I understand why Marianne Meye Thompson, one of my New Testament Professors, thinks so highly of this book: it provides an enormous resource of the Greek, Roman, and Jewish political, social, cultural, and religious backdrop of the first century church. Ferguson magages to cover topics thouroughly but briefly. I have found the sections on Jewish inter-testament history illuminating.

Why did human development proceed at such different rates on different continents? Rather than providing a biological (racial) answer, Diamond claims that environmental factors account for the differences—as a professor of geography perhaps any other answer would sound unconvincing. Diamond attempts to sweep broad areas of history, the last 11,000 years or so, to provide some explanation.

A chief insight is the concept of underlying factors behind the proximate causes of events, like the European domination of the Americas. Guns, germs and steel constitute the proximate causes that are available because: 1) of the number of suitable plant specifies available for domestication which lead to 2) food surpluses, and in turn lead to 3) large, dense, stratified societies which could 4) develop the technology to create ocean-going ships and guns and steel weapons.

The text provides an excellent general picture or overview of the literature of the New Testament (NT). I have found several of the diagrams (such as the portrayal of the four source synoptic thesis) especially helpful. The text, of course, can never substitute for the study of the NT itself and yields its greatest fruit if read after a reading of the corresponding Biblical text under examination. Unfortunately, perhaps because of cost considerations, the book porovides only black and white photos of the spectacular Palestinian sites.

Foster’s great gift to the church has been the source of spiritual rejuvenation for me of late. Foster wisely notes that the practice of the disciples is not a means to garner favor with the Lord, but the means through which we experience more of God’s grace. His distinguishing between the overlapping disciplines of meditation (I think he calls it) and study emphasizes that both reading of Scripture for devotion and for understanding are necessary for maturing in the faith.

Pitt-Watson begins by reminding us that the appropriate response to “how do you do?” is “how do you do what?” A primer on preaching cannot be a to do list or description of technique, but a grounding in the theology of preaching. Preaching is not a sub-category of communication or rhetoric, but a process where the preacher becomes the mouthpiece of God. A good read.

Beginning with the assumption that the Bible is normative for moral character, Mott argues that social change must occur along both individual and communial dimensions. In Mott’s view, the receieved grace of Jesus Christ is expressed in love, and justice completes the task which love begins. Mott manages to write a Christo-centric bibical ethic in a highly readable fashion. Recommended.

Strunk and White’s concise guide to style should be read and re-read by any who are involved reguarly in writing or speaking. Most of their comments are helpful. However, the reader would do well to remember that in matters of style, rules are sometimes best broken.

A christ-centered approach to Christian ethics in line with the work John Howard Yoder. Chapter 3 on Holistic Character Ethics is particularly helpful in the practice of Christian living. This time around I am focusing on the treatment of the classic ethical topics of justice and love.

The first of many Walzer texts. Walzer, a political philosopher, here offers a collection of essays about the political obligations of members of nation states. Under what conditions is a person obligated to object to state action? What obligations do the oppressed have to the state? I have found the text quite insightful.

Witnesses offers a collection of 31 of the best sermons of the 20th century. Moltmann, Barth, Lewis, Tillich, and Peterson are some the best known names. I hope to learn something about rhythm, style, and content from reading the sermons.