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| Dr. Bob Headrick teaches Biblical studies at Ecclesia College. He is also a classical guitarist. |
I review books for Kregel Academic books, so I receive free copies of their newest publications to review on my blogs.
Dr. Bob Headrick and I were quite impressed with the Kregel charts book on Hebrews. The concept works well with the Pauline epistles as well.
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| Poiema pointed out her name in the Greek New Testament. |
Two students liked the idea of singing NT Greek grammar, so I ordered extra copies for them. Poiema appreciated the pocket NT grammar book. These are all from Kregel as well.
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| Price: $26.99 ISBN: 978-0-8254-2936-1 |
Charts on the Life, Letters, and Theology of Paul (Kregel Charts of the Bible) | |
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One of the best ways to study a New Testament book is to prepare charts or lists of important words and topics. There is no substitute for studying the text itself without any intervening commentaries.
However, as the topic grows in complexity, it is a godsend to find that someone has done a lot of the difficult work already and produced more than anyone could imagine. This is another good example of that approach.
The first section includes charts on the Roman emperors of the time, political and social order. Additional cultural factors are also listed.
The second section of the book alone is worth the price of the book, because the author deals with more than the Pauline letters. Anything about Paul is worth charting, and so it is done. Here are some examples:
1. Speeches of Paul in Acts.
2. Paul's Miracles.
3. Paul's prayers.
4. Paul's opponents.
5. Paul's suffering.
6. Traditions of Paul's martyrdom.
Third Section
Citations are not easily gathered and sorted. There are many lists of Old Testament quotations and allusions, not to mention intertestmental literature.
Each Pauline letter has a snapshot chart.
Key words for each letter are useful for new and advanced students.
A hapax is a one-time use of a term. One chart lists the hapax legomena in Paul's letters.
The fourth section, on Paul's theology, is just as rich in detailed charts, which organize Chrstological concepts, soteriology, and many more topics. One phrase is often overlooked, the "faith of Jesus," and that has its own chart.
Audience
Students, pastors, professors, and laity will appreciate this volume and use it as a reference and study book. So much is included that individuals will select what is useful for them.
I would not hinder the newest or the most advanced Pauline student from buying this book. It will renew our interest in discovering what the Holy Spirit reveals to us in the text itself.