NT Position at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

My alma mater, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, is advertising for a faculty opening in New Testament.

According to the announcement, "The candidate for this position must have a demonstrated capacity for rigorous academic scholarship, exemplary classroom leadership, a foundational commitment to the local church and an abiding sense of personal holiness as demonstrated through the practice of Christian disciplines." In addition, "The person seeking this position must demonstrate a competence in classroom teaching. Ability to supervise masters level theses is also a requirement. The precise courses would be chosen to reflect the particular research and experience strengths of the professor, but the expectation is that the professor will be able to teach basic and intermediate Greek, exegetical method, Jewish and/or Greco-Roman backgrounds, and Greek exegesis (a variety of NT books). Specialization in Gospel literature preferable. Additionally, teaching experience or capability in one or more of the following areas would be desirable: New Testament Theology, Biblical Theology, or New Testament Ethics."

Closing date for the application is November 15, 2008.

For further information, please click here.

Should I apply?? Whack.....Dream on, Kar Yong!

Review of Biblical Literature Oct 3, 2008

Here are the new reviews that have been added to the Review of Biblical Literature. Of particular interest is the Global Bible Commentary edited by Daniel Patte. The other is the commentary on Matthew by Ben Withierington. With the large number of books he published, I wonder how he would find the time to do so. Any wise words for the budding NT scholar?

Andrew Bernhard
Other Early Christian Gospels: A Critical Edition of the Surviving Greek Manuscripts
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6346
Reviewed by Christopher Tuckett

Augusto Cosentino
Il battesimo gnostico: Dottrine, simboli e riti iniziatici nello gnosticismo
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6339
Reviewed by Birger A. Pearson

Katharine J. Dell
The Book of Proverbs in Social and Theological Context
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5595
Reviewed by Dorothy Akoto

Karin Finsterbusch, Armin Lange, and K.F. Diethard Römheld, eds.
Human Sacrifice in Jewish and Christian Tradition
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5822
Reviewed by James W. WattsJoel B. Green1 Peter
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6348
Reviewed by Paul J. Achtemeier

John Paul Hozvicka
A Primer on Biblical Studies
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6088
Reviewed by John Vassar

Steven L. McKenzie and John Kaltner
The Old Testament: Its Background, Growth, and Content
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6198
Reviewed by Francis Dalrymple-Hamilton

Daniel Patte, ed.
Global Bible Commentary
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6489
Reviewed by Alexander Negrov

Finny Philip
The Origins of Pauline Pneumatology: The Eschatological Bestowal of the Spirit upon Gentiles in Judaism and in the Early Development of Paul's Theology
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6028
Reviewed by Justin K. Hardin

Aicha Rahmouni; J. N. Ford, trans.
Divine Epithets in the Ugaritic Alphabetic Texts
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6322
Reviewed by James R. Getz Jr.

Varda Sussman
Oil-Lamps in the Holy Land: Saucer Lamps: From the Beginning to the Hellenistic Period: Collections of the Israel Antiquities Authority
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6340
Reviewed by Noam Adler

Ben Witherington III
Matthew
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5436
Reviewed by David C. Sim

NT/Early Christianity Position: Ursinus College

The announcement for NT/Early Christianity Position at Ursinus College is reporduced below.

Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, New Testament / Early Christianity



Ursinus College invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor position in religious studies to begin in fall 2009. Area of specialization: New Testament studies, Early Christian studies. Desirable subspecialties: feminist and postcolonial theory, religions of the Mediterranean/Greco-Roman world, Hebrew Bible, and/or Second Temple/Rabbinic Judaism.

A Ph.D. in religious studies or equivalent is required by the start of employment. Teaching responsibilities will include introductory courses in religious studies, courses in the candidate's area of expertise, and an interdisciplinary liberal studies seminar for first-year students. The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching in a liberal arts setting and should be comfortable teaching teaching a wide range of subject material. He or she will also mentor student research, carry out a continuing program of scholarly activity, and help develop the College's religious studies and relevant interdisciplinary programs.

Send letter, curriculum vitae, transcripts, documentation of teaching, and three letters of recommendation (at least one of which should address teaching) to

Nathan Rein,
Dept. of Philosophy and Religious Studies,
Ursinus College,
P.O. Box 1000,
Collegeville, PA 19426.


Applications should be received by Nov. 10, 2008 to ensure full consideration; the search committee plans to hold preliminary interviews at the Society for Biblical Literature meeting in Boston.

For more information, please contact Prof. Rein at nrein at ursinus dot edu (no email applications, please) or 610-409-3000×2571.

Ursinus College, established in 1869, is a highly selective, independent, co-educational, residential liberal arts college of 1600 students located 25 miles northwest of center city Philadelphia. Ursinus College is an EEO/AA employer. In keeping with the College’s historic commitment to equality, men and women, and members of all racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.

Cleaner Earns More!

I have been looking for a cleaner for my house for some time now, just to help out my parents with some cleaning chores. It's been rather difficult to find one, and the average going rate is about RM50-60 for a 3-4hour session. That started me to do some basic calculations. If a cleaner can do 2-3 sessions a day, and works 6 days a week, just imagine how much the potential take home pay can be.

This is a real revelation to me. Imagine a cleaner can earn so much more than a lecturer with a PhD teaching in a seminary!

I wonder whether I am in a wrong profession. Perhaps I should set up LKY Cleaning Services - be my own boss. No, call it Kairos Cleaning Services - timely service with a smile!

The benefits are quite obvious:

• higher income
• I could just focus on homes in my neighbourhood - that would mean I can cut down on travelling, tolls, and petrol. Suddenly my real income increases by another RM500.
• I can sell my car - and save on road tax, insurance and the hire purchase that I currently service. Another RM550 monthly contribution to my real income.
• more physical activities - that means burning more calories, a sure way to shed the unwanted pounds in my body.
• oh yes - there are quite a number of expats living in my neighbourhood - perhaps I can just focus on these households - they might just want an English speaking cleaner, and perhaps I can charge a premium for my services
• no need to prepare for lectures
• no more marking papers and pulling out my hairs
• no more complaints from my students about my standards being too "high" and "unachievable" that in turn cause them nightmares
• and the list goes on

Not a bad idea, ah.....Whack...wake up...wake up...It's just a dream...a wishful dream....nevertheless a dream worth serious consideration...whack again...wake up...wake up...

2009 SBL International Meeting Call for Papers

It seems like it's not too long ago I was at the 2008 SBL International Meeting in Auckland, presenting my paper (that's July). Now, the 2009 SBL International Meeting call for papers is already in place.


Next year, the International Meeting will be held in Rome. I have a couple of papers I would like to submit, where I would like to continue developing some Asian (or more particular, Malaysian) reading of the Pauline corpus. But at this stage, I am very uncertain whether I will even make it to Rome. It is going to be a very costly conference to attend!


Hopefully, I won't be like St Paul, arriving Rome in chains...

Themelios September 2008 Issue Now Available

The latest issue of Themelios, Volume 33, No 2, September 2008, is now published. Themelios, now operated by the Gospel Coalition, is published as a FREE digital journal beginning 2008. The contents of previous issues are archived online, but only a limited full-text articles are available.

Click here to view the journal online.

NT Wright at Gordon Conwell

NT Wright will be speaking at my alma mater, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary on November 18, 2008.

Bishop NT Wright is the invited guest speaker at the Fall Pastor's Forum on the topic of Between God and the World: Reading John in Tomorrow's Church

According to Gordon-Conwell's website, "John’s Gospel is both majestic and intimate, a book for pastors, theologians, evangelists and - not least - those concerned to relate the gospel to tomorrow’s world of culture, society and politics. This seminar will offer a refresher course in understanding John and thinking through its powerful message for the church and world - and for ourselves!"

Specific topics that Bishop Wright will address include...

(1) The Word and the World

(2) Sings of Glory, Seeds of Hope

(3) The Shepherd King and His Helpers

(4) The Spirit and the Church's Mission

For further information, please click here.

If I am able to attend SBL Annual Conference in Boston, I would not have missed NT Wright's session at Gordon-Conwell. But...it's just a wish to attend SBL....just a dream...

NT Position: Regent University

NT Position available at Regent University. The announcement is reporduced below.

Regent University’s School of Divinity invites applications and nominations for a tenure-track faculty appointment at the rank of assistant or associate professor.

The appointment involves responsibility for teaching and research in various aspects of New Testament studies.

Interest in and aptitude for teaching biblical languages and hermeneutics are also desirable.

A PhD and an aptitude, as a teacher, to become proficient in multiple forms of delivery are required. University or seminary level teaching experience in a relevant field is desirable. In addition to teaching and professional research, the position entails advising students and participating in committee work. The successful candidate must also demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the Renewal (Pentecostal/Charismatic) perspective in Christianity. Ministerial credentials are preferred.

Applicants should send a letter of interest, transcripts, curriculum vita, and a brief statement of their Christian experience and philosophy of education in relation to ministry. In addition, letters of support from three referees should be sent to the postal address. NOTE: Letters of support should come directly from the referees, not from the applicant.

New Testament Studies Search Committee

c/o Paula Finch

Office of the Dean

School of Divinity

Regent University

1000 Regent University Drive

Virginia Beach,

VA 23464

Applications can be submitted online here.

Curriculum vita or resume can be submitted electronically in PDF or Microsoft Word format to Paula Finch at pfinch@regent.edu.

Priority will be given to applications received by January 15, 2009.

Regent University is a culturally diverse community that actively encourages women and members of all racial/ethnic backgrounds and cultures to apply. More information regarding Regent University can be found at www.regent.edu. Applicants will receive consideration without discrimination because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

500th Post

Wow....I hit my 500th post!

Didn't know I can have so much to talk and write....(well, it's really nonsense some of the time...).

Thanks to all for your support and continuous reading of my blog.

Pastoral Group 2008

To all my pastoral group members, I wish you all the best for your final exams. For those who will be graduating in the next few weeks, I wish you the Almighty's abundant blessings as you prepare yourselves to serve the church.