New Books (and deals!) You Should Know About
Firth, David G., and Paul D. Wegner, eds. Presence, Power and Promise: The Role of the Spirit of God in the Old Testament
Firth and Wegner have put together a large volume on the role of the Spirit in the Old Testament, a subject often overlooked in biblical and theological studies. And of course this is not a subject without much debate! Here are some of the chapters I am looking to read:
“The Ancient Near Eastern background of the Spirit of the Lord in the Old Testament,” by John H. Walton.
“Spirit and wisdom,” by Tremper Longman III.
“The view from the top: the Holy Spirit in the Prophets,” by Daniel I. Block.
“Isaiah 48:16: a Trinitarian enigma?” by Paul D. Wegner.
“The Samson saga and spiritual leadership,” by Eugene H. Merrill.
“The Spirit and the future: a canonical approach,” by Willem VanGemeren and Andrew Abernethy.
Donato, Christopher John, ed. Perspectives on the Sabbath. Contributors: Charles P. Arand, Craig L. Blomberg, Skip Maccarty, and Joseph A. Pipa. Nashville: B&H, 2011.
One way to discover how someone understands the relationship between the old covenant and the new is to ask how they interpret the Sabbath in the Old Testament, particularly in light of the arrival of the New Covenant. In this perspectives book we see four different views on how to interpret the Sabbath:
Skip MacCarty (Andrews University) defends the Seventh-day view which argues the fourth commandment is a moral law of God requiring us to keep the seventh day (Saturday) holy. It must therefore remain the day of rest and worship for Christians.
Jospeh A Pipa (Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary) backs the Christian Sabbath view which reasons that ever since the resurrection of Christ, the one day in seven to be kept holy is the first day of the week.
Craig L. Blomberg (Denver Seminary) supports the Fulfillment view which says that since Christ has brought the true Sabbath rest into the present, the Sabbath commands of the Old Testament are no longer binding on believers.
Charles P. Arand (Concordia Seminary) upholds the Lutheran view that the Sabbath commandment was given to Jews alone and does not concern Christians. Rest and worship are still required but not tied to a particular day.
Grudem, Wayne, C. John Collins, and Thomas R. Schreiner. Understanding the Big Picture of the Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.
The ESV Study Bible, in my estimation, is an extremely valuable resource for Christians today. One of the reasons this is so is not only because of the quality of scholars commenting on many of the verses of each book of the Bible, but also because of the outstanding introductory articles that help the reader understand the historical and theological background of the Old and New Testaments. In Understanding the Big Picture of the Bible, Crossway has gathered together these articles. If you are a pastor this would be a great book to handout to those in your congregation, increasing the Bible IQ of those in your congregation.
Dockery, David S., and Timothy George. The Great Tradition of Christian Thinking. Reclaiming the Christian Intellectual Tradition. Ed. David S. Dockery. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.
David Dockery and Timothy George have teamed up to give students a guide to the greats in our Christian tradition (e.g., Augustine, Luther, etc.), in order to demonstrate that there is an important role for Christian intellectual tradition in liberal arts education. In this little book Dockery and George introduce us to the way the greats have read Scripture, provided education, formulated doctrine, and interacted with culture.
Also, Justin Taylor has an interview with David S. Dockery on the Reclaiming the Christian Intellectual Tradition series.
Ryken, Philip Graham. Is Jesus the Only Way? Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.
The question, “Is Jesus the Only Way?” is perhaps one of the most important questions in our day and age. In this small book Ryken, president of Wheaton College, addresses the question head-on, arguing that Jesus is indeed the only way. Given how short of a read this book is, it may be an ideal book to hand out to those struggling with the issue.
Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land. Third Edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012.
The third edition of Alexander’s introduction to the Pentateuch is now available. Gordon Wenham writes of the volume,
“In this up-to-date and scholarly work, Alexander shows how the first five books of the Bible make sense and hang together. More than that, they lay the foundations of Christian theology so that no one can properly understand the rest of the Bible who has not come to terms with them. Alexander will be found to be a lucid and reliable guide to this vital part of Scripture.”
—Gordon J. Wenham, Trinity College, Bristol
Whitford, David M., ed. T&T Clark Companion to Reformation Theology (Continuum Companions)
I am always on the look-out for resources on Reformation history and theology. In this new volume, David Whitford has put together a host of authors to write on a variety of topics related to the Reformation. This book does not read like your typical book, but is more of a library resource (think dictionary), providing readers with a collection of essays that introduce the topic at hand and brief bibliography. The publisher explains why they believe the book is so helpful:
This is a major reference work on all aspects of theology in the reformation period. This book will introduce the main theological topics of Reformation theology in language that is clear and concise. Theology in the Reformation era can be complicated and contentious. This volume aims to cut through the theological jargon and explain what people believed and why. The volume will begin with an essay aimed at explaining to students how one can approach the study of sixteenth century theology. It will include a guide to major events, persons, doctrines, and movements. Finally, in-depth essays by noted scholars will complete the volume.
Here are some chapters I am eager to read:
“Human Nature, the Fall, and the Will,” by Robert Kolb.
“Justification,” by Carl R. Trueman.
“Election,” by Chad Van Dixhoorn.
“Sanctification, Works, and Social Justice,” by Carter Lindberg.
“Images and Iconoclasm,” by Randall C. Zachman.
Peterson, David G. Transformed by God: New Covenant Life and Ministry. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2012.
Does the New Covenant have any significance for our life and Christian ministry? This is the question David Peterson tackles in his new book. Here is IVP’s description:
What significance does the New Covenant have for life and ministry? Foundational to the New Testament understanding of Jesus is Jeremiah’s promise of a “new covenant”–that God will transform our hearts. In this important new study, David Peterson expounds Jeremiah’s oracle and its influence on the New Testament, as well as the relevance of the New Covenant for life today. Peterson demonstrates the practical implications of this new identity, especially for evangelism and the care of believers. As part of this renewed community, Christ-followers are empowered to point others to God’s glory in everything. In Transformed by God, readers will find the biblical basis for New Covenant ministry and the power it provides.
And here are some commendations for the book as well:
“Those familiar with the work of David Peterson will know what to expect from any book he writes: careful exegesis, attention to biblical theology, doctrinal synthesis and practical application. This book does not disappoint in any of these areas as David expounds the nature of the Christian life within biblical-theological context. This is Christian scholarship at its best–in the service of the church.”
Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
“David Peterson’s study Transformed by God is a careful, highly competent, biblically faithful and pastorally astute treatment of Jeremiah 31:31-34 and its New Testament resonances, with the New Testament illuminatingly identified as new covenant literature. A fine example of scholarship that serves the church in general and pastors in particular. Highly recommended!”
Dr. Graham A. Cole, Anglican Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
Porter, Stanley E., and Beth M. Stovell. Biblical Hermeneutics: Five Views (Spectrum Multiview Book). Contributors: Craig L. Blomberg, Richard B. Gaffin Jr., F. Scott Spencer, Robert W. Wall, and Merold Westphal. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2012.
IVP continues its series of views books and its newest release surrounds biblical hermeneutics. Craig L. Blomberg represents the Historical-Critical/Grammatical view, F. Scott Spencer the Literary/Postmodern view, Merold Westphal the Philosophical/Theological view, Richard B. Gaffin Jr. the Redemptive-Historical view, and Robert W. Wall the Canonical view. Moreover, Stanley Porter and Beth Stovell introduce the debate and the questions each contributor must answer. Hermeneutics is key to biblical and theological interpretation and in this volume I am especially interested to see how Craig Blomberg and Richard Gaffin interact and debate with one another.
Also, here is a three-part lecture by Richard Gaffin entitled Reformed Hermeneutics. (Sermon Audio)
Besides these new books, you should also be aware of these two great sales!
Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 Volumes.
List Price: $80.00
Westminster Bookstore: $60.00 – 25% Off
Also, listen to a 34 part course by David Calhoun entitled Calvin’s Institutes. (The Gospel Coalition) as well a lecture by Sinclair Ferguson entitled The Theology of Calvin in His Institutes. (Requires a free account at Westminster Theological Seminary).
Here are two videos, the first from Vern Poythress and the second from John Piper, on how Calvin has benefited them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIzG8A4x7GU&feature=fvwrel
The Pillar New Testament Commentary Series (14 Volume Set)
Publisher: Eerdmans Publishing Company
Binding: Hardcover
List Price: $682.00
Westminster Bookstore: $341.00 – 50% Off
The Pillar New Testament Commentary, designed for serious readers of the Bible, seeks above all to make clear the meaning of the text of Scripture as we have it. Writers of the PNTC volumes interact with the most important, informed contemporary debate yet avoid undue technical detail. Their ideal is a blend of rigorous exegesis and exposition, scholarship and pastoral sensitivity, with an eye alert both to biblical theology and to the contemporary relevance of the Bible.
Matthew Barrett (Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at California Baptist University. He is also the founder and executive editor of Credo Magazine. Barrett has contributed book reviews and articles to various academic journals, and he is the author of several forthcoming books. He is married to Elizabeth and they have two daughters, Cassandra and Georgia.
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