Welcome to the October 2018 Biblical Studies Carnival—and Happy All Saints’ Day!
I’m honored to be hosting this honorable event on this sacred day of remembering all those who have gone before in faith. Before we get on with the business of remembering all the best Biblical Studies articles from this past month, first the business of future carnivals.
- Bob McDonald will be hosting the November 2018 carnival (due December 1, 2018).
- Christopher Scott will be hosting the December 2018 carnival (due January 1, 2019).
As carnival Godfather Phil Long has made clear in recent months, we need additional volunteers for future carnivals—especially for January 2019 and forward. If you’re interested in hosting, contact the good doctor (email, @plong42) and let him know your availability. And speaking of Phil, I want to thank him for continuing to curate these carnivals.
Now, on to the main attractions, which have been categorized in the following groups: Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, New Testament, Early Christianity, Reading Phil Long, Theology and Hermeneutics, Book Reviews, and News. Happy reading!
November host Bob MacDonald continues his enormous project of lyricizing the scriptures. My favorites this month are Psalms 34 and Isaiah 44.
Jonathan Orr-Stavv asks a “fun” question about the Phoenician and Proto-Canaanite alphabet.
Jose da Silva has several write ups on the developments in the study of the histories of Israel and Judah.
Christian Brady looks at marriage and redemption in Ruth (be sure to check out the bibliography).
Jesus and the Gospels
Alan Garrow shares a statement from Richard Bauckham on why he believes Matthew used Luke.
Ian Paul notices some contradictions of grace in Mark 10 (he also somewhat provocatively suggests the need for a new Lord’s Prayer).
At the Scot McKnight blog, RJS asks about what “all authority” means in Matthew 28.
Lauren Larkin shares her homily on the Shema in Luke (in 8:19-21, for those of you who don’t know the reference offhand).
Michael Langlois talks about if Jesus and his disciples were Essenes (video).
Jim Gordon reflects on how “love your enemy” sounds like a moral oxymoron from anyone other than Jesus.
Paul and Epistles
Thomas Schreiner chats about the arrival of his much anticipated second edition of BECNT commentary on Romans.
Genevieve Scheele takes a deep dive into the intertextual waters of Romans 5 and Genesis 3.
In addition to podcasting, Ken Schneck asks what’s up with Romans 7?
Conrad Gempf offers his own translation of Philippians 4:4-8. It’s a thought-provoking read to be sure.
In the spirit of the season, Charles Hedrick looks at magic and the New Testament.
Marg Mowczko didn’t post anything new this month, but you should check out her blog regardless because of all the excellent content there.
Michael Bird interviews Robert Yarbrough on his new book on the pastoral epistles.
Scot McKnight posted several times on Revelation, including posts on the Letters to the Churches and some insights into what evangelicals often miss when reading the Apocalypse.
This month, Dr. Phil has faithfully blogged through the heart of the Sermon on the Mount, generating some fascinating conversations in the process.
Making Oaths in the Jewish World (Matt. 5:33-37)
Do Not Make Oaths at All! (Matt. 5:33-37)
The Offense of Jesus’s Teaching on Idolatry and Oaths
The Principle of “An Eye for an Eye” (Matt. 5:38-42)
Do Not Retaliate (Matt. 5:38-42)
Turn the Other Cheek (Matt. 5:33-42)
Hating Your Enemies (Matt. 5:43-48)
You Must Be Perfect (Matt. 5:48)
Careful When Practicing Righteousness (Matt. 6:1)
Almsgiving in Second Temple Judaism
When You Give, Give in Secret (Matt. 6:2-4)
Praying Like the Pagans (Matt. 6:5-8)
Our Father in Heaven (Matt. 6:9)
Give Us Today Our Daily Bread (Matt. 6:11)
Forgive Our Debts (Matt. 6:12)
Lead Us Not into Temptation (Matt. 6:13)
Fasting in the Ancient World (Matt. 6:16-18)
Following some good health news, Larry Hurtado linked to several interesting pieces on the early text of the New Testament. Larry also reflected on the latest volume of the Oxyrhynchus papyri.
James Tabor suggests questioning two widely held assumptions about early Christianity.
James Snapp introduces us to the intricacies of GA 804 (non-textual critics, be warned).
At the Centre for the Study of Christian Origins, Steven Muir talks about early Christian ritual life (video).
Michael Heiser interviews Peter Gurry on if we can know that we have an accurate copy of the New Testament.
Tommy Wasserman weighs in on methodology in transcribing Greek manuscripts.
Conciliar Post hosts a dialogue on church history and tradition.
If you hate Jews, you hate Jesus: so saith Russell Moore following the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh.
John Ehrett takes aim at the hermeneutic of harm.
Are you reading enough women bible scholars? You can read more thanks to this post from the Women Bible Scholars blog.
King James hold forth on why we should refer to October 31 as “Reformations Days.”
John McDonald weighs in on postmodernism and Biblical hermeneutics.
Upcoming host Christopher Scott continues his series on hamartiology with some reflections on nature and choice.
Katya Covrett talks about how you can be what you read and the need for more women authors in theology.
The Babylon Bee explains the main differences between popular Bible translations.
Ben Witherington III has an ongoing series based on Michael Heiser’s latest on angels.
Pumpkins and pagans: that’s the topic of Allison Hudson’s informative piece.
Ronn Johnson continues his series on the Bible’s Big Story.
Active as ever, Phil Long reviewed David deSilva’s NICNT volume on Galatians, Ian Paul’s Tyndale commentary on Revelation, and Kutz and Josberger’s Learning Biblical Hebrew.
Nijay Gupta gives a two-part review of Adam Winn’s Reading Mark’s Christology Under Caesar.
Michael Kok reviewed Warren Carter’s Telling Tales about Jesus.
Abram K-J experiences the Reader’s Septuagint.
James Snapp reviewed Karen York’s The Bible Illuminated.
For more reviews, don’t forget to check out Reading Reviews.
For something different, check out Matt Page’s Bible Films Blog.
In a helpful walk-thru, Phil Long introduces us to Logos 8.
Speaking of Logos, check out the Logos Academic Blog (LAB) for regular updates on job postings in Biblical Studies and Theology.
Call for Papers at the 2019 International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament.
In Memorium: Eugene Peterson Pastor and scholar Eugene Peterson passed away on October 22nd. Best known as author of “The Message,” Peterson was a thought-partner of many theologians, pastors, and academics. His passing has evoked pieces from Christianity Today, J.K. Gayle, Matthew Erickson, and many (many) others.
Thanks for reading–and for contributing to–this month’s Biblical Studies Carnival!
Pursuing Veritas 
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