New Book Reviews

The Message of the Trinity (BST) by Edgar

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When I first picked up this book and scanned its table of contents, I felt like yawning. It appeared as only a collection of expositions that referenced passages that had some connection to the Trinity. It was only after digging into this book that I found that these passages brought the doctrine of the Trinity alive and made it a fine addition to the respected Bible Speaks Today (BST) series. Brian Edgar also proved himself adept at unfolding much of the theology on the Trinity that might be addressed pedantically in a theology textbook.

After a bibliography and an introduction, the book is divided into four parts. They are all substantial and worthwhile, but part one blessed my soul in its description of the Trinity of love. The two chapters in this section brought in a smorgasbord of theology that transformed itself into a tapestry that displayed the singular beauty and importance of the doctrine of the Trinity. If you doubt my assessment here, I only ask that you read it for yourself.

The other parts look at the Trinity in the Old Testament, the Trinity in the experience and teaching of Jesus, and the Trinity in the experience in the teaching of the early church. The choice of texts are superb. Along the way, you will cover the unity of the Trinity, the wisdom of God, the Spirit of God, Incarnation, Christ’s baptism, mission, teaching, Resurrection, Pentecost, Christian experience, community, security, unity, and the Day of the Lord. There are no throwaway chapters in the lot. The study guide at the end of the book is above average too. Sometimes I wonder who puts the study guides in some of these books, but this one will really help make sure that you gleaned what was available in the chapters.

Mark this volume down as one of the better in the series among those that address biblical themes. To my mind, it’s a choice volume on the Trinity.

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.

Ein Gedi: A Carta Field Guide by Hanan Eshel

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I want to go back! Ein Gedi was one of the most beautiful and interesting sites for me when I visited Israel. Now that I’ve had the chance to look at this Carta field guide by respected author Hanan Eshel, I realize I missed so much.

This attractive resource with its sumptuous photography, fine illustrations, and superb maps as you would expect in a Carta title enables you to have an intense tour of Ein Gedi from your armchair. I will review this work again before any subsequent trips.

The book begins with a topographical map and introduction that gives a broad overview. The first half of the book is an outstanding historical survey of the site. The history is placed within accepted archaeological periods and the archaeological evidence is carefully presented. The section that covers the biblical period is, for most of us, the most insightful. Don’t miss the map of David’s wanderings on pages 16 and 17. Beyond David’s time, Ein Gedi’s archaeological evidence continues to unlock its history all the way to the Hasmonean Period.

The second section provides an actual tour of Ein Gedi. A map covering pages 72 and 73 show the extensive possibilities of a visit to the site. The photo on page 76 that gives an aerial view of Ein Gedi looking west is breathtaking. What follows is a thorough coverage of all that can be seen there. There’s a final section that covers things to visit that are nearby to Ein Gedi.

This is a perfect title for either Bible students or travelers to Israel. I can’t imagine ever studying or planning to visit this site again without turning to this volume. It’s beautiful in every way.

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.

Understanding the New Testament: An Introductory Atlas

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Over the last few years, Carta has developed an outstanding set of introductory atlases. This title is one of the earliest releases. While I feel that later titles continue to get better, this earlier entry is a thorough success and one that I would recommend you study first if you choose to work through these atlases. A careful study of these titles would be the equivalent of an awesome college class though these titles are accessible enough for any Bible student. This title gives a broad sweep of important background material for the New Testament in the beautiful Carta style.

After an initial physical map of Israel, you have the succinct and pithy overview of all the books of the New Testament. Next, you have a breakdown of the different areas in Israel where the varying climate impacts its history. From there, you spread out to the larger New Testament world including the areas that Paul carried the gospel to throughout the Roman Empire. There’s an overview of the Intertestmental Period including some great charts on the early Caesars and Herods of that time. There’s also a chronological discussion of the Gospels from a geographic standpoint followed by one for the early church.

The maps are of the sterling quality you’ve come to expect from Carta products. Some of the maps are those you may have seen in some of their larger, beloved Bible atlases. Once you’ve studied this title you can also find others on the Old Testament along with others on archaeology, history, and geography. There’s not a dud in the bunch and I highly recommend them all including this fine title on the New Testament.

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.

Understanding the Geography of the Bible: An Introductory Atlas by Wright and Har-El

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This title in 40 large, attractive pages really pulls off a fine presentation of the geography of the Bible for students at any level. If you will take the time to study this introductory atlas, you will quickly understand how the geography in Bible lands dramatically impacts events. This title goes well with other introductory atlases in this series that give an overview for the Old Testament, the New Testament, kingdoms in and around Israel, and biblical archaeology. These two authors have contributed several of these outstanding titles and Carta has perfected the art of presentation.

Carta never fails us with its maps and pictures. Their titles are always a visual smorgasbord. Don’t miss the charts and maps that show annual precipitation, mean temperatures, climatic regions, principal geological features, and major routes.

The text is highly instructive as well. You will gain a working knowledge of the climate and geography of the entire Middle East where the discussion is especially thorough on prominent areas of the Bible. The range of climate and geography being so small an area is incredibly pronounced and has a distinct impact on those living in the particular areas. In my view, this knowledge is critical background information for any sort of Bible study.

At this point, I’ve seen all of these introductory atlases, and this one is one of my personal favorites. Don’t miss it!

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 Morals of the Story by David and Marybeth Baggett

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How powerful are moral arguments to prove the existence of God? They have always struck me as overwhelmingly persuasive, yet this book is still my first foray into really digging out that concept. I have more of a theological background while this presentation tilts more toward the philosophical side. That’s not to say there isn’t some wonderful theology along the way. There’s plenty of theology as well as deep scholarship as you might imagine from this husband-and-wife scholar team. The scholarship is such that this might not work for beginners yet they do a good job of making it all accessible. As a bonus, they exhibit a pleasant sense of humor throughout. The authors strike me as teachers who would be enjoyable to hear lecture. Some of the historical explanations of where philosophers have moved over the years might bog you down some, but you will end this book with a firmer belief that the moral argument bolsters the affirmation of God’s existence.

The book is divided into three acts. The first one sets the stage in four chapters. Preceding the first act you have a description of the players, the playbill, and the spotlight on Socrates and Paul in Athens. The first two chapters succeed in orienting you in this discussion while chapters 3 and 4 slow down some with a great deal of historical background and scholarly review.

Act two has five chapters that break down moral goodness, moral obligations, moral knowledge, moral transformation, and moral providence. To my mind, the chapter on moral transformation packed the most punch. If you can grasp this section, you will have a working knowledge of all the facets of the moral argument.

Act three is called “enacting the comedy” and is really a concluding chapter that together with the “encore” shows how this material can lead us to some powerful apologetics.

This is an important book that succeeds in what it sets out to do. Its target audience will love it, and we can all glean from it. Our hearts know that if there is no God there are no morals and that cannot be possible!

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. 

Judges (OTL) by Niditch

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This new volume in the Old Testament Library (OTL) series replaces the old volume by J. Alberto Soggin. Niditch has improved on that older entry. I always turn to this series to grasp the critical viewpoint and to get some theology that you just don’t get in other places. This volume generally falls within the expectations of the series yet would not necessarily be my favorite. In the plus column, the book is well-written and it’s easy to follow the author’s train of thought, but on the negative side it pushes the envelope too far in some places and is too brief in others.

There’s a lengthy bibliography provided at the beginning of the book. The commentary section is substandard and only lists seven titles. On the other hand, the rest of the bibliography is quite thorough.

The Introduction begins by describing the Book of Judges as epic-style literature. There’s a discussion of the office of a judge that is quite interesting. Folklorist insights calling them epic heroes, social bandits, etc., are a little much for me. There’s discussion of the war and fighting in the Book of Judges, the history of the Book of Judges (the author at least sees the material as “meaningful” to the time of the Kings). I had trouble accepting the redaction history that was given as well as some of the discussion about genre. The discussion of the voice of the theologian and the humanist gave some food for thought. The section called texture provided some helpful structural insights. There seemed to be, however, an over-emphasis on the oral nature of the material in the text-critical section.

Where the commentary wasn’t too brief, there were some interesting observations in the commentary proper. At times there’s too much of a feminist angle, but at other times you will find some real help. The exegetical work is sufficient within the framework of the author’s outlook.

Critical scholarship is usually never too kind to the book of Judges. In any event, this book is probably as good as any in understanding a critical approach to the book. While not the equal of some in the series, it does have value.

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.

Life in Biblical Israel by King and Stager

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I love this type of book. Though this book has been around for a while and often receives glowing recommendations, somehow I had overlooked it. I’m glad that’s no longer the case. I don’t subscribe to the authors’ chronology or critical assumptions, but there’s much treasure to be found in what they’ve put together here.

The authors provide a fine introduction that explains the importance of everyday life, what must be worked with to arrive at an understanding of that everyday life, and an overview of archaeology and other things. The next extensive chapter covers an Israelite house and household. Homes, family members, meals, and medical information are all addressed. The next chapter looks at farming, climate, vegetation, water sources, arts and crafts, travel, transport, and trade. From there, there’s a chapter that looks at the city, water systems, and warfare and armies. There’s a helpful chapter on culture that looks at dress and adornments, music, literacy, and education. The last chapter covers religious institutions including temples, shrines, objects associated with these places, religious practices, death, burial, and the afterlife.

The maps section is a little weak, but the bibliography, the indices, and the photography and illustration throughout the work are superb. This is a fine resource where you will find many opportunities in your studies to consult. Warmly recommended.

 

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.

II Corinthians (NTL) by Matera

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book ii cor ntl

Frank Matera, a well-known New Testament scholar, contributes this volume on II Corinthians in the New Testament Library (NTL) series. Though this volume would be labeled critical in its approach, he took a surprising number of positions that you might find in a less critical work. For that reason, I thought this volume one of the better in this series. You will still be made aware of some of the critical outlook that this series usually provides, yet you might appreciate his opinion on the unity of the letter and his exegetical work too.

After a bibliography, the author begins the introduction by addressing ministry and conflict in the letter. He labels II Corinthians as “perhaps the most personal and revealing of Paul’s letters”. He sees it as “an intensely personal writing it which the apostle speaks more extensively and intimately than in any of his other letters”.

Next, he dives into the argument and structure of the letter. He divides the letter into three parts and explains his reasoning for the division as well as for the subdivisions. He summarizes his position in a list of four things that Paul is defending. His reasoning and the subsequent outline give good food for thought. From there, he tackles the theology of the letter. He sees the theology as rich and it would be hard to disagree with the importance of the six things he lists as the key theology of the letter.

In the next section, when he considers the time between I and II Corinthians, he wades into the morass that often entangles the scholarly world. The next few sections of the introduction continue to look at this subject from various angles. Along the way, you get a good overview of where the scholarly world has twisted and turned on this issue. Pleasantly, he argues for the unity of the letter.

In the commentary proper, I thought the exegetical work to be some of the best I’ve seen in this series. There are many good insights to be found.  This book could profitably be added to the list of those you consult when studying II Corinthians.

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.

Everlasting Dominion by Eugene Merrill

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I’ve used the works of Eugene Merrill throughout my entire ministry. He’s known for quality conservative academic work. Somehow I had overlooked this work for a long time. I’ve used several of his commentaries to great advantage, so my curiosity was piqued when I saw this volume described as his “magnum opus”. At least we can say that a major work of biblical theology requires more interdisciplinary mastery than most other theological work. Mr. Merrill’s humility is such that he almost sheepishly approaches this work in the preface. To my mind, however, he has the skills to tackle this task.

In chapter 1 he overviews what Old Testament theology is. That chapter includes a look at the winding path scholarship has taken on Old Testament theology. Much of it has been so absurd that we welcome this conservative effort. In chapter 2 he discusses the Old Testament as the autobiography of God and covers a wide range of theological concepts that you might find in a systematic theological approach. Chapter 3 upholds that the Old Testament is the revelation of God. Chapter 4 looks at what the works of God are as found in the Old Testament. Chapter 5 concludes part one with a discussion of the purposes of God.

Part two backs up and approaches the Old Testament from the perspective of mankind, who is made in the image of God. That will include chapters on the fall, redemption, and the creation of Israel.

Chapter 3 discusses the kingdom of God and in this section, we began seeing work on the individual books of the Old Testament. You may find his order of approaching Old Testament books a little unusual, but all are covered beautifully. We reach the wisdom literature of the Old Testament in chapters 18 and 19 before we find one concluding chapter that returns us to the big picture and anticipates the New Testament.

I don’t see how you could do serious work on Old Testament theology and not consult this book. It’s clearly one of the top volumes on the subject and I highly recommended it.

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.

Understanding Biblical Archaeology by Wright

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At this point, Carta has several introductory atlases that could serve as a personal class on some important topics of Bible study. Paul Wright has contributed several of these outstanding introductory atlases covering the New Testament, geography, biblical kingdoms, important people groups mentioned in the Bible, as well as writing a well-received major Bible Atlas. This title gives an excellent overview of biblical archaeology. When you finish this book, you will have a working knowledge of what biblical archaeology is and what has been discovered in Israel from various archaeological periods.

Other works may probe more deeply the broader assumptions of archaeological work while this one focuses more on what we have found. These findings are presented through clear text, gorgeous pictures, and effectively chosen Bible maps. This book could have a secondary use as a guide to what archaeological sites might be worth visiting on your next trip to the holy land too. For example, on a trip, I did I enjoyed immensely visiting biblical Shechem of which there’s a fine picture on page 15.

The diagram on page 9 is worth pages of text in describing how we have such levels of archaeological finds available at many sites in Israel. We also find there an overview of archaeological periods.

The balance of the book takes us from the Early Bronze Age through the Early Roman or Herodian Era. Fortunately, there have been many wonderful archaeological finds in every major era between those two and none are given short shrift here.

This book is worth your time and I highly recommend it.

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.