Some Books I Read in 2023

I read many books this year. Here are my thoughts on some of them:

Peter Stuhlmacher, Biblical Theology of the New Testament

A tome which covers methodology, canonicity, and, in it’s main section the theology (“proclamation”) of the NT. Quite easy to read for the well-versed. I found myself ingesting large chunks of this at one sitting. Really liked the chapters on Paul and after and on John.

Stanley E. Porter, The Apostle Paul: His Life, Thought, and Letters

Thorough and informative without being overly long. Careful defence of the Pauline authorship of the Letters. 

Richard B. Hays, Reading with the Grain of Scripture

A group of penetrating essays on various subjects. Parts 3 & 4 on Paul and NT Theology respectively are especially good.

Mike Stallard, editor, Dispensational Understanding of the New Covenant

Dispensationalists discuss the what and wherefores of the New covenant. Although I cannot see the reason for hesitancy on this matter, very well done all round.

Perry Trotter, Israel in the Biblical Worldview

I wrote a blurb for this. What I liked about it most was its easy reading style with the way it provides a lot of information in a digestible format.

Herbert Bateman IV, ed., Four Views of the Warning Passages in Hebrews

A top-notch comparison of four perspectives on the Warning Passages. Irenic and respectful, yet with bite. Provides a solid study of the main themes of Hebrews as well.

Constantine Campbell, Paul and the Hope of Glory

Thoughtful Amillennial study on Pauline eschatology with some interesting exegesis. 

Charles Ryrie, Biblical Theology of the New Testament

Basic study of the subject. Ryrie’s trademark clarity is on show but there is not much penetrating insight in these pages.

Brian Tabb, All Things New

A study of the themes of Revelation from a realized eschatology perspective. Very well done even though I disagree.

Richard C. Gamble, The Whole Counsel of God, Vol. 2: The Full Revelation of God

Part Bible Handbook, part thematic NT Theology, part Systematic Theology, this is a fine achievement. Conservative, readable, robustly adhered to the Scripture Principle. Reformed amillennial. I take issue with the eschatology in particular.

Stanley E. Porter and Alan E. Kurschner, editors, The Future Restoration of Israel: A Response to Supersessionism

A good selection of studies on important issues where supersessionism departs from the meaning of the Bible. The editors chose their contributors well.

Michael F. Bird & Scot McKnight, editors, God’s Israel and the Israel of God: Paul and Supersessionism

In contrast to the above, this was an opportunity wasted. It probably revealed more about the attitude of supersessionists than anything else. They don’t get it.

Adam Lloyd Johnson, Divine Love Theory: How the Trinity is the Source and Foundation of Morality

An excellent book on the centrality of intra-trinitarian love and its cruciality for Ethics.

Brant Pitre, Michael P. Barber, and John A. Kincaid, Paul, A New Covenant Jew: Rethinking Pauline Theology

A very engaging and erudite work that rightly focuses on the importance of the New covenant for Paul’s theology. Some Roman Catholic intrusions, but bye and large a very good study.

Michael J. Gorman, Cruciformity: Paul’s Narrative Spirituality of the Cross

A now classic study on the crucial aspect of Pauline though, conformity to Christ in His suffering and obedience. An important book.

Michael J. Gorman, The Death of the Messiah and the Birth of the New Covenant: A (Not So) New Model of the Atonement 

I read a number of Gorman’s works this year. He is perhaps America’s top Pauline scholar. This is another thought-provoking study which relates the New covenant to the doctrine of atonement. 

Stephen J. Wellum & Brent E. Parker, editors, Progressive Covenantalism

Typology on steroids. Ugh! This is “covenantalism” with a small ‘c’ and Typologizing with a big ‘T.’

Larry Pettegrew, editor, Forsaking Israel

Mainly by Pettegrew with a few other essays thrown in. A worthy historical and biblical study of the the title. A good book to give to anyone interested in biblical Israel.

Larry Pettegrew, The New Covenant Work of the Holy Spirit

A key work in relating the New covenant with the work of the Spirit. Although I recommend it, I would have loved to have seen him go all out for the Church’s full participation in the New covenant.

Michael J. Vlach, The New Creation Model

Don’t be put off by the title. This is a terrific book which sets the stall out for a more robust Dispensational methodology. Riffing off of Craig Blaising’s work, this study is perhaps Vlach’s most significant book to date.

Andreas J. Kostenberger & Gregory Goswell, Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach

A large, well conceived volume, which can get a bit repetitive owing to its stringent method. Competent. The thing I liked most about this book is its prudent and helpful footnotes.

James M. Hamilton Jr., Typology: Understanding the Bible’s Promised-Shaped Patterns

The author has thought deeply about the “perception-shaping promises” of the OT and how they raised certain typological expectations among Bible readers. He shows this by providing his own translation to highlight commonalities and by displaying repeated emphases. Some good work here but it comes a-cropper because of Hamilton’s first coming hermeneutics. 

Craig L. Blomberg, A New Testament Theology

Blomberg is a top evangelical scholar who is very well read and who thinks through his materials. As such he has to be read by those who want to come to grips with NT Theology. That said, his espousal of the Q Theory and certain critical stances makes him infuriating to read in the Synoptics. 

Benjamin P. Laird & Miguel G. Echevarria, 40 Questions About the Apostle Paul

Yet another solid contribution to the series. The authors do a good job but I found it more difficult to read about Paul in this format than about other subjects. Perhaps that’s me. Despite going out of their way to claim they are not supersessionists, the authors end up there. Claiming Jews are absorbed into the “new Israel” (the Church) means that in a future day no Israelites will exist.

Richard B. Gaffin Jr., In The Fullness of Time: An Introduction to the Biblical Theology of Acts and Paul

Stamped with the usual marks of excellence from this author. This is a well arranged, readable yet thorough introduction to its subject. I am not from Gaffin’s camp. but he is one of the most reflective scholars around. Yes, I read a lot about Paul this year! 

Chad Bird, Limping with God

A wonderfully uplifting study of Jacob’s life played to the tune of Bird’s own struggles. Refreshingly candid with no sugar coating. I was helped much by this book. The allegorical chapter towards the end I could have done without.

Chad Bird, Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul

Another excellent “devotional” work that does not abound in pink tea promises but instead faces us with the freeing truth that we’re not “victorious Christians.” Christ is victorious for us. I can’t recommend everything Bird writes, but these two books are great.

Paul E. Miller, J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life

I was sent this as a review copy some years back and put it to one side because I thought the “J” was a gimmick for “Jesus.” It’s not and I’m very glad I gave the book a second chance. This truth of our participation in Christ’s dying and rising through life is greatly needed. Buy and read.

Paul E. Miller, A Loving Life

An edifying journey through the Book of Ruth which highlights hesed love!

David Zahl, Low Anthropology

I don’t like some of the people/publications Zahl quotes from but this is a very good book so don’t be deterred. Zahl is a very winsome writer who is always on point. This book is about having right expectations about ourselves and others. It’s about humility, and it’s worth reading.

Well, that’s all I think. There were several other books I wanted to include, but the list is already too long. Wishing you all a blessed 2024!