Baker New Testament Studies Collection (14 Vols.)

The Justification of God, 2nd ed.: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23

• Author: John Piper
• 256 pages
• Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker | 1993

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"I find The Justification of God the most compelling and forceful exposition of Romans 9:1–23 that I have ever seen,” says Richard Muller of Calvin Theological Seminary. The Justification of God brings together the best scholarship on and exegesis of Romans 9.

Undergirded by the author’s belief that the sovereignty of God is too precious a part of our faith to dismiss or approach weak-kneed, this book explores the Greek text and Paul’s argument with singular deftness.

John Piper has been the Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, since 1980. He is a widely respected theologian and bestselling author. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, Piper attended Wheaton College where he majored in literature and minored in philosophy. He completed his Bachelor of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he studied under Dr. Daniel Fuller. Piper received his Doctorate in Theology from the University of Munich and taught biblical studies for six years at Bethel College. His preaching and teaching is featured daily on the radio program, Desiring God. His writings and sermons are available from Logos in the John Piper Collection (24 Vols.) and the John Piper Sermon Manuscript Library.

Written in an irenic spirit with a keen awareness and interaction with all significant scholarly studies on Romans 9. Theology aside, it is a work of scholarship in its own right and the best on Romans 9.
—G. K. Beale, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Piper leads one through complex exegetical issues, engaging important literature fairly, summarizing the arguments frequently, and stating his conclusions (and warrants) clearly.
—Leander Keck, Harvard University

Even for non-Calvinists Piper’s work is too carefully reasoned and stays too close to the text to be ignored.
—David Dunbar, Biblical Theological Seminary

A New Perspective on Jesus: What the Quest for the Historical Jesus Missed

• Author: James D. G. Dunn
• 136 pages
• Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker | 2005

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In A New Perspective on Jesus, renowned author James D. G. Dunn critiques the quest for the historical Jesus. He claims that the quest has been largely unsuccessful because it started from the wrong place, began with the wrong assumptions, and viewed the evidence from the wrong perspective.

Dunn's study offers three criticisms of questers' methods. First, Dunn contends that scholars have failed to see how the disciples' pre-Easter faith shaped the Gospel traditions. Second, he claims that a focus on literary transmission has led scholars to ignore the fact that the Gospel traditions arose in an oral culture, which shaped the way the stories of Jesus were told and passed on. Third, Dunn challenges scholars' preoccupation with finding what is distinctive about Jesus and rejecting portions of the tradition portraying Jesus as characteristically Jewish. Dunn concludes by rethinking accepted views of Synoptic relationships in light of the oral nature of the Jesus tradition.

This work offers a compelling critique of the presuppositions that inform much of contemporary Gospel study, and the alternatives Dunn proposes are sure to stimulate scholarly debate. It will interest students and scholars of the Bible, pastors and church leaders, and anyone wanting a fresh perspective on Jesus studies.

James D. G. Dunn (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is Emeritus Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at the University of Durham. He is the author of numerous books, including The Theology of Paul the Apostle, Jesus Remembered, the commentary on Romans in the Word Biblical Commentary, the commentary on Colossians and Philemon in the New International Greek Testament Commentary, and the commentary on Galatians in Black's New Testament Commentary.

Although this is a small book, the issues are large, and Dunn’s critique of so much that historians of Jesus still take for granted is salutary. He thoughtfully asks the hard questions, and his informed answers not only orient us in the right direction but outline further paths for research.
—Dale Allison, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

What Dunn did for Pauline studies, when he called for a ‘post-Sanders new perspective,’ he is now doing for historical Jesus studies. Dunn’s ‘new perspective’ on Jesus is post-tradition criticism and contends that the foundation of the Jesus traditions was shaped by faith. There never was a historical Jesus who could be understood apart from faith. This book summons the academy to the table and contends that it has been epistemologically irresponsible.
—Scot McKnight, North Park University

A New Perspective on Jesus takes a serious look at the Jesus tradition in its earliest form as oral tradition. The impact of faith, the nature of oral communication, and a focus on the ‘characteristic’ Jesus are affirmed in a context where faith is often undervalued, form and redaction criticism are said to rule, and the ‘dissimilar’ Jesus is treated as the authentic Jesus. This work brings needed balance to a study of Jesus that is often out of whack.
—Darrell Bock, author of Jesus According to Scripture

At last, here is an accessible book by a noted New Testament scholar who takes seriously, and thus builds a strong case for, the role of orality/aurality among the early followers of Jesus. In doing so, Dunn also builds a strong case for the essential reliability of the Gospel materials. I am glad to commend this book as an introduction to the study of Jesus and the Gospels.
—Gordon Fee, Regent College

The past twenty-five years have brought a Copernican revolution in our understanding of Jesus. We now know that Jesus was Jewish by cultural commitment as well as by birth, that his disciples conveyed this perspective in their teachings, and that his disciples taught by word of mouth—not in writing—during the earliest years of Christianity. In this accessible book, Dunn provides a lucid introduction to one of the intellectual pivots in the present generation of scholarship.
—Bruce Chilton, Bard College

Christian Beginnings and the Dead Sea Scrolls

• Editors: Craig A. Evans and John J. Collins
• 144 pages
• Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker | 2006

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The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered more than half a century ago, have proved to be the most important modern discovery related to biblical literature, Judaism of late antiquity, and nascent Christianity. The scrolls have made an important contribution to our understanding of the development of the text and canon of Scripture, including such issues as textual preservation and transmission. They have also contributed to our knowledge of doctrine, especially pertaining to law and eschatological expectations.

In this volume, six leading scholars—John Collins, Craig Evans, Martin Abegg, R. Glenn Wooden, Barry Smith, and Jonathan Wilson—examine some of the major issues that the Dead Sea Scrolls have raised for the study of early Christianity. Were first-century Jews expecting a messiah? Were other messiahs mentioned in the scrolls? Were key early Christian symbols also found in the Judaism of Qumran? Did the Jews of Jesus' day believe in salvation by works? In the Holy Spirit? How did the New Testament authors think about inspired interpretation? These cutting-edge articles explore the impact of the Scrolls on Christianity, delving deeper than most surveys on the Dead Sea Scrolls.

John J. Collins (Ph.D., Harvard University) is Holmes Professor of Old Testament Criticism and Interpretation at Yale Divinity School. He is also author of the commentary on Daniel in Hermeneia.

Craig A. Evans (Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University) is Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies at Acadia Divinity College. He is the editor of The Interpretation of Scripture in Early Judaism and Christianity: Studies in Language and Tradition in the Hermeneutics Collection (12 Vols.), co-editor of four volumes in the Sheffield Reader Collection (12 Vols.), and author of Word and Glory: On the Exegetical and Theological Background of John's Prologue in Library of NT Studies: JSNTS on the Gospels and Acts (16 Vols.).

To what extent have the Dead Sea Scrolls revolutionized scholars' comprehension of Christian origins? Authors have befogged a view of answers because they have rushed to print, and most of their conclusions are premature and absurd. Contributing to this volume, however, are scholars who can be trusted. Some of their insights reveal a paradigm shift in the understanding of early Judaism and early Christianity. These essays, often by luminaries in the field, are valuable and often exciting. Highly recommended.
—J. H. Charlesworth, George L. Collord Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, and editor and director of the Princeton Theological Seminary Dead Sea Scrolls Project

Out of the massive range of topics available from the Qumran and New Testament supermarkets, a very tasty six-course menu has been well chosen, ingredients finely blended, spices added at appropriate points, and all served up with Acadian quality, the whole very satisfactorily rounded off by a John Collins special liqueur—very appetizing indeed.
—James D. G. Dunn, Emeritus Lightfoot Professor of Divinity, University of Durham

Christian Beginnings and the Dead Sea Scrolls offers to the reader an unusual variety of essays. Some correlate texts in a historical manner, while others consider questions of a more theological nature. The result is an interesting, diverse, and profitable contribution to the study of both the Qumran scrolls and the New Testament.
—James C. VanderKam, John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

These stimulating essays will bring many readers up to date on several key issues where the Dead Sea Scrolls are important for a better understanding of the New Testament. What emerges clearly in these studies is that the communities behind the Scrolls and the New Testament writings appealed to a wide range of scriptural motifs that are the primary basis for their own self-understandings. It is the varied use of these motifs, not any kind of literary dependence that most obviously explains both the similarities and the differences between these communities. Sensible and detailed, clear and accessible, this is a worthwhile contribution to a better appreciation of one dimension of the Jewish context of Christian origins.
—George J. Brooke, Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis, University of Manchester

Interpreting Galatians: Explorations in Exegetical Method, 2nd ed.

• Author: Moisés Silva
• 256 pages
• Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker | 2001

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Interpreting Galatians addresses the key issues surrounding the exegesis of Galatians and the other Pauline Epistles, exploring how literary, historical, and theological factors influence interpretation. The first edition appeared as Explorations in Exegetical Method. This second edition features a new appendix and will be welcomed by all those studying the Pauline Epistles.

Moisés Silva (Ph.D., University of Manchester) has taught New Testament at Westmont College, Westminster Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is author of the volume on Philippians in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (8 Vols.), and contributor to the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (4 Vols.).

New Testament scholars are confronted by many and diverse approaches to the text—linguistic, literary, historical, and theological. All too often such methods are uncritically or separately applied. In this well-written yet detailed book, Silva introduces the ways in which these approaches should be harnessed for our understanding of what the biblical authors intended. We are given hands-on experience with examples taken from Galatians. Readers are encouraged to apply his insights and critical judgments to other New Testament texts. Silva's timely book will help students and pastors. It is warmly welcomed.
—J. K. Elliott, University of Leeds

This volume is packed with information seasoned with sound advice. 'Exegetical method' carries a very wide sense—not just instructions on word study and sentence diagramming, but 'explorations' into mirror reading, linguistic theory, discourse analysis, and history of interpretation. Silva's survey maintains the big picture but avoids oversimplifications and abstraction by concentrating on Galatians as a test case. Take up and read—you'll learn a lot about Galatians, and much else too.
—Robert H. Gundry, Westmont College

Silva has mastered the literature on Galatians from Aquinas to Zuntz and offers wisdom from his years of research that the scholar will find invaluable. Students will also breathe a sigh of relief over his clear style and unpretentious, often humorous, approach to the subject. Both scholar and student will benefit from the example of erudition and humility characteristic of everything Silva writes.
—Frank Thielman, Beeson Divinity School

Many books are written today on how to do exegesis, and yet students are often frustrated by their abstract character. Silva's work is distinctive, for he shows how to interpret the text by using Galatians as a case study. He offers sage advice on interpretive philosophy, textual criticism, Greek syntax, historical background, Pauline theology, and more! I learned much from this wise book, and I commend it enthusiastically to others.
—Thomas R. Schreiner, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Jesus in Context: Background Readings for Gospel Study

• Authors: Darrell L. Bock and Gregory J. Herrick
• 288 pages
• Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker | 2005

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