The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 64, No. 1 – Fall 2021
Editor: David S. Dockery
I am grateful for the opportunity to note several important new publications worthy of consideration. We begin with Living God’s Word: Discovering Our Place in God’s Story of Scripture, second edition, by Scott Duvall and Daniel Hays (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2021). In this wonderful book, Duvall and Hays, who have recently been appointed as senior professors of biblical studies at Southwestern Seminary, have marvelously set forth the overarching story of Scripture as a hermeneutical guide and framework for developing a Christian world and life view. The engaging style and well-designed approach of Living God’s Word make this an ideal introduction to the meaning of Scripture. Moreover, readers will be able to see and understand how their lives fit into what God has done and is doing in the world.
Gregg Allison, professor of Christian theology at Southern Seminary, has written 40 Questions about Roman Catholicism (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2021). In this volume, Allison serves as a trustworthy guide in tracing the development of Roman Catholic thought and practice through the centuries. Offering careful responses to forty important questions, while drawing on the insights of both Protestant theologians and Roman Catholic thinkers, readers are introduced to the foundational beliefs and practices of Roman Catholics, especially since Vatican II. Particularly helpful for readers are the sections that provide insightful comparisons and contrasts between Protestant and Roman Catholic understandings of key doctrines. Though written from the perspective of an evangelical Protestant, Allison, drawing upon his exemplary skills as both church historian and theologian, has given us an excellent introduction to Roman Catholicism. This thoughtful, convictional, accessible, and irenic book will be valuable for both Protestant and Roman Catholic readers.
O. S. Hawkins has given us a gift with his work In the Name of God: Revisiting the Colliding Lives, Legends, and Legacies of J. Frank Norris and George W. Truett (Nashville: B&H, 2021). In this carefully researched, thoughtfully framed, and beautifully written work, Hawkins has revised and updated his PhD dissertation, written at Southwestern Seminary, for a more general audience. Giving us a fresh and illuminating look at two shaping figures in Baptist life and American Christianity during the first half of the twentieth century, Hawkins introduces new observations and connections that will provide eye-opening insights into the legendary lives of Truett and Norris, both of whom were instrumental in shaping the early years of Southwestern Seminary. Truett, the ubiquitous leader and stately orator, and Norris, the fiery fundamentalist and Texas tornado, overlapped in so many contexts, yet understood their callings and purposes ever so differently. The first half of the book reads like a page-turning novel; the second half offers an interpretive guide to the diverse and distinctive contributions of these two Texas Baptists, while pointing to the longer-term implications of their approaches to life and ministry. Even if historians should quibble over some of the interpretive explanations offered, this book will be fascinating reading for all interested in twentieth-century religious movements and American culture, serving as essential reading for anyone interested in the various trajectories that Baptist life has taken in recent decades.
Carl F. H. Henry on the Holy Spirit, by Jesse M. Payne (Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2021), fills in a gap in Henry studies. Payne’s work on the role of the Holy Spirit in the theology of Carl F. H. Henry provides a fresh and convincing correctio to the perception that Henry’s theology was one-sided, lacking a developed pneumatology. Instead, Payne’s careful and thoughtful research enables us to see that the Holy Spirit played an essential role in Henry’s theological construction. Guiding readers through Henry’s treatment of the doctrine of revelation, the church, and Christian ethics, Payne helps us to see that Henry’s thought was thoroughly dependent upon and inconceivable apart from the Holy Spirit. Helping all of us to see our need for the Word of God and the Wind of God, Payne’s volume fills an important role in our interpretation and understanding of this evangelical giant. The Method of Christian Theology: A Basic Introduction for Disciple-Makers, by Rhyne R. Putman (Nashville: B&H, 2021) is, simply stated, a splendid book. Putman, one of the truly outstanding young evangelical theologians of our day, has given us a masterful introduction to the task of doing theology for the church. Blending head and heart, this engaging and illuminating volume provides guidance, clarity, and insight for pastors, students, and all who are interested in the work of Christian theology. This excellent work should be essential reading for the ministerial students and seminarians across the country.
Surprising insights regarding educational philosophy are found in The Seminary as Textual Community: Exploring John Sailhamer’s Vision for Theological Education, edited by Jason Lee and Ched Spellman (Fontes Press, 2021). Sailhamer was a brilliant Old Testament scholar who faithfully served both Baptist and evangelical institutions during his lifetime. In this new volume, edited by Lee and Spellman, readers are introduced to Sailhamer’s full-orbed vision for a scripturally grounded understanding of theological education. In a day when seminaries and divinity schools are pulled in multiple directions from both churches and culture, from social issues and pragmatic concerns, this thoughtfully developed volume points readers toward a model for renewal for theological education by connecting teaching, learning, and practice to the biblical text in a fresh, winsome, and coherent manner. The Seminary as Textural Community will serve as an important resource for administrators, board members and faculty, as well as pastors and denominational leaders. The Law, The Prophets, and The Writings: Studies in Evangelical Old Testament Hermeneutics in Honor of Duane A. Garrett, edited by Andrew King, William Osborne, and Josh Philpot (Nashville: B&H, 2021) is a wonderful tribute to the ministry and writings of Duane Garrett, who is one of the finest biblical scholars of our generation. It is only fitting that he and his work should be honored in such a wonderful way by his students, friends, peers, and colleagues. Almost every chapter begins with an apt tribute, recognizing Garrett as an encouraging mentor, caring colleague, exemplary scholar, and faithful churchman, as well as a godly and humble person. The editors are to be commended for bringing together such an impressive group of contributors to address a wide array of Old Testament interpretive themes, issues, and challenges. The Law, the Prophets, and the Writings will serve not only as a most appropriate way to honor Professor Garrett, but as a splendid biblical, theological, and hermeneutical resource for scholars, students, and pastors for years to come.
Those involved in leadership at any level will want to be aware of The Multi-Dimensional Leader: Responding Wisely to Challenges on Every Side, by Trevin Wax (The Gospel Coalition, 2021). Calling for Christian leaders in churches, organizations, institutions, and other settings to avoid the shortcomings of a single-perspective approach to leadership, Wax, in a thoughtful manner informed by Scripture and compelling biographical examples, convincingly shows the importance for leaders to understand people, contexts, issues, and decision making from a multi-dimensional perspective. Though intended only as a brief overview, this insightful and applicable volume skillfully addresses the complexity of leadership in theory and in practice. Let us pray that the Lord will use this significant resource to raise up a new generation of faithful multi-dimensional leaders who will selflessly, compassionately, and courageously serve church and society in the days ahead.
Liberty for All: Defending Everyone’s Religious Freedom in a Pluralistic Age, by Andrew Walker (Nashville: B&H, 2021) is must reading for our day. In this much welcomed and timely resource, Walker has brilliantly articulated a thorough-going treatment of religious liberty for our secular and pluralistic context. Shaped by a robust theological and ethical framework, Liberty for All offers eschatological, anthropological, and missiological perspectives to enable Christians to navigate deep personal and religious differences while encouraging civility and commonality in our participation in the public square. Seeking to retrieve a tradition for the common good, while offering his own understanding of Baptist distinctives related to this important subject, Walker thoughtfully and winsomely makes a convincing case for religious liberty for everyone. The Foreword from Robert P. George is icing on the cake. Liberty for All is one of the most important books on this subject in recent years.
A new Wipf & Stock publication, The Practical Art of Spiritual Conversations: Learning the Whens of Evangelism and the Hows of Discipleship, by Jim Schultz and David Rogers, will be of interest to many readers of the Southwestern Journal of Theology. Schultz and Rogers have taken what they have learned from their years of service as spiritual advisors in healthcare settings to help Christ followers initiate important gospel conversations with unbelievers. They also offer assistance to help guide encounters with other believers in such a way as to help them take a deeper step in their walk with God. Encouraging readers to listen well and to sensitively seek opportunities for potential life-changing spiritual conversations, this wonderfully helpful and insightful book offers practical and thoughtful instruction for men and women at various stages of Christian maturity. Stewardship for the Care of Souls, by Nathan Meador and Heath Curtis (Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2021) is a wonderful book that will help pastors, church leaders, and individuals think wisely and biblically, rather than merely pragmatically, about the importance of stewardship in all aspects of our life, including, but not limited to finances. Meador and Curtis bring years of pastoral ministry experience to this project, weaving together theological commitments, biblical understanding, wisdom from their years of service, and insightful counsel for teaching and addressing these vitally important issues in the life of a congregation. This brief volume is another excellent contribution to the outstanding Lexham Ministry Series.
Be Who You Are: Insights on Holiness from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, by Josh Moody (Christian Focus, 2021). Moody, in this theologically grounded and thoughtfully applicable exposition of Colossians 3 and 4, invites Christ followers in a fresh and renewing manner to a life of holiness and Christlikeness. As we have come to expect from Moody’s previous works, he serves as a wise guide not only to help us understand the meaning of the biblical message, but to understand its significance for Christian living personally, in Christian community, in the home, in the workplace, and in the culture. Three insightful appendices further enable readers to understand what it means to be Be Who You Are in Christ, seeking to live a life of holy faithfulness and faithful holiness. I was both helped and blessed by reading this little volume and I believe others will be as well. John D. Basie has assembled a gifted collection of authors with connections to the Impact 360 Institute in Know, Be, Live: A 360 Approach to Discipleship in a Post-Christian Era (Brentwood: Forefront, 2021) to address the pressing cultural issues and challenges which both influence and characterize this post-Christian era. With a focus on serious Christian thinking, whole life discipleship, spiritual formation, cultural engagement, and readiness for ministry, the timely and thoughtful essays in this volume will serve as a remarkable resource for readers. Know, Be, Live is a passionate, significant, and timely call to Christian faithfulness in all aspects of life.
Logic and the Way of Jesus: Thinking Critically and Christianly, by Travis Dickinson (Nashville: B&H, 2021) is an incisive, thoughtful, and carefully designed look at what it means to think Christianly about all aspects of life. In this outstanding book, Dickinson brilliantly and insightfully connects intellectual curiosity, an understanding of logic, critical thinking, the place of faith and reason, and the importance of developing a Christian worldview. In doing so, he winsomely and persuasively invites Christ followers to think and live in a renewed and holistic way in order to change lives, strengthen churches, enhance Christian entities, advance the gospel, and bring glory to the one, true, and living God. Unleashing Peace: Experiencing God’s Shalom in Your Pursuit of Happiness, by Jeremiah J. Johnston (Grand Rapids: Bethany, 2021) offers a timely and readable response to the issues of anxiety, depression, and emotional pain by offering insights into God’s gracious gift of shalom. Johnston offers biblical and theological guidance to help us grasp the breadth and depth of God’s peace, doing so in an accessible, encouraging, and helpful manner for readers struggling with the very real challenges of our day.
Other recent works worthy of note include Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College, by Michael J. Kruger (Wheaton: Crossway, 2021); Let the Legends Preach: Sermons by Living Legends at the E .K. Bailey Preaching Conference, edited by Jared E. Alcantara (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2021); Contemplating God with the Great Tradition: Recovering Trinitarian Classical Theism, by Craig A. Carter with Foreword by Carl R. Trueman (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2021); and A Companion to the Theology of John Webster, edited by Michael Allen and David Nelson (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2021).
