Prof. Steve Taylor left Westminster for Biblical Theological Seminary

I'm glad I had him for New Testament Introduction before he left. I wonder who will be teaching that class now? He was an excellent professor (all of Westminster professors are excellent -- I've never disliked any of my professors).

The NTI class looks at various issues related to the New Testament: Second Temple Judaism, the history of Israel up until Christ's birth and beyond, cannon issues, textual criticism issues and the use of the Old Testament in the New. It really was an interesting class and I learned a lot. Here are three of the books we had to read for the class that I found the most helpful:


This book was very helpful in giving me an understanding of what the environment was like when the New Testament was written. It has chapters on Roman law, rulers, Greco-Roman religion and philosophy. This is a very easy read with pictures :-)


We had to write a paper on this book. I found it helpful in understanding why a Jew would reject Jesus. It isn't hard to see why a Jew who loved the Torah would have a problem with a man would claimed to be the Son of God and who said things like this:

Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

This book was helping in understanding the issues related to compilation and transmission of the New Testament.

Solomon Among the Postmoderns

I was just over at WTS bookstore and I noticed this book:


It looks pretty interesting. I wish I had time to read it, but maybe you do? If you decide to read it, please use my link so I can get my kickback :-)

I'm Back!!!!

Thanks to anyone who prayed for my safety! I made it there and back without getting into an accident. The roads were icy and slushy until I got to PA and then it was just rain. I started slipping a little not too far from my house and almost lost control of my car but I was able to get out to the slide. One guy I passed wasn't so blessed. He hit the median and was turned completely around and was sitting in his car on the phone in the fast. I couldn't believe it! He didn't even have his hazard lights on, someone obviously wanted to commit suicide.

So, I was able the answer questions on the test, I don't know how good the answers were but I really don't care...cause I'm done!!!!! That calls for a....

Off to take my final final :-)

I'm going to be leaving soon to take my Ancient Church final. Prayers for my safety would be appreciated since we appear to be getting icy rain. Also prayers for clear thinking would be good since I have some of the Trinity stuff mixed together and need to keep it all straight (or be accused of heresy by my professor :-)

General Epistles and Revelation Final this Morning

Please pray I get there in time to do some last minute studying and that I can remember something to write down in response to the questions. Something will probably be the best I'm going to do :-) There's way too much material!

Prayer Request:: Speed reading

Please pray that I can read really quickly! I'm studying for finals over the weekend and most of next week. I have my General Epistles and Revelation final on Tuesday and my Ancient Church final on Thursday and I have to read a bunch of stuff for both classes so prayer would be appreciated. I'm a really slow reader (1o pages an hour when I read nonfiction).

I finished my exegesis paper today!

Thanks for the prayers! I had a really hard time writing it for some weird reason. Usually when I sit down to write the words just pour out but this time I was struggling to find the right words. Weird! I was able to write 11 pages but unfortunately the max page count was supposed to be 10 pages and I think the professor really wanted us to keep it to 6! I was able to edit it down to 9.

Scarred for life!

Literally!

*sniff* *sniff*

OK, I'm 47 and I expect to have wrinkles and sagging skin and all that but I didn't expect to have this! *sniff*

So, what happened? Would you believe me if I told you that I got into an argument at Westminster over the authorship of Hebrews and it turned into a brawl? Well, it wasn't that exciting, it was pretty much your normal everyday klutzy accident. It did happen in my General Epistles and Revelation class but it involved a power cord for a laptop and my natural inclination not to look where I'm going.

I had just finished talking to the professor and turned to rush to the bathroom before class started again, tripped over the power cord, landed on my knees and hit my face on a desk. I thought I broke my nose and I started crying, "My nose, my nose, I think I broke my nose." I'm sitting there with blood spewing out of the gush in my forehead, holding my nose in case it's broken. I'm sure it was not my best moment.

One of the seminarians (who was a blessing from the Lord) who had worked with the sports program of a high school immediately came to my aid and stopped the bleeding and took me to the hospital where I was eventually given seven stitches. When I finally got to see myself in the mirror I cried (one thing in my favor, I didn't even think of scarring until everyone started bringing it up). I looked like Frankenstein's monster.

I keep telling myself that I should be thankful that I didn't break my nose (and believe me I am -- I thanked the Lord that he did let me break it :-) but it only helps a little. Mostly I'm bummed that I have to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas looking like I was in the middle of a knife fight.

Bruce Waltke's OT Theology has finally been published!!

I can't tell you how long I've waited for this publication! Years!

Here's a description:

The Old Testament is more than a religious history of the nation of Israel. It is more than a portrait gallery of heroes of the faith. It is even more than a theological and prophetic backdrop to the New Testament. Beyond these, the Old Testament is inspired revelation of the very nature, character, and works of God. As renowned Old Testament scholar Bruce Waltke writes in the preface of this book, the Old Testament’s every sentence is “fraught with theology, worthy of reflection.”

This book is the result of decades of reflection informed by an extensive knowledge of the Hebrew language, the best of critical scholarship, a deep understanding of both the content and spirit of the Old Testament, and a thoroughly evangelical conviction. Taking a narrative, chronological approach to the text, Waltke employs rhetorical criticism to illuminate the theologies of the biblical narrators. Through careful study, he shows that the unifying theme of the Old Testament is the “breaking in of the kingdom of God.” This theme helps the reader better understand not only the Old Testament, but also the New Testament, the continuity of the entire Bible, and ultimately, God himself.

I will be taking OT History and Theology II in the spring so I'm sure I'll have to read it for that course. Especially given this recommendation (by the professor who will be teaching the course):

In An Old Testament Theology Bruce Waltke shares his lifetime of devout scholarly study of the Bible. He is a master interpreter, and all of us—scholars, clergy, and laypeople—benefit greatly from this tremendous insights into the text. This book is a must read for all who study the Old Testament. - Tremper Longman III, Visiting Professor of Old Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary

Since it's a 1,000 pages I better get started.

The price is reasonable, only $27.87 at Westminster bookstore (and if you use my link, I get a kick back :-)

Judge rejects SBT's motion to dismiss lawsuit

So, why can't a woman teach men Hebrew?

A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit against Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and its president can go forward.

The seminary had filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, filed by former professor Sheri Klouda, who alleges she lost her tenure-track position because she is a woman. Gary Richardson, Klouda's lawyer, said the seminary's lawyers tried a number of arguments, including separation of church and state, in an attempt to get the lawsuit thrown out.

[...]

The seminary follows the Southern Baptist doctrine that limits the office of senior pastor to men and Patterson's interpretation that, consequently, only men should instruct future pastors.

(via)

I can't see how the seminary will win this one because it's clearly discrimination. They admitted they fired her because she was a woman.

Inventory Reduction Sale at Westminster

You can get some really great deals on some really great books including this one by one of my favorite professors at Westminster:


And this one by more of my favorite professors at Westminster:

Thanks to those of you who shopped at Westminster Bookstore using my link

I've been meaning to say thank you for awhile but kept forgetting to do it. I finally qualified for a gift certificate that I'm going to put toward the books I need for seminary in the fall.

I'm taking Ancient Church History and The General Epistles and Revelation. My reading list isn't too bad since the courses are each two credits. I thought I would buy some of the church history books early and read them over the summer and I'm thinking about digesting them (maybe). I'll be buying these:

I also have to read Confessions by Augustine but I have a copy of that already.

Not only did I get a gift certificate from the bookstore but they sent me two free books. Wasn't that nice of them?



Both books have study questions at the end of each chapter that might be useful for a Bible study group. Drew's book looks like a response to a purpose driven life:

“Charles Drew has given us a great book to give away--especially to those who want a purpose-driven life and want to dig more deeply into the mysteries of that purpose. It is at once clear, personal, culturally up-to-date, and theologically rich-- a perfect combination. Drew takes us a step beyond the literature that is presently available on the subject. Highly recommended.” - Dr. Timothy Keller, Senior Minister, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York.

What I've learned so far in seminary...

That I've got a long way to go in trusting God. I blog about it here.

I am sooo smiling!!!

Cause I'm done!!

Celebrate with me, people!

Thanks so much for the prayers, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I can live again. I can read novels and watch TV. I can take my daughters shopping and I can finally blog again.

See you Wednesday!

Sorry guys but I'm under the gun for this exam and I have to turn all of my attention to it. Please pray that I will be able to complete all the readings and study the class notes before Wednesday.

Check back in to see if Susan posted something (she might notice that I'm busy and be gracious enough to post knowing that I'm unable to so :-)

In the mean time, Adrian Warnock has been doing a series of posts on the atonement. I've linked to his atonement label, so you'll need to scroll down a bit. If you've missed them, go check them out. The doctrine of atonement is under attack as he explains here, go read the quote, it's really quite illogical -- when you take away substitution and the wrath of God you're left with no reason for the cross.

Tags: Adrian Warnock

I'm taking my Greek test at 10:30 tonight

So, prayer would be helpful. Please pray that I remember something, preferably Greek :-)