Symbols in My Office: They Speak more than 1000 Words?

They say symbols can be rather powerful, and they speak loudly. So I thought I would just take photos of some of the symbols and momentos found in my office. Some are rather meaningful, and they mark significant milestones in my spiritual journey. Some are just for fun. I won't say more. It's up to you to interpret. So, put your exegetical method into practice. After all, is there such thing called authorial intent? Just for fun!

NT Position: Sacred Heart School of Theology

Note the following position available:

FULL-TIME FACULTY POSITION IN NEW TESTAMENT AT SACRED HEART SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Beginning in Fall Semester of August 2010 - decision on candidate to be made in April 2010.

Sacred Heart School of Theology invites applications for a full-time permanent position in New Testament. The starting date is Fall 2010.

Ph.D., S.S.D. or S.T.D. in Scripture and successful teaching experience preferred. Ability to teach some Hebrew Scripture as well as Greek preferred. Fluency in diverse contemporary hermeneutics and concern for Hispanic presence in US Church will weigh heavily.

Sacred Heart, in metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the largest Roman Catholic seminary specializing in priestly formation of men over 30 years of age. Applicants must support the seminary’s mission.

Send cover letter, curriculum vitae, three letters of reference, and evidence of successful teaching by March 29, 2010 to

Rev. Raúl Gómez-Ruiz, SDS, PhD,
Vice President for Academic Affairs,
Sacred Heart School of Theology,
PO Box 429,
Hales Corners WI 53130-0429
or to rgomez@shst.edu.

Please, Can You Pass My Paper Based On ...?

It has been almost 10 years already since I started teaching in several seminaries in Malaysia (both as an adjunct and full time lecturer). One of the things I did over the years is to compile the requests forwarded by the students in asking (or, perhaps, pleading with) me to pass their term papers or exams. I must say the students did attempt to give some pretty "creative" reasons in hoping that I would grant their requests. Here are some of them (I have paraphrased some of them but the essence of the request remains the same):

• "I really fasted and prayed in writing this paper. So I guess I should be given a decent grade."

• "My age is catching up - based on compassionate ground, can you please pass my exams?"

• "I come from engineering background and I am used to writing technical reports in mathematical equations. Therefore I can't write a theological paper where there is no equation. So can you please pass me?"


• "Can you pass me in the exam? I know I did badly - but I need to pass your course so I could graduate."


• "I travelled overseas to use the theological library of xxx college - so if you don't pass me, there is nothing else I could do. I have tried my best in consulting the best library in the region."


• "I don't have time to go to the seminary library. This is because I am a leader in the church, and I am busy serving the Lord. So can you be a little bit easy on your grading?"


• "As a pastor for many years, I am writing this paper based on my experience. I don't think I need to consult the academic books."

The list could go on. If you are in my shoes, what would you have done to these requests above?

Review of Biblical Literature March 25, 2010

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


Kenneth E. Bailey
The Cross and the Prodigal: Luke 15 through the Eyes of Middle Eastern Peasants
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5098
Reviewed by Robert O'Toole

Craig G. Bartholomew
Ecclesiastes
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7240
Reviewed by Richard Schultz

Manfred T. Brauch
Abusing Scripture: The Consequences of Misreading the Bible
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7160
Reviewed by Michael D. Matlock

Brendan Byrne
A Costly Freedom: A Theological Reading of Mark's Gospel
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6722
Reviewed by Sean Kealy

Duane L. Christensen
Nahum: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7296
Reviewed by Klaas Spronk

Sarah Coakley and Charles M. Stang, eds.
Re-thinking Dionysius the Areopagite
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7361Editor(s):
Reviewed by Ilaria L. E. Ramelli

Gary N. Knoppers and Kenneth A. Ristau, eds.
Community Identity in Judean Historiography: Biblical and Comparative Perspectives
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7249
Reviewed by Rainer Kessler

R. W. L. Moberly
The Theology of the Book of Genesis
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7215
Reviewed by Brian D. Russell

Stanley E. Porter and Mark J. Boda, eds.
Translating the New Testament: Text, Translation, Theology
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7310
Reviewed by Douglas Moo

John M. Steele, ed.
Calendars and Years: Astronomy and Time in the Ancient Near East
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6789
Reviewed by Mladen Popovic

Special Offer: Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, 5 Volumes

The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible that was published in 1975 has now been completely revised and updated. ChristianBook.com now offers the revised Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, 5 volumes, at a very special discounted price of US$99.99 (before shipping), a whopping 64% discount from the retail price of US$279.99 that saves you US$180.00. This special offer is only valid from now till 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Monday, 29 March.

Don't miss this offer if you are looking for a solid Bible dictionary that you could use for years to come.

Watch the promotional video below:

Here is the product description:
One of the most reliable Bible encyclopedias has been thoroughly revised and extensively expanded! Backed by current archaeological research, this comprehensive edition features over 7,500 thorough, updated, alphabetically arranged articles ranging across the spectrum of biblical studies, including historical, literary, and theological topics; in-depth introductions to each book of the Bible; hundreds of color and black-and-white photographs, illustrations, charts, graphs, and maps; pronunciation guides for all biblical names; current bibliographies for further reading; and thousands of cross-references. Diverse viewpoints from 250 international scholars provide well-rounded perspectives on significant issues relating to doctrines, themes, and biblical interpretation. A must-have resource for pastors, teachers, students, and anybody seeking to dig deeper into God's Word. Approx. 5000 pages total, five slipcased hardcovers.

Click here for sample pages of the Encyclopedia.

Another MTh Graduate

This morning, I had the privilege of chairing Sivin Kit's oral defence for his Master of Theology thesis on "A Trinitarian Public Theology: Malaysian Churches and Civil Society." Both the examiners, the Rt Rev Dr Solomon Rajah, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia, and Joseph Komar passed Sivin's thesis with minor corrections.

Congratulations, Sivin. We are very proud of you. We wish you all the best for your application for your doctoral studies.

Review of Biblical Literature March 19, 2010

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


Elizabeth Boase
The Fulfilment of Doom? The Dialogic Interaction between the Book of Lamentations and the Pre-exilic/Early Exilic Prophetic Literature
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5481
Reviewed by Charles Miller

Jo Carruthers
Esther through the Centuries
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6424
Reviewed by Linda Day
Reviewed by Timothy Laniak

Mark K. George
Israel's Tabernacle as Social Space
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7233
Reviewed by Gert Prinsloo

Joel B. Green
Body, Soul, and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7039
Reviewed by Robin Gallaher Branch

Peter J. Leithart
Deep Exegesis: The Mystery of Reading Scripture
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7256
Reviewed by Matthew Gordley

Bruce J. Malina
Timothy: Paul's Closest Associate
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6387
Reviewed by Mark Batluck

Scot McKnight and Joseph B. Modica, eds.
Who Do My Opponents Say That I Am? An Investigation of the Accusations against Jesus
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6663
Reviewed by M. Robert Mulholland

John Oswalt
The Bible among the Myths: Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature?
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7263
Reviewed by Claude Mariottini

Tessa Rajak
Translation and Survival: The Greek Bible and the Ancient Jewish Diaspora
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7212
Reviewed by Christopher Beetham

Lesleigh Cushing Stahlberg
Sustaining Fictions: Intertextuality, Midrash, Translation, and the Literary Afterlife of the Bible
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6953
Reviewed by Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer

Tom Thatcher
Greater than Caesar: Christology and Empire in the Fourth Gospel
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7195
Reviewed by Adam Winn

NT Position: Asbury Seminary

The following announcement highlights a NT faculty position at Asbury:


ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY announces a faculty position in New Testament, on its Wilmore Campus, commencing July 2011.

Asbury Theological Seminary is a confessional seminary in the Wesleyan tradition, and enthusiastic agreement with the Seminary’s confessional and ethos statements is essential. The initial appointment is for three years, renewable, tenure-track. Rank is open. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to applicants with considerable teaching experience and a strong publishing record.

Consonant with the Seminary’s commitment to distance learning, the person hired in this position will be expected to offer at least one course per year in the Extended Learning Program. Candidates must have completed the Ph.D. or comparable degree in New Testament.

Nominations, applications (letter, CV, and three letters of reference), or questions may be addressed to

Dr. David R. Bauer,
Dean, School of Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation,
Asbury Theological Seminary,
204 N. Lexington Avenue,
Wilmore,
KY 40390-1199.

Deadline for applications: 12:00am, September 19, 2010.

My Office Rejuvenated?

Someone has asked me why I moved the furniture in my office so that my desk now faces the wall. Two reasons: First, it is to create more space for my office so as to accommodate the weekly pastoral group that meets here and also a very comfortable beanbag (don't ask me what I do with the beanbag).


Secondly, it is for me to enjoy the poster of the Codex Sinaiticus, the painting and the pergamano paper craft mounted on the wall. The Codex Sinaiticus is a constant reminder of why I learn biblical languages and my passion for the New Testament. It speaks of my vocation and my calling. The painting and the pergamano craft are tokens that speak of friends and loved ones that are close to my heart. Despite my busy schedule, I am always reminded to make space and time for them. Frienship and relationship can never replace work!

I hope my office also makes it a little bit more conducive for students and friends to drop by for a chat or cuppa. You are always welcome - the door is always open.

JSNT 32/3 Now Available

The March issue of the Journal for the Study of New Testament Vol 32.3 is now available. In this issue, there is an extensive review on the book, Seeking the Identity of Jesus, by Richard Hays and Robert Gaventa.

Guardians, not Taskmasters: The Cultural Resonances of Paul's Metaphor in Galatians 4.1-2
John K. Goodrich
Journal for the Study of the New Testament 2010;32 251-284
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/3/251?etoc


Immortal Glory and the Problem of Death in Romans 3.23
Ben C. Blackwell
Journal for the Study of the New Testament 2010;32 285-308
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/3/285?etoc


With Homi Bhabha at the Jerusalem City Gates: A Postcolonial Reading of the 'Triumphant' Entry (Mark 11.1-11)
Hans Leander
Journal for the Study of the New Testament 2010;32 309-335
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/3/309?etoc


Review Article: Seeking the Identity of Jesus
Richard Bauckham
Journal for the Study of the New Testament 2010;32 337-346
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/3/337?etoc


Review Article: Seeking the Identity of Jesus
John K. Riches
Journal for the Study of the New Testament 2010;32 347-362
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/3/347?etoc


Seeking the Identity of Jesus: A Rejoinder
Beverly Roberts Gaventa and Richard B. Hays

Journal for the Study of the New Testament 2010;32 363-370
http://jnt.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/3/363?etoc

Review of Biblical Literature March 10, 2010

The following new reviews have been added to the Review of Biblical Literature and listed on the RBL blog (http://rblnewsletter.blogspot.com/):

Peter Brown
The Body and Society: Men, Women, and Sexual Renunciation in Early Christianity; Twentieth Anniversary Edition with a New Introduction
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6853
Reviewed by Richard Valantasis

Kate Cooper and Julia Hillner, eds.
Religion, Dynasty, and Patronage in Early Christian Rome, 300-900
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6522
Reviewed by Ilaria Ramelli

April D. DeConick
The Original Gospel of Thomas in Translation: With a Commentary and New English Translation of the Complete Gospel
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5655
Reviewed by Stephen Patterson

David A. deSilva
Seeing Things John's Way: The Rhetoric of the Book of Revelation
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7207
Reviewed by Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza

Terence L. Donaldson
Judaism and the Gentiles: Jewish Patterns of Universalism (to 135 CE)
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7258
Reviewed by Joshua Schwartz

Yonatan Kolatch
Masters of the Word: Traditional Jewish Bible Commentary from the Eleventh through the Thirteenth Centuries (vol. 2)
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6572
Reviewed by Günter Stemberger

Michael Philip Penn
Kissing Christians: Ritual and Community in the Late Ancient Church
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5116
Reviewed by Candida Moss

Stanley E. Porter, ed.
Paul: Jew, Greek, and Roman
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7328
Reviewed by Christoph Stenschke

Micah Ross, ed.
From the Banks of the Euphrates: Studies in Honor of Alice Louise Slotsky
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6741
Reviewed by Ralph K. Hawkins

Turid Karlsen Seim and Jorunn Økland, eds.
Metamorphoses: Resurrection, Body and Transformative Practices in Early Christianity
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7211
Reviewed by V. Henry Nguyen

Rivka Ulmer, ed.
Pesiqta Rabbati: A Synoptic Edition of Pesiqta Rabbati Based upon All Extant Manuscripts and the Editio Princeps
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7003
Reviewed by Peter Tomson

Jan de Waard, eds.
Biblia Hebraica Quinta: Proverbs
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7151
Reviewed by Francis Dalrymple-Hamilton

Magnus Zetterholm
Approaches to Paul: A Student's Guide to Recent Scholarship
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7196
Reviewed by Nijay Gupta

King's College: NT Position

The following announcement came through the BNTS E-list:

Lectureship in New Testament Studies with a Specialism in Second Temple Judaism
King's College London

King's College London seeks a Lecturer in New Testament Studies with a specialism in Second Temple Judaism to join a cutting-edge and highly motivated team in Biblical Studies with effect from 1 April 2011.

The successful candidate will research and teach New Testament Studies (especially in the area of Jesus and the Gospels) in its historical context within Second Temple Judaism. He or she will teach undergraduate courses in New Testament, especially in the area of Jesus and the Gospels, and areas of Second Temple Judaism such as the Dead Sea Scrolls. He or she will contribute to MA programmes in Biblical Studies and in Bible and Ministry, and will work in collaboration with colleagues to ensure that the Department attracts high quality students at both MA & PhD level and that the Department’s research output is of world-leading quality.

Candidates should have a PhD in New Testament Studies, Second Temple Judaism or early Christianity, with a research and publications record appropriate to the stage of their career. Experience of teaching the New Testament in its Second Temple context and of teaching aspects of Second Temple Judaism at both undergraduate and MA level is highly desirable, as well as supervision of postgraduate research, preferably at doctoral level.

The appointment will be made, dependent on relevant qualifications and experience, within the Grade 6 scale, currently £30,070 to £39,038 inclusive of London Allowance. Benefits include an annual season ticket loan scheme and a final salary superannuation scheme.

Informal enquiries should be made to the Revd Professor Richard Burridge on 0207 848 2333 or email richard.burridge@kcl.ac.uk

Further details and application packs are available on the College’s website at www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs or alternatively by emailing Human Resources at jcmbjobs@kcl.ac.uk All correspondence should clearly state the relevant job title and reference number A6/AAT/061/10 – LA.

Closing date: 8th April 2010

Interviews are scheduled for 10th May 2010.

Equality of opportunity is College policy

Review of Biblical Literature March 6, 2010

The following reviews have been added to the Review of Biblical Literature on March 6, 2010

François Bovon
L'Evangile selon saint Luc 19,28-24,53
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7257
Reviewed by Richard I. Pervo

Robin Gallaher Branch
Jeroboam's Wife: The Enduring Contributions of the Old Testament's Lesser-Known Women
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7166
Reviewed by Wil Gafney

Jean-Marie van Cangh
Les sources Judaïques du nouveau testament: Recueil d'essais
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6693
Reviewed by Peter Tomson

Shawna Dolansky, ed.
Sacred History, Sacred Literature: Essays on Ancient Israel, the Bible, and Religion in Honor of R. E. Friedman on His Sixtieth Birthday
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6941
Reviewed by Bob Becking

Pamela Eisenbaum
Paul Was Not a Christian: The Original Message of a Misunderstood Apostle
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7327
Reviewed by Yung Suk Kim

Dirk Hartwig, Walter Homolka, Michael J. Marx, and Angelika Neuwirth, eds.
"Im vollen Licht der Geschichte": Die Wissenschaft des Judentums und die Anfänge der kritischen Koranforschung
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6632
Reviewed by Ernst Axel Knauf

Bernard M. Levinson
Legal Revision and Religious Renewal in Ancient Israel
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6786
Reviewed by Bruce Wells

Lee Martin McDonald
Forgotten Scriptures: The Selection and Rejection of Early Religious Writings
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7205
Reviewed by Francis Dalrymple-Hamilton

Paul Middleton, Angus Paddison, and Karen Wenell, eds.
Paul, Grace and Freedom: Essays in Honour of John K. Riches
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7199
Reviewed by Michael J. Lakey

Mogens Müller
The Expression 'Son of Man' and the Development of Christology: A History of Interpretation
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7145
Reviewed by Rollin Kearns

Eckart Otto
Die Tora: Studien zum Pentateuch: Gesammelte Schriften
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7226
Reviewed by Trent C. Butler

C. Kavin Rowe
World Upside Down: Reading Acts in the Graeco-Roman Age
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7214
Reviewed by V. Henry Nguyen

Karel van der Toorn
Scribal Culture and the Making of the Hebrew Bible
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6755
Reviewed by Richard Weis

Alexander Tsutserov
Glory, Grace, and Truth: Ratification of the Sinaitic Covenant according to the Gospel of John
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=7157
Reviewed by Christopher W. Skinner

MTh Seminar

STM held its inaugural Postgraduate Research Seminar for 2010 recently.

The primary purposes for establishing the postgraduate seminar are:
1) to create a platform for students to present aspects of their research to the wider community, and to receive feedback for their work;
2) to provide fellowship among postgraduate students so that there would be mutual support and encouragement; and
3) to interact with supervisors and faculty members for feedback and support.

During this seminar, two papers were presented. Rev Sivin Kit presented a paper on “Ecclesiological Issues Confronting Malaysian Churches after the Mar 8, 2008 12th General Elections” and Pastor Wong Yuk Soo read his paper on “Paul’s Command to Silence in 1 Cor 14:34-35."

The next Postgraduate seminar will be held on Friday, March 12, from 2.00-4.30pm at the conference room. All are welcome.

Snoopy writing A Book on Theology

One of our students heard that I am currently working on a book project on Paul's Use of Images in Corinthians and decided to send me the above comic strip by Charlie Brown to cheer me on. Many thanks!

Sacred Heart School of Theology: NT Position

FULL-TIME FACULTY POSITION IN NEW TESTAMENT.
Beginning in Fall Semester of August 2010 - decision on candidate to be made in April 2010.

Sacred Heart School of Theology invites applications for a full-time permanent position in New Testament. The starting date is Fall 2010. Ph.D., S.S.D. or S.T.D. in Scripture and successful teaching experience preferred. Ability to teach some Hebrew Scripture as well as Greek preferred. Fluency in diverse contemporary hermeneutics and concern for Hispanic presence in US Church will weigh heavily.

Sacred Heart, in metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the largest Roman Catholic seminary specializing in priestly formation of men over 30 years of age. Applicants must support the seminary’s mission.

Send cover letter, curriculum vitae, three letters of reference, and evidence of successful teaching by March 29, 2010 to

Rev. Raúl Gómez-Ruiz, SDS, PhD,
Vice President for Academic Affairs,
Sacred Heart School of Theology,
PO Box 429,
Hales Corners
WI 53130-0429
or to rgomez@shst.edu.

Biblical Studies Carnival LI

Check out the latest Biblical Studies Carnival LI. Pretting interesting stuff there. Find out what others are blogging about biblical studies recently.