Rate my desired books!

[Alucard]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&type=wishlist&id=2LNVNNSM8W4WP

And uh... if you have some spare cash...

XD :tongue:

[Alucard]

FINE THEN, DON`T TELL ME!

Oh, and uh, based on the books I`ve put down there, does anyone have any suggestions as to what books I should also set my sights on?

[MooseOnTheLoose]

"The Gallows Girl" and "The Spaniard's Daughter" by Melanie Gifford.

[TheAnalogman]

I give your list an "A-". Add more deSilva, especially his introduction to the NT. Excellent list overall!

[lao tzu]

FINE THEN, DON`T TELL ME!

Oh, and uh, based on the books I`ve put down there, does anyone have any suggestions as to what books I should also set my sights on?

Companion to Miller's "Finding Darwin's God" ...

Coming to Peace With Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830827420/ref=pd_luc_0000100612335010830827420)

Based on an email recommendation to a reformed TWeb YEC from Francis Collins — head of the Human Genome project and author of "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief." (I do not recommend Collins' book, however. If you wish to read the apologetics of C.S. Lewis', I suggest you read them directly from the source.)

As ever, Jesse

p.s. Why no skeptical selections?

[Alucard]

"The Gallows Girl" and "The Spaniard's Daughter" by Melanie Gifford.

lulz


I give your list an "A-". Add more deSilva, especially his introduction to the NT. Excellent list overall!

Sure thing. Now I just need to find a way to fund these somehow.


Companion to Miller's "Finding Darwin's God" ...

Coming to Peace With Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology

Based on an email recommendation to a reformed TWeb YEC from Francis Collins — head of the Human Genome project and author of "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief." (I do not recommend Collins' book, however. If you wish to read the apologetics of C.S. Lewis', I suggest you read them directly from the source.)

As ever, Jesse

p.s. Why no skeptical selections?

I`ve already read Collins` book, and his reasons for belief didn`t particularly impress me - though it was a book suited for laymen at the very beginning of their search. I heard that Miller`s book was a lot better, however, and I`ll definitely give the other one a look. As for skeptical texts - recommend away. I`ll say that I have never been impressed by Dawkins and Hitchens` theological disputes with Christianity - though their contemporary issues are usually quite accurate. But if you know of any others that I should read...

[lao tzu]

<snip>

As for skeptical texts - recommend away. I`ll say that I have never been impressed by Dawkins and Hitchens` theological disputes with Christianity - though their contemporary issues are usually quite accurate. But if you know of any others that I should read...

The Origins of Biblical Monotheism: Israel's Polytheistic Background and the Ugaritic Texts (http://www.amazon.com/Origins-Biblical-Monotheism-Polytheistic-Background/dp/0195167686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207983031&sr=8-1), by Mark S. Smith.

This is not so much a "skeptical" book as it is an "outside" view, not a theological work but an archaeological treatise, and one I would recommend to anyone who is serious about investigating any of the Abrahamic faiths.

As ever, Jesse

[Alucard]

Ah, thank you. Yes, I`ve heard plenty of the "Judaism started out polytheistic" so maybe I should see where the whole thing leads a little bit more.

[Alucard]

I just added John Loftus` to my list - serious reading needs some comedy along the way!

[lao tzu]

Ah, thank you. Yes, I`ve heard plenty of the "Judaism started out polytheistic" so maybe I should see where the whole thing leads a little bit more.

The Ugaritic texts contain the earliest references to the panoply of gods you'll find in the bible. The progression from polytheism to henotheism to monotheism can be read directly from your sacred texts — from the elohim to the "other gods" referenced in the first commandment— but it's much more evident when you place the Hebrews in their cultural and temporal context by looking at its actual origins. Once there were no Hebrews. Once there was no Hebrew god. Where did they come from? Where did the stories associated with them begin to be told and who were the gods named in those stories?

There were three cradles of civilization close enough to influence the development of the Hebrew religion. The Indus valley, the Nile valley, and the Mesopotamian in order of increasing proximity. The "whole thing leads" to a far richer understanding of the cultures of early historical humanity, revealing a history which is still being written as one archaeological find leads to another.


I just added John Loftus` to my list - serious reading needs some comedy along the way!

I thought that was why you added JPH.

[JB]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&type=wishlist&id=2LNVNNSM8W4WP

:hehe: Your list is less than a sixth the size of mine...

The first thing I see is Wright's Climax of the Covenant; it's one of my current reads, and it's excellent. Don't have Crossan v. Wright book, but I sure want it. I've read Five Views on Apologetics, that was pretty good. I see you've got a bit of the other side tossed in there (Harris, Long, etc.), that's good. Don't have The Case Against Q, though I do have Questioning Q, which was a pretty decent collection of essays. I wasn't terribly impressed with Grudem's Systematic Theology for some reason. I've read Fee's Pauline Christology, and it handles the Greek very well and highlights the importance of kurios-Christology, although Fee seems to have a vendetta against any hints of a Pauline Wisdom Christology. Don't have the Social-science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels yet, just the ones on Paul and John. You've got some nice textual criticism material in there, that's a field I unfortunately haven't much explored. I also spot a bit of Hurtado, props for that; Malina's New Testament World is just phenomenal. I own Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview but haven't read it yet; Wright's Challenge of Jesus is one of the best "intro"-type works I've ever read (same with Simply Christian and Paul: In Fresh Perspectives--those are three of my favorite books); Bauckham's Jesus and the Eyewitnesses was just plain sweet. Why I Rejected Christianity is, well, tragic comedy. Wright's Who Was Jesus was short and sweet, and The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus is a decent work. I haven't read the Witherington stuff you have on there, but what I have read by him is awesome. Jeffers' book on the Greco-Roman world is very useful and well-written, and you'll get great use out of Honor, Patronage, Kinship & Purity and The Handbook of Biblical Social Values. God Crucified is great, but I can't wait for Bauckham to get around to writing his expanded treatment of the subject. Wright's New Testament and the People of God and Jesus and the Victory of God can scarcely be touted enough; don't have Evil and the Justice of God, but I'm eager to get my hands on it.

All in all, good list. :thumb:


And uh... if you have some spare cash...

XD :tongue:

I'm afraid I bought around 100 books today, so I'm a bit strapped for cash right now... :rasberry:

[historic salve]

You could always go to the library for many of these books, Chaos. :teeth:

[JB]

You could always go to the library for many of these books, Chaos. :teeth:

Library, shmibrary. :tongue:

[Alucard]

Your list is less than a sixth the size of mine...

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=FPxY8lpYAUM


The first thing I see is Wright's Climax of the Covenant; it's one of my current reads, and it's excellent. Don't have Crossan v. Wright book, but I sure want it.

All I`ve read from Wright is about half of The Resurrection of the Son of God, and it`s super-interesting, but I`m finding it difficult to get into it. One of these days soon when I don`t have much else to do (or even next year when this stuff won`t be interfering with my study - it WILL be my study), I`m going to sit down with it and take historic salve`s advice on note-taking and eating, not gorging. Perhaps a couple of Wright`s shorter books will serve me well in the beginning.


I see you've got a bit of the other side tossed in there (Harris, Long, etc.), that's good.

Yeah, I thought maybe I`d take lao tzu`s advice and have a look at what people like Harris have to say (though I`m fairly sure he was talking more about secular outsider scholars rather than those simply antagonistic to Christianity).


Don't have The Case Against Q, though I do have Questioning Q, which was a pretty decent collection of essays.

See, I always thought Q was the scholarly consensus even among Christian scholars like Hurtado (which it probably is), but I see no reason to have a look at the arguments against.


I wasn't terribly impressed with Grudem's Systematic Theology for some reason.

Oh? Why?


I've read Fee's Pauline Christology, and it handles the Greek very well and highlights the importance of kurios-Christology, although Fee seems to have a vendetta against any hints of a Pauline Wisdom Christology.

See, I was most intrigued, as I haven`t heard of many serious scholars who hold to Pentecostalism, so I thought I would give him a go.


You've got some nice textual criticism material in there, that's a field I unfortunately haven't much explored.

The Metzger and Ehrman stuff, you mean?


I also spot a bit of Hurtado, props for that;

Lord Jesus Christ is another one that has given me a bit of trouble as well.


Why I Rejected Christianity is, well, tragic comedy.

I read the excerpt on Amazon, and I don`t see much hope for it already.


Wright's Who Was Jesus was short and sweet

From what I read on the Tektonics review, I`m looking forward to it.


I haven't read the Witherington stuff you have on there, but what I have read by him is awesome.

I`ve been reading The Jesus Quest; Jesus, Paul, and the End of the World; John`s Wisdom; and The Gospel Code, and they are all very good. For such a good scholar though, Witherington`s credentials seem a little jumbled up. He has a Master of Divinities degree which, correct me if I`m wrong, is a professional, pastoral degree (rather than academic and scholarly), and then a research doctorate on women in the NT. Could you shed some light on that, possibly?


you'll get great use out of Honor, Patronage, Kinship & Purity and The Handbook of Biblical Social Values.

S`what I heard :tongue:


Wright's New Testament and the People of God and Jesus and the Victory of God can scarcely be touted enough; don't have Evil and the Justice of God, but I'm eager to get my hands on it.

salve recommended EATJOG to someone else, and I thought I could probably get something out of it as well. And isn`t JVG touted as Wright`s best work so far?

Thanks JB, any suggestions as to what I should add? I`ll probably buy these books in drips and drabs over the next year or so.


You could always go to the library for many of these books, Chaos. :teeth:

That`s an option, but I like the idea of a fat bookshelf of scholarly works I can always consult right there.

[Alucard]

I thought that was why you added JPH.

I just saw this.

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWW!

:tongue:

[Philosophickle]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&type=wishlist&id=2LNVNNSM8W4WP

And uh... if you have some spare cash...

XD :tongue:

Lolz:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=gno_listpop_wi/105-0312462-8272456

[lao tzu]

Lolz:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=gno_listpop_wi/105-0312462-8272456

So did you like my favorite Diner?

[Philosophickle]

So did you like my favorite Diner?

It was excellent. I had some Santa Fe salad thingy, and much to the chagrin of my fellow travelers I got gassy anyway. Way worth it though. Thank you for the suggestion.

[Alucard]

Okay, out of the books that are on there now, what would you recommend I go for first?

[historic salve]

I'd pick these first:

NT Textual Criticism: A Concise Guide
An Introduction to NT Christology
The Theology of Paul the Apostle
What Saint Paul Really Said: Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity?
Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ

[Alucard]

Hmm... that would be $71 for just those... I need money.

[historic salve]

Hmm... that would be $71 for just those... I need money.
Not all of the books on the list will be very helpful to you... I'd really recommend getting some at the library (at least the ones you're less sure about) so you don't waste a lot of money.

[Alucard]

Not all of the books on the list will be very helpful to you... I'd really recommend getting some at the library (at least the ones you're less sure about) so you don't waste a lot of money.

Probably not, but I do want to build up a library of my own over time. I don't need all the textual criticism and Greek ones I've put down, although I will be doing both at college next year, so I'll probably get one to be going on with.

Perhaps I'll get two or three to start with.

[Alucard]

Okay, my uncle gave me AU$50 today out of the blue. Perhaps I can fund a couple of books with that. I really want to read Re-inventing Jesus, but perhaps that should be somewhat lower on my list.

[Alucard]

Okay, these are the ones that I have decided to buy (I'll probably end up with all of the books on the list over the next few years or so though!)

Re-inventing Jesus
Finding Darwin's God
The Gospel and the Greeks
Honour, Patronage, Kinship & Purity

[Alucard]

Okay... so what to set my sights on now?

[ApologiaPhoenix]

Okay... so what to set my sights on now?

The mail

[Alucard]

That might not be a very productive thing to do for a few weeks.

[Alucard]

They came today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!!!!!!1!!!!one!!!!

[Jaltus]

Most scholars get M Divs first because if you want to teach at a Seminary, you need to have an M Div since that is the degree most students are going for. I have an M Div and I am an academic.

[Alucard]

Most scholars get M Divs first because if you want to teach at a Seminary, you need to have an M Div since that is the degree most students are going for. I have an M Div and I am an academic.

An MDiv is not really an option for me... there a few places around here that offer it, and I've got enough biblical study to keep me going for a long time.

Maybe I'll just teach at a university or something instead.

[Jaltus]

It's not that big of a deal, but if you get an MA you can always bump it up to an M Div later on, or get a ThM after the MA, then you would be set. You will need both Hebrew and Greek, though.

[Alucard]

It's not that big of a deal, but if you get an MA you can always bump it up to an M Div later on, or get a ThM after the MA, then you would be set. You will need both Hebrew and Greek, though.

I'm planning on doing a Graduate Diploma in Theology, and a Master of Philosophy and a PhD in New Testament Studies.

I'm going to be learning Greek starting next year in my BA though.

Ah yeah, I may as well tell you how I'm planning on it all going down...

University of Queensland

Bachelor of Arts (Religious Studies/Political Science) - 3 years

University of Melbourne

Juris Doctor - 2.5-3 years

Cambridge University

Master of Laws - 1 year

Oxford University

Post-grad diploma in Theology - 1 year
Master of Philosophy in NT Studies - 2 years
Doctor of Philosophy in NT Studies - However long it takes to expand the MPhil thesis.

I'll probably work for a while after my JD before heading off to England though.

[Alucard]

Okay, when JP releases the Christ-myth book, I'll order that and TIF together. Then I plan to get Witherington's What Have They Done With Jesus, and then two more. Any suggestions?