Developments in My Field of Study — Robert Gundry Reveals 4 Key Interests in New Testament Studies
(Can’t see the video? Watch it here)
The venerable Robert Gundry, professor emeritus at Westmont College and author of A Survey of the New Testament, has been a voice of biblical and theological guidance for a generation. So when he shares I listen!
Today Gundry shares four key areas that hold special interest for him in his field of New Testament studies, beginning with the so-called Synopic Problem.
He also expresses his interest in the relationship of the Gospel of John to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In a surprising turn, Gundry explains how he believes differently than the most popular view regarding this relationship.
Finally, he reveals an interest in the relationship between the Book of…
Developments in My Field of Study — Edward Klink is Intrigued that Biblical Studies and Theology Are Finally Intersecting
(Can't see the video? Watch it here)
For Edward Klink, author of Understanding Biblical Theology, the division between his fields of study often reflects the opening line to Rudyard Kipling's "The Ballad of East and West":
"Oh, biblical studies is biblical studies, and theology is theology, and never the twain shall meet."
Until recently, that is. Because of late there has been something of a seachange.
As he notes in our video, "It's about time the two disciples stop being so compartmentalized…Many of the people who are trying to redefine or make a more robust biblical theology are very interested in a theological interpretation of Scripture." Thankfully such developments…
Developments in My Field of Study — Trends in Biblical Language Studies “Interesting and Exciting!” Says Van Pelt
(Can't see the video? Watch it here)
Developments in biblical languages seems as exciting as developments in algebra or physics. While important and attention worthy, are such technical trends all that action-packed?
Yes, says Miles Van Pelt, professor of Old Testament and biblical languages and co-author of Basics of Biblical Hebrew—and for two exciting reason:
1) Resurgence in teaching the originals. He is encouraged more seminaries emphasize teaching both the original biblical languages and ancient "helping" languages (i.e. ugaritic, akkadian, latin).
2) Many now going into these fields. When he was a student Van Pelt was an odd duck: no one wanted to study the languages. "They thought that was weird and quirky."…
Developments in My Field of Study — Schreiner Says Luther & Calvin Were Right About Paul
(Can't see the video? Watch it here)
In 2010 I had the chance to listen to one of the heavy-hitting voices in one of the most significant developments in Pauline studies, the New Perspective on Paul. That voice was Tom Schreiner, professor of NT studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and contributor to Four Views on the Apostle Paul.
Today Schreiner looks back on this development, particularly how it's grown from an obscure academic subtopic to a more mainstream one in churches.
He also shares what he consideres to be his conclusions on the matter:
One of the things I've argued for and I believe…is that the Reformers were…
Developments in My Field of Study — Gary Burge Says Cultural Reconstruction Is Contributing to Exegesis
(Can't see the video? Watch it here)
Gary Burge, professor of New Testament at Wheaton, belongs to a group of scholars interested in so-called “Contextual Exegesis.” These New Testament thinkers look beyond the syntax and grammar to become cultural anthropologists of antiquity.
In essence they become time travelers. Here’s why:
“We think the New Testament was written [just] last week,” Burge says in our video today. “But it is a literature from another time, another place, it’s a different language, and it presupposes things that our culture has forgotten.”
Burge is excited by the development within New Testament studies that seeks to mend this gap. It’s a cutting-edge issue interested in buttressing…
Developments in My Field of Study — Biblical Studies & Theology Are Talking Again!
When in seminary I liked to describe the difference between biblical studies and theological studies in this tongue-in-cheek way:
Biblical studies is about studying what the Text says and how to figure out what it says through a variety of means; theological studies is about studying what other people have said about the Text, and sometimes why they said what they said given their historical context.
Unfortunately such a distinction has often engendered unnecessary division and splits among these two important facets of the academy and the Church.
Darian Lockett, professor of New Testament at Biola University and author of Understanding Biblical Theology, is excited about marked developments in his field of study…
Developments in My Field of Study — Douglas Campbell Offers 3: 1970’s Literature, Humanities Voices, Western Incarceration
Last week we here at Koinonia Blog launched an exciting new series called Developments in My Field of Study. Michael Bird headlined our all-star line-up with a look at what's trending in New Testament studies, providing a glimpse into its current scholarly state.
Today we offer another prophetic voice, Douglas Campbell's, professor at Duke Divinity and contributor to Four Views on the Apostle Paul. In the video below he offers a fascinating look at 3 developments within the field of Pauline studies:
- Unanswered questions from 1970's major Pauline studies
- Insights from contemporary humanities voices
- Engagement with Western and ancient incarceration issues.
Developments in My Field of Study — Bird Says: “Gospels is the Lady Gaga of NT Studies”
Today we're pleased to launch a new video series of leading Bible scholars, Developments in My Field of Study.
The purpose of this new series is to expose new trends and developments within various fields of biblical studies by showcasing preeminent evangelical voices who have a pulse on its direction. Our goal is to help students and pastors, teachers and interested Christians alike to understand where various fields are moving for the sake of gospel ministry and teaching.
Headlining our all-star lineup in this new initiative at Koinonia is our friend and author Michael Bird, professor of theology at Ridley Melbourne College, and author of several books including Evangelical Theology. According to…