Michael F. Bird

"He Descended to the Dead"

Theology

“Matthew Emerson has ably recovered a theology of Holy Saturday, Christ's descent into the place of death, for churches that are normally suspicious about ancient creeds. He shows that it is biblical, theologically necessary, integral to the work of Christ, and even intrinsic to the very identity of the God we worship. A concise and convincing account of a contested topic.”

15 New Testament Words of Life

Theology

“Nijay Gupta is artful and accessible in his effort to take a single word from a New Testament book and explore that theme at length. Gupta explores themes on God, salvation, and the life of faith. A very rare kind of New Testament theology, eminently readable and enjoyable.”

A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament

Theology

“In this volume, a number of capable biblical scholars faithfully explore the Old Testament writings with sensitivity and sensibility. They do an admirable job not simply in describing the main themes and theology of each book but also in artfully showing that the Old Testament has a covenantal framework, a kingdom perspective, and Christ at its center. In brief, this is a superb volume, which provides an understandable and informative overview of the Old Testament. A great antidote to an embarrassing ignorance of the Old Testament by Christians.”

A Little Book for New Bible Scholars

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Plotting a course of study or even a career in biblical studies can be fraught with many trials and temptations. In this charming little book, Joey Dodson and Randy Richards offer some sage advice to budding students of the Bible on how to keep their egos intact, how to keep their faith authentic, how to use their vat of new biblical knowledge to serve others, and how to grow as Christians through biblical studies. Everyone should read this book before seminary!”

A Week in the Life of a Greco-Roman Woman

Fiction

“Trying to imagine what life would have been like in the Roman empire can be hard enough, it can be harder too if you are trying to imagine what life was like for women, whose voices are mostly muted and marginalized in the annals of history. So it is quite rewarding to have someone like Dr. Holly Beers do the hard work of research and creative storytelling to help us imagine the life of women in the Greco-Roman world. Anyone interested in New Testament background or Roman antiquity will find here an enthralling and informative narrative about the prominence and plight of women in the ancient world.”

A Week in the Life of a Slave

Fiction

“John Byron has written an imaginative and historically informed novella about slavery in the ancient world, specifically in the early church. He takes you into the story of Paul, Philemon, Onesimus, the cities of Asia Minor, and the plight of slaves. It is filled with information about the ancient world, living conditions, gods and deities, travel, and what it was like to be a slave in the first century. Byron is one person I know with the knowledge of Greco-Roman slavery and the literary brilliance to make a book like this both fun to read and genuinely educational. A must-read!”

A Week In the Life of Ephesus

Fiction

“David deSilva's novel about a week in the life of Christians in Ephesus, living under the shadow of the Roman Empire, is a thrilling story as well as an educational journey through the ancient world. Set against the backdrop of the book of Revelation, this is not a novel that will leave you worried about being 'left behind,' but it will make a deep impression on how to be a faithful Christian against the backdrop of malevolent imperial power. . . . Could not put it down!”

A Woman's Place Is in the Story

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Sandra Glahn has written an illuminating work that puts the spotlight on the women of the Bible who normally remain in the shadows. In many ways it is a rehabilitation of women in the biblical story; otherwise, Glahn is simply pointing to the women who were always there if anyone had taken the time to look. A fascinating investigation into biblical narratives, the role of women in sacred stories, and a call for responsible reading of the Bible.”

A World Without God

Philosophy

“Christopher Palmer is a tour guide through the sloughs of despondence that have afflicted the modern world, where the revolutions that have conquered nature have left the human soul feeling more despairing than ever. He shows from poetry, novels, music, and art the dark side of the moon that many feel trapped on. Yet Palmer also points us toward an audacious hope centered on the Lord Jesus Christ, who brings us into joy, beauty, and enchantment. A timely book for an anxious age.”

Rev.

Against Liberal Theology

Theology

“Roger Olson shows us the absolute theological vacuity of American liberal Christianity. He demonstrates that liberalism’s God is a mirror of themselves, their Jesus is not worthy of worship nor a savior of any sort, and the Holy Spirit is merely a symbol for their own musings. Olson’s verdict is damning but indubitable: liberal Christianity has little to do with classic or historical Christianity.”

An African Introduction to the New Testament

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Praise for An African Introduction to the New Testament An African Introduction to the New Testament is a monumental achievement in biblical scholarship, showing that God has new light to shine on his word when it is viewed through the eyes of African believers and explained in their own voices. The issues faced by the churches in Africa are different to those in the Global North, and this is reflected in the application sections of each chapter. The editors have assembled an amazing cast of contributors to showcase the views, vision, and values of African biblical interpretation today. An ideal way to experience the wisdom and excellence of contemporary African scholarship!”

Rev.

An Intertextual Commentary on Romans, Volume 1

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Channing Crisler has written a crisp, clear, and compelling account of Paul’s use of the Old Testament in Romans 1–4. It is not only a good introduction to biblical ‘intertextuality,’ but a terrific study on how Paul is both a Jewish exegete and a Christian theologian who argues his case ‘according to the Scriptures.’ Genuinely insightful for those interested in the Apostle Paul and biblical hermeneutics.”

An Introduction to the Greek New Testament, Produced at Tyndale House, Cambridge

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“The Greek New Testament, Produced at Tyndale House, Cambridge is one of the most exciting publications in biblical studies in the last decade. This new and user-friendly critical edition of the Greek New Testament now has a superb companion in Dirk Jongkind’s An Introduction to the Greek New Testament. Jongkind describes not only how the Tyndale House Edition came to be but also how any critical edition of the Greek New Testament came to be. Jongkind does a superb job explaining very technical topics related to manuscripts, textual variants, the Textus Receptus, and more, and explaining why it matters. Your seminary professor can teach you how to read Greek, but Jongkind teaches you how to read a critical edition of the Greek New Testament. A must-have resource for all students of biblical Greek.”

Apostle of the Crucified Lord

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“The best introduction to Paul and his letters just got better!”

Bloody, Brutal, and Barbaric?

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“William Webb and Gordon Oeste have written a courageous book dealing with some of the most challenging ethical questions about war, rape, and violence in the Old Testament. They approach it with ethical sensitivity and a high regard for biblical authority, explaining ancient war practices, and advocating what I regard as a convincing thesis about an incremental redemptive ethic. A landmark publication on a perplexing subject!”

Can We Trust the Bible on the Historical Jesus?

Apologetics

“In this book, two eminent scholars of early Christianity, Bart Ehrman and Craig Evans, come head to head in an epic debate about whether the New Testament provides a historically reliable account of Jesus. Much is at stake on this, for history, for religion, and neither holds back in setting forth the case for or against the Jesus of the Gospels. Informative, riveting, and truly eye-opening. History buffs and the religiously minded will enjoy this book.”

Christian Academic Writing

Theology

“The difference between a good writer and a great writer is that great writers deliberately seek to improve their writing skills. In this book, Merkle and Miles show you how to write with diligence and discipline, how to make your words work for you, and how to develop your own voice and vision for writing. Merkle and Miles offer terrific tips and techniques that aspiring and accomplished writers will return to time and time again.”

Christianity at the Crossroads

History & Biography

“If you've ever wondered what happened to the church after the apostles, how the church began to expand and grow, and why it developed its particular beliefs, then Michael Kruger has written the book for you. In this learned volume, Kruger takes readers into the mysterious second century, where he lucidly explains things like the formation of a distinctive Christian identity, pagan responses to Christianity, the rise of certain heresies, and the canonization of the New Testament. This book will open a whole new world that you never knew existed!”

Christological Dogmatics

Theology

“Glenn Butner has produced an erudite and magisterial treatment on the most important subject in theology: the person of Jesus Christ. His breadth of inquiry is astounding, from biblical studies, to patristics, to medieval classics, to Protestant scholastics, to modern theology. Butner guides readers through every disagreement and debate about God the Son and comes to measured and mature conclusions.”

Communal Reading in the Time of Jesus

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Brian Wright’s compelling claim is that literacy rates were much higher than normally assumed and reading communities were far more prevalent than usually supposed. If he is correct – and broadly I think he is – this changes a lot of what we think about textuality, book culture, and the preservation of texts in early Christianity.”