
addresses topics of importance to any believer in the 21<sup>st</sup> century.
The present tome is no exception. It has a wealth of information on the
Christian practices of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (others call the latter,
Communion or The Eucharist). The author’s point of view is theologically
conservative, accepting the Bible as the Word of God; which is refreshing,
given the current academic trend of disbelief. The author got his Ph.D. from
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and therefore, the reader should not
be surprised to learn he favors Baptist doctrinal stances.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hammett
does address what others believe about baptism and the Lord’s Supper and he
does it in a respectful tone and endeavoring to be fair. This is also
refreshing, given the polemic nature of Christian disagreements on these and
other doctrinal topics. He does not simply knock down straw men; although, I’m
sure proponents of alternative views will be able to point out where Hammett
has misunderstood or unintentionally misrepresented their doctrine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My own
perspective differs from the author’s, but I can appreciate the work he put
into his research. I love the format of the series and trust we will get more
quality work in other areas of theology and Christian doctrine</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Disclaimer: The book was received for free from Kregel
Ministry books in exchange for an unbiased opinion.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-26387611613671632702015-08-13T14:02:00.001-07:002015-08-13T14:29:06.080-07:00Book Review - For the Love of God's Word<style>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J28gsgXYEUQ/Vc0F2W-repI/AAAAAAAACkc/HTMN9mQG8Ko/s1600/loveGodsWord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J28gsgXYEUQ/Vc0F2W-repI/AAAAAAAACkc/HTMN9mQG8Ko/s320/loveGodsWord.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
For the Love of God’s word: An Introduction to Biblical
Interpretation</h3>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>By Andreas J. Köstenberger and Richard D. Patterson</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Köstenberger was academically influenced by Grant Osborne
and D.A. Carson, two heavy-weights in the interpretation department; that fact
alone makes one expect a quality book. But Köstenberger is a scholar of the
first rank on his own merit and this book ably demonstrates that fact (I
apologize for not knowing enough about the co-author Richard Patterson).
Written to be used as a simple textbook on Biblical interpretation, the book
contains not only the essentials, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i>
fundamentals on the art and science of interpretation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The book is
an abridged version of their more academic <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Invitation
to Biblical Interpretation</i>, but if you have never read the bigger tome, you
will not think anything is missing from the abridgment. The authors have
carefully distilled the fundamental content and made it more accessible. This
is good news for readers that do not have much time but do need to hone in
their hermeneutical skills.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Throughout
the book there are shaded boxes with a synthesis of the chapters contents and
these are very helpful. They will give you outlines of steps, definitions,
arguments, procedures, etc. that you can refer back to when you are done
reading the book. They will serve as an excellent refresher for years to come.
They also will test you on whether you understood and learned what the authors
intended for each chapter in question. The examples given throughout the book
are very useful and capably illustrate the hermeneutical principles being
studied. There is a useful glossary at the end of the book for the
technical/academic jargon used in case one is not familiar enough with it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For my
taste, the layout of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scott and Hays’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grasping God’s Word</i> is more inviting for
first time students; but I would recommend the present text as a handy
reference to further explore certain types of hermeneutics or if in need of
exegetical examples of proper interpretation processes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Disclaimer: The book was received for free from Kregel
Ministry books in exchange for an unbiased opinion.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-24624290504014219842015-06-15T12:03:00.002-07:002015-06-15T12:06:26.297-07:00Book Review: Interpreting the Prophetic Books: An Exegetical Handbook by Gary V. Smith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UAQiJ42C7c/VX8hi9vnI8I/AAAAAAAACkE/G2Ln4El1_LA/s1600/itpb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UAQiJ42C7c/VX8hi9vnI8I/AAAAAAAACkE/G2Ln4El1_LA/s320/itpb.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The idea behind the Handbooks for Old Testament Exegesis series is an outstanding one. Short, to the point, yet scholarly and well documented. Gary V. Smith is a well-known scholar of the prophetic writings and is informed enough to write a useful handbook; and that he did. He covers the fundamentals, rather than just the essentials (see below). That is, Smith not only tells us how to interpret, but what to do with that information. Most commentaries/exegetical handbooks stop at interpretation.<br />
<br />
PROS<br />
• There are chapters on “Proclaiming Prophetic Texts” and “From Text to Application,” which are extremely useful in our day and age. Very few of us know how to preach from these texts without over spiritualizing them. Rather than giving God’s message, we usually end up giving our own (with the best of intentions, mind you). <br />
• FOOTNOTES. Oh, yeah! I love having footnotes rather than endnotes. This is a major plus for any academic work.<br />
<br />
CONS<br />
• The type is set in a small font; specially the Hebrew font. I had trouble reading some of the vowel markings. Not good. I understand the need to make the size of the book manageable, but please remember that 40-year-old and above also want to read scholarly books and continue studying.<br />
• Some charts had too dark a background, which made reading the text more difficult.<br />
• Maybe the content was a little too brief. Again, I understand the purpose behind the brevity, but at many points I was left wanting just a little more information. I would definitely love the book at double its current size.<br />
• A little too critical of the text itself at some points. Since I believe the Bible to be completely inspired of God. Some of the current critical views do not settle well with me.<br />
<br />
With that said. I would pick this book up first when beginning a study of the prophetic material, and work from there. It should not be the only source of information by any means, but it is a useful one.<br />
<br />
3/5 Stars<br />
<br />
<i><br />Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry review program. The program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.</i><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-19033231536323754982015-05-20T12:05:00.000-07:002015-05-20T12:11:45.957-07:00Book Review: Preaching with Accuracy<style>
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</style> Book Review:<br />
<h4 class="MsoNormal">
Preaching with Accuracy: Finding Christ-Centered Big Ideas
for Biblical Preaching</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4 class="MsoNormal">
By Randal E. Pelton</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQxATFQexoI/VVzayW_f5iI/AAAAAAAACjc/4zfo1fggnsc/s1600/PREACHING%2Bwith%2Baccuracy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQxATFQexoI/VVzayW_f5iI/AAAAAAAACjc/4zfo1fggnsc/s320/PREACHING%2Bwith%2Baccuracy.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<i><b>An essential primer on Biblical preaching</b></i><br />
<br />I am a reader, so amassing huge amounts of research on a given subject is not as difficult for me; but as many others can attest to, it is one thing to have the information, and another knowing how to preach it so that the congregation would benefit from it. <br /><br />Pelton comes to our aid with a brief, very practical book that immediately immerses one in the task of “finding Christ-centered big ideas for biblical preaching.” In an age when sermons are constructed more to impress than to inspire, to get a physical and verbal reaction rather than a soul transforming action, this book is badly needed. Sadly, it is possible that the people that need it the most, are unaware of their own need, and that is today’s preachers. Borrowing a quote from the book, <br /><br />“[B]y our determined efforts to redefine ourselves in ways that are more compelling to the modern world than are faithful to Christ, we have lost not only our identity but our authority and our relevance.” (Os Guinness)<br /><br />The biggest value of the book might just be the corrective of preaching what the Bible actually says, instead of the ideas of the preacher, sprinkled with a few barely related verses here and there.<br /><br />If you are in any way entrusted, every week or once a year, to serve the Bread of the Word to a congregation, get this book. Work through it at your own pace. It is short and sweet. It is not the answer to every sermonic ailment, but it is a good start.<br /><br />Disclaimer: The book was received for free from Kregel Ministry books in exchange for an unbiased opinion.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 Stars</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-13816558271456061872015-04-03T15:21:00.003-07:002015-04-03T15:31:53.347-07:00Book Review: 40 Questions About Creation and Evolution<style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">For those not afraid to hear real answers</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P401KGq6LGU/VR8SbMASI8I/AAAAAAAACjA/9-iaFar_O-k/s1600/40questions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P401KGq6LGU/VR8SbMASI8I/AAAAAAAACjA/9-iaFar_O-k/s1600/40questions.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
Book Review: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">40
Questions About Creation and Evolution </i>by Kenneth D. Keathley and Mark F.
Rooker</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today’s academic setting is dismissive of those that would
question evolution as an established scientific fact. This is very unfortunate.
If they could but give the other side a hearing, they would find beneficial
information.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of the time the problem has been with authors that have
a need to communicate on this topic to the masses that may not understand the
scientific or biblical concepts behind the debate. Evolutionists dismiss <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anyone</i> with a similar point of view.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope they give this book a chance. It is written at a more
scholarly level, it contains hundreds of footnotes and it is respectful of
opposing views. They engage the issues critically, biblically, and
scientifically. The book has review questions at the end of each chapter, which
should help the reader focus what they got out of the book in order to share
with others (maybe in a series of church lectures?).<br />
<br />
Some topics would have benefitted from illustrations to make the concepts
clear; other than that, this is a much needed voice for today’s apologetic
endeavors.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel book review program. The program does not require
a positive review, only an unbiased one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-40292964358485866402015-03-07T02:14:00.003-08:002015-03-07T02:15:11.196-08:00Book Review: Shepherding God’s Flock<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6mjlUv37gg/VPrPfQI0R3I/AAAAAAAACiQ/57nO4p-60UU/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-03-07%2Bat%2B2.04.12%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6mjlUv37gg/VPrPfQI0R3I/AAAAAAAACiQ/57nO4p-60UU/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-03-07%2Bat%2B2.04.12%2BAM.png" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Book Review: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shepherding
God’s Flock: Biblical Leadership in the New Testament and Beyond </i>edited by Benjamin
L. Merkle and Thomas R. Schreiner</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With names like Andreas Köstenberger, Bruce Ware, and Thomas
Schreiner writing some of the chapters, one does not have to agree with
everything they write to benefit from the meticulous research we have come to
expect from their writings. <br />
<br />
The obvious strength of the book is that they go to the Bible and attempt to
extract what the New Testament has to say about leadership; and specifically to
those who have made the care for souls their primary life mission.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While contemporary examples and analysis of different church
bodies’ practices may be seen as helpful by some; being on the outside of such
movements made the information somewhat foreign to me. While the development of
the papacy may be an important historical question, I personally did not see it
as a helpful chapter; the same goes for the other ecclesiastical bodies
surveyed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was expecting more of a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">biblical</i> work, but it seems that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and beyond</i> part of the subtitle won out. Not really what I think
ideal.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel book review program. The program does not require
a positive review, only an unbiased one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-82946655280567040892014-10-20T00:17:00.004-07:002014-10-20T00:31:28.687-07:00Book Review: The People, The Land, and The Future of Israel<br />
<h2>
<i>The People, The Land, and The Future of Israel: Israel and the Jewish People in the Plan of God.</i></h2>
<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YOK6sdV6SEw/VES2p4Z2W3I/AAAAAAAACeo/hg8xET7BfYs/s1600/Israel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YOK6sdV6SEw/VES2p4Z2W3I/AAAAAAAACeo/hg8xET7BfYs/s1600/Israel.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Book Review: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
People, The Land, and The Future of Israel: Israel and the Jewish People in the
Plan of God</i> by Darrell L. Bock and Mitch Glaser, Editors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Replacement Theology (the doctrine that the Church has
forever replaced Israel) has been described by some as a cancer in Christian
theology; this book is a scholarly attempt to bring a biblical perspective on
that an other very important issues that have to do with Israel’s past,
present, and future in the plan of God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could not recommend this book highly enough. Get it, read
it, live it! It is time for the church of Christ to come to a balanced and
biblical view of Israel. Too much speculation and false ideas, along with a
lack of biblical understanding have twisted our Israelology and turned it into
a caricature.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will you agree with everything in the book? No. I know I
didn’t. Also, as usual in a book of this type, some chapters are better written
than others. Truly, though, some are gems and have done an outstanding job in
the allotted space for their subject. The questions at the end of each chapter
are excellent and help one benefit from the content a whole lot more than
usual. Plus, the video links help one come into “conversation” with the
authors. The book is worth (almost) every
penny.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The one negative for me is the unfortunate use
of endnotes instead of footnotes. The book is an academic treatment of the
subjects; academics love FOOTNOTES (yes, that information should be at the
bottom of the page, ready and immediately accessible). We have to see where
they got their information, we want to read what other related information is
available. We DO NOT like to hunt for that information pages later, and it is a
pain having two different places in the book open at all times. PUBLISHERS: If you
intend the book to be academic, please do not use endnotes. Thank you very
much.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry review program. The
program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-56531776954714641612014-08-27T22:26:00.001-07:002014-08-28T10:30:50.348-07:00 Book Review: Blessed are the Balanced: A Seminarian’s Guide to Following Jesus in the Academy<style>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ho5FNNskWU/U_69dooZciI/AAAAAAAACeA/glUwlCvBxpI/s1600/BlessedBalance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ho5FNNskWU/U_69dooZciI/AAAAAAAACeA/glUwlCvBxpI/s1600/BlessedBalance.jpg" height="320" width="213" /> </a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Book Review: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blessed
are the Balanced: A Seminarian’s Guide to Following Jesus in the Academy</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Paul E. Pettit and R. Todd Mangum</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many students seeking an academic degree in theology are not
blessed, like me, with a wife that constantly and lovingly reminds him that
there should be a daily time when the books are put on hold in order to have
some family time (or you have dismissed the importance of her gentle nagging). This book will fill that need in your life. Not only does it
remind us of the need to give our minds some rest, and our hearts some
nurturing in the presence of our beloved families; but most importantly, it
helps us bring to mind the whole reason we are pursuing academic excellence: to
glorify Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Keeping our personal relationship
with God aflame with passion, as we seek to know His Word better through
academic learning, is something that should not be forgotten; otherwise, we
will doom our very souls.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book engages your attention, by appealing to your keen
mind (especially if you’ve already learned some Greek and Hebrew); it also
gives real-life illustrations to drive a point home. The authors do not forget
to remind us of the beauty of humility, and the value of having a servant’s
heart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know you are busy, but trust me: you want to read this
book. It is brief, pulls no punches, and goes directly to the point. Take it
with you to a park early on Saturday, read it, and come home with a fresh
perspective on your calling to the higher learning endeavor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel Academic book review program. The program does
not require a positive review, only an unbiased one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-74587660480992618512014-01-20T05:08:00.006-08:002014-01-20T05:09:24.980-08:00Book Review: Apostle of the Last Days: The Life, Letters, and Theology of Paul by C. Marvin Pate<style>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcOVp5NYR0A/Ut0fyBL0_aI/AAAAAAAACT0/6AiXdWH5udQ/s1600/Apostle-of-the-Last-Days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcOVp5NYR0A/Ut0fyBL0_aI/AAAAAAAACT0/6AiXdWH5udQ/s1600/Apostle-of-the-Last-Days.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Apostle
of the Last Days: The Life, Letters, and Theology of Paul</i> by C. Marvin Pate</div>
Book Review: <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
C. Marvin Pate is a well-known name in New Testament
Theology, particularly in eschatology; having written and edited other books on
the subject, this time he focuses his attention on Paul’s eschatology.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pate rejects the New Perspective on Paul being advocated of
late by some important Pauline theologians (e.g. N.T. Wright, Jamed D.G. Dunn)
and opts for the traditional view. Because that view is highly controversial
and is making big waves in contemporary Paul studies, a more detailed
refutation of their basic convictions would have enriched Pate’s book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having in mind that Paul lived in a time where Greco-Roman
culture and Jewish Theology were the “locations” where Christianity was born, Pate
seeks to find a place of reconciliation between the vacuity of “realized
eschatology” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a la</i> Preterism) and the
politically invested “consistent eschatology” (totally futuristic). The Bible
seems to favor an “already/not yet” eschatology, especially in light of the
reality of a first and second coming of Jesus. The term used to describe it is
“inaugurated eschatology;” a middle-of-the-road view that takes into account
both sets of Scriptures used selectively by the other two positions. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The many tables present to elucidate Pate’s views are a
testament to the amount of work invested in preparing the book, although the
inclusion of an annotated bibliography would have made the book immensely more
valuable for Pauline research. Others will also miss an index of topics covered
in the book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A word of caution: It is somewhat problematic to use
eschatology as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> hermeneutical lens
through which one reads Paul’s theology, and it may lead to selective use of
evidence rather than an all-encompassing theological exploration of Paul’s
convictions. Pate does his best to avoid this pitfall but readers may disagree
on the level of his success/failure to do so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book packs a punch and is recommended as a decent theological
primer to Pauline eschatology.<br />
<br />
4/5 Stars </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Kregel Academic & Ministry book review program. The
program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-10841249614073226972013-12-06T00:59:00.000-08:002013-12-06T01:01:48.064-08:00Book Review: What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uCKgJfzgU_4/UqGRk7uutuI/AAAAAAAACQw/xB57NlXm9Ow/s1600/survey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uCKgJfzgU_4/UqGRk7uutuI/AAAAAAAACQw/xB57NlXm9Ow/s1600/survey.jpg" /></a></div>
<h3>
Book Review: What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Jesus’ Bible </h3>
<h4>
Edited by Jason S. DeRouchie </h4>
<h4>
</h4>
As most hard covers published by Kregel the book is laid out beautifully and in full color; although some shaded boxes used a font that was much too thin and small making them difficult to read.<br />
<br />
The Preface seemed to promise a canonical approach to the text with an emphasis on Christological fulfillment; however, the expected links between the writings in the order of the Hebrew canon are missing from the analysis. Now, it may be that the editor understands “canonical” in a different way than, say, Sailhamer. The Christological work is OK, but could have been more thorough.<br />
<br />
As Survey’s go, the book is not bad. I don’t think there’s anything ground-breaking in the volume and some authors do a better job than others. I would recommend this survey to those that are still using popular or entry-level materials like Henrietta Mears’ <i>What the Bible is All About;</i> I assure you, you won’t go back to it once you read this tome. For those that want something more in-depth, a good <i>Introduction</i> would be much more beneficial.<br />
<br />
3/5 Stars<br />
<br />
<i>Disclosure: The book was received for free from Kregel Academic book review program. The program does not require a positive review, only an honest one.
</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798431778249247235.post-35801404788546559072013-11-21T22:08:00.000-08:002013-11-21T22:13:24.092-08:00Book Review: Ego Trip: Rediscovering Grace in a Culture of Self-Esteem<style>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozA2kwIFssU/Uo70lw09iEI/AAAAAAAACQE/UxeKffvxcsM/s1600/ego-trip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozA2kwIFssU/Uo70lw09iEI/AAAAAAAACQE/UxeKffvxcsM/s320/ego-trip.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Book Review: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ego Trip:
Rediscovering Grace in a Culture of Self-Esteem</i></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>By Glynn Harrison</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The culture of self-esteem has taken over America, and it is
as popular as it is ineffective, according to psychiatrist Glynn Harrison. My
guess would be that this book will not be a favorite of most of today’s
Christian counselors who, for the most part, have swallowed the self-esteem
ideology hook, line and sinker. But dismissing the book out of hand would be a
huge mistake, especially for those whose calling in life is helping those that
are emotionally suffering. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The author is right that the struggle for significance and
self-worth in our lives is what has given the theory of self-esteem a lot of
steam (no pun intended) in modern society. From the secular world to the church
we are immersed in the ideology that what people need more than anything else
is to feel good about themselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The complex research that looked for hard evidence that the
gospel of self-esteem delivered on its many promises came up empty and Harrison
shares the findings; among them that what the culture of self-esteem has
actually increased has been selfishness and narcissism.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What our modern society needs (and, yes, our churches too)
is a return to sanity in the pursuit of self-realization by giving of
themselves selfishly for the good of others. For those that have read the
Gospels, that sounds a lot like the message of the Carpenter from Nazareth.
Could it be that the solutions that Psychologists and Psychiatrists have been
looking for was in the Word of God all along?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read Harrison’s book with an open mind (and with an open
Bible); you will be blessed, and may be able to bless someone else that’s still
looking for the right answers in the wrong place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5/5 Stars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Disclosure: The book was
received for free from Net Galley book review program. The program does not
require a positive review, only an unbiased one.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com