Paul – Page 3 – The Two Cities

Celebrating Prof. N. T. Wright: One God, One People, One Future

Nov 27, 2018

One week ago I had the privilege of presenting Prof. N. T. Wright with a Festschrift (German for ‘celebration writing’), which is a sub-genre of scholarly books comprised of essays from former students, colleagues, and long-time friends. This kind of book celebrates the contributions of a particular scholar, typically on the occasion of a major birthday or retirement. Festschriften are usually intentionally broad, containing a hodgepodge of essays that contributors choose to submit in honor of a particular scholar...

Check out my New Article on Pauline Chronology and Eschatology

Sep 14, 2018

My new article in Journal of Biblical & Theological Studies is now officially out. The paper is entitled, “Eschatological Emphases in 1 Thessalonians and Galatians: Distinct Argumentative Strategies Related to External Conflict and Audience Response.” In this article I am addressing a couple of different issues at once. To begin, there is the issue of the chronological ordering of Paul’s letters. Most scholars tend to think that 1 Thessalonians is the earliest and most primitive example of...

The Participatory Anthropology of 1 Corinthians: Reflections on Susan Eastman’s Paul and the Person

Jan 22, 2018

Reading through Susan Eastman’s wonderful little study Paul and the Person over Christmas break has afforded me a chance to re-examine the kind of anthropology Paul takes for granted in his first letter to the Corinthians. The task of reevaluating traditional concepts of anthropology as a whole is enjoying something of a moment in biblical studies (e.g., the Los Angeles Theology Conference just concluded their annual meeting this weekend covering the theme of Theological Anthropology)....

The Greek New Testament (Cambridge/Crossway edition): I Like Big “Buts” & I Can’t Elide

Dec 4, 2017

My first exposure to The Greek New Testament published jointly by Cambridge University Press and Crossway was at the recent SBL conference in Boston (if you’re interested in all of its unique features, methodology, rationale, etc, you can check out a little explanation here; similarly, here is a detailed blog that addresses several issues surrounding the new edition written by the editors). I purchased my copy and went straight to my next session. As I was...

A Pauline Call for a Christian Meat Taboo

Sep 13, 2017

John M.G. Barclay, ‘Food, Christian Identity and Global Warming: A Pauline Call for a Christian Food Taboo’, The Expository Times 121 (2010): 585-93. Over the past couple years I have repeatedly returned to the article listed above. Not because I forget about the main point, but because I find it incredibly compelling. I just keep coming back to it. I pour over the arguments; they keep haunting me. And so, naturally, I tell everyone about...

Review of As it Was in the Beginning by Mark D. Owen

Apr 2, 2016

Owens, Mark D. As It Was in the Beginning: An Intertextual Analysis of New Creation in Galatians, 2 Corinthians, and Ephesians. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2015. Paperback. 241 pages. Retail: $29.00. ISBN: 9781498202404 In As It Was in the Beginning, Mark D. Owens compares “new creation” concepts in Galatians, 2 Corinthians, and Ephesians through an intertextual analysis that focuses on Old Testament allusions and traditions. He suggests that the three letters exhibit a close correlation in...

Kanye West: A New Kind of Christian

Mar 11, 2016

Kanye West’s 7th album, The Life of Pablo (TLOP) was released a few weeks ago. On this album, Kanye gives his listeners a window into his life and thoughts. Furthermore, I believe this album gives us a picture of a particular type of Christianity that characterizes our american society. The Atlantic’s review of the album is spot on with its analysis of the individual tracks as it details Kanye’s struggle between family life and the...

My New Article in the Scottish Journal of Theology

Jan 13, 2015

I’m excited that my article, “Suffering and Covenantal Hope in Galatians: A Critique of the ‘Apocalyptic Reading’ and Its Proponents,” is finally in print, appearing in the newest issue of the Scottish Journal of Theology (68.1 [2015]: 1–15). The paper was originally presented in the Paul Group at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the British New Testament Conference which took place at King’s College, London in September 2012. Below is the abstract: This article addresses...

Most Influential Commentaries on Galatians (Top 5)

Jun 17, 2014

A little over a year ago I wrote a post about the Top Galatians Commentaries. For that list I chose the 5 best in terms of teaching the text the closest to how I think it should be understood. I still stand by those 5—although with the recent addition of Doug Moo’s commentary I think I’d probably change the list slightly (and you can read my review of his commentary over at Themelios)—but every time...

Call for Pauline Thought Contributors for Ancientthought.org

Feb 10, 2014

I’ve been asked to be one of the editors of a newish website (ancientthought.org) focusing on Early Christianity and Philosophy. We have some great contributions by people well established in their field as well as some up and coming scholars. Right now I am looking for people willing to write short articles (1,55-2,000 words) on Pauline related topics. If you would fancy having a go (a very English phrase) at this feel free to contact...