Exegetically Speaking

Dr. John Walton, Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton Graduate School, is a frequent contributor to this podcast. His publications include Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament Theology for Christians: From Ancient Context to Enduring Belief. He is presently working on a commentary on Daniel with his Wheaton colleague, Dr. Aubrey Buster. In response to a podcast listener’s question, Dr. Walton and Dr. Capes discuss God’s work as portrayed in Genesis 1-2.

Rev. Dr. N. T. Wright is Research Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Early Christianity at St Mary’s College in the University of St Andrews and Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. His work has established him as the foremost voice among New Testament scholars of the present generation, not least due to his many commentaries, topical studies, and the multi-volume, Christian Origins and the Question of God. Is Jesus’ parable of Luke 19:11-27 teaching that the kingdom of God is going to be delayed indefinitely or that it is arriving at that moment with Jesus’ descent upon Jerusalem? Verse 44 of the same chapter and Jeremiah’s use of a key Greek word, among other things, ominously suggests the latter.

Dr. Cory Marsh, Professor of New Testament at Southern California Seminary, is passionate about restoring the “pastor-scholar” role in the church, and as such, also serves as Scholar in Residence at Revolve Bible Church in San Juan Capistrano, CA. He is a frequent conference speaker and has written A Primer for Biblical Literacy. In this conversation with David Capes, Cory explains how John’s Greek grammar draws us into the drama experienced by Jesus’ disciples as he jars them with the news of his departure.

Dr. Tremper Longman III, Emeritus Professor of Biblical Studies and Distinguished Scholar of Biblical Studies at Westmont College, has written more than 20 books, including Revelation Through Old Testament Eyes and Intimate Allies. He was one of the main translators for the New Living Translation and has served as a consultant on other popular translations of the Bible including the Message, the New Century Version, and the Holman Standard Bible. Tremper helps us reconsider the Hebrew wording of Genesis 2:18 usually translated as “a helper suitable to him” or “a help meet.”

Dr. Rodney Reeves is senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and has published, among other things, Spirituality According to John, Spirituality According to Paul, and (with David Capes and E. Randolph Richards) Rediscovering Paul. Although often interpreted individualistically, John’s comment about the “One greater” in 1 John 4:4 is addressed to the plural “you.” It is a matter of overcoming the world together.

Dr. Steve Walton is Professor of New Testament at Trinity College in Bristol, U.K., an ordained priest/presbyter in the Church of England, and former Secretary of the British New Testament Society. His many publications include (with David Wenham), Exploring the New Testament, vol. 1: The Gospels and Acts. He is currently working on a major critical commentary on Acts for the Word Biblical Commentary Series. Luke directs the opening words of his Gospel to one “most excellent Theophilus.” Is Theophilus a real person’s name (probably) and is there anything more we can infer about him and his significance for Luke from the little said in the first verses of Luke’s Gospel combined with knowledge of the surrounding world?

Dr. Beth Felker Jones was for years Professor of Theology at Wheaton College, and is presently Professor of Theology at Northern Seminary in Lisle, IL. She is the author of numerous works, including Faithful: A Theology of Sex and Pandemic Prayers: Devotions and Prayers for a Crisis. She recounts her experience with beginning Greek as a student, discusses how that training has aided her as a theological reader and thinker, and offers some counsel to budding theologians.

Dr. Steven Ortiz is the Director of the newly established Lanier Center for Archaeology at Lipscomb University where he is also a Professor of Archaeology and Biblical Studies. He currently serves on the board of the Albright Institute of Archaeological Research, Jerusalem. How does the learning of ancient languages contribute to archaeology and what light does archaeology shed on ancient languages?

Dr. Randy Richards is the retiring Provost and Chief Academic Officer and will be the Research Professor of New Testament at Palm Beach Atlantic University. He has authored several books and articles, including Inscriptions and Papyri in the forthcoming ALNTS series (with James Harrison) and Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes (with Richard James). Luke 12:20 is often translated something like, “Your soul will be required of you.” But the Greek verb is active and plural: “They will demand your soul from you.” Who or what is “they”?

Jon Laansma is Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis in the Classical Languages program at Wheaton College. Among other things, he has published a learning aid for students of Greek and a commentary on Hebrews for use in the church. He discusses the grammar and meaning of John’s statement in 1 John 3:7, “The one who does righteousness is righteous.”