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 :-)

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament

G. K. Beale and D.A Carson have edited a commentary on the New Testament's use of the Old Testament. This looks like it will be a very helpful commentary, one that will give the reader an understanding of the context of the Old Testament passage being quoted:

Readers of the New Testament often encounter quotes or allusions to Old Testament stories and prophecies that are unfamiliar or obscure. In order to fully understand the teachings of Jesus and his followers, it is important to understand the large body of Scripture that preceded and informed their thinking. Leading evangelical scholars G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson have brought together a distinguished team of scholars to provide readers with a comprehensive commentary on every quotation, allusion, and echo of the Old Testament that appears from Matthew through Revelation.

Here is the table of contents, introduction and a sample from the commentary for Acts by I. Howard Marshall.

Here is a list of the contributors:

Contributors: Craig Blomberg (Denver Seminary) on Matthew; Rikk E. Watts (Regent College) on Mark; David W. Pao (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) and Eckhard J. Schnabel (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) on Luke; Andreas J. Kostenberger (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) on John; I. Howard Marshall (University of Aberdeen) on Acts; Mark A. Seifrid (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) on Romans; Brian Rosner (Moore Theological College) and Roy Ciampa (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) on 1 Corinthians; Peter Balla (Karoli Gaspar University, Budapest) on 2 Corinthians; Moises Silva (author of Philippians in BECNT) on Galatians and Philippians; Frank Thielman (Beeson Divinity School) on Ephesians; G. K. Beale (Wheaton College Graduate School) on Colossians; Jeffrey A. D. Weima (Calvin Theological Seminary) on 1 and 2 Thessalonians; Philip Towner (United Bible Societies) on the Pastoral Epistles; George Guthrie (Union University) on Hebrews; D. A. Carson (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) on the General Epistles; G. K. Beale (Wheaton College Graduate School) and Sean McDonough (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) on Revelation

If enough of you guys buy it, I will be able to afford it :-)

Enuma Elish Tote Bag

I'm thinking about getting one since it's only $7.50. Don't you think it would make a nice Christmas gift?

(via)

Tags: Enuma Elish, Akkadian

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 :-)