(Re)Focusing New Testament Theology

NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
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Hitting the ground running!! It’s time to begin solid preparation for my Master of Theology dissertation.

I’ve completed the level of Postgraduate Diploma under the direction of Tom Holland (PhD University of Wales) and the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at University of Wales, Lampeter. I’m waiting for the “official upgrade” from Lampeter so that I can begin the Master of Theology dissertation, which is the first 20,000 words of a 100,000 word PhD project.

I’m convinced that the direction of my studies are sound enough for a more thorough outline to begin taking shape. The primary emphasis for the Master of Theology dissertation is to address the “Theology of N. T. Wright,” and its dependance on the work of G. B. Caird, Wright’s Oxford mentor. Their fascination with Jesus, Paul, and Eschatology will be three mains themes running through the work, while particularly noting the areas where Wright has built upon completed research.

I’m discovering that the writing of history is always contextualized and interpreted, whether by the reader or the writer. Thus, any New Testament historian must make it known that their historical work cannot ultimately be used for a constructive theology for the life of the ekklesia. The historical work can, rightly in my view, can shape ones worldview. The question begging begins in that the historian, by using their (or some one else’s) methodological approach produces yet another tick on the cacophony of postmodern biblical interpretations.

More to come…

Scriptural Interpretation and Hermeneutics
Renewing Biblical Interpretation
The Art of Reading Scripture
Seeking the Identity of Jesus

Paul
New Perspectives on Paul. Tom Wright
Redemption from the New Perspective
What Saint Paul Really Said
Paul: In Fresh Perspective
New Testament Theology

Jesus
Jesus and the Restoration of Israel
Jesus and the Victory of God
The Challenge of Jesus
Who was Jesus?

Eschatology
The Resurrection of the Son of God

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity | Video on TED.com

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Rob Bell – I Believe

This is Rob Bell at his best! He takes the historical toward the theological. While he may not “lay out” the theological implications for all to see, his focus on a particular embodiment of the story of Scripture becomes attainable for all who hope for the restoration of this good and precious world.

Doctor of Philosophy Reading Initiative

This list will surely develop over time but here is some of the initial texts I’ll be dealing with. (* = already read)

Scripture and Hermeneutics Series (8 Volumes)
1 – Renewing Biblical Interpretation (2000)
2 – After Pentecost: Language and Biblical Interpretation (2001)
3 – A Royal Priesthood? Use of the Bible Ethically and Politically (2002)
4 – Behind the Text: History and Biblical Interpretation (2003)
5 – Out of Egypts: Biblical Theology and Biblical Interpretation (2004)
6 – Reading Luke: Interpretation, Reflection, and Formation (2005)
7 – Canon and Biblical Interpretation (2006)
8 – The Bible and the University (2007)

Scripture and Theology Resources
The Gospel of John and Christian Theology
The Epistle to the Hebrews and Christian Theology
Reading Texts, Seeking Wisdom: Scripture and Theology
Character and Scripture: Moral Formation, Community, and Biblical Interpretation
Scripture’s Doctrine and Theology’s Bible: How the New Testament Shapes Christian Dogmatics
Exploring the Origins of the Bible: Canon Formation in Historical, Literary, and Theological Perspective

Primary Sources
>Stephen E. Fowl
Philippians Two Horizons Commentary
*Reading in Communion (with L. Gregory Jones)
*Engaging Scripture: A model for Theological Interpretation
Theological Interpretation of Scripture (Cascade Companion)
The Theological Interpretation of Scripture (Editor: Steve Fowl)
*Reading Scripture with the Church (with Adam, Vanhoozer, Watson)

>N.T. Wright
*The Climax of the Covenant
*How Can The Bible Be Authoritative? Tom Wright (article)
Jesus and the Restoration of Israel (Carey Newman and various contributors)
*Christian Origins and the Question of God Series (3 Volumes)
*The New Testament and the People of God
*Jesus and the Victory of God
*The Resurrection of the Son of God

Other Reading
*Faith Thinking. Trevor Hart
The Aims of Jesus. Ben F. Meyer
*Contours of Pauline Theology. Tom Holland
Critical Realism and The New Testament. Ben Meyer
The Transforming Vision. Brian Walsh and Richard Middleton
*Between Two Horizons. Edited by Joel Green and Max Turner
*Introducing the Theological Interpretation of Scripture. Danial Treier
*The Art of Reading Scripture. Edited by Ellen Davis and Richard Hays
*Truth is stranger than it used to bey. Brian Walsh and Richard Middleton
Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. Edited by Joel Green
Faithful Interpretation: Reading the Bible in a Postmodern World. A. K. M. Adam
*Reading Scripture with the Church: Toward a Hermeneutic for Theological Interpretation. Adam, Fowl, Vanhoozer, Watson

Shane Hipps, Rob Bell, Pete Rollins

Register for Poets Prophets Preachers

a seminar for those serious about reclaiming the art of the sermon

The Great Debaters

Marshall, Texas, described by James Farmer, Jr. as “the last city to surrender after the Civil War,” is home to Wiley College, where, in 1935-36, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and his clandestine work as a union organizer, Professor Melvin Tolson coaches the debate team to a nearly-undefeated season that sees the first debate between U.S. students from white and Negro colleges and ends with an invitation to face Harvard University’s national champions. The team of four, which includes a female student and a very young James Farmer, is tested in a crucible heated by Jim Crow, sexism, a lynch mob, an arrest and near riot, a love affair, jealousy, and a national radio audience. Written by {jhailey@hotmail.com}

The Brehm Center at Fuller Theological Seminary

The Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts – a division of Fuller Theological Seminary – was founded in 2001 with the mission to revitalize the church through the arts. We strive to be an innovative space for the creative integration of worship, theology, and the arts in culture. This mission is part of Fuller’s larger commitment to equip men and women for the manifold ministry of Christ and his Church.

We pursue our mission by promoting degree programs and courses that investigate the theory and practice of artistic ministry; by fostering creativity and creative events on campus and in the community; by offering educational opportunities to church leaders; and by engaging expert faculty, visiting scholars, and world-class artists.

Stephen Fowl on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture

Visit D.C. Spinks for more studies in Theological Interpretation

Resources for Renewal Today: A celebration of history, theology, ministry, music, and literature. June 18-20, 2009. Emmanuel and Knox Colleges @ The University of Toronto 

 

I’m giving a talk titled Contemporary Resistance to Church Life and the Response of the Emerging Church in Toronto this weekend. It was last minute for me – but the last 10 years of life have prepared me well for just such a talk. More than anything – I hope to cast a vision for what the church, at its best, has always been – the missional people of God in the world.