I must confess that I knew nothing about paratext before picking up this book. I’ve always loved studying structure of biblical books, and heard paratext might intersect with it. It is also a study that emphasizes the “final form” over pointless study of sources and I fully favor that as well. It turned out to be fascinating, even if it at best is only of secondary importance.
The first section looks at paratext in terms of book order and the differences and what they suggest. This was my favorite as it made helpful comparisons and even more fruitful interconnections between Bible books.
The middle section on book titles just didn’t seem as fruitful to me. The final section on book divisions made a few help connections to structure and was more profitable.
Without doubt, this book taught me paratext clearly and with a skill that I could easily say, “I got it”. That’s a success for any book. The significance of the concept of paratext, though, will vary among readers. I’ll leave that for you to decide.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Having written extensively on Matthew’s Gospel in the past, Charles Quarles here delivers the latest entry in the EBTC series. It strikes me as being of the same value as most of the previous entries in the series and it seems to strike the balance the EBTC series calls for as well.
Somewhat surprising is the 100 page Introduction before you even get to the commentary proper. The first 45 pages cover basic introductory issues like author, date, provenance and destination, language, genre and purpose, and structure. The author’s vast learning is on display here, the conclusions conservative, and the coverage adequate.
Even better is the rest of the Introduction that embraces theological themes as this series promises. At first, I thought it was odd that these discussions began focusing exclusively on Christological titles. As I continued I had to confess that they are critical to unlocking Matthew. I especially loved later the discussion on the Kingdom of Heaven for its perceptiveness and restraint. New Covenant, New Creation, and New Israel continued fleshing out what Matthew was up to. By the end, I was sold on his approach.
The commentary proper was also a success. 650 pages for Matthew means the commentary is mid-length by today’s standards. For many, though, that’s going to be just right. This one will be especially enjoyed by pastors and anyone who is interested in careful study. The deep learning is there while the parade of it is subdued. For many, this would be all they would want or need on Matthew.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
In a surprising development, Ruth is replaced in the NICOT series here. It’s surprising because the replaced commentary was by editor Robert Hubbard and, as it turns out, Hubbard himself enlisted Peter Lau to produce this new volume. While the Hubbard volume was top notch, and will doubtless remain in print as an Eerdman’s Classic Commentary, Hubbard knew what he was doing. This is a dandy commentary. Peter Lau already produced Unceasing Kindnessand his expertise on Ruth is now established.
The Introduction is all you could want. Lau is on point as he begins with structure. He wades through the muddy waters of genre of Ruth and comes out on the right bank. On authorship and date he surveys the horizon and picks the spot with the best view. Next, the discussion of purpose raises the standard even higher. He covers canonicity and textual issues but there isn’t much to see there.
To me, the Introduction fully blossoms in the theology section. In what’s really just a continuation he starts covering themes. Don’t miss “applying the law” and “Ruth’s ethnicity and Israelite identity” as you will connect many dots. The latter is not some latter-day political nonsense, but something that really gets at the heart of Ruth.
I loved what I read in the commentary proper. The great ideas introduced in the Introduction infuse the commentary in ways that really help. There is an embarrassment of riches in commentaries on Ruth but you’d better consider this one for your studies.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I. Love. This. Book. I could string together enough positive adjectives to describe it to fully wrap three Christmas trees. Instead of exhausting the thesaurus, however, let me tell you why I love this book with descriptive nouns—essence, landscape, theme, theology, insight, wisdom, and treasures.
Morales knows how to step back and take in the horizon, so much so that after reading this book I have a much better grasp of not only Leviticus but the whole Pentateuch. For that matter, the whole OT and even the whole Bible are clearer. I know you think I’m getting carried away, but give it a try. The details are many, but they are not wasted. God is really after a sanctuary where we meet Him.
I’m not going to review the contents as I often do because I think you’ll enjoy the experience I had—just diving in with no idea of what to expect and just enjoying discovery after discovery.
As I read this book I fell more in love with Leviticus. Leviticus! You know, the place where Bible reading plans come to die!
The NSBT was developed into a mighty forest and this one is a Redwood. I could only wish that all 66 books of the Bible had such a one to honor it as this one does Leviticus.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The ZECOT has certainly found its own niche with its discourse analysis orientation and in the process has become a commentary series you simply must not miss. Here the wooly Book of Judges gets its turn and it seems to me the discourse analysis approach especially gives a rich payload in this book that many don’t know what to make of. Boda, whose commentary on Zechariah impressed me a few years back, and Conway have done good work here. The two are colleagues at McMaster Divinity College and proved to be seamless collaborators as well.
After a bibliography and translation, there’s a successful 50 page introduction that slows down where it should while zipping along where it should as well. When discussing Judges and its historical context, the authors see a dichotomy between the history itself and that of the original readers as they see Judges being written later on. Obviously, much of that is speculative. The intent of the writer taken from clues from the text is the rose among the thorns of this section. That next section leads them to an in-depth look at clause function as originated by Roy Heller. The detail is complex, but the conclusions are easy to follow and quite interesting.
My favorite section of the Introduction, entitled Judges and its literary shape, is eye opening. The earlier detailed work is marshaled into an outstanding explanation of the structure. That means, of course, the unique goal of this series is fully realized here. You’ll understand Judges fair better because of it too.
The theology section was a little brief but perhaps some would blame Judges for that.
The commentary proper with the good foundation laid in the Introduction is ideal. One of the strengths of the ZECOT is its layout and its advantages are evident here. People love Daniel Block’s work on Judges and rightly so, but you’d do yourself a favor to get this one too.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Here is a fascinating look at what the author calls Divine Love Theory. On the one hand, I fully subscribe to this idea as something of the big picture of our faith. I found much here to strengthen my inclinations. On the other hand, this book is something of a technical look (point-counterpoint) at it and particularly the author’s precise theory or presentation of it. It’s still good and it reads with as much a philosophical tone as a theological one.
He will usually interact with other theories or writers to flesh out his ideas, but he is still easy to read compared to what you usually find with that style. I notice that he excels at building his argument, presenting it sequentially, and meeting all objections along the way. This approach will thrill academic types, but those outside that world might prefer something more in the popular vein. I believe Mr. Johnson could write such a work since he succeeded in communicating even in the academic style. Readers should, though, create expectations with this in mind.
Going forward, this will likely be a reference title to me. I underlined a lot of things that I can use if I encounter these issues again. I will be able to expect clear analysis in those cases with this work.
I could even feel comfortable saying the position in this book is now my own; that is, the precision and supporting details matches what I believe implicitly. There’s great competency here!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The NSBT never disappoints and it usually delivers that which is not really available some other convenient place. Such is this book on Joseph. The author states upfront that this book isn’t a commentary on Genesis 37-50, though I would submit it would enlighten where those commentaries might let you down.
He is trying to lay out the biblical theology of this portion of Scripture as well as tracing out how Joseph was used throughout the rest of the Bible. To be sure, the heart of the discussion is the question of its typology—is that a real thing or not. For people like me the answer is an obvious yes, but it’s still helpful to hear that championed.
The farther into this book you delve into this book its greatest strength quickly emerges—bringing the structure of Genesis to life. The design of Genesis and how the beloved story of Joseph fits into it is nothing short of exciting. Perhaps this is as it should be because biblical theology when successfully executed will deliver exactly the kind of eye opening insights Emadi delivers. There’s hardly any theological works I enjoy more than those that succeed where this one did.
Amazingly, he brings to life all of Genesis with this work on Joseph. He also shows how typology should be responsibly done and the tasty fruit it yields. This is a good one!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Here’s another option for a systematic theology. To be honest, I had never heard of Cornelis van der Kooi or Gijsbert van den Brink. Still, I figured it must have some value if it was picked up by Eerdmans since a publisher would have to have some confidence to publish another volume in the crowded systematic theology field.
It turns out that these authors come from the influential Dutch Reformed theology stream. That stream gave us, among others, Bavinck. Be that as it may, this book did not seem like reading Bavinck to me. The writing style was more modern and at times the theology was too.
These authors struck me as mostly true to what I’d expect from a reformed theologian with a few modern concessions. I read some sections carefully because I’d been studying them and had a better basis of comparison. For example, their section on the Holy Spirit was unique. Not exactly how others have tackled the subject even among those on their own team. Not really unorthodox either, just emphasizing on the down beat. Where you’d expect more, you may not find it; where you expect little, you may get a basket full. Again, on the Holy Spirit check out what they had to say on the Spirit and the Word. That’s where I got my basket full while, say, on the deity or filling of the Spirit not so much.
That trend continued as I delved into other sections. Mark this down as good second-level option. It’s never going to knock the big boys off their perch, either for the public at large or for my own shelves, but from its peculiar vantage point it can give new visions of the exquisite portrait of God’s Word. The gallery is not as crowded here so you can take your time and enjoy what most of the crowd never sees. I don’t know about you, but I love to take some moments on this side of the gallery as well.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Banner of Truth has a knack for publishing great Christian biographies and for not caring if the subject is wildly famous or not. That in itself is encouraging as it reminds us that many have served the Lord wonderfully even though most are not especially noticed. In this case, Theodore Beza, is known in the sense of being a contemporary and even friend of Calvin while little more is known of him by most people. Calvin, loved by some and hated by others, is by any metric a seminal figure in Christianity. Beza didn’t blaze a trail but he did help establish it into a widely-traveled road.
Baird was easy to read. He was thoroughly impressed with Beza, but could admit when something wasn’t handled the best way. Beza’s story is primarily an academic career. In certain times of history that can have some drama and intrigue and this was one of those times. The ongoing interaction with government made that so.
Perhaps there isn’t as much piety or spirituality as in some recent Banner biographies like, say, Thomas Charles of Bala. That is not to call into question Beza’s piety or spirituality at all, just the focus of the biography. He came across as dedicated to his work and would unhesitatingly choose a course to follow what he believed to be right before the Lord even at great personal cost. It just seemed that his spiritual trials were all in his work, though a few personal trials were briefly mentioned, even as almost an afterthought. I’m not downgrading the biography, just explaining what to expect.
I suspect this biography will secure its strongest following among those who love Calvin and want to vicariously experience him again through Beza. This book will unquestionably recreate a portion of Calvin’s life as the lives of Beza and Calvin were prominently intertwined.
Banner never fails us on book quality and this lovely book is worthy to adorn your shelves for years to come.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Goldingay is a prolific writer of commentaries to say the least. Sometimes you wonder if he has some captive researchers locked up in his basement. As Baker expands its major commentaries in the OT, we find that he will soon have in print a commentary for them in the Pentateuch, History, Wisdom, and Prophetic sections. At what point is he just showing out?
More seriously, I really like this commentary. In over a decade of book reviewing, I’ve found myself not particularly liking some of his earlier ones that I reviewed and then really liking his more recent contributions like Jeremiah and Lamentations. Maybe he changed. His comments don’t strike me as subversive as before to be sure. Maybe I changed. I had to make myself admit the possibility.
So for this review I want to focus on specifically why this volume and his other recent ones ( I hadn’t seen his Genesis or Joshua yet) are so effective. When you pick up this volume, read the Author’s Preface that mostly describes the process of how he wrote this commentary. I wish all commentaries told this information up front. Later it hit me. He didn’t just collate a mass of scholarly details (a fair description of many modern works), but he had something to say himself. He is one of the leading OT scholars today, so isn’t that as it should be? I can look up what everyone else says myself. I like to hear what the author has to say. The footnotes will back up this assertion.
Further, he has settled into a comfortable, mature, capable writing style that belies his scholarly prowess mingled with effective communication that belies his years of teaching. He writes as one who wants to get his message across and has honed the skills necessary to do it. In his paragraphs both what he has learned and what you have just learned rise to the top.
His next great strength is in OT background. Again, offering to us from his decades of work that we don’t have. Only when his assertion arises from critical assumptions alone does he miss. He often transports the reader to Bible times. He harnesses a mass of details and makes it a palatable morsel to swallow. He is closer to average on theology and structure, but he excels in bringing to bear the broad sweep of OT times while sitting you down in a particular text. That is really how he stands out in the pack and that really helps in these lesser-known Minor Prophets.
This book is not as long as some on just one of these prophets from Hosea to Micah, but I bet it will do you as much good. I still must spar with him in places. “Wind” instead of “spirit” in Joel 2. Ok, whatever. The historicity of Jonah? I knew that was coming. At least he said it was still authoritative. The whole theological message of Obadiah is that “God will take redress”. That’s it? Really? I could list more examples, but there are far more places where he taught me something. Even where he failed to convince me, he often made me think. I can overlook a few places where I rolled my eyes to get all that good stuff. And of course you, the reader of this review, might have rolled your eyes at me instead at these disputed points.
I like this volume so much that I wonder if I should go back and look up and review a few of his that I missed along the way like, say, the Psalms. In any event, you can’t miss with this one.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Reagan Review 