Take a photo of a barcode or cover
leswag97's reviews
233 reviews
The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke by Raymond E. Brown
5.0
“[T]he infancy narratives are worthy vehicles of the Gospel message; indeed, each is the essential Gospel story in miniature.” (7)
An impressive and thorough work on the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke. Brown leaves no stone unturned in his analysis. Though Brown leans too heavily on source criticism and his (or anyone’s) ability to parse out which verses or passages arose from which pre-Matthean/Lukan source, his primary focus still remains on the final form of the infancy narratives as we now have them.
This was my first time reading this tome cover to cover, and it was well worth the time and the effort. I will likely return to this book many times throughout my life.
An impressive and thorough work on the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke. Brown leaves no stone unturned in his analysis. Though Brown leans too heavily on source criticism and his (or anyone’s) ability to parse out which verses or passages arose from which pre-Matthean/Lukan source, his primary focus still remains on the final form of the infancy narratives as we now have them.
This was my first time reading this tome cover to cover, and it was well worth the time and the effort. I will likely return to this book many times throughout my life.
The World around the Old Testament: The People and Places of the Ancient Near East by Bill T. Arnold
4.0
This book is a helpful resource, providing a wealth of important information on the peoples and places neighboring ancient Israel. Each essay in the volume covers a specific group/place (e.g., “Assyria and the Assyrians” or “Philistia and the Philistines”). My favorites were the essays on Egypt and on Assyria, written by Joel LeMon and Christopher Hays, respectively.
It took me a while to get through this book (I started it in May of this year). This was partially because of the nature of the book—it’s more of a reference book—and also because I had to return it to the library a handful of times. This is a book that I should add to my personal library, as it would be most helpful as a reference work to consult when studying, researching, or writing on a specific topic.
Glad that I found the time to finish it before the end of the year! Happy New Year’s Eve, and I’m looking forward to many more great reads in 2023!
It took me a while to get through this book (I started it in May of this year). This was partially because of the nature of the book—it’s more of a reference book—and also because I had to return it to the library a handful of times. This is a book that I should add to my personal library, as it would be most helpful as a reference work to consult when studying, researching, or writing on a specific topic.
Glad that I found the time to finish it before the end of the year! Happy New Year’s Eve, and I’m looking forward to many more great reads in 2023!
Stony the Road We Trod: African American Biblical Interpretation. Thirtieth Anniversary Expanded Edition by Cain Hope Felder
4.0
The original edition of [b:Stony the Road We Trod|2026122|Stony the Road We Trod|Cain Hope Felder|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348282748l/2026122._SY75_.jpg|2030640], which was published in 1991, is a classic in the field of biblical studies, and this updated and expanded 30th anniversary edition continues the legacy of that initial publication. The essays in this book deal specifically with African American biblical interpretation; some of the essays deal with specific biblical texts, while others focus on biblical interpretation in general. My favorite of the essays were the three new essays added to the end of this 2021 edition, all of which build upon the foundation laid by the original essays, and examine the implications of African American biblical interpretation for the present day. Readers who have enjoyed and learned from the work of James Cone (especially his [b:The Cross and the Lynching Tree|12417679|The Cross and the Lynching Tree|James H. Cone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349011636l/12417679._SX50_.jpg|17399595]), as well as Esau McCaulley's [b:Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope|48994895|Reading While Black African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope|Esau McCaulley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1590809214l/48994895._SX50_.jpg|74410240], will undoubtedly glean much from this volume.
Trains, Jesus, and Murder: The Gospel According to Johnny Cash by Richard Beck
4.0
I’m currently in my Johnny Cash era, so I knew had to read this one, and it did not disappoint! While Richard Beck’s chapters are short, and many of his theological/spiritual insights are rather simple, I still gleaned much from this book, and learned to love and appreciate the music of Johnny Cash even more. Cash is something of an anomaly—he embodies both sinner and saint, singing about both Jesus and murder (per the title), sometimes in the same song. This book would be a good read not only for those who consider themselves Cash fans, but also for those that have only heard a song or two. In the end, “the gospel according to Johnny Cash” is a hard-hitting, hard-to-swallow, convicting, and at times confusing gospel, and this book helpfully looks at this gospel from all angles.
More than anything else, though, just go listen to Johnny Cash’s albums “At Folsom Prison” and “At San Quentin”—those albums will tell you all you need to know about Johnny Cash’s gospel!
More than anything else, though, just go listen to Johnny Cash’s albums “At Folsom Prison” and “At San Quentin”—those albums will tell you all you need to know about Johnny Cash’s gospel!
The Early History of God: Yahweh and the Other Deities in Ancient Israel by Mark S. Smith
4.0
Mark S. Smith's popular and important work on the "history of God" and religion in ancient Israel is an interesting and very comprehensive book. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but am also unsure of where I stand on some of Smith's conclusions. It seems logical enough that many of the characteristics that Israel's ancient neighbors applied to a pantheon of gods Israel (eventually) applied solely to their God, YHWH (but this was true of only "positive" characteristics; any characteristics deemed "negative" were not attributed to YHWH); the ways in which YHWH looks like other deities from the ANE is an important topic, and it is one that has key theological and spiritual implications (for the best treatment of this issue that I have come across, see the edited volume [b:Divine Doppelgängers: Yhwh's Ancient Look-Alikes|50203744|Divine Doppelg�ngers Yhwh's Ancient Look-Alikes|Collin Cornell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569899789l/50203744._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73586771]).
It is also quite apparent that throughout Israel's history, many people (perhaps even a large portion of the nation, including monarchy, priesthood, prophetic circles, and laypeople) were polytheistic in belief and practice (this is exactly what some prophetic and monarchic figures throughout Israel's history were trying to combat). It is hard to know, though, exactly how Israel's monotheism/monolatry developed (if it did develop at all). Smith, like many other scholars, argues that Israel's past was polytheistic (although a limited polytheism in comparison with the pantheons of Ugarit, Mesopotamia, and Egypt), and that over time Israel became more and more monotheistic, eventually resulting in the clear monotheism one plainly sees in the exilic and post-exilic periods. This seems logical enough, given that most of Israel's ancient neighbors were polytheistic; religion in ancient Israel would have begun similarly, according to this historical reconstruction, eventually evolving into a monotheistic faith, due to a host of developments throughout Israel's history. This argument, however, is not without its own problems. For instance, Josey Bridges Snyder, in an article in the aforementioned book "Divine Doppelgängers," argues convincingly that it is quite possible that the Moabites (one of Israel's closest ancient neighbors) only worshipped one god, a "bachelor god," who did not have a consort/wife, and who was not worshipped alongside a pantheon: "[T]he Moabites might provide an ANE example of a people who worshipped a 'bachelor god'—and that, in turn, might provide corroborating evidence that ancient Israel too could have been a single-deity people" (Snyder, 125). Snyder cautions against seeing this (potential) similarity between Israel and Moab as being either "good" or "bad" (from a theological perspective); still, however, it may be an argument in favor of monotheism being an early facet of ancient Israelite religion, rather than a later development.
All that to say, Smith's book is an impressive treatment of a very complex topic, and I learned much from it. Smith's command not only of the biblical text, but also of the literature and history of the ANE, especially Ugaritic history and literature, is astounding. I will definitely return to his writings in the future.
It is also quite apparent that throughout Israel's history, many people (perhaps even a large portion of the nation, including monarchy, priesthood, prophetic circles, and laypeople) were polytheistic in belief and practice (this is exactly what some prophetic and monarchic figures throughout Israel's history were trying to combat). It is hard to know, though, exactly how Israel's monotheism/monolatry developed (if it did develop at all). Smith, like many other scholars, argues that Israel's past was polytheistic (although a limited polytheism in comparison with the pantheons of Ugarit, Mesopotamia, and Egypt), and that over time Israel became more and more monotheistic, eventually resulting in the clear monotheism one plainly sees in the exilic and post-exilic periods. This seems logical enough, given that most of Israel's ancient neighbors were polytheistic; religion in ancient Israel would have begun similarly, according to this historical reconstruction, eventually evolving into a monotheistic faith, due to a host of developments throughout Israel's history. This argument, however, is not without its own problems. For instance, Josey Bridges Snyder, in an article in the aforementioned book "Divine Doppelgängers," argues convincingly that it is quite possible that the Moabites (one of Israel's closest ancient neighbors) only worshipped one god, a "bachelor god," who did not have a consort/wife, and who was not worshipped alongside a pantheon: "[T]he Moabites might provide an ANE example of a people who worshipped a 'bachelor god'—and that, in turn, might provide corroborating evidence that ancient Israel too could have been a single-deity people" (Snyder, 125). Snyder cautions against seeing this (potential) similarity between Israel and Moab as being either "good" or "bad" (from a theological perspective); still, however, it may be an argument in favor of monotheism being an early facet of ancient Israelite religion, rather than a later development.
All that to say, Smith's book is an impressive treatment of a very complex topic, and I learned much from it. Smith's command not only of the biblical text, but also of the literature and history of the ANE, especially Ugaritic history and literature, is astounding. I will definitely return to his writings in the future.
The Destruction of the Canaanites: God, Genocide, and Biblical Interpretation by Charlie Trimm
4.0
On the second-to-last page of his very slim book, Charlie Trimm recognizes that some of his readers "might even feel worse about the problem [of the destruction of the Canaanites] now than when [they] began this book" (93). Such a statement is funny, ironic, and (potentially) true. Rather than providing nice, tidy, and easy answers to the difficult ethical problems surrounding Israel's destruction of the Canaanites, Trimm simply lays out four different ways in which most Old Testament scholars (as well as some theologians and philosophers) have tried "to deal with the problem of the destruction of the Canaanites": (1) by reevaluating God; (2) by reevaluating the Old Testament (put differently, the Old Testament must not be a "faithful record" of what happened); (3) by reevaluating the interpretation of the Old Testament (in other words, "the Old Testament does not describe anything like a genocide"); and (4) by reevaluating violence in the Old Testament (meaning, "the mass killing of the Canaanites in the Old Testament was permitted for that one point in history") (Trimm, 50).
Rather than landing on a specific view that he finds the most acceptable or reasonable, Trimm simply lays out each view, describing both the benefits and the drawbacks of each view. (Trimm does reject the first view ["reevaluating God"], though, because he refuses to discard both God and the Bible altogether, due to his Christian convictions; 94).
Trimm's knowledge of contemporary (and ancient) approaches to dealing with the destruction of the Canaanites is impressive, and this book serves as a great resource for those interested in the wide array of different opinions and approaches. Some readers, I'm sure, will be upset that Trimm does not state what he thinks is the best approach to the problem—many of us want to be told what to think and what to believe (especially when it comes to difficult topics)—but I found Trimm's reluctance to prescribe a certain approach to be refreshing (and I think we can all learn from it). The one response that Trimm recommends in his conclusion is that of lament; he encourages Christians (both individually and communally) to lament with the psalmists, "How long, O Lord?".
One last advantage of this book is that it is impressively small; Trimm gets straight to the point, providing some helpful background in the first three chapters, and then evaluating each view thoroughly, yet concisely, in the remaining chapters. The book is easy to read and understand; scholars, students, and casual readers alike would greatly benefit from this book.
Rather than landing on a specific view that he finds the most acceptable or reasonable, Trimm simply lays out each view, describing both the benefits and the drawbacks of each view. (Trimm does reject the first view ["reevaluating God"], though, because he refuses to discard both God and the Bible altogether, due to his Christian convictions; 94).
Trimm's knowledge of contemporary (and ancient) approaches to dealing with the destruction of the Canaanites is impressive, and this book serves as a great resource for those interested in the wide array of different opinions and approaches. Some readers, I'm sure, will be upset that Trimm does not state what he thinks is the best approach to the problem—many of us want to be told what to think and what to believe (especially when it comes to difficult topics)—but I found Trimm's reluctance to prescribe a certain approach to be refreshing (and I think we can all learn from it). The one response that Trimm recommends in his conclusion is that of lament; he encourages Christians (both individually and communally) to lament with the psalmists, "How long, O Lord?".
One last advantage of this book is that it is impressively small; Trimm gets straight to the point, providing some helpful background in the first three chapters, and then evaluating each view thoroughly, yet concisely, in the remaining chapters. The book is easy to read and understand; scholars, students, and casual readers alike would greatly benefit from this book.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
5.0
“East of Eden” is a journey. When one picks up Steinbeck’s final work, they instantly can understand what makes it a classic work, and what makes him such a proficient and beautiful writer. Steinbeck’s emotion jumps off the pages, as he spins a tale that is indebted to folklore, mythology, and sacred texts stretching back to the beginning of human history. Obviously, as the name implies, “East of Eden” imaginatively recreates the story of first persons, of the first family, of the heartbreak and the adventure found therein.
Like those of Scripture, Steinbeck’s host of characters are complex and far from one-sided. There are humans prone to monstrosities, while others are angelic, to a certain degree, and yet, the deck is not stacked in favor of any specific man or woman. Instead, Steinbeck paints a realistic, familiar, and bewildering picture of California in the late 19th century and the early 20th century.
Although a lengthy endeavor, the story of “East of Eden” does not get sidetracked, nor does it become dull. Yet, even though Steinbeck has the goal in mind, and the endpoint always in his forefront, he masterfully keeps his readers in the unknown, allowing them only glimpses and guesses into what will transpire within the world he has created. A foreboding and intense feeling arises in Steinbeck’s readers as they journey along the path to its inevitable end; the characters exhibit attributes and characteristics that make them endearing and relatable, and yet wholly other and terrifying.
Steinbeck has created a masterpiece, and yet, he has done so with the paints and the tools available to all of us. Much of the story finds itself close to Steinbeck’s very home, and one soon finds out that Steinbeck, although he is writing about another family, is also writing about his own, and although he is pointing to the past—even to the ancient past right outside of Eden—he is also highlighting the present and the future. This is, indeed, what gives his story life and beauty, for it is a narrative we all know, with which we are familiar, and in that familiarity we are asked to go deeper and to open ourselves up to both horror and surprise.
Like those of Scripture, Steinbeck’s host of characters are complex and far from one-sided. There are humans prone to monstrosities, while others are angelic, to a certain degree, and yet, the deck is not stacked in favor of any specific man or woman. Instead, Steinbeck paints a realistic, familiar, and bewildering picture of California in the late 19th century and the early 20th century.
Although a lengthy endeavor, the story of “East of Eden” does not get sidetracked, nor does it become dull. Yet, even though Steinbeck has the goal in mind, and the endpoint always in his forefront, he masterfully keeps his readers in the unknown, allowing them only glimpses and guesses into what will transpire within the world he has created. A foreboding and intense feeling arises in Steinbeck’s readers as they journey along the path to its inevitable end; the characters exhibit attributes and characteristics that make them endearing and relatable, and yet wholly other and terrifying.
Steinbeck has created a masterpiece, and yet, he has done so with the paints and the tools available to all of us. Much of the story finds itself close to Steinbeck’s very home, and one soon finds out that Steinbeck, although he is writing about another family, is also writing about his own, and although he is pointing to the past—even to the ancient past right outside of Eden—he is also highlighting the present and the future. This is, indeed, what gives his story life and beauty, for it is a narrative we all know, with which we are familiar, and in that familiarity we are asked to go deeper and to open ourselves up to both horror and surprise.
Christian Political Witness by Timothy G. Gombis, Jennifer M. McBride, Scot McKnight, David Gitari, David P. Gushee, Jana Marguerite Bennett, Gregory W. Lee, Daniel M. Bell Jr., William T. Cavanaugh, Peter J. Leithart, Mark A. Noll, George Kalantzis, Stanley Hauerwas
3.0
My expectations for this volume were high, considering the impressive list of contributors and the topic under discussion. Yet, most of the essays left me wanting more, and I felt as though the majority of the authors were unable to develop their arguments adequately enough within the constraints of each author’s chapter; as a result, many of the essays were not as substantive as I would like. Still, there were a few essays toward the end of the volume that were very good—namely, Daniel M. Bell Jr.’s article on just war as Christian discipleship, and Jennifer M. McBride’s article on repentance as Christian political engagement.
The Dan Debate: The Tel Dan Inscription in Recent Research by Hallvard Hagelia
4.0
An interesting survey of research conducted on the Tel Dan Inscription from its discovery in 1993 till around 2004; the author does a good job of laying out the different debates and perspectives on, for example, the date of the text, the originator of the text, the question of how to understand the perplexing word “bytdwd” (“House of David”?), and the inscription’s relevance for ancient Israelite history. The author tries his best to remain objective in the discussion, but he frequently shows his hand and clearly states his own thoughts throughout the book (for instance, he seems to have a bone to pick with the “minimalist” school). Still, he does a thorough job of laying out all of the main voices in the debate, allowing for each scholar to have a say in the matter (even though he usually gets in the last word). A book like this can only do so much, and in the decade and a half since the book’s publication much more has been said on the topic that would need to be included in an updated edition; but I found it to be a helpful entryway into the ongoing debate(s) about one of the most important archaeological finds in recent history.
In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck
4.0
A great story about the plight of laborers and the working class in California’s apple orchards in the 1930s! I finished it while on a trip to California, which seemed very fitting—there’s nothing like reading Steinbeck in California.