End of Academic Year Lunch

We had a little lunch celebration at the end of our Introduction to the New Testament class. I wished I had a couple more weeks of classes to cover a few more areas that were left untouched in Pauline studies. Nevertheless, it has been a real joy teaching this bunch of first year students. I hope that they have learned something out of this class.

Hmm...I have never seen my students so focused in the class before...

Dr Tony Siew has shared some of his insights teaching Introduction to the New Testament at Trinity Theological College, Singapore. Like him, I suspect I have left my students confused at the end of the course as well.

Anyway, someone decided to gatecrash our lunch celebration and claimed allegiance to me, just for that particular day!

Starbucks and Sugar...

While hanging out with some friends a couple of weeks ago at Starbucks, I ordered a special press for myself. When my coffee was served, I was rather shocked to note the amount of sugar that accompanied my coffee. Boy, this is one sure way to get diabetes.

Review of Biblical Literature September 26, 2008

Here are the new reviews that have been added to the Review of Biblical Literature:

Craig D. Allert
A High View of Scripture? The Authority of the Bible and the Formation of the New Testament Canon
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6258
Reviewed by Garwood P.

R. Amidon
Philostorgius: Church
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6150
Reviewed by Alanna M. Nobbs

Stephen Bertman
Handbook to Life in Ancient Mesopotamia
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6305
Reviewed by Aren M. Maeir

Sebastian P. Brock
The Wisdom of St. Isaac of Nineveh
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6080
Reviewed by Lucas Van Rompay

Michael J. Gorman
Reading Paul
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6323
Reviewed by Stephen Finlan

Joseph H.
and the People of God: Reconfiguring Ethnic Identity
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6355
Reviewed by Vernon Robbins

Christophe Nihan
From Priestly Torah to Pentateuch: A Study in the Composition of the Book of Leviticus
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6341
Reviewed by Jeffrey Stackert

Barbara E. Reid
Taking up the Cross: New Testament Interpretations through Latina and Feminist Eyes
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6223
Reviewed by Mary J. Marshall

Bernard Renaud«Proche est ton Nom»: De la révélation à l'invocation du Nom de Dieu
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6104
Reviewed by Jean-Paul Michaud

Joseph B. Soloveitchik; David Shatz, Joel B. Wolowelsky, and Reuven Ziegler, eds.Abraham's Journey: Reflections on the Life of the Founding Patriarch
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6398
Reviewed by Dan W. Clanton Jr.

Latest Berita STM

The latest issue of Berita STM Vol 25 No 3 is now published. Click here to view the latest news, report and happening in the seminary.

Nordic Paul by T&T Clark

I have added another book that has just been released in August 2008 to my Amazon Wishlist. Can there be a South East Asian Paul or better still, Malaysian Paul to be written by Malaysian scholars attempting to wrestle with Paul's theology within the Malaysian context?

Aejmelaeus, Lars; Antti Mustakallio (eds)
Nordic Paul: Finnish Approaches to Pauline Theology

This book presents a challenging and thought-provoking scholarly discussion on Pauline theology by leading Pauline scholars. The majority of the essays are based on papers given in the 1st Finnish National Seminar on Paul held in the University of Helsinki in January 2007.

Contents
Preface - Lars Aejmelaeus (Professor of Biblical Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland) & Antti Mustakallio (Researcher, University of Helsinki, Finland)

Part I

1) Finnish Contributions to the Debate on Paul and the Law - Stephen Westerholm (Professor of Biblical Studies, McMaster University, Canada)

Part II
2) Torn Between Two Loyalties: Romans 9-11 and Paul's Conflicting Convictions - Heikki Raisanen (Professor Emeritus of New Testament Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland)

3) "Righteousness of God" - Once Again - Timo Laato (Associate Professor of New Testament, The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gothenburg, Sweden)

4) Stoic Law? A Fresh Approach on Paul and the Law - Niko Huttunen (University Lecturer in Biblical Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland)

5) Luther, Paul, and the Law: Lutheran Theology and the "New Perspective" - Risto Saarinen (Professor of Ecumenics, University of Helsinki, Finland)

Part III

6) "Christ is Weak in Paul": Anti-Pauline Opposition in Corinth - Lars Aejmelaeus (Professor of Biblical Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland)

7) Paul's Opponents in Philippians 3: Jews or Judaizers? - Nina Pehkonen (Researcher, University of Helsinki, Finland)

8) Two Letters to Philippians? - Jaakko Linko (Researcher, University of Helsinki, Finland)

9) 2 Thessalonians 2:2 and the Reception of Paul's Eschatology - Kenneth Liljestrom (Researcher, University of Helsinki, Finland)

Part IV

10) Fighting against Strawmen: Derhetorizing Historical Information in Paul - Lauri Thuren (Professor of Biblical Studies, University of Joensuu, Finland)

11) Towards a Comprehensive Analysis of Paul's Argumentation - Mika Hietanen (Lecturer in New Testament Studies Abo Akademi University, Finland)

12) The Very First Audiences of Paul's Letters: The Implications of End Greetings - Antti Mustakallio (Researcher, University of Helsinki, Finland).

Azusa Pacific University: NT Position Advertised

NT Positon at Azusa Paciic University has been advertised.

AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor position in New Testament in the undergraduate division of Religion & Philosophy, beginning in September 2009.

Terminal degree required; demonstrated abilities in effective classroom teaching and scholarly research preferred. Teaching responsibilities include eight undergraduate courses per academic year and student advising.

APU is an institution of higher education with a tradition of Wesleyan evangelical Christianity. Applications from underrepresented groups are encouraged. Interviews will be conducted in the Career Center of the SBL Annual Meeting.

Send letter of application and CV, including names and addresses of three current references to

Dr. Kathryn J. Smith / Religion & Philosophy Division / Azusa Pacific University / P.O. Box 7000 / Azusa, CA 91702-7000 / USA.

To learn more, please see our website at www.apu.edu. Applications accepted until position is filled.

NECF Responds again to MPs Crossing Over to Other Political Parties

The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) is responding, supposedly, to the statements given by Rev Wong Kim Kong in The Star on September 20 and to the reaction to Rev Wong's statements by Bob Teoh, also published in The Star on September 22. NECF's response, signed by her Chairman, is published in the letter to the editor section today (September 24).

Is this seen as "damage control"? Can NECF still remain non-partisan in light of the statements made by her Executive Advisor?

I choose to distance from NECF, yet once again.

------------------------------

THE National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) wishes to urge all Christians to pray for the nation in these challenging times, especially for wisdom and discernment for the leaders of this nation in dealing with the current political and economic uncertainties.

The hype which has been generated about the change of government on Sept 16 has given rise to much debate and airing of views on the propriety and morality of an MP crossing over from the political party under whose banner he or she was elected to join another political party or to remain independent of any political coalition.

One view is that using the backdoor to form the Government is not credible and an undignified way of creating government authority.

However, one can argue that Article 48(6) of the Federal Constitution (which provides that an MP who resigns is disqualified for a period of five years from standing for elections as MP) prevents an MP from resigning based on principles and continuing to fulfil his role as a representative of the people.

Therefore, the option the MP is left with is to cross over to another political party under which he or she believes he or she will be able to carry out the mandate of the people who have elected him or her into office.

Evaluation of the appropriateness of an MP’s decision to “cross over” could only be meaningfully made if all contextual matters are taken into consideration.

It may be worth noting in this regard that historically, cross over by MPs and State Assemblymen is not something new to this nation.

In a vibrant society, diverse and differing views are only to be expected as people will always speak and act according to their conscience, values and beliefs.

As an organisation, NECF is non-partisan. Notwithstanding the fluidity of the circumstances, the focus of NECF must remain on nation building and the well being of the people of Malaysia must remain the priority.

REV DR EU HONG SENG,
NECF Chairman.

Close One Eye Caricature?

I guess someone may just have that extra few minutes in hand, and has created this caricature about community life in the seminary - just for fun. It depicts some who complain against those who are seen courting after 11pm. Please don't take this caricature seriously.

Response to Rev Wong Kim Kong's Statement

In one of my earlier posts, I highlighted what Rev Wong Kim Kong of National Evangelical Christian Fellowship commented on the crossing over of MPs to another political party, as published in The Star on September 20, 2008. Sometimes, I wish that Rev Wong would exercise some restraint from making ill-informed press statements that would only place the Christian community in a rather negative light.

Bob Teoh has responded to Rev Wong in his letter to the editor published in The Star on September 22, 2008.

For another response, click here to read what SP Lim has to say.

Plagiarism Redefined?

According to Wikipedia, plagiarism is "the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work."

But I have been thinking of another situation. Let's say someone copies the wordings of an author in his/her work, but not the content, and argues that this does not constitute plagiarism.

Is there any ground for such an argument? Any thoughts?

Cartoon credit.

2009 Annual Seminar on the OT in the NT

I have just received the following announcement through the BNTS list.

The 2009 Annual Seminar for the Study of the Old Testament in the New Testament will take place at St Deiniol's Library, North Wales, from Fri-Sun, April 3-5th 2009.

Offers of full papers (45 mins) and short papers (30mins) are welcome.

Please send title and brief abstract to Prof Steve Moyise (s.moyise@chi.ac.uk).

The cost of the conference will be approximately £115 full board.

Christian Leader Comments on MPs Crossing Over

I normally do not post or comment on political developments in the nation in my blog. However, when a Christian leader makes a press statement that seems to affect the Christian community, I would make an exception.

The Star reports what Rev Wong Kim Kong has to say about MPs crossing over to another political party:

National Evangelical Christian Fellowship Malaysia executive adviser Reverend Wong Kim Kong said a person was elected by the voters on the platform of his or her party.
“Using the back door to form the government is not credible and is an undignified way of creating a governing authority.

“No doubt the personality and individual’s track record are important but voters are also choosing you based on what your party represents, its principles and manifesto,” said Rev Wong.

Should an MP no longer have faith in the party he represented, Rev Wong said the honourable thing to do would be to resign and seek a fresh mandate from the voters.

Do we really vote for the candidate or the party? Are political matters so simplistic?

For another perspective, see my colleague's post on "To cross over or not to cross over."

What If.....

I have been thinking about this for the past few weeks....

...what if when the prophet Nathan pointed out King David's sin, David remained defiant, maintaining that he did not do anything wrong, justifying that by having another wife was his lifestyle, and instead, challenged the prophet that if there was anything wrong, it was wrong in the eyes of those who accused him...would that have changed the history of Israel?

...what if when Paul was confronted by the Lord on the road to Damascus, and was questioned why he persecuted the Lord, Paul remained a recalcitrant by boldly resisting the charge, aggressively asserting that he had never persecuted anyone, and instead challenged the Lord that if there was any persecution, it was not carried out by him but it was simply the baseless accusation of the followers of the way...would that have changed the history of the church?

...what if I am confronted by a concerned brother concerning my sins and wrongdoings, I immediately redefine the meaning of sin, defend my actions by saying that they are not sinful because everyone is doing it, and that I have been doing it for years without being caught, then turn the tables around and accuse this brother who points out my error for exposing my shame...what would happen to the church, if I were the pastor or a leader?

Just wondering....

5 more Minutes!

I have been having late nights for the past few weeks, trying very hard to complete my manuscript. Now that it is done, this is exactly how I felt this morning, as beautifully captured by the cartoon below.



credit: http://www.reverendfun.com/

Mini Kar Yong

They called him Mini Kar Yong. It's not because we look alike. Neither are we related.

But when it comes to food, we do share some similar taste buds - for example, we only eat chicken breast, prefer western food and like salad. But there's where the similarity ends. There is no way I could devour food like Mini Kar Yong does, as the photos testify.


This is how Mini Kar Yong eats his Tai Pau - reminds me of the biology lessons in Sixth form.




There is no way I could finish the entire 1-litre ice-cream by myself



And I don't eat bones.... :-)

Breaking news: After publishing this post, I was later informed that Mini Kar Yong has been appointed the Food Chair of the seminary's 2009 Student body Exco. Am I not surprised? I believe he can do a very good job and we can look forward to better food in the canteen - perhaps grilled chicken breast served with salad without dressing, and complimented with homemade low fat, low sugar ice cream as dessert.

It Is Finished!!

Yes! It is finished!!

I have finally completed revising my thesis and have just sent it off to the publisher, T&T Clark. Hopefully it is accepted without further revision.

After reworking on my thesis, I managed to cut down approximately 30% of the content, strengthen some of my argument, update the bibliography and interact with some new works that have since been published when I submitted my thesis in March 2007.

According to the production schedule, if all goes well, the publication date will be around May 2009. It will be published under the Library of New Testament Studies monograph series.

I can now have some rest - but for a few hours only - as things are piling up in my office!

Review of Biblical Literature Sept 13, 2008

The following new reviews have been added to the Review of Biblical Literature:

Frederick E. Brenk
With Unperfumed Voice: Studies in Plutarch, in Greek Literature, Religion and Philosophy, and in the New Testament Background
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6275
Reviewed by Thomas J. Kraus

James H. Charlesworth, ed.
The Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls: The Second Princeton Symposium on Judaism and Christian Origins
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5896
Reviewed by Matthew Goff

Zeba A. Crook and Philip A. Harland, eds.
Identity and Interaction in the Ancient Mediterranean: Jews, Christians and Others: Essays in Honour of Stephen G. Wilson
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6363
Reviewed by Thomas W. Gillespie

Rodney J. Decker
Koine Greek Reader: Selections from the New Testament, Septuagint, and Early Christian Writers
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6213
Reviewed by Pierre Johan Jordaan

Simcha Fishbane
Deviancy in Early Rabbinic Literature: A Collection of Socio-Anthropological Essays
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6317
Reviewed by Mayer I. Gruber

Mark W. Hamilton, Thomas H. Olbricht, and Jeffrey Peterson, eds.
Renewing Tradition: Studies in Texts and Contexts in Honor of James W. Thompson
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5715
Reviewed by Nathan Guy

Renate Jost
Gender, Sexualität und Macht in der Anthropologie des Richterbuches
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6236
Reviewed by Trent Butler

Matthew Kraus
How Should Rabbinic Literature Be Read in the Modern World?
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6038
Reviewed by Joshua Schwartz

Larry J. Kreitzer
Hierapolis in the Heavens: Studies in the Letter to the Ephesians
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6426
Reviewed by Daniel Darko
Reviewed by Stephan Witetschek

Xabier Pikaza
Diccionario de la Biblia: Historia y Palabra
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5889
Reviewed by Daniel Bonilla-RiosRoger RyanJudges
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6359
Reviewed by Victor H. Matthews

Daniel L. Smith-Christopher
Jonah, Jesus, and Other Good Coyotes: Speaking Peace to Power in the Bible
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6081
Reviewed by Hector Avalos

Nili Wazana
All the Boundaries of the Land: The Promised Land in Biblical Thought in Light of the Ancient Near East [Hebrew]
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6388
Reviewed by Shalom E. Holtz

B. F. Westcott and F. J. A. Hort
The Greek New Testament with Dictionary
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6182
Reviewed by Allan J. McNicol

Books From NZ Arrive

Last week, I was naturally excited when I was informed that the six boxes of books that I shipped from New Zealand while attending SBL International Meeting have arrived. These books were donated by Dr Max Liddle to the seminary library. Max, who is now retired, served as a missionary to India and taught at Bible College of New Zealand (now Laidlaw College).

I can't wait for the library to catalogue these books, and hope to be able to pick up some duplicate copies at a discounted price (hint...hint...)

NT Position: Loyola University

Another New Testament position is available, and the announcement is reproduced below

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS announces an opening for a tenure-track position in New Testament beginning in fall, 2009 at the rank of Assistant Professor.

The successful candidate should possess scholarly expertise in the field of New Testament. Teaching competence in early Christianity is an asset. Completion of the Ph.D., teaching experience, and a record of research and publication are desirable. Teaching responsibilities on the undergraduate level, for general students as well as Religious Studies majors and minors, will include three courses each semester, including Introduction to New Testament.

Applications, curriculum vitae, transcripts, and three letters of reference should be sent to

Robert Gnuse,

chair, Religious Studies Department,

Loyola University,

6363 St. Charles Avenue,

New Orleans, LA 70118

by Dec. 1, 2008. rkgnuse@loyno.edu.

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Loyola is a Jesuit Catholic university with an ecumenically diverse Religious Studies faculty.

Sermon in the Air

I once joked about my dream of the possibility where I could be lowered down from above the sanctuary in my church when it was time for me to begin my sermon. This would naturally create an impact on the congregation (well, whether it is positive or negative, I'll leave it to the congregation to decide...)...but having seen the cartoon above, I now have second thoughts.

Credit: reverendfun.com

Review of Biblical Literature Aug 27 & Sept 5

Here are the latest from the Review of Biblical Literature:

Michael F. Bird
The Saving Righteousness of God: Studies on Paul, Justification and the New Perspective
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6245
Reviewed by Martin Meiser

William P. Brown, ed.
Engaging Biblical Authority: Perspectives on the Bible as Scripture
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6118
Reviewed by Craig L. Blomberg

Reta Halteman Finger
Of Widows and Meals: Communal Meals in the Book of
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6181
Reviewed by Steve Walton

Ronald E. Heine
Reading the Old Testament with the Ancient Church: Exploring the Formation of Early Christian Thought
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6283
Reviewed by Martin C. Albl

Alastair Hunter
Wisdom Literature
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6234
Reviewed by Jurie le Roux

Joel S. Kaminsky
Yet I Loved Jacob: Reclaiming the Biblical Concept of
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6201
Reviewed by B. J. Oropeza

James A. Metzger
Consumption and Wealth in Luke's Travel Narrative
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6160
Reviewed by Kenneth Litwak

Mareike Rake
Juda wird aufsteigen!": Untersuchungen zum ersten Kapitel des Richterbuches
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5685
Reviewed by Klaas Spronk

Ruth Anne Reese
2 Peter and Jude
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6349
Reviewed by Wilhelm Pratscher

David M. Scholer, ed.Social Distinctives of the Christians in the First Century: Pivotal Essays by E. A. Judge
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6185
Reviewed by Tsalampouni Ekaterini

Svensk Exegetisk
Årsbok: Psykologi och Exegetik
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6168
Reviewed by Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer

Stephen C. Barton, ed.
Idolatry: False Worship in the Bible, Early Judaism and Christianity
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6399
Reviewed by Thomas J. Kraus

Jon L. Berquist, ed.
Approaching Yehud: New Approaches to the Study of the Persian Period
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6175
Reviewed by Ernst Axel Knauf

Kent E. Brower and Andy Johnson, eds.
Holiness and Ecclesiology in the New Testament
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6347
Reviewed by James M. Howard

David B. Capes, Rodney Reeves, and E. Randolph Richards
Rediscovering Paul: An Introduction to His World, Letters, and Theology
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6287
by Rodrigo J. Morales

Paul M. Fullmer
Resurrection in Mark's Literary-Historical Perspective
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6450
Reviewed by Pheme Perkins

John Alan Halloran, ed.
Sumerian Lexicon: A Dictionary Guide to the Ancient Sumerian Language
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5622
Reviewed by John

M. Humphrey, ed.
And I Turned to See the Voice: The Rhetoric of Vision in the New Testament
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6286
Reviewed by Bart J. Koet

David J. Lull
1 Corinthians
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6208
Reviewed by Anthony C. Thiselton

Steve Moyise and Maarten J. J. Menken, eds.
Deuteronomy in the New Testament: The New Testament and the Scriptures of Israel
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6343
Reviewed by Michael A.
by David Lincicum

Stanley E. Porter, ed.Paul and His Opponents
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5158
Reviewed by Justin K. Hardin

Dagmar Pruin
Geschichten und Geschichte: Isebel als literarische und historische Gestalt
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5973
Reviewed by Claudia D. Bergmann

Magnus Riska
The House of the Lord: A Study of the Temple Scroll Columns 29:3b-47:18
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6156
Reviewed by George J. Brooke

Norman Solomon, Richard Harries, and Tim Winter, eds.
Abraham's Children: Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Conversation
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5479
Reviewed by Joel N. Lohr

K. Lawson Younger Jr., ed.
Ugarit at Seventy-Five
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6373
Reviewed by Aren M. Maeir

As It Is Written: SBL New Publication

Society of Biblical Literature announces a new publication, As It Is Written: Studying Paul's Use of Scripture, edited by Stanley E. Porter, Christopher D. Stanley.

The description of this book as provided by the publisher is as follows:

"All scholars recognize that Scripture plays a vital role in the theology and rhetoric of the apostle Paul. They disagree, however, about how best to make sense of the many marked and unmarked references to Scripture that permeate his letters. This book aims to move the discussion forward by examining the reasons behind these scholarly differences. The essays are united by a concern to show how scholarly opinions concerning Paul’s use of Scripture have been influenced by the application of divergent methods and conflicting presuppositions regarding Paul, his audiences, and the role of biblical references in his letters. The book also seeks to extend the boundaries of the discussion by applying the insights of deconstruction, postcolonial theory, and feminist criticism to the study of Paul’s use of Scripture. Together these essays show what can be accomplished when scholars take the time to discuss their differences and try out new approaches to old problems."

The contributors include Douglas A. Campbell, Roy Ciampa, Steven DiMattei, Kathy Ehrensperger, Neil Elliott, Bruce N. Fisk, Mark D. Given, Steve Moyise, Stanley E. Porter, Jeremy Punt, and Christopher D. Stanley.

Caricatures of Theological Paraphrases of John 1.1

JW has been rather productive in his blogging activities of late. Of his several posts today, I find his Caricatures of Theological Paraphrases of John 1.1 to be extremely interesting. As usual, when I read entry such as this, I could not help but to make some further contribution by adding on a few more entries to his list:

Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος,

καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν,

καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος.

E. P. Sanders: In the beginning was covenantal nomism. And covenantal nomism was with St Paul's thought. And covenantal nomism was St Paul's thought.

James Dunn: In the beginning was the new perspective. And the new perspective was with St Paul's thought. And the new perspective was St Paul's thought.

Seyoon Kim: In the beginning was conversion. And conversion was with St Paul's thought. And conversion was St Paul's thought.

Ralph Martin: In the beginning was reconciliation. And reconciliation was with the centre of St Paul's theology. And reconciliation was the centre of St Paul's theology.

Lim Kar Yong: In the beginning was confusion. And confusion was with St Paul's interpreters. And confusion was St Paul's interpreters.

Larry Hurtado: In the beginning was the devotion. And the devotion was with Lord Jesus Christ. And the devotion was Lord Jesus Christ.

James Dunn: In the beginning was being remembered. And being remembered was with Jesus. And being remembered was Jesus.

N. T. Wright: In the beginning was 5 volumes of Christian Origins and the Question of God. And the 5 volumes were with him. And no, not 5, but 6 volumes will be him!!

Evolution of A Worshipper

I guess most of us in our faith journey would be able to identify with this cartoon. It does capture where I have come from, where I am at the moment, and perhaps where I will be, prophetically?

Guess where I am now...

Credit: cartoonchurch.com

JB Wesley Methodist Camp and My 10th Anniversary

Last weekend, I was away in Desaru speaking at the Johor Bahru Wesley Methodist Camp. It was a great weekend away for several reasons:

• It was our nation's 51st Independence Day;


• It was my first visit to Desaru after 15 years;


• It was a time for me to remember the spiritual renewal that took place in my journey of faith exactly 20 years ago as an undergraduate studying in Johor; and more importantly for me,


• It was my 10th anniversary where I traded my promising real estate career with an exciting journey of entering seminary, and thereafter serving in full time Christian vocation.

Hence this trip down to Johor was very nostalgic for me.

I had some time off in the afternoon of August 31 where I explored the resort, walked the beach and spent a moment of quiet reflection on my journey for the last 10 years in serving the Lord. It has been a great 10 years that were full of moments of unspeakable joy; exciting discovery; unexpected outcomes where faith was tested; disappointment and frustrations; and tears and abandonment - and through these moments, I have come to experience the faithfulness of God in my life and ministry.

Here's looking forward to the next 10 years, or, 20 years in the ministry of the Lord (if I can live that long...)

NT Position: Baylor University

There seems to be plenty of NT positions available in recent months. Here is another one!

Baylor University

Open Rank Professor of New Testament

The Department of Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences seeks a dynamic scholar to fill this position beginning August, 2009.

For position details and application information please visit: http://www.baylor.edu.religion/. For job description, please click here.

Baylor, the world’s largest Baptist university, holds a Carnegie classification as a “high-research” institution. Baylor’s mission is to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community. Baylor is actively recruiting new faculty with a strong commitment to the classroom and an equally strong commitment to discovering new knowledge as Baylor aspires to become a top tier research university while reaffirming and deepening its distinctive Christian mission as described in Baylor 2012 (http://www.baylor.edu/vision/).

To learn more about the above position, the Religion Department, the College of Arts and Sciences, and Baylor University, please visit: www.baylor.edu/religion; or http://www.baylor.edu/.

Baylor is a Baptist university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. As an AA/EEO employer, Baylor encourages minorities, women, veterans, & persons with disabilities to apply.

A Productive Reading Week?

I am a bit late in posting this. During the seminary's reading week, I devoured quite a number of recently published books, partly because I needed to engage those works for the book that I am currently working on. Well, it sure looks like a rather productive reading week for me.

Calvin's Portrait of LKY

Recently, I did a series of 5 bible study lessons on the Corinth that Paul Saw at Life Methodist Church where Pearlie worships (click here for her reflections of these sessions).

During one of the sessions, Calvin, Pearlie's artistic son, drew a portrait of me. Pretty good ah.

NT Position at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Yet another NT position available! I have reproduced the announcement below.

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago invites applications and nominations for a position in New Testament at the Associate or Full Professor rank. Expertise is sought in the Gospels or Pauline literature.

Send letters of application, C.V., and three letters of recommendation by November 1; send letters of nomination by October 15 to:

Prof. Barbara Rossing,

Chair, New Testament Search Committee,

C/O the Dean’s Office,

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago,

1100 East 55th Street,

Chicago, IL 60615

or

email: brossing@lstc.edu

Back from JB

I am back from Johor Bahru in one piece! And I survived the camp.

It was good to visit Desaru once again, as my last visit there was some 15 years ago.

I will post some photos later this week.