TheoSource

ESV Study Bible | Now Available in Bookstores

2008-10-10T11:32:00.004-04:00

The Westminster Bookstore is now stocking the new ESV Study Bible and at excellent prices (see below). I am pleased to post an announcement about this although I am still waiting to obtain my own copy. If you have received one, or when you do, please drop me a note and let me know what you think. From all of the pre-publication information that has been released, I am expecting this to be a very helpful resource for Bible Study.

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I must admit that the marketing blitz has overwhelmed me. Obviously, we are dealing with new and exciting ways of marketing products.

Waltke on Theological Positions

2008-10-09T00:30:00.001-04:00

Part One of Waltke and Yu's An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach is given over to introductory matters relating the study of OT theology, Biblical theology, and hermeneutics. I found the closing section of chapter two to be particularly helpful. The sections is titled "CHRISTIAN" ATTITUDES TOWARD THE BIBLE (pp. 73-77).

Granted, the authors describe their categories as "simplistic" and a "cartoonish presentation;" however, these broad definitions are very helpful in that they provide a clear, and I think accurate, view of each theological position in relation to the others.

I have tried to identify the theological positions of authors for the TheoSource book lists and have found this to be a difficult task. Cyril Barbe r and John Glynn have also attempted to label authors according to their most obvious theological position, and sometimes I have to disagree with them. Sometimes their assessments disagree with each other. All in all, this is a difficult and some times dangerous task. But, we must attempt to determine the theological positions of the authors we read. As I said, I think that Waltke offers some very good help in this matter. Here is an outline of his view of the various theological positions:

Liberal Theologians Stand above the Bible

"...those who put reason above revelation and...embrace historical criticism..."

Neoorthodox Theologians Stand before the Bible

"These...[expect] that through preaching of the words of the Bible will become the word of God as the Bible's audience encounters them in the written "witness" to Jesus Christ."

Traditionalists Place Traditions/Confessions alongside the Bible

"...find their authority in both the text and in the tradition that accompanies it."

Fundamentalists Stand on the Bible

"...those who presume the Bible does not stray from their standards of accuracy, especially in matters of science and historiography. They presume their interpretive horizon represents truth and that the biblical writers...will not stray from the "accuracy" of their modern horizon."

Evangelicals Stand under the Bible

"...accept[s] the inerrancy of Scripture as to its Source and its infallibility as to its authority." "[He] consider[s] the Bible utterly trustworthy, and [he] commit[s] [his] life to it, but [he] do[es] not presume to know beforehand the exact nature of its parts. With this posture, [he] continue[s] to learn and allow [himself] to be taught and corrected by the Bible."

What follows is my attempt to graphically display these labels.

Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007. Hardcover, 1024 pages.

Purchase: WTS ($29.24) | CBD ($32.99) | Amazon ($29.69)
What do you think? Fair enough?

Edwards' Birthday Celebrated Logos-Style

2008-10-07T07:24:00.002-04:00

Logos is celebrating the 305th birthday of Jonathan Edwards by offering a couple of presents:

A Birthday Special

What would a birthday be without a birthday present? To celebrate Edwards’ 305th birthday and the soon arrival of his works in Libronix format, we have two specials for you, our blog readers:

Get a taste of Edwards now by downloading A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections for free! Use coupon code EDWARDS during checkout to get this Edwards classic for no charge.
Save 40% on the two Piper books on Edwards mentioned above by using coupon code PIPER-EDWARDS.

Both specials are good for one week, so take advantage now and spread the word!

Notes on A Quest for More | TWO

2008-10-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

A Quest for More: Living for something bigger than you by Paul David Tripp (New Growth Press, 2007)

A study guide is also available - A Quest for More: Small Group and Discussion Guide (New Growth Press, 2008)

His grace cuts a hole in your self-built prison and invites you to step into something so huge, so significant that only one word in the Bible can adequately capture it. That word is glory. (18)

Tripp explains the choice of this word:

We were simply made for glory, but not just the shadow glories of the created world. We were made for the one glory that is transcendent—the glory of God. When you grasp this, your life begins to make a difference. (18-19)

Very true; I admit it. I eagerly anticipate the extraordinary, unique and exceptional things of life and am bored with the monotonous and mundane. I also long for purpose in life. I want my work to count for something. Admittedly I waste plenty of time, but I am not satisfied with that. I want to make a difference. I want to grow; I want to excel. But, Tripp meets me here and ties glory to purpose. He argues that everyone lives with purpose but not everyone makes a difference. The key is what my purpose is tied to. Is it self-serving or much more?

Tripp puts it this way:

[I]t is a good thing to have purpose, but if your purpose isn't tied to glory, you have still denied your humanity. (19)

Tripp directs our gaze toward the glory of God and to three other glories that proceed from it.

God glory
We were made to experience, to be part of, to be consumed by, and to live in pursuit of the only glory that is truly glorious—the glory of God. (19)

… never shrink the size of [your] glory focus to the narrow glories of [your] own little lives. (20)
Stewardship glory
The transcendence of human beings is expressed as people reflect God's glory by their rulership and stewardship over the surrounding created world. (20)

…never shrink the size of [your] care to care for [only yourself]. (20)
Community glory
The web of ongoing relationships daily calls us out of our insulation and isolation to experience a community glory that selfish, personal focus can never deliver. (21)

…never shrink the size of [your] community to a functional community of one. (21)
Truth glory
Never were Adam and Eve built to exist on conclusions drawn from their experiences, or concepts resulting from autonomous interpretations. Every thought was meant to be shaped by the truth glory that he would patiently and progressively impart to them. (21-22)

…never shrink the size of [your] thought down to the size of [your] thoughts. (22)

Chapter one concludes by refocusing on the purpose of this book. Rather than arguing for a radical reordering of our lives, Tripp is arguing for a reordering of our perspective on and vision of life. Don't settle for the lesser, self-serving glories, but strive for the greater, God-connected glory.

[Y]our humanity only really lives when it is connected to the transcendent glory that can only be found in God. (23)

Questions for Reflection:

What do I have to do? What level of glory am I seeking in each of these tasks?
What difference will it make in the way that I perform each task I face in connection with the glory of God?
Are there tasks that cannot be performed in connection with the glory of God?
Am I considering the glory of God in the "small" tasks as well as the "big" tasks?
How much of God's creation, other than myself, do I truly care for? Is God really concerned that I care for the environment (dumping, littering, abusing, destroying, etc.)?
How large is my community (circle of fellowship, or even interaction)? Do I interact with my neighbors? Do I interact selectively at church?
To what do I appeal as the ultimate source of authority? Do I even believe that there is "an ultimate source of authority"?

October Issue of New Horizons Dedicated to Herman Bavinck

2008-10-05T18:01:00.005-04:00

New Horizons is a monthly publication of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The current issue presents the life, theology, and legacy of the Dutch Reformed theologian, Herman Bavinck. You can access the articles online (see below).

October, 2008

Contents

Herman Bavinck: His Life and Theology
by Cornelis P. Venema
The Legacy of Herman Bavinck
by Nelson D. Kloosterman
The Witness of Scripture to Itself
by Lane G. Tipton
Getting Serious about Worship
by "Uncle Glen"
Helps for Worship #33: What to Do after Worship
by William Shishko
Write a Letter to the Editor

Bavinck, Herman. Reformed Dogmatics. 4 Volumes. Edited by John Bolt and translated by John Vriend. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008. Hardcover, 3,008 pages. [Baker Academic List Price: $ 179.99 | WT S ($98.99) | CBD ($129.99) | Amazon ($113.39)]

Jonathan Edwards' 305th Birthday

2008-10-05T08:44:00.002-04:00

Jonathan Edwards was born on October 5, 1703. Today the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale has launched WJE Online 2.0 which consists of 73-volume digital volumes of Edwards works.

This is fantastic! Great work JEC!!! Check it out.

Here is the list:

Works of Jonathan Edwards Online 2.0:

Volume 1: Freedom of the Will

Volume 2: Religious Affections

Volume 3: Original Sin

Volume 4: The Great Awakening

Volume 5: Apocalyptic Writings

Volume 6: Scientific and Philosophical Writings

Volume 7: The Life of David Brainerd

Volume 8: Ethical Writings

Volume 9: A History of the Work of Redemption

Volume 10: Sermons and Discourses, 1720-1723

Volume 11: Typological Writings

Volume 12: Ecclesiastical Writings

Volume 13: The "Miscellanies", Entry Nos. a-z, aa-zz, 1-500

Volume 14: Sermons and Discourses, 1723-1729

Volume 15: Notes on Scripture

Volume 16: Letters and Personal Writings

Volume 17: Sermons and Discourses, 1730-1733

Volume 18: The "Miscellanies," 501-832

Volume 19: Sermons and Discourses, 1734-1738

Volume 20: The "Miscellanies," 833-1152

Volume 21: Writings on the Trinity, Grace, and Faith

Volume 22: Sermons and Discourses, 1739-1742

Volume 23: The "Miscellanies," 1153–1360

Volume 24: The Blank Bible

Volume 25: Sermons and Discourses, 1743-1758

Volume 26: Catalogues of Books (Yale University access only)

Previously unpublished works

Volume 27 “Controversies” Notebook

Volume 28 Minor Controversial Writings

Volume 29 “Harmony of the Scriptures”

Volume 30 “Prophecies of the Messiah”

Volume 31 “History of Redemption” Notebooks

Volume 32 Correspondence by, to, and about Edwards and His Family

Volume 33 “Misrepresentations Corrected” Draft

Volume 34 “Original Sin” Notebook

Volume 35 Charity and Its Fruits (Tryon Edwards, ed., “Charity and Its Fruits” (1852)*, Joseph Bellamy, Sermons 1-3 (Htfd. Sem.)*

Volume 36 Sermon Notebooks

Volume 37 Documents on the Trinity, Grace and Faith

Volume 38 Dismissal and Post-Dismissal Documents

Volume 39 Church and Pastoral Documents

Volume 40 Autobiographical and Biographical Documents

Volume 41 Family Writings and Related Documents

Sermons, Series II

1,200+ Sermons are arranged chronologically, though the number of volumes and divisions between volumes is subject to change due to length of given sermons. Volumes in Series II would include the transcripts and edited texts of previously unpublished sermons; transcripts of published sermons would be linked to the versions published in the Yale edition.

Volume 42 Sermons, Series II, 1723-1727

Volume 43 Sermons, Series II, 1728-1729

Volume 44 Sermons, Series II, 1729

Volume 45 Sermons, Series II, 1729-1731

Volume 46 Sermons, Series II, 1731-1732

Volume 47 Sermons, Series II, 1731-1732

Volume 48 Sermons, Series II, 1733

Volume 49 Sermons, Series II, 1734

Volume 50 Sermons, Series II, 1735

Volume 51 Sermons, Series II, 1736

Volume 52 Sermons, Series II, 1737

Volume 53 Sermons, Series II, 1738, and Undated, 1734-1738

Volume 54 Sermons, Series II, 1739

Volume 55 Sermons, Series II, January-June 1740

Volume 56 Sermons, Series II, July-December 1740

Volume 57 Sermons, Series II, January-June 1741

Volume 58 Sermons, Series II, July-December 1741

Volume 59 Sermons, Series II, January-June 1742

Volume 60 Sermons, Series II, July-December 1742, and Undated, 1739-1742

Volume 61 Sermons, Series II, 1743

Volume 62 Sermons, Series II, 1744

Volume 63 Sermons, Series II, 1745

Volume 64 Sermons, Series II, 1746

Volume 65 Sermons, Series II, 1747

Volume 66 Sermons, Series II, 1748

Volume 67 Sermons, Series II, 1749

Volume 68 Sermons, Series II, 1750

Volume 69 Sermons, Series II, 1751

Volume 70 Sermons, Series II, 1752

Volume 71 Sermons, Series II, 1753

Volume 72 Sermons, Series II, 1754-1755

Volume 73 Sermons, Series II, 1756-1758,Undated, and Fragments

Notes on A Quest for More | ONE

2008-10-04T22:26:00.007-04:00

Last year, the Westminster Bookstore sent me two complimentary books as a "thank you" for participating in their blog partners program. Getting free books is always a pleasant surprise. I already thought very highly of their bookstore, but their generosity secured an extra measure of appreciation with me.

One of the books they sent to me was the recently released A Quest for More: Living for something bigger than you by Paul David Tripp (New Growth Press, 2007). I had to put this on the shelf as I worked on the many other books I had already begun to read, but I have been anticipating an opportunity to dig into it. The opportunity came this past week when I was invited to join a men's study group that is currently reading through and discussing this book. I was not able to make the meeting, but I did begin to read the book, and I'm hooked. I've got to finish it now!

The many books by Paul David Tripp come highly recommended by various sources. I was glad to work through the DBTS Booklist (2008) this past week and find that a number of Tripp's books are among their recommendations.

Anyway, in A Quest for More, Tripp addresses the basics of a Christian worldview from a counselor's perspective. The truths Tripp teaches here are old truths repackaged in a fresh, engaging, and highly readable way. I'm not yet finished, but I want to share the following excerpts from the book.

In chapter one, Tripp defines the word transcendence and argues that this term pinpoints a basic human motivator.

tran • scen • dence: the state of being beyond and outside of the ordinary range of human experience (13)

He argues:

There is woven inside each of us a desire for something more—a craving to be part of something bigger, greater, and more profound than our relatively meaningless day-by-day existence. (14)

We were created to be part of something so big, so glorious, so far beyond the ordinary that it would totally change the way we approach every ordinary thing in our lives. And in all of sin's blindness, brokenness, and rebellion, that desire to transcend has now been crushed. (14-15)

The problem is that we continue to short-change ourselves. We continue to settle for "less." Settling for less involves living "only for ourselves" (14): "self-survival and self-pleasure" (16).

God purposed that the borders of our vision would be much, much larger than the boundaries of our lives. (16)

His grace cuts a hole in your self-built prison and invites you to step into something so huge, so significant that only one word in the Bible can adequately capture it. That word is _________. (18)

What word do you think should fill in the blank? I'll pick this up in another post.

Best New Testament Survey Textbook???

2008-10-02T23:00:00.000-04:00

I love these kinds of blog posts (for obvious reasons)...

Nijay Gupta has asked his readers to vote for the best NT survey. Here are six he identified:

Paul Achtemeier, Joel B. Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson, Introducing the New Testament (Eerdmans, 2001).
David deSilva, An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (IVP, 2004).
Luke Timothy Johnson, The Writings of the New Testament (SCM, 2003).
Walter Elwell and Robert Yarborough, Encountering the New Testament (Baker, 2005).
D. A. Carson and Douglas Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament (Zondervan 2005).

L. Martin MacDonald and Stanley Porter, Early Christianity and Its Sacred Literature (Hendrickson, 2000).

Dr. Köstenberger recommends 4, 5, along with the following NT Introductions:

Gundry, Robert H. A Survey of the New Testament. 4^th ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. Rev. ed. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1990.
Köstenberger, Andreas J., L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown. A Comprehensive Introduction to the New Testament. Nashville: B & H Academic, 2008. [forthcoming]

The text I used in college was "okay" but not worth recommending (too simple). I've since used Carson, Moo, and Morris (1st edition) and it is fairly helpful. I wasn't totally satisfied, but it is a good place to start.

Someone mentioned Kümmel, which is older and more critical. Another commenter mentioned R. E. Brown's Introduction to the New Testament (Doubleday, 1997). A couple months ago I checked this one out of the local library and browsed through it. It is intended for the undergraduate/seminary level, and it is thick. John Glynn considers it to be "critical" and this is most likely because of Brown's RC perspective. It seems to be very useful. I heard Carson mention that he requires his students to read Carson & Moo alongside of Brown for perspective.

I have also browsed through Witherington's The New Testament Story (Eerdman's 2004) which appears to be helpful, although not a first pick.

I did a little updating and searching in the TheoSource database and came up with the following top recommendations:

(Note: the following recommendations have been culled from a diverse array of source with varying theological perspectives.):

Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. (3 vols. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, na; 4th ed, revised. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1990). 5 recommendations
Carson, D. A. & Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction the New Testament. (2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2005). 2 recommendations
Elwell, Walter A. & Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1998). 2 recommendations
Gundry, Robert H. A Survey of the New Testament. (4th ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2003). 2 recommendations
Kümmel, Werner G. Introduction to the New Testament. Trans. H. C. Kee. (New York, NY: Abingdon Press, 1966; Revised & enlarged ed. Nashville, TN:
Abingdon Press, 1986). 2 recommendations

I've heard great things about DeSilva's Intro, I just haven't come across recommendations. I'll keep looking. In the meantime, what do you think?

Doctrine Whets Our Appetite for God

2008-10-01T21:00:00.001-04:00

John Bunyan never has his allegorical characters sitting around the dinner table just shooting the breeze. He always injects godly teaching into their conversation. In Part Two of The Pilgrim's Progress Christian's wife Christiana and their four sons, along with several other pilgrims, spend some time near Vanity Fair at an Inn. As the food is being set on the table, Christiana's son Matthew says that the sight of the tablecloth and the bread "begetteth in me a greater appetite to my food than I had before." To which their host Gaius replies,

So let all ministering doctrines to thee, in this life, beget in thee a greater desire to sit at the supper of the great King in His kingdom; for all preaching, books, and ordinances here, are but as the laying of the trenchers, and as setting of salt upon the board, when compared with the feast that our Lord will make for us when we come to His house.

What is our purpose in reading theological books and in listening to sermons and lectures? In Bunyan's picturesque way he is saying we should be preparing ourselves to enjoy the real feast with our Father in His heavenly kingdom. This time of year we can get so busy with things like mid-term exams and preparations for Christmas programs that our studies may seem tedious. Let's remember Bunyan's counsel and transform our tedium into anticipation . . . and worship!

How do you keep your "routine" reading fresh? Let us know in the comments what you do for your reading, or maybe, what it does for you.

TheoSource Updates: Theology & General Works

2008-09-30T09:26:00.003-04:00

Last night I uploaded revisions and expansions of the Recommended Theological Works List (TW) and the Recommended General Reference Works Lists (GRW). The major changes are as follows:

I added Biblical Theology, OT Theology & NT Theology to the TW list.
I added Introductory topics to the GRW list.

I think that these two changes make better sense. Also,...

I added recommendations cited in Bob Kauflin's recent book, Worship Matters (Crossway, 2008). Kauflin provides a very nice annotated bibliography of books on major theological issues with which worship leaders ought to be familiar (Worship, God, The Person and Work of Christ, The Holy Spirit, Theology, Growing in Holiness, The Church, Music, and Devotionals).

As always, I would be glad for any input on improving these lists.

God's 'Amen'-Ambassadors (Douglas Kelly)

2008-09-28T08:50:00.000-04:00

[T]hose who are 'Amen-ed' by God must re-echo that 'Amen' to other people. One of the reasons God leaves you in the world and does not take you to be with himself the minute you get saved, is that you may live and function as his 'Amen' to the general public, to your little circle, to wherever he puts you. God sends you out to be his 'Amen' to needy, unworthy, seeking souls. Just think of a congregation full of people receiving the 'Amen' of the grace of God in the Lord Jesus Christ and going out with that fragrance upon them. They can be God's 'Amen' in the shop, the university, the store, on the bus, with the children they meet and wherever they are. That is one of the major modes of the church going forward in the most natural way.

Douglas F. Kelly, New Life in the Wasteland: 2 Corinthians on the Cost and Glory of Christian Ministry (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2003), p. 37 (emphasis mine).
[CF P | CBD | CVBBS]

2 Corinthians 2:5-8

5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

Trust God Who Raises the Dead (Douglas Kelly)

2008-09-26T16:25:00.000-04:00

When the heat comes on and when the pressure is such that we cannot handle it, we do not generally feel religious or see that the Lord Jesus is working. It might even seem as if God is doing so much for our enemies. But it is just at those times when we do not feel it or see it, that God is doing tremendous things. A power is stealing through that is far greater than all the forces of death and destruction, and that is able to revive the situation in this culture as it has in other past cultures: namely the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Douglas F. Kelly, New Life in the Wasteland: 2 Corinthians on the Cost and Glory of Christian Ministry (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2003), p. 30 (emphasis mine).
[CF P | CBD | CVBBS]

2 Corinthians 1:8-9

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

Like Father, Like Son, Like Disciple (Köstenberger on the Trinity in John)

2008-09-25T06:00:00.005-04:00

The Trinity and Mission

Here is a summary statement from Part 2: Biblical Foundations. This will surely repay careful rumination.

Thus not only is the ministry of the Son grounded in the love and commission of the Father, but the ministry of Jesus' followers is grounded in the love and commission of Jesus, and by virtue of his relationship with both the Father on the one hand and the Spirit on the other, also in the unity of Father, Son and Spirit among one another. At the same time, this does not obliterate all distinctions of person and role. Just as Jesus is the Son who does the bidding of the Father who sent him, so his followers are to pursue their mission in total dependence on the Son and under the direction of the Holy Spirit. In the end, Father, Son and Spirit are shown to provide redemption and revelation to a community that is itself sent on a redemptive and revelatory mission. (106)

Even more simply put, form Chapter One: John's Gospel and Jewish monotheism:

The triunity of Father, Son and Spirit forms the paradigm and basis for the love and unity among Jesus' followers and for their mission to the world as they re-present his message and follow their Lord (John 20:21; cf. John 17:18). (43)

Andreas J. Köstenberger and Scott R. Swain, Father, Son and Spirit: The Trinity and John's Gospel. New Studies in Biblical Theology. Downers Grove: IVP, 2008. [IVP | WTS | Amazon | CBD]

The Value of Pain and Suffering (Douglas Kelly)

2008-09-24T06:00:00.002-04:00

Let us be clear that we do not pay for our sins. The blood of Jesus Christ on the cross is the propitiation for our sins - not for ours only but for the whole world. The sins of all God's people of all ages are paid for in the blood of Christ. Yet in another sense a costly stand which hurts you and your family (such as maintaining the truth in a relativistic culture fiercely intolerant of truth-claims) can have a redemptive value because the cross you are experiencing becomes a doorway to let through the Lord's resurrection power into other lives. Paul seems to be speaking of this when he says in Colossians 1:24, 'I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.' Sometimes when you are feeling the nails, that may be the only way that others can see the glory.

Douglas F. Kelly, New Life in the Wasteland: 2 Corinthians on the Cost and Glory of Christian Ministry (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2003), p. 26 (emphasis mine.
[CF P | CBD | CVBBS]

TheoSource Updates

2008-09-23T18:25:00.000-04:00

It has been almost a year since the TheoSource lists were last updated on this site, so I have been working hard at burning new PDFs. All of the lists are now updated:

Old Testament Commentaries

OT Pentateuch and Historical Books (491k)
OT Poetical Books (392k)
OT Prophetical Books (423k)

New Testament Commentaries

Gospels and Acts (530k)
Pauline Epistles (520k)
Hebrews, General Epistles, and Revelation (392k)

Other Lists

I have also updated the Blogroll in order to share more of the blogs I follow. I generally do not read many posts; there are simply too many and too little time to do this. I browse through them periodically, read one or two, and highlight others that I expect to want to come back to in the future. Most of these blogs challenge me in areas that are unfamiliar to me. Some of these blogs are simply informative. Mostly all of these are academic in nature. Some very interesting blogs do not appear here, or have been removed, just because. If you know of a blog that seems to fit the purpose of TheoSource, please suggest it. I'd be glad to consider adding it to the list.

Not long ago, I added a label to the sidebar called Essential Tools. The CMS requires a subscripton, but the SBLHS is free to be downloaded. Both are excellent and complimentary style guides.

A Couple Tidbits on the History and Future of IVP's Black Dictionary Series

2008-09-23T12:00:00.001-04:00

This morning Trevin Wax (Kingdom People) posted a list of four top recommended books on the Gospels. In this post he indicates that IVP is in the process of revising the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. This answers my concern in my previous post on the DJG's article on the Gospel of John. According to Dan Reid, IVP's Project Editor for this dictionary series, plans to revise both DJG and DPL have already been laid.

For a peek into the background and production of this series, see the following blog post by Dan Reid: The Genesis of IVP's Black Dictionary Series.

One other question I've been awaiting an answer to is addressed in Dan's post: What about volume eight on the Prophets? According to Dan Reid, IVP has already begun "work on volume eight in the series, the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets, edited by Mark J. Boda and J. Gordon McConville." It appears that this volume will be made available within the next 3-4 years.

An Idol Ridden Culture (Douglas Kelly)

2008-09-23T06:00:00.003-04:00

The Bible, history and contemporary life all illustrate that spiritual idolatry and intellectual treason inevitably lead to widespread sexual degeneracy. What is the reason for the sexual emphasis of our culture? The relationship between idolatry and adultery is complicated, but the basic connection is clear. Intellectual rejection of God and sexual immorality are very closely intertwined...

The question is this: do people commit wholesale adultery because they have grown cold on God, like a marriage going sour...or do they reject God...precisely in order to commit adultery and other forms of sexual licence [sic]? Which is first? Thomas Aquinas may have been pointing in the right direction when he said in the thirteenth century: 'Unchastity's first-born daughter is blindness of spirit.'

Douglas F. Kelly, New Life in the Wasteland: 2 Corinthians on the Cost and Glory of Christian Ministry (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2003), pp. 14-15.
[CF P | CBD | CVBBS]

Hosea 8:4

They made kings, but not through me.
They set up princes, but I knew it not.
With their silver and gold they made idols
for their own destruction.

Download 1 John from the ESV Study Bible

2008-09-22T18:00:00.004-04:00

The folks at the ESV Study Bible blog are "making available the whole book of 1 John from the ESV Study Bible. It’s a 14-page PDF. We hope that you find it helpful in your study of God’s Word." I downloaded this file, and it whetted my appetite for the entire Study Bible, due in October.