Tool Talk

What is Biblical Theology? Geerhardus Vos, an elite theologian of Old Princeton, knew. Travis chats with Todd Scacewater, pastor, founder of Exegetical Tools, and co-founder of Fontes Press, which recently re-published Vos’s contribution “The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church,” a premier example of biblical theology. Todd and Travis talk about Vos, his method, the Kingdom of God, and how to do biblical theology well. Check out exegeticaltools.com for more resources and helpful links.

Pastor, you believe lies about your identity. Lies that hinder your ministry. Fight lies with the Gospel truth. That’s the message of “Lies Pastors Believe” (Lexham Press), a new book from Dayton Hartman, pastor of Redeemer Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. In this episode of Tool Talk, Travis and Dayton discuss how these lies affect exegesis and exposition, and Dayton offers some deeply helpful suggestions to combat these lies, including Christ-centered hermeneutics and community sermon prep. Hartman, a pastor-scholar, planted Redeemer after earning a PhD in church and dogma history from North-West University (South Africa), and additionally serves as an adjunct professor at both Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Columbia International University. Be sure to check out this episode on exegeticaltools.com for featured resources, including “Lies Pastors Believe”!

Have you ever been a part of a church or met a believer who believed the "Authorized" version was the only proper English Bible? Maybe you know all the text-critical issues, but do you know how to explain the importance of a vernacular Bible to people in a patient, loving, pastoral way? Mark Ward, a Logos Pro at Faithlife has laid out a stellar, easy-to-read explanation of KJV-onlyism in his new book, "Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible" (Lexham Press, releasing 1/24/18). In this episode, Travis and Mark talk about most believers' tendency toward prizing one version and the virtues of using multiple translations, even in preaching. Check out more resources at exegeticaltools.com and pick up "Authorized," which D.A. Carson calls, "Highly Recommended" (which ought to be authorization enough!).

Dr. Mark Ward of Logos and Faithlife talks about his new book from Lexham Press, "Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible," which Don Carson calls, "Highly recommended."

Your lexicon is dangerous for your interpretation of Scripture if you don't know how to use it! Todd Price (PhD, Corpus Linguistics and NT) explains how not to use your lexicon and why more language nerds might consider being a missionary-scholar. As the Roma Bible Translation Coordinator for Pioneers and author of Structural Lexicology and the Greek New Testament (Gorgias Press), he is certainly qualified to discuss both. Listen in, subscribe, and check out exegeticaltools.com for more helpful resources!

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was the "Prince of Preachers," but was he an expository preacher? Were his sermons driven by the text of Scripture? Travis went to the beautiful Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Seminary, home to thousands of Spurgeon's handwritten notes and correspondence, to talk to Dr. Christian George, Curator of the Spurgeon Library, Professor of Historical Theology, and author of "The Lost Sermons of C.H. Spurgeon," a sprawling project from B&H Academic, of which the Second Volume has recently been released. Check out this episode on exegeticaltools.com to learn more about Dr. George, the Spurgeon Library, and the Lost Sermons project!

The letter of James has been disputed and distorted by many through the centuries, but Dr. William Varner, Professor of Bible and Greek at the Master's University, has made the study of this inspired text a labor of love. In his new work, James: A Commentary on the Greek Text (Fontes Press), Dr. Varner utilizes the most recent resources and analytical practices, including the Brill Dictionary of Ancient Greek and discourse analysis, to work through the grammar and syntax of the letter. Travis and Dr. Varner discuss this approach, the correlation between faith and works, and horizons in biblical studies. Check out featured resources, including Dr. Varner's new commentary, at exegeticaltools.com

"Ad fontes," said Erasmus. Return to the sources! The brand new Tyndale House Greek New Testament uses a distinct methodology to attempt to do just that. Does it succeed? Dr. Todd Scacewater, founder of Exegetical Tools, explains the point of a new Greek New Testament and gives an in-depth review of this new effort from Crossway. Be sure to check out ExegeticalTools.com for more resources about the THGNT. You can purchase the THGNT here: http://tinyurl.com/THGNT

Doctrine must inform our exegesis, says Dr. Matthew Barrett, author of "God's Word Alone" and editor of Zondervan's "Five Solas" series and Crossway's "Reformation Theology." Dr. Barrett is Associate Professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and clearly a fan of Sola Scriptura. So why does he believe that we must bring our doctrine to the text? This enlightening episode is a great example of Dr. Barrett's commitment to expounding complex thoughts in helpful ways. Check out his Credo Magazine (credomag.com) for even more great content, and check out ExegeticalTools.com to find more information about this episode!Follow @exegeticaltools on Twitter and Facebook for more fantastic resources!

Ever read about some historical event or cultural custom and immediately think of a passage of Scripture? Sometimes jumping to conclusions is jumping off a cliff. In this episode of Tool Talk, host Travis Montgomery shares three questions to evaluate potential historical context for better exegesis. Check out ExegeticalTools.com for more great content, subscribe to the podcast, and follow us on social media @exegeticaltools! View this episode on our website for links to featured resources.