Posts made in March, 2007

Helpful Reference Tools for Biblical Studies

Posted by on Mar 29, 2007 in Blog | 6 comments

By way of sequel to my list of favorite NT commentaries, here are what I consider to be some of the most helpful reference tools for biblical studies. A similar list appears in my hermeneutics text (co-authored by Richard D. Patterson), Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology (Kregel). REFERENCE WORKS Introductions and Surveys Old Testament Arnold, Bill and Bryan Beyer. Encountering the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999. Hill, Andrew and John Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,... Read More

Favorite New Testament Commentaries

Posted by on Mar 23, 2007 in Blog | 19 comments

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is, “What are the commentaries you recommend for serious study of the New Testament?” Alas, I have compiled my list. A similar list appears in my hermeneutics text (co-edited with Richard D. Patterson), Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology,  in the Invitation to Theological Interpretation series. Here is the list: Matthew Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew. NAC. Nashville: Broadman, 1992. Carson, D. A. “Matthew.” EBC 8. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984, 3–599. Davies,... Read More

Jesus Tomb: Lessons

Posted by on Mar 16, 2007 in Blog | 6 comments

Here are some lessons we can learn from the Jesus tomb saga: 1. First do the research, then make the movie. 2. Don’t just hire consultants who you know already agree with you; what’s the value of that? 3. Don’t rely uncritically on the work of others, even experts in the field, especially when your central thesis depends on it. 4. Avoid getting infatuated with your own theory so that you are no longer able to evaluate the evidence objectively. 5. Don’t be tempted to “follow the money”; follow the evidence instead. Be on a quest for truth, not fame or fortune. 6. Don’t circumvent... Read More

The Alleged Mary Magdalene Inscription

Posted by on Mar 13, 2007 in Blog | 3 comments

In my most recent blog, “Jesus Tomb: Conclusion,” I raised one final question: In light of the fact that “Mariamenou” is in the genitive case,” and “Mara” was a common abbreviation for “Martha,” is it possible that the woman’s name was “Martha [daughter of] Mariamene [Mary]”? I posed this question to Richard Bauckham, Professor of New Testament Studies at St Andrews University and author of the recent book Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Bauckham’s response: “It would be odd for the name in the genitive to come first, whereas it is normal for a name on an ossuary to... Read More

Jesus Tomb: Conclusion

Posted by on Mar 8, 2007 in Blog | 1 comment

It’s time to wrap up the matter of the “Jesus family tomb.” I conclude that this is a serious case of overreach. The book that in its subtitle claims that it contains “the evidence that could change history” and the sensationalist claim that it propagates are most likely going to be thrown into the trash heap of discarded theories in biblical archeology. Let’s see if you agree that, soberly assessed, this is what we know of the “Jesus family tomb”: 1. The “Yeshua bar Yehosef” (if this is the correct reading) is almost certainly not the Jesus of the Bible. This man had... Read More

Jesus Tomb: Review of Special

Posted by on Mar 5, 2007 in Blog | 2 comments

The Discovery Channel aired a special on the Jesus tomb and the discussion moderated by Ted Koppel afterward. Before I give you my score card, allow me to make some comments. (1) In my view it is very unfortunate that Simcha was not more restrained in jumping to sensationalist conclusions in his film. Since by his own acknowledgment he is neither a scholar nor an archeologist, he should have refrained from pushing his own preferred conclusion as hard as he did. Hiring a few consultants like James Tabor who are sympathetic to his views is not enough. Contrary to Simcha’s claims, he is... Read More

Jesus Tomb: Special Preview

Posted by on Mar 4, 2007 in Blog | 2 comments

Does Christianity, like the Titanic, have holes so big that it will sink when the television special on the “Jesus tomb” airs on the Discovery channel? Here is my attempt at a Viewer’s Guide for viewers of the Jesus tomb special. Possible gaps in logic: On what basis is the assertion made that the dead person named “Mariamene” in one of the ossuaries is to be identified with Mary Magdalene? On what basis is the further assertion made that Mary Magdalene was Jesus’ wife? Does the special refer to the possibility that “Mariamene e Mara,” rather than “Mary, known as the... Read More