"Pastoral Identity: True Shepherds in the Household of Faith" (Douglas D. Webster)

TITLE: Pastoral Identity: True Shepherds in the Household of Faith
AUTHOR: Douglas D. Webster
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Ministry, 2023, (192 pages).
 

According to Barna research, the percentage of pastors considering quitting full-time ministry hovers around 42 percent. The pandemic only made it worse. Whatever the numbers, the trend is a worrying one. With enrolment at theological institutions down, and the rising attrition of pastors, churches continue to have a hard time hiring pastors. Perhaps, this is a symptom of a deeper problem, that the expectations of both churches and pastors are both misaligned. Author Douglas Webster recognizes the different expectations not only in the modern era but also through the ages. The one thing that is fundamentally important is the issue of identity. How do we understand the way pastoral leadership has changed? What kind of pastoral care is needed in a culture of nominal Christians? What if the gifts of the pastor do not match  the Church's expectations? 

In this book, Webster helps us wrestle with the differences of pastoral identity across two eras: Christendom and the modern household of faith. Thr former is based on religious tradition or Church denominational history (time-limited) while the latter on followers of Jesus who reflect the values of the gospel (timeless). Change has been happening even in the modern era. The challenge is to try to adapting gospel approaches to changing culture.

"World Religions in Seven Sentences" (Douglas Groothuis)

TITLE: World Religions in Seven Sentences
AUTHOR: Douglas Groothuis
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (150 pages).
 

One common accusation against Christians is their lack of understanding of other religions. They wonder how Christians can accept Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life when they have not explored the other religious angles. Is it fair to accept one without first considering the others? Plus, how could Christians relate to a person of another faith? How do we understand another faith perspective without misrepresenting them? This book is a resource to help promote better understanding in an increasingly pluralistic society. In a society that guarantees freedom of religion, it is crucial to be respectful of other beliefs. What better way than to get some basic understanding of others to facilitate goodwill and neighbourliness. For author Douglas Groothuis, this book is an attempt to equip us with a basic knowledge of the positions of seven common beliefs in our society. If we are to practice loving our neighbours, it would mean learning to be respectful of their beliefs in our civil interactions with them. Hopefully, that would translate into behaviours that display class and tact, without compromising the Christian faith. This is increasingly important due to the multireligious environments created by immigration, global movements, and connections via the Internet. Groothuis does this by addressing the central doctrines of each position and their versions of truth. He then responds from a Christian perspective.

"Composition as Conversation" (Heather M. Hoover)

TITLE: Composition as Conversation: Seven Virtues for Effective Writing
AUTHOR: Heather M. Hoover
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023, (176 pages).
 

In general, there are four ways in which we can communicate. We can read and write. We can also hear and speak. All of these ways help us to better comprehend and converse with others. However, academic writing is a different beast altogether. It can be dry or downright boring. As the author points out: "academic writing should cultivate lively discussion and promote critical and creative thinking." How do we do that? Author-Professor Heather Hoover poses this to her students, whose feedback led to this book. The purpose is to utilize the power of words to inspire others. She highlights seven ways in which writing leads to "conversational virtues." She begins with the basic task to "Be Curious" by asking appropriate questions. These questions are often open-ended and need to demonstrate a genuine desire to want to connect with others. Asking good questions can help but its effectiveness can be limited. It requires a kind of asking that shows forth a genuine interest to hear the responses. Such a task requires some level of "humility, risk, and commitment." She lists various ways to help us build our vocabulary of interesting questions. The second virtue is that of attentiveness. She points out the difference between writing for writing's sake versus writing for others' sake.

"Beguiled by Beauty" (Wendy Farley)

TITLE: Beguiled by Beauty: Cultivating a Life of Contemplation and Compassion
AUTHOR: Wendy Farley
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2023, (200 pages).
 

Modern versions of Christianity have been one of activism and various spiritual practices. Some even call for greater participation in social justice. The rush to do first without adequate contemplation can become a form of short-term gain without long-term benefits. Living in a busy world is already a hectic routine. With the evangelical fervor that pushes us to do more, no wonder Christians are in need of a vacation. Some might even need more such breaks. What if we could incorporate more regular retreats and opportunities for spiritual renewal? What if we could adopt a discipline of slowing down and being more contemplative in everything? More importantly, what if we could turn our contemplative activities into opportunities to behold God's work on earth and bless the community that we interact with? Before we can do that, we need to understand what contemplation is. This is how author Wendy Farley begins, by showing us the meaning and the reasons for contemplation. Beginning with an explanation of what contemplation is, she aims to help us cultivate this discipline in our everyday lives. She helps us "cultivate habits of wonder" as we become more aware of beauty and compassion. She defines the contemplative life as "a general attitude for integrating all the aspects of one's life into a spiritual whole."

"Nourishing Narratives" (Jennifer L. Holberg)

TITLE: Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape Our Faith
AUTHOR: Jennifer L. Holberg
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2023, (240 pages).
 

What is our story? Are they defined by highlights in our careers or are they tarnished by failures in our ventures? How do we tell our own stories? Which narrative should we share? Do we share inspiring ones or lament about the negative events in our lives? For author Jennifer Holberg, this book is about helping us share life-giving narratives of our lives. Readers also learn about paying close attention to the narratives of others, all for the purpose of sensing God's story in the larger world. We associate the names of people with memories of our encounters with them. We get a frank assessment of the popular use of testimonies, with the author questioning the stereotypes of the "Boring Testimony Syndrome" where believers are urged to share sensational conversion stories. The truth is, many of our personal narratives are complicated. We cannot and should not allow others to dictate our own narratives. Here, we learn to ask ourselves questions like:

• Why do I find it hard to share my personal stories?
• Why am I uncomfortable with my own narrative?
• What does the discomfort tell us about ourselves and our theology?
• Is the tension we feel need to go away or to be embraced?
• What is the essence of the story and how can I share it in such a way as to bless another person?

"Centering Discipleship" (E. K. Strawser)

TITLE: Centering Discipleship: A Pathway for Multiplying Spectators into Mature Disciples
AUTHOR: E. K. Strawser
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (224 pages).
 

What is the difference between a regular Church and a Discipleship-Making Church? Of course, most churches will claim to be doing some form of discipleship. The difference lies in the emphasis. Is Discipleship the center focus or is it merely peripheral to the Church? Pastor-Author, Eun Strawser hits the jugular when she points out that most churches tend to put discipleship at the peripherals. By declaring that discipleship is the heart of the mission of the Church, Strawser shows us the way to turning the nominal Church into a discipleship-making Church. This book is about the way to move discipleship from the peripherals to the center of Church life. This calls for a transformation of the Church at all levels. First off, Strawser calls for a shift from programs to pathways, which is a framework for discipleship. This framework is about adopting a life abiding in Christ, to grow in building a discipleship-making community toward fruitful lives that beget others to do the same for Jesus. In brief, it is to do what we can to help others follow and imitate Jesus. The first part is about self-denial followed by some paradigm shifts. We learn the differences between fan vs follower. We learn the emphasis on imitating Christ instead of mere Sunday sermon instructions. The author gives us several differences between what discipleship is and what it is not. This helps us to clear up the foggy Church scene which often confuses actual discipleship with Church activities. We learn about the marks of a mature disciple, which focuses on character, theology, wisdom, and missional living. 

"How to Read and Understand the Psalms" (Bruce K. Waltke and Fred G. Zaspel)

TITLE: How to Read and Understand the Psalms
AUTHOR: Bruce K. Waltke and Fred G. Zaspel
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2023, (608 pages).
 

The Psalms is the most if not one of the most beloved books in the Bible. Many preachers love to preach from the Psalms. Containing a rich compendium of praise, poetry, prayer, theology, and worship, many people identify deeply with the Psalms as they go through the ups and downs of life. Many New Testament writers have also referenced the Psalms. The Psalms have inspired many songs. They are the official Prayer Book of the Jews. They teach us how to pray. They encourage us to be completely honest with God. The five major sections of the Psalms parallel the Pentateuch. In that sense, they mark out a brief history of Israel. While it is one thing to read and cherish the Psalms, interpreting and preaching on it can be tough. That is why it is also one of the most difficult to understand. The intent of this book is to equip readers, preachers, and laypersons with some fundamental skills in reading and understanding the Psalms. The content is mostly credited to the highly respected Dr. Bruce Waltke, who has spent the bulk of his life as an Old Testament scholar. In this book, readers are treated to a rich collection of fundamental tips to remember when reading the Psalms. Covering many important segments of the 150 Psalms, we learn about the Psalter in broad terms. We learn the different interpretive frameworks for understanding the Psalms. this is in line with the type of psalms. While many people would follow the Psalms in a chronological manner, or refer to them by their psalm numerical notations, there is a better way to interpret the Psalms. That is via the nature of the psalm concerned. For instance, there are the didactic psalms (of instruction), those that instruct us on the righteous way of life. There are various forms of praise psalms that teach us the power of worship. There are the psalms of trust which inspire us to be assured in the promises of God. There are also the lament psalms that show us how much God understands our human conditions. There are the royal psalms of David as well as the Psalms of Ascents which are also pilgrimage psalms. Apart from the genre concerned, there are the superscripts and postscripts that tell us about the composition and intent of the psalm. 

"Mind Shift" (Erwin Raphael McManus)

TITLE: Mind Shift - It Doesn't Take a Genius to Think Like One
AUTHOR: Erwin Raphael McManus
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Convergent Books, 2023, (160 pages).
 

Are we limiting ourselves from our true potential? In a difficult, drudgery, and sometimes discouraging world, we need inspiration to drive us forward. The author begins with a pessimistic question, "Are people simply structured for failure?" He then questions this very statement with a more optimistic angle, that perhaps, the problem is not the question but more about how we push back against such skepticism. While that is one big emphasis, author McManus's reason for writing this book is to promote" Mental health, mental clarity, mental toughness, and mental agility." In a surprising twist in his reflection on the popular Zombie series of movies, he notes that while most people see the zombies as the real problem, the uninfected ones fleeing or battling the zombies might be the ones who are "consumed by fear, hate, greed, and power." Violence inflicted by humans might even be worse than the zombies. Just like how the issue flips from zombies to humans, readers need to do a mind flip as well. This sets the stage for readers to journey through the 12 mind shifts. What does it take to make a mind shift? McManus shows us the way. In a book about the mind, he begins with the mind. In a world infatuated with achievements, materialism, and success, the first shift reminds us that people should be a priority. Success means nothing if we lose our friends. Learn to treasure our relationships more than using them as a means to our ends. The second shift has to do with fame or the downsides of pursuing fame. Just learn to show up for people you care for, without the pressure of needing fame to fan that desire. The third shift is not to let ourselves be defined by the number of people following us. Losing people is part and parcel of all forms of leadership. Our inner circle of people will always be faithful supporters. The fourth shift deals with the need to demonstrate what we teach, practice what we preach, and do what we say. Most people won't be able to concretize what we say until they see the principle demonstrated in our lives. Moving along, the fifth shift is about self-limitations.

"A is for Alabaster" (Anna Carter Florence)

TITLE: A is for Alabaster: 52 Reflections on the Stories of Scripture
AUTHOR: Anna Carter Florence
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2023, (200 pages).
 

The phrase A-to-Z is commonly used to give us a grasp of the scope of any particular topic. When we say, "Let me give you the A-to-Z of the matter," it simply means the salient points to help us appreciate the gist of the matter. It is a convenient way to use the alphabet to run down the list of things that we could share. It is not meant to be comprehensive. Rather, it is a popular framework to sample anything. In this book, author Anna Carter Florence adopts this framework to talk about the Old and the New Testaments. Altogether, there are 52 reflections, based equally on both testaments of the Bible. The purpose is to show us that just like God has participated and revealed Himself to His People over the ages, God is also present in our lives from A to Z. Inspired by Frederick Buechner's Peculiar Treasures, this book is originally written as a "Who's Who" in the Bible, the content has been expanded from just names and people to include animals, places, themes, objects, and other stories in the Bible. Each chapter begins with a letter, a Scripture passage, and a key theme as depicted by the word. From the context of the biblical passage, the author guides us through her reflections. From the ancient stories, she connects us to modern cultural sensitivities such as community, gender acceptance, nationhood, power politics, war, etc, to spiritual themes like grace, honesty, hope, patience, wisdom, etc. Some helpful reflections come from rare passages such as Numbers 27, animals from Genesis 2, Quirinius in Luke 2, allusions to the country of India in John 20, and so on. What we have is a delightful collection of reflections from both well-known and other relatively obscure parts of the Bible. 

"The In-Between" (Hadley Vlahos R.N.)

TITLE: The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments
AUTHOR: Hadley Vlahos R.N.
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Ballantine Books, 2023, (288 pages).
 

Among the many kinds of phobia in the world today, the fear of dying remains at the top of the list. News of terminal illness can not only bring about depression to the sick, but it also stresses our family and loved ones in unimaginable ways. Whether it is cancer or some form of debilitating disease, as long as there is some hope of recovery, the fear of dying can be kept at bay. However, when it comes to incurable illnesses that involve entering into hospice care, the mood takes a traumatic turn. Imagine being a full-time staff working in such an environment. This is exactly what author and registered hospice nurse, Hadley Vlahos has experienced. She takes care of and walks with many people living their final days on Earth. Each patient can live up to six months. Sharing many powerful stories of courage, despair, hope, powerlessness, and many emotional moments, Vlahos takes us through the ups and downs of hospice ministry. She shares how she first became interested in end-of-life matters after the death of a personal friend. Through various twists and turns in her life, after some time in nursing school, she ends up working in hospice care. This book is about her learning, experiences, and journeys with individuals in hospice care. There was Glenda, an 86-year-old female whose metastatic melanoma had spread to other regions. She was the first person the author had to practice the checklist on "patient death." Carl who struggled with congestive heart failure seemed to have a sudden ad mysterious surge of energy toward the end. He had become like a grandfather to Vlahos. Then there is Sue who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and didn't want to speak to anyone at first but eventually opens up to Vlahos. Sandra, a 50-year-old breast cancer patient whose cancer had advanced to such a state that her doctor had to recommend hospice care. Sandra was able to maintain a smile despite her illness. Vlahos marvels at how simple things could make such a big difference. There are others with all other kinds of sicknesses like Edith's Alzheimer's; Reggie's end-stage liver disease; and Lily, a dying travel patient, etc. 

"The Second Testament" (Scot McKnight)

TITLE: The Second Testament: A New Translation
AUTHOR: Scot McKnight
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2023, (312 pages).
 

Over the years, we have a wealth of English translations of the Bible. Whether it is a literal translation, a paraphrase, or the popular dynamic equivalence type, they have all been helpful for those of us unfamiliar with the original languages. For all the competent scholarship and attempts to update the transalations, there is a nagging concern about context. Sometimes, the translations can be so good that English speakers might have mistakenly thought that the Bible was written for the English-speaking world! What if modern readers who do not know the original languages can in some way perceive what the original hearers were hearing? What if we can get closer to Greek ears and still maintain the English text? This is precisely what author and professor, Scot McKnight is trying to do. Understanding the meaning is one thing. Locating the meaning within the original contexts is often another. Moreover, there are certain words in Greek that are hard to translate. Often, this forces translators to choose between literal and contextual. Even in the translation of meaning, too many words might muddle the interpretation. This is McKnight's attempt to help us understand the words within the Greek context. This is what I call a more contextual translation of the New Testament. He begins with a brief introduction to each book, which not only gives us an overview but also unique themes that we can connect with the rest of the Bible. For example, in the introduction to the synoptic gospels, we see clear connections to the other gospels to help us prepare for the road ahead. The same applies to the epistles of Paul. The maps also enable readers to get a feel of the geographical contexts as described in the text. Called "The Second Testament," this new translation of the New Testament complements the "First Testament" which uses similar translation principles for the Old Testament.

"Isaiah " (J. Gordon McConville)

TITLE: Isaiah (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament: Prophetic Books)
AUTHOR: J. Gordon McConville
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023, (800 pages).
 

The Book of Isaiah has sometimes been called the fifth gospel. That is because of its stark references and prophecies about Jesus. Just Isaiah chapter 53 alone, with its multiple references to a servant king, can be deemed the gospel in a nutshell. It has also been called a mini-Bible because it has 66 chapters of which the first 39 chapters talk about Old Testament age while the subsequent 27 chapters point us to the New Testament era. As the largest book in the Major Prophets category, Isaiah has gained wide interest among scholars and theologians. It combines prophecy with history, narrative, poetry, and proverb. This BCOT series is written from the perspective of the book's unique rhetorical structures and historical relationships. Key to the interpretation is the text itself. Every text needs proper exegesis prior to any attempt to interpret it. Isaiah is one of the most beautiful and fascinating books in the Bible. Due to the size and the wide scope covered, commentators have adopted different ways of segmenting the book without disrupting its overall flow. It has been done chronologically, structurally, thematically, and theologically. In this new work, author and professor Gordon McConville takes the "inter-textual meaning" approach to look at patterns in the book and link them to history. For that, he considers a combination of all of these approaches before settling on the following:

"On Getting Out of Bed" (Alan Noble)

TITLE: On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living
AUTHOR: Alan Noble
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (120 pages).
 

Mental health is increasingly in the news. In the past, the mere mention of mental problems can be taboo. Thus, there is a subconscious effort to dumb down any such talk. That said, times are changing rapidly. At the onset of Covid, talk about mental struggles has come to the fore, primarily because it is experienced in many places, thanks in part to a lockdown world.  This seems to create a greater openness to discussing mental health in a post-covid world. This book is about "mental suffering" which is an all-encompassing term to describe mental afflictions of all forms, both clinical and non-clinical conditions. Author Alan Noble is convinced that for most people, it is less about clinical techniques or medications to solve the mental issue and more about understanding the person's unique situation. The trouble arises when people presume a clinical solution to anything related to mental health. This will be just like a hammer solution that presumes every person is a nail. Another problem is the social stigma that comes with anything mental-related. As the author is not a medical professional, this book is about sharing his thoughts based on Anne Harrison's alternative approach to "mental affliction" that is beyond medical realms. Rather, it is acknowledging the "cultural, social, and familial circumstances" surrounding the person concerned.  The book traces the thoughts of Noble along this line. Noble begins with personal encounters with people struggling with their lives. Hiding behind their external smiling faces, many people do hide their struggles in more ways than one. Some even "choose" the path of suffering. On top of that, they choose their own prescription, thinking that mental issues are problems to be solved, instead of being understood and lived. Noble cautions us about reliance on techniques. He uncovers potential barriers such as "fear of failure," presumptions of "PTSD," over-reliance on "the language of mental health," etc., all of which minimizes the need for simple human touch. This might lead to finding the right prescription for a wrong diagnosis. The author's prescription: Do whatever it takes to motivate one to get out of bed.

"Faith Like a Child" (Lacy Finn Borgo)

TITLE: Faith Like a Child: Embracing Our Lives as Children of God
AUTHOR: Lacy Finn Borgo
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (176 pages).
 

Jesus taught us in the gospels to welcome the children and not to prevent them from going to Him. Is that welcome only for little kids? Not really. Are adults excluded? Surely not. For the moment we pray "Abba Father," we see ourselves as children of God. Furthermore, didn't Jesus also teach us to be like little children, for such belongs the Kingdom of God? Indeed, the way to the Kingdom is via the attitude of childlikeness. Here's the problem. Many of us who are adults no longer know the significance of childlikeness. We confuse it with childishness. We tend to segregate our understanding of children more in terms of age rather than attitude. Perhaps, the practice of reuniting our hearts with our childhood selves can bring back not only greater innocence but also spiritual wonder. How do we do that? What then does it mean to have faith like a child? Do we have to deny our adulthood in order to go back to childhood? This book is about learning how to cultivate a childlike heart as part of a maturing faith. Author Lacy Finn Borgo first takes us through the Bible to notice the frequency of the word "welcome." As far as God is concerned, He is always welcoming and invites us into His Presence. Borgo shows us the traits of a child such as the capacity for play, wonder, dependence, and a deep awareness of the bodies God had given us. She shares heartfelt gratitude even after a mastectomy, reminding us that we need to avoid splitting ourselves into body and spirit. Whether it is a broken body or a broken spirit, while the world tries to separate them, learning to accept them is a better path toward healing. A grateful heart is one powerful way to unite our restless minds with our broken selves. 

"40 Questions about the Text and Canon of the New Testament" (Charles L. Quarles and L. Scott Kellum)

TITLE: 40 Questions about the Text and Canon of the New Testament
AUTHOR: Charles L. Quarles and L. Scott Kellum
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2023, (352 pages).
 

Where are the original manuscripts of the New Testament? If all the original manuscripts were lost, how then do we verify the authenticity of the copies? Are the copies we have today reliable? How many manuscripts are there? What is Textual Criticism? How do we know if the New Testament is accurate? What about the Canon and the canonization process? How did the Bible get canonized? What about the gospel of Thomas? How do we deal with claims that there are more books that ought to be added to the canon? These questions and more are part of the 40 questions to deal with the text and canon of the New Testament. For the authors, they simply condense all of these into one question: "What is the New Testament?" Charles Quaries is the key person answering the questions about "The Text of the New Testament" (Part One) while Scott Kellum deals with questions pertaining to "The Canon of the New Testament" (Part Two). 

"Galatians" (Kathryn Greene-McCreight)

TITLE: Galatians (Brazo's Theological Commentary on the Bible)
AUTHOR: Kathryn Greene-McCreight
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2023, (204 pages).
 

If one is asked to summarize what the letter to the Galatians is about, many people might conclude that it is all about justification by faith. Yet, there are many alternative interpretations that range from freedom in Christ to anti-semitic accusations. How do we practice discerning which best approaches the Truth for such a range of interpretations? Humbly speaking, we need help. The commentators in this series of commentaries believe that this help comes from interpreters from the Nicea-Constantinople tradition. They might not give us the full revelation of Truth but they can surely clear the way for us to approach it. 

Dogmas clarify rather than obscure. This is the conviction behind this series of theological commentaries. Based on the Nicene tradition, the authors in this series affirm the Scriptures amid a tide of modern scholars who insist that ancient doctrinal persuasions are barriers to the "purity" of the biblical text. The intent of these modern interpreters is noble but it masquerades the fact that such modernist thinking is also a form of "doctrinal persuasion" in itself. The underlying belief is that the Nicene tradition "provides the clarifying principles" to guide our understanding of the Scriptures. After all, these ancient fathers are definitely closer to biblical times than we are. If Bible reading is communal, why not include these Nicean fathers in our interpretive process? Adopting a Both-And framework has more benefits compared to an Either-Or option. Preferring to engage theologians instead of biblical scholars, the commentary is essentially one that resembles "systematic theology" style instead of  "biblical theology." 

"Pentecost" (Emilio Alvarez)

TITLE: Pentecost: A Day of Power for All People
AUTHOR: Emilio Alvarez
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (144 pages).
 

What is Pentecost? What is the meaning of the word "Pentecostal?" Why do Christians celebrate this event? Has this event any connection to the Old Testament? What is the significance of such an event? These questions are dealt with in this book. Pentecost Sunday is one of the most important days in the Christian calendar. Celebrated 50 days after Easter, it commemorates the day the Holy Spirit came down upon believers in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 2. With the coming of the Holy Spirit witnessed by thousands, the full identity of the Trinity has been revealed to all. The key events in the Church Calendar are Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. This book focuses on the latter, to show us the significance and provides us basic things we ought to know about Pentecost. Calling it a "Day of Power," author Emilio Alvarez takes time to unwrap the meaning of what Pentecostal power means. It is not a power about race to the top echelons of society but about the grace of God given to all believers. It is about that spiritual renewal that we need. Pentecostal power proclaims the work of Christ and the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Alvarez asserts that believers should see themselves as pilgrims rather than tourists when celebrating Pentecost. What's the difference? One is about entitlement and the other is about growing in spiritual experience. Beginning with the meaning of the Pentecost festival, Alvarez shows us how Pentecost and the Old Testament are connected through three festivals: Festival of Weeks, First Fruits, and Harvest. He tells us that we do not have to wait until the Day of Pentecost to celebrate. We can be celebratory in the days leading up to the Day itself. 

"Wisdom for Faithful Reading" (John H. Walton)

TITLE: Wisdom for Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation
AUTHOR: John H. Walton
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (248 pages).
 

The Bible is not simply a book of good advice. Neither is it just a book of archaeology, cultural, or historical discourse. It is the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, recorded for the world through many human authors, and fully revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, the Bible has consistently been a bestseller. With modern electronic Bibles, the Word of God has also gone digital. Whatever the medium or the language used, we need wisdom in order to read, interpret, and understand the Word. With genres ranging from apologetics to history; narratives to proverbs; genealogies to parables; prose to poetry; etc, the Old Testament alone can prove challenging to interpret. We need not mere techniques or methods of interpretation. We need wisdom even to read the Old Testament properly. What better way than to learn from one whose life's work is all about learning from the Old Testament, and teaching us from the fruit of his labor. Professor Walton begins with a general overview of the interpretive process, giving us one quest, two caveats, three essential commitments, four fundamental concepts, and five principles for faithful interpretation. The "quest" is about "faithful" interpretation. The caveat explains the need for faithful rather than "absolutely right" interpretation, simply because imperfect persons cannot claim to be absolutely right. The commitment is toward basic accountability, consistency, and controls. The four concepts are about the need to recognize the four basic contexts (linguistic, literary, cultural, and theological); the need for interpretation; the awareness of gaps; and while acknowledging the complicated nature of interpretation, one also needs to see the clear big picture of the Bible. The five principles revolve around the authors' audience, background, contexts, intent, and how to find our place in God's story.