Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

Exegesis

Tom Holland’s New Commentary on Romans

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When Doug Moo recommends something on Romans, I take note because he’s the Jedi-master of Romans.

Tom Holland. Romans: The Divine Marriage; A Biblical Theological Commentary. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2011. 543 pp.

  1. Douglas J. Moo: “As the subtitle indicates, Tom Holland’s Romans is truly both biblical and theological, as the letter is set firmly in its unfolding canonical context. Holland shows how Romans contributes to our understanding of God’s covenant arrangement with humankind. The commentary digs deeply into current scholarship on the Old Testament roots of Paul’s teaching, yet presents its conclusions in accessible language.”
  2. Robert W. Yarbrough: “This vigorously argued commentary seeks to allow Old Testament themes and thought patterns, not misguided scholarly conventions, to control Romans’ message. . . . Scholars of Romans will be stimulated by interaction with this canonically alert, creative, and frequently contrarian exposition and synthesis of a Pauline classic.”
  3. Anthony C. Thiselton: “Tom Holland always remains alert to the influence and relevance of the Old Testament and emphasizes the impact of Paul’s thought upon the church as a community as well as on the individual as part of that community. Above all, Tom Holland deploys his scholarship to produce a very salient and practical commentary.”

[Read more…] about Tom Holland’s New Commentary on Romans

D. A. Carson’s Theological Method

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Update in October 2023: I updated my essay for a new book of essays by D. A. Carson:

Andrew David Naselli. “D. A. Carson’s Theological Method.” Pages 11–50 in The Gospel and the Modern World: A Theological Vision for the Church. Edited by Brian J. Tabb. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2023.

* * * * * * *

This essay appears in the latest issue of SBET:

Andrew David Naselli. “D. A. Carson’s Theological Method.” Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology 29 (2011): 245–74.

It revises a paper I submitted to Kevin Vanhoozer at TEDS in December 2006 for his PhD seminar “Advanced Theological Prolegomena.” I told some friends in the class at the time that I’d like to publish my essay in about five years, which would give me more time to better understand Don Carson’s theological method.

Here’s the outline:

1. Carson’s Background: Some Factors That Influence His Theological Method

1.1. Carson’s Family
1.2. Carson’s Education
1.3. Carson’s Professional Experience
1.4. Some Other Background Factors

2. Carson’s Corrigible Presuppositions

2.1. Carson’s Metaphysics: God
2.2. Carson’s Epistemology: Chastened Foundationalism [Read more…] about D. A. Carson’s Theological Method

Two New Bible Translations

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Recently I’ve been reading two new Bible translations:

  1. The Expanded Bible: Explore the Depths of the Scriptures While You Read. Translated by Tremper Longman III, Mark L. Strauss, and Daniel Taylor. Nashville: Nelson, 2011. 1910 pp. [Preview the front matter and the Gospel of John.]
  2. The Kingdom New Testament: A Contemporary Translation of the New Testament. Translated by N. T. Wright. New York: HarperOne, 2011. 526 pp. [Preview it using Amazon’s “Look Inside” feature.]

Neither translation is one that churches will adopt as their primary one for preaching, teaching, and memorizing. But [Read more…] about Two New Bible Translations

Reading the Bible without Chapter and Verse Numbers

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[I]t is important to remember that the Reformers did not break the epistles down into verses in the way that we do (verses were not invented until about 1550, after Luther’s death!) and were struck by the force of their overall argument more than perhaps we tend to be. To appreciate them it is useful to read the epistles straight through, without paying too much attention to the internal divisions, and feel the impact.

—Gerald Bray

Related:

  1. Review of Christopher R. Smith, The Beauty Behind the Mask: Rediscovering the Books of the Bible. Themelios 34 (2009): 109–10.
  2. Review of The Books of the Bible. Themelios 34 (2009): 108–9.
  3. Review of The Story: Read the Bible as One Seamless Story from Beginning to End. Themelios 34 (2009): 106–7.

Video:

 

Two Ways to Read the Bible

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Mike Bullmore, The Gospel and Scripture: How to Read the Bible  (The Gospel Coalition Booklets; Wheaton: Crossway, 2011), 16–17 (formatting added):

The Bible is endlessly interesting because it is God’s story, and God by nature is himself endlessly interesting. . . .

There are actually many methods of reading the Bible, and because the Bible is inexhaustible, many methods can prove fruitful. However, we are not so much concerned here with what might be called “methods” as we are with what we can call “approaches.” Two main approaches to the Bible usefully unlock its treasure, which is the gospel.

  1. Reading the Bible as Continuous Narrative (or History) . . . .
  2. Reading the Bible as a Compendium of God-Inspired Perspectives (or Theology) . . . .

Whichever of these two ways the Bible is read, its message is the same. [Read more…] about Two Ways to Read the Bible

Prodigal Love for the Prodigal Son

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That’s the title of a sermon. But it’s not one by Tim Keller, author of The Prodigal God.

This sermon was preached in 1891 by Charles Spurgeon.

The text is three words from Luke 15:20: “And kissed him.”

Some excerpts:

  • When sinners come to God, he gives them a loving reception, and a hearty welcome.
  • He forgives like a God.
  • Their past lies hidden under the blood of atonement.

HT: J. D. Crowley

 

Tom Schreiner’s Top Three Commentaries on Each of Paul’s Letters

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Thomas R. Schreiner, “Select Commentaries on the Pauline Epistles,” in Interpreting the Pauline Epistles (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011), 163–66 (numbering added).

Here I list not necessarily the most scholarly commentaries but what I consider to be the three best for students, teachers, and pastors.

Romans

  • C. E. B. Cranfield. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. 2 vols. International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1975–79.
  • Douglas J. Moo. The Epistle to the Romans. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
  • Thomas R. Schreiner. Romans. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.

1 Corinthians [Read more…] about Tom Schreiner’s Top Three Commentaries on Each of Paul’s Letters