T. Desmond Alexander's New Book on Biblical Theology

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s2smodern



I have recently purchased T. Desmond Alexander's From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical Theology (Kregel, 2008).  Originally published in the U.K. with IVP-UK, it is now available in the U.S.  Alexander has written a number of works in biblical theology, and in particular was one of the editors for IVP's New Dictionary of Biblical Theology.  His From Eden to the New Jerusalem promises to be a very helpful entry into the exciting world of biblical theology.  Alexander starts with Revelation 20-22, where John writes about a "new heaven and a new earth," the "holy city," the new Jerusalem.  There is no temple at this point (21:22), for "its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb."  Then Alexander goes back to Genesis--the garden--and begins to unfold his own understanding of the overarching story line of the Bible.  I look forward to finishing it, and am considering using it in my Biblical Theology course at Union.  At around 200 pages it look like it might function as a perfect introduction to thinking about "whole Bible" theology. 

Christians and Health Care Revisited

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s2smodern

It is a joy to see a former student—Laura Rector—thriving and doing doctoral work. She has taken the opportunity to respond to a former professor (me) in print (on 11/08/09, to my 10/25/09 Sun piece on health care). It is all the more interesting because her current mentor (Dr. Glen Stassen) was my professor in Christian Ethics twenty years ago at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. A small world.
(Note:  it appears that my original piece and Ms. Rector's has "timed out" and is no longer on the Jackson Sun web page).


I was not sure whether to write a response. But given the nature of Ms. Rector’s response, and how her response entails a bit of a caricature and misrepresentation of my piece, I thought I would post this response.

Read more: Christians and Health Care Revisited

Doug Bond's "Crown and Covenant" Series

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s2smodern


If you are looking for a great series of books to read to your children, Douglas Bond's Crown and Covenant series (Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing) is wonderful.  The trilogy traces the story of the M'Kethe family in Scotland during the 17th century, when many Protestants experienced brutal oppression from the governing authorities.  These stories are well-told, grounded in history, and wrestle with questions of citizenship, when to obey civil authority and when not to, when is force necessary, etc.  The three books (in order) are: Duncan's War, King's Arrow, and Rebel's Keep.  We are now eager to move on to Bond's "Faith and Freedom" series, which appears to pick up the M'Kethe family in the colonies.  Recommended highly!

Tom Oden's "Agenda for Theology: After Modernity . . . What?"

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s2smodern



For all of my students past and present, I would recommend Tom Oden's book, Agenda for Theology: After Modernity . . . What? (Zondervan, 1990)Tom Oden--in his own words--was for many years a "movement theologian."  He embraced whatever fad was in vogue (feminism, marxism, freudianism, etc.).  Then, over time he began to read Evangelical theology as well as the Church Fathers.  Slowly Oden made the trek back to orthodoxy.  In God's good providence I discovered this book while a student at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky (some 20 years ago).  Reading Oden's Agenda for Theology was like drinking cold water during a drought.  I knew I would never be the same.  It was one of the most meaningfuly reads of my time in Louisville.  I made it a goal to meet Tom Oden--and did.  If you are or were my student, please read this book.  If you are thinking of pursuing graduate work in theology, or are doing so: read this book.