Paul Trebilco

The Crosses of Pompeii

History & Biography

“In this fascinating tour de force, Bruce Longenecker compellingly shows that there were Jesus-followers in Pompeii prior to 79 CE when the city was destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius. This is then the first material evidence of Jesus-devotion from the ancient world. Longenecker carefully constructs his case, presenting a multifaceted historical background for the evidence, and reviewing and refuting other views. Overall, he considers nearly two-dozen artifacts, most of which have been overlooked by other scholars. He locates where some Jesus-followers lived in Pompeii and what they did, and we even learn of one name. Through this incisively argued study, we come to understand a great deal about the worldviews of the people of Pompeii, the context of these early believers, some of the reasons why they became Jesus-followers, and the complexities of their lives. Longenecker adds a whole new dimension to our understanding of the life of Jesus-followers in the first century.”

The Didache Discoveries

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“In this highly engaging book, Alan Garrow argues that embedded within the Didache is the full text of the Apostolic Decree decided at the Jerusalem Council around 48 CE as well as the Missing Epistle of John. The book's detailed and meticulously argued detective work deserves to be taken with the utmost seriousness—for its overall argument has wide ramifications for our understanding of the New Testament.”

The Heresy of Orthodoxy

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“This is an admirably lucid and highly convincing rebuttal of the thesis that the earliest form of Christianity in many places was what would later be judged as 'heresy' and that earliest Christianity was so diverse that it should not be considered as a single movement—a thesis first presented by Walter Bauer but most recently advocated by Bart Ehrman. As Köstenberger and Kruger show with such clarity and compelling force, this still highly influential thesis simply does not stand up to scrutiny. By looking at a whole range of evidence—early Christian communities in different regions in the Roman Empire, the New Testament documents themselves, the emergence and boundaries of the canon and its connection to covenant, and the evidence for Christian scribes and the reliable transmission of the text of the New Testament—they show step by step that another view of early Christianity is much more in keeping with the evidence. That is, that there is a unified doctrinal core in the New Testament, as well as a degree of legitimate diversity, and that the sense of orthodoxy among New Testament writers is widespread and pervasive. They also unmask the way contemporary culture has been mesmerized by diversity and the impact this has had on some readers of the New Testament. In this astute and highly readable book—a tour de force—Köstenberger and Kruger have done us all a great service. It is essential reading for all who want to understand the New Testament and recent controversies that have arisen in New Testament Studies.”

The Righteous Judgment of God

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“In this lucid, well-written, and deeply pastoral book informed by much scholarly work, Coulson argues that God's judgment is a fundamental presupposition of Paul's theology. Coulson shows that our understanding of God's grace and of salvation itself will be impoverished if we do not fully grasp what Paul says about God's judgment. This book will greatly help us to further comprehend the significance of these very important subjects!”

The Significance of the Temple Incident in the Narratives of the Four Gospels

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“In this insightful study, Deolito Vistar considers the significance of the temple incident for each of the four Gospels and asks how this event connects to the overall message of each Gospel. Through close attention to the context of the temple incident in each Gospel and through careful exegetical discussions, Vistar leads us to deeper understanding, not only of each evangelist’s portrait of Jesus, but also of each of the Gospels themselves. This engaging and clearly written account greatly helps us to understand this key incident in Jesus’ life as well as to see the Gospels themselves from a fresh angle.”

The Soteriological Use of Call by Paul and Luke

Theology

“In this insightful and engaging study, Ian Hussey shows that καλέω is a significant soteriological concept for both Luke and Paul. By focusing on this overlooked dimension of their respective soteriologies, Hussey not only deepens our understanding of Luke and Paul’s views about salvation but also shows how much they have in common. This study is highly recommended as a window onto wide-ranging and important themes within the theology of the New Testament.”

The State of Pauline Studies

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“What’s been happening in Pauline studies, and where are we now in the study of the apostle Paul? Gupta, Heim, and McKnight have called together a group of leading Pauline scholars who guide us into the heart of contemporary discussions about the apostle. The book is an authoritative road map to current debates about key topics in Pauline studies and about each book in the Pauline corpus. An indispensable and highly recommended guide!”

Understanding Mark’s Gospel

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“I often suggest to students who want to study the New Testament in more depth that they start with Mark’s Gospel. Keown’s new book Understanding Mark’s Gospel is a great way to be guided to that greater depth of understanding and that richer level of insight. This easy-to-read book will open up Mark’s Gospel in fresh and exciting ways, both for new readers of Mark’s Gospel and for those who have read the Gospel many times. Understanding Mark’s Gospel will also assist its readers in reaching the goal that Mark the evangelist had in mind when he wrote his Gospel—that we as readers might encounter Jesus and grow in faith in him.”