“The hardest task confronting any New Testament scholar is to come up with an idea or an argument that is at the same time fresh, interesting, and not too far-fetched.”
–John Aston, The Religion of Paul the Apostle (New Haven/London: Yale University Press, 2000) 244.
Of course, this applies all the more to postgraduates.
I was granted faith in Jesus Christ in late-1987, at the ripe old age of twenty. I was attending Utah State University at the time, majoring in Music. After coming to faith, my interests migrated and I changed my major to Philosophy. Several philosophy courses contained segments critical of the Bible, especially of the New Testament. One term I enrolled in the course, “The History and Thought of the New Testament” — which was neither. The lecturer was a deviant Presbyterian minister who’s education was a bit out of date. He tried hard to dissuade students of any confidence in the New Testament gospels.
What he didn’t know, at least at first, was that I had become acquainted with Dr. Craig L. Blomberg, now Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary. Not only that, I had acquired a copy of Craig’s book, The Historical Reliability of the Gospels (first edition). These were the days before email and low-priced long distance phone calls. Nevertheless, I began speaking with Craig about numerous issues. He was eminently helpful and always available. I read his book (or portions thereof) so many times that I eventually had to replace it. Then I had to replace it again. Now I’m very pleased to note that a second edition has been published. I highly recommend this book: The Historical Reliability of the Gospels
Later I was to make my way to Colorado, begin working with Summit Ministries, and eventually pursue an M.A. I took many courses on many subjects at different schools. I only took two courses with Craig, however. He is highly sought after at Denver Seminary. What I did enjoy, however, were our regular conversations and correspondence. I also enjoyed a fantastic independent study with Craig, one in which I first floated my peculiar reading of Romans 1:18ff. (No, Craig was not persuaded by my thesis, though he felt there was enough traction for it to be pursued. I’m pursuing it!)
Craig is an inspiration to younger wanna-be evangelical scholars. I cannot thank you enough, Craig!
During my M.A. studies I enjoyed a number of courses with Dr. Richard S. Hess, Professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary. I fondly remember the courses, the independent studies, and the innumerable conversations about this and that regarding Old Testament history, theology, archaeology, etc. I usually meet up with Rick during our summers back in Colorado. Well, he’s recently published a book that may interest you: Israelite Religions: An Archaeological and Biblical Survey
The first edition of the new Summit Oxford Quarterly is now available for download. This is a scheduled publication including updates on the ministry and students, as well as some cultural engagement(s). In this issue you’ll find an introduction to Summit Oxford, an article engaging some problems faced by the “new atheists,” profiles of three students who participated in Summit Oxford’s precursor program, and some notes on three books we appreciate.