How Do Scholars Know the Occasion and Audience of a Gospel?

Posted By MSH on December 8, 2011

I recently came across this short but interesting piece by NT scholar Ben Witherington entitled, “Latinisms, Western Diction, and the Provenance of Mark’s Gospel.” Despite the jargon-loaded title, certainly not designed to attract any lay people’s interest, it’s worth a read by non-specialists since it provides a succinct description of the kinds of clues scholars detect in biblical books that provide guidance in discerning the circumstances of a book’s authorship, occasion, and audience.

Most Bible students have heard or read things like “the gospel of Mark was intended for a Gentile, not Jewish, audience.” It’s easy for the lay person to wonder what oracle was consulted for that sort of information. But the reality is that texts do drop distinct hints that shed light on such things, or rule out certain possibilities. Not all biblical books have useful information as to authorship or audience or circumstances, but some do. The gospels fall into that category.

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Technorati Tags: audience, authorship, books, date, New Testament, occasion, provenance

Categories: Bible Study, New Testament
Tags: audience, authorship, books, date, New Testament, occasion, provenance

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Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages, 1995–2007 (26 Issues)

The Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages contains articles dealing with linguistic, translational, literary, text-critical, historical, religious, and cultural issues related to Ancient Near Eastern texts and societies, as well as articles addressing theoretical issues underlying these fields. The Logos edition of the Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages gives you access to all the issues published between 1995 and 2007, for a total of 26 issues in 13 volumes, containing more than 4,000 pages and 250 articles! Contributors to the Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages include the most advanced scholars in the field of Near Eastern Studies, making this the preeminent journal for linguistic, interpretive, exegetical, and historical studies of Northwest Semitic languages in general and the Old Testament in particular.

With the Logos edition of the Journal of Northwest Semantic Languages, Scripture references are linked to both Hebrew texts and English translations. You can also search by author, topic, and Scripture passage—and find it all instantly! Links within each volume of the journal allow you to move quickly from the table of contents to the bibliography to the articles you need and back again. You can also cut-and-paste your citation into your word processor, and Logos will automatically create footnotes using your preferred style guide. Save yourself from turning pages, from cross-referencing citations, and from unnecessarily complex research projects.

The Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages, combined with a wealth of resources for Hebrew, Aramaic, and Ugaritic studies, along with the power of your digital library, makes the Logos edition of the JNSL the preeminent academic standard for Ancient Near Eastern scholarship. The Logos edition of the JNSL is an essential addition to the libraries of Ancient Near Eastern scholars, language scholars, historians and archaeologists, and pastors and students looking to explore cutting-edge scholarship on the linguistic, literary, and interpretive issues in the Old Testament.

Hundreds of articles and reviewsMore than 4,500 pages of scholarly articles from over 200 contributorsContributions from top Ancient Near Eastern scholars on Old Testament linguistic, cultural, and interpretive issues261 articles63 book reviews

Johann Cook is an Associate Professor at the University of Stellenbosch. He received his M.A. in Semitic languages and Greek and his D.Litt. in Semitic languages from Stellenbosch, and specializes in Hebrew language studies, Aramaic, Syriac and Coptic, textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and aspects of the cultures of the Ancient Near East. He is a member of the executive committee of the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies.

Izak Cornelius is a professor at the University of Stellenbosch. He specializes in Ancient Near Eastern culture, religion, and mythology.

Paul Kruger is an Associate Professor at the University of Stellenbosch. He researches and lectures in comparative Near Eastern literature, the history of Near Eastern religion, prophetic literature, and the application of social scientific insights on ancient cultures.

Christo van der Merwe received his M.A. in Semitic languages, his M.Th. in Old Testament, his M.Phil. in technology-enhanced language teaching, and his D.Litt. in Semitic languages, all from the University of Stellenbosch. He specializes in Bible translation as intercultural communication, cognitive linguistics, Biblical Hebrew lexical semantics, Biblical Hebrew structural markers, and the information structure of Biblical Hebrew texts.

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Sign Up Now to Earn Logos.com Credit through December!

Hopefully you’ve already checked out all our great Christmas specials and learned about your opportunity to get rewarded through our Logos.com credit offer.

Don’t miss out on earning Logos.com credit this month! Sign up for our Christmas Credit email list, spend at least $100 between Dec. 1, 2011 and Jan. 2, 2012, and at the end of the promotion you’ll earn between 10% and 50% of your total qualifying spending in Logos.com credit. See the deals now!

Before we get too far into the promotion, we want to make it clear that you must sign up to the offer by signing up to our Logos Credit Christmas promotion mailing list. Here are fours ways to either sign up or verify that you’ve already signed up:

The best way to verify you are signed up is to make sure there is a check next to Christmas on your user notifications list. If there is a checked box, you’re in. Check by going to Logos.com/user/notifications.

You will be prompted to log into your Logos.com account. Once you are logged in, it should look like:

If the box is not already checked, be sure to do so right away so your December orders start earning you Logos credit. Click Update in the top right to save the change. If you’ve already placed orders this month, but are just now signing up, don’t worry. Once you sign up, all your orders, retroactive to December 1, 2011, will be added to your earnings.

This method provides you with confirmation immediately after clicking the orange SIGN UP button (below). You will see an intermediary page where you will click the “OK” button. The page looks like this:

Once you click “OK”, you’ll be redirected to our Christmas specials page.

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These are some of our best deals ever! You can get any base package for 15% off, take up to 12 months to pay using one of our payment plans, and still get a portion of that back in Logos credit (check out our Christmas 2011 page for details).

Or sign up to receive daily emails alerts for our 12 Days of Logos specials!

No matter what you buy from Logos this December, make sure every dollar you spend is allowing you to earn Logos.com credit!*

You must sign up to qualify for this promotion. Signing up opts you in to a Logos.com mailing list which will only be used to send you information regarding this and future Christmas promotions. Signing up is the only way Logos Bible Software will be able to award you Logos.com credit for this promotion.

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Missional Theology Collection (15 vols.)

As Christians, our engagement with the world and with culture is often impoverished as a result of unbiblical dualisms. More than we realize, the divide between sacred and secular is reinforced in our minds, contributing to an unhealthy and, at times, narrow super-spirituality. Seeking a more postmodern, holistic and, ultimately, more Christian approach to culture, Graham Buxton leads us on a journey towards the celebration of life in all its dimensions.

The first part of the book examines the roots of our dualistic thinking and its implications for culture. Part Two draws us from dualism to holism in a number of chapters that consider our engagement with literature, the creative arts, science, politics and business. Part Three draws the threads together by setting out the dimensions of a more holistic theology of the church's engagement with, and participation in, contemporary society that will lead us 'beyond the sacred-secular divide'.

Graham Buxton is Director of Postgraduate Studies in Ministry and Theology, Tabor College, Adelaide, Australia. He is author of Dancing in the Dark and The Trinity, Creation and Pastoral Ministry.

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Weekly Roundup: December 3

The Weekly Roundup is a regular feature alerting you to significant things happening at Logos this week. Take a few moments to check out these newsworthy items for the week of December 02, 2011.

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These are Pre-Pubs shipping next week. Don’t miss your last chance to pick these up at their amazing Pre-Pub prices!

These Community Pricing products are getting close to meeting their production cost. Don’t miss out on these savings!

Logos is hiring! Here are just a few of the newer postings on our Careers page:

Was there anything else from Logos you found interesting this week? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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The Life and Works of Horatius Bonar (47 vols.)

Known for his thoroughly biblical preaching, his voluminous writings, and his hymns—such as “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”—Horatius Bonar exerted a powerful influence in the Church in Scotland. The Life and Works of Horatius Bonar (47 Vols) brings together the finest works by the great 19th century Scottish Presbyterian minister and hymn-writer, Horatius Bonar. This remarkable collection includes a total of 47 volumes of material—over 30 major works and more than 400 hymns. In total, that’s more than 12,000 pages comprising the life and works of Horatius Bonar—a life that God used greatly in the preaching of the Gospel and the saving of souls.

The Life and Works of Horatius Bonar (47 vols.) contains:

Books (36 vols.): This section, totaling 36 volumes in all, represents the best of Bonar’s published works and spans much of his ministry with the first being published in 1839 and the last in 1884. Also included in this section is a biography.Hymns and Poems (11 vols.): There are 11 published works in this section, including all three volumes of his important Hymns of Faith and Hope along with My Old Letters.

The Logos edition of The Life and Works of Horatius Bonar is the fastest and easiest way to access this massive collection of material by Horatius Bonar. Imagine being able to search through all 47 volumes in mere seconds. Imagine being able to find every instance that Horatius Bonar referenced a specific verse. This is the power of Logos Bible Software. Every word from every book has been indexed and catalogued to help you search the depth and breadth of every title.

Along with this, your titles will automatically integrate into custom search reports, passage guides, exegetical guides, and the other advanced features of Logos Bible Software. What’s more, all Scripture references in your digital library display the verse on mouseover and are automatically linked to original language texts and English Bible translations. These advanced tools make The Life and Works of Horatius Bonar (47 vols.) from Logos Bible Software the most useful edition for sermon preparation, theological research, and historical study.

Over 12,000 pagesOver 400 hymnsAdvanced search tools to navigate this massive collection quickly and easilyAll Scripture references linked directly to original language texts and English Bible translations

Horatius Bonar was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, in a family with a long history of ministry in the Church of Scotland. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 1838 (where he studied under Dr. Thomas Chalmers), Bonar was ordained and became pastor of the North Parish, Kelso, where he remained for 28 years. He joined the Free Church of Scotland after “the Great Disruption” of 1843, and in 1853 he earned a Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of Aberdeen. In 1867 he took over ministry duties at Chalmers Memorial Church in Edinburgh, and in 1883 he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. A prolific author, he wrote and edited numerous books, biographies, articles, poems, tracts, and over 600 hymns. Horatius Bonar died on May 31, 1889.

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Logos 4: Search Highlighting Styles

Today’s post is from Morris Proctor, certified and authorized trainer for Logos Bible Software. Morris has trained thousands of Logos users at his two-day Camp Logos seminars and provides many training materials.

If you’re like I am you can relate to this scenario:

We read a print book highlighting the main points in blue as we go. After completing the book, we ask ourselves, Now where was that insight the author gave about obeying God? So we flip back through the book only looking at the highlights until we locate the desired information.

Here’s how to replicate this search in Logos:

To highlight text in a resource:

Open a Logos book such as Biblical Ethics by Oswald ChambersChoose Tools | Highlighting to open the Highlighting paneSelect text in the book that you want to highlightClick a Highlighting style such as the Blue Highlighter penContinue highlighting as you read the book

To search highlighted text in a resource:

Open the book to be searched such as Biblical EthicsOpen the Search panelSelect Basic as the search typeSelect Biblical Ethics from the resource(s) to be searched drop down listClick the list first drop down list which is the text to be searched (which probably says All Text)Click the arrow next to a highlighting palette such as Highlighter PensClick a specific highlighting style such as Blue Highlighter (you have just limited the search range to the blue highlights in Biblical Ethics)Click outside the drop down list to close itEnter the a search query in the search panel’s Find boxPress the Enter key to generate the search results

Each time you highlight something in a resource, that highlighting style becomes a search field that can be searched. Please note that the highlighting styles do not appear in the text to be searched drop down list until after you use that specific style to highlight the resource. You can use these steps for any type of resource: Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, etc!

This search technique is but one of many powerful features covered in detail in the soon to be released Camp Logos 2 Live DVD training series, which is set to ship next week!

How does highlighting help you study more effectively? Leave a comment and let us know!

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Library of Hebrew Bible/OT Studies: JSOTS on Nevi'im (7 vols.)

The Library of Hebrew Bible/OT Studies: JSOTS on Nevi'im collection offers the scholar explorations of issues pertaining to the prophet books of the Old Testament. Written with the academic in mind, the seven volumes capture a variety of fascinating thoughts on these foundational books. Topics include the narrative of Saul in biblical and modern texts, the ancient Greek translation of Isaiah, the variations between the Hebrew and Greek versions of Jeremiah, the final form of Hosea in the context of Persian-period Judah, the book of Amos as performance, the relationship between priests and prophets, and shame in the Hebrew Bible.

The Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement (renamed the Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies in 2005) is a premier book series that offers cutting-edge work for a readership of scholars, teachers in the field of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament studies, postgraduate students and advanced undergraduates. All the many and diverse aspects of Old Testament study are represented and promoted in the series, including innovative work from historical perspectives, studies using social-scientific and literary theory, and developing theological, cultural and contextual approaches.

The series was launched by Sheffield Academic Press in 1976, and is published regularly by T & T Clark International as The Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies. This world-class religious academic publishing program is both interdisciplinary and international in scope, incorporating Sheffield Academic Press, T & T Clark and Trinity Press International.

Topics include St. Paul, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, and moreIdeal for students and teachers

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The Complete Works of Stephen Charnock (5 vols.)

Stephen Charnock was an influential Puritan minister, whose writings and sermons combined theological acumen, a thorough understanding of Scripture, and a clear grasp of philosophy. He ministered in the context of theological controversy and political upheaval, and contributed to the establishment of Reformed orthodoxy in seventeenth century England and Ireland.

The Complete Works of Stephen Charnock contains 64 theological discourses—2,804 pages of rich Puritan writing on biblical and theological topics. This collection also contains Charnock’s seminal work, The Existence and Attributes of God, found in the first two volumes. This work has become a classic text on the doctrine of God, and examines in detail God’s foreknowledge and sovereignty, and discusses the possibility of free will and natural law. No Reformed theologian prior to Charnock treated God’s existence and attributes with such clarity and depth—in fact, his was one of the first works solely devoted to the subject to appear in the Reformed theological tradition, and has become a standard work on the subject. His positions have been echoed and refined by generations of theologians, and most recently have contributed to contemporary debates over free will, foreknowledge, and the openness of God.

Stephen Charnock’s Works will interest Reformed theologians, Puritan scholars, historians of the English Reformation, and anyone interested in the open theism debate.

Lengthy introduction to Stephen Charnock, by James McCosh, including biographical materialContains The Existence and Attributes of God, the work for which Charnock is best known64 theological discourses and sermons in allVolume 5 contains detailed indexes for the entire collectionsAll Scripture references are linked to the Bibles in your library

Stephen Charnock was born in 1628 in London, and little is known about his childhood. He studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, under William Sancroft. Upon graduation, he became a minister in Southwark, and moved to Oxford in 1652, where he was appointed a fellow of New College. Charnock moved to Ireland in 1656, where he served as chaplain to Henry Cromwell, the son of Oliver Cromwell. While he was in Ireland, he preached regularly each week in Dublin. His sermons were delivered without notes, and Charnock became popular in the city. In 1675, Charnock moved back to London to become a minister at Crosby Hall. He remained in London until his death on July 27, 1680.

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Encountering the Book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction

According to Hassell Bullock, "No collection of poems has ever exercised as much influence on the Western world as the Book of Psalms." The attraction for Jews, Christians, and others is surely the personal element that pervades these poems, which describe the human situation in all its complexity. Though the Psalms are perhaps the most familiar portion of the Hebrew Bible, they are also among the most difficult to interpret. As a result, Bullock has created this guide to introduce students to the study and interpretation of the Psalms.

Encountering the Book of Psalms begins by examining literary and hermeneutical dimensions. Bullock discusses the nature, structure, and authorship of the Psalter and provides readers with specific principles for interpretation. He goes on to examine the use of Psalms in worship from the ancient world to the twenty-first century. Bullock further explores how the psalmists used historical reflection to serve their theological purposes, and he concludes by investigating different types of Psalms, including Psalms of praise, lament, and wisdom.

We are pleased to announce that Baker has decided to publish books for use with Logos Bible Software. These books are being released through the Pre-Pub program and will be pushed into development when there are enough orders to cover costs.

The strengths of the book are many. First, the punctuation of the narrative with helpful charts and diagrams increases understanding and makes the material discussed more enjoyable. Second, while Bullock demonstrates an overall command of the Psalter, he deftly avoids overemphasizing a personal agenda in his interpretation. . . . Third and most importantly, the book does indeed function as a literary and theological introduction to the book of Psalms. Having completed this book, the student will have been introduced to the major theological and literary elements within the Psalter as well as major scholarly contributions on the subject.

—Bradley Embry, Review of Biblical Literature

A scholarly and quite detailed work. . . . It is a helpful, comprehensive, well-written and well-presented introduction to the Book of Psalms. Anyone beginning serious study of the Psalms will find Bullock's work to be an excellent starting point.

—Jamie Grant, Themelios

This is an excellent summary of information about the various scholarly opinions about the Book of Psalms. . . . The Encountering series is designed to appeal to a modern reader. . . . An excellent introduction to scholarly and devotional approaches to the Psalms. A student or pastor building a personal library should seriously consider adding this volume to his Psalms shelf.

—L. Russ Bush, Southern Baptist Journal of Theology

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Magnes Press Hebrew Bible Collection (12 vols.)

In 1961 William L. Moran published The Hebrew Language in Its Northwest Semitic Background, in which he presented a state-of-the-art description of the linguistic milieu out of which biblical Hebrew developed. Moran stressed the features found in earlier Northwest Semitic languages that are similar to Hebrew and he demonstrated how the study of those languages sheds light on biblical Hebrew.

Since Moran wrote, our knowledge of both the Hebrew of the biblical period and of Northwest Semitics has increased considerably. In the light of new epigraphic finds and the significant advances in the fields of Biblical Hebrew and Northwest Semitic in the past four decades, the Institute for Advanced Studies of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem convened an international research group during the 2001–2002 academic year on the topic “Biblical Hebrew in Its Northwest Semitic Setting: Typological and Historical Perspectives.”

This volume presents the fruits of the year-long collaboration and contains twenty articles based on lectures given during the year by members of the group and invited guests: Moshe Bar-Asher, Joshua Blau, John A. Emerton, Steven E. Fassberg, W. Randall Garr, Edward L. Greenstein, John Huehnergard, Avi Hurvitz, Jan Joosten, Menahem Z. Kaddari, Geoffrey Khan, André Lemaire, Mordechai Mishor, Adina Moshavi, Alviero Niccacci, M. O’Connor, Frank H. Polak, Elisha Qimron, Gary Rendsburg, and Ada Yardeni. A wide array of subjects are discussed, all of which have implications for the study of Biblical Hebrew and Northwest Semitic.

Steven E. Fassberg is the Caspar Levias Chair in Ancient Semitic Languages at the Mandel Institute of Jewish Studies, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Avi Hurvitz is the Benzion and Lina Halper Professor of Bible and Hebrew Language at The Hebrew University.

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Looking for Reader Input on the Future of Naked Bible

Posted By MSH on December 9, 2011

Over the next thirty days or so, I’m hoping to garner a lot of responses to this short (three question) survey about the future of the Naked Bible. The future of MEMRA and my general efforts to put out biblical-theological content are also in view. Some of the questions deal with suggestions from readers that involve financial support. The “church” question is included since I have been asked about “doing church” online a number of times (i.e., producing sermon content on a weekly basis — not baptizing anyone in cyberspace!)  I thought it best to get broad input.

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Near Eastern History Collection (9 vols.)

This comprehensive collection of primary texts and secondary literature assembles the best in Near Eastern scholarship from professors at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Combining primary texts, English translations, and expert commentary and analysis, the 9-volume Near Eastern History Collection brings the latest scholarship to bear on the history, geography, and culture of the birthplace of civilization. These important books from Magnes Press include textual artifacts and translations of Ugaritic literature, Aramaic ostraca, and Aramaic amulets, along with translation and commentary. This collection also contains penetrating studies of place-names, a fascinating history of the alphabet, and a complete introduction to art in Ancient Palestine. It also includes a volume of over thirty essays, whose topics span the entire range of Near Eastern history from Sumer to the Persian Empire.

What’s more, with the Logos Bible Software edition, the thousands of pages of primary texts and secondary literature is fully integrated with the rest of your digital library. Links to original language texts, dictionaries, and other historical documents—such as the Amarna Letters—are only a click away! The Near Eastern History Collection is an important addition to the libraries of Old Testament and Near Eastern scholars, and is ideal for anyone looking to understand more deeply the historical and cultural context of the Old Testament.

Hundreds of images and photographs of texts, artifacts, and works of artUseful charts and diagramsMaps and geographical illustrations with detailed explanations

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Christianity in the British Isles Collection (6 vols.)

Most Christians are completely unaware that for over 200 years there has existed in England, and at times in Wales, Scotland, Canada, Bermuda, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the USA, an episcopal Church, similar in many respects to the Church of England, worshipping with a Prayer Book virtually identical to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, and served by bishops, presbyters and deacons whose orders derive directly from Canterbury, and ecumenically enriched by Old Catholic, Swedish, Moravian and other successions. The Free Church of England as an independent jurisdiction within the Universal Church began in the reign of George III. In 1991 the Church sent a bishop to George Carey's Enthronement as Archbishop of Canterbury.

In addition to presenting for the first time a detailed history of the Free Church of England, John Fenwick also explores the distinctive doctrinal emphases of the denomination, its Constitution, its liturgical tradition, its experience of the historic episcopate, and its many connections with other churches (including the Reformed Episcopal Church in the USA). He discusses why the Church has, so far, failed to fulfill the vision of its founders, and what the possible future of the Church might be - including a very significant expansion as many Anglicans and other Christians considering new options discover this historic, episcopal, disestablished Church with its international connections and ecumenical character.

Anyone who is interested in the history of Anglicanism or the continuing influence of the Evangelical Revival on church life in this country will benefit from a careful study of the readable and helpful book.

—Ian P. M. Cundy, the Bishop of Peterborough

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12 Days of Logos—the Deals are Back!

The 12 Days of Logos has returned with a dozen amazing deals for a dozen days!

The 12 Days of Logos brings huge discounts on one product per day for 12 consecutive weekdays. Starting yesterday and running through December 21, we’ll be posting a new deal every Monday–Friday on 12DaysofLogos.com. Tremendous savings are in store, so check back each day for a new deal!

Today’s 12 Days deal features The New Unger’s Bible Handbook at 35% off. Regularly $39.99, you can grab this resource at the 12 Days price of $25.95 using coupon code 12Days201102. The New Unger’s Bible Handbook is an invaluable tool for studying the Scripture and is full of helpful illustrations, photographs, and charts. It includes commentary on each book of the Bible along with an outline and historical background. And for the 12 Days price of just $25.95, there’s no better time than today to add The New Unger’s Bible Handbook to your library.

There are 10 more deals on the way for the 12 Days of Logos, and you won’t want to miss any of them! Sign up for daily reminders or subscribe to the RSS feed today!

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Studies in Old Testament Themes (6 vols.)

Feminist biblical criticism—an interpretation of the Bible from a woman’s perspective—has been employed since the late 1800s, but it has been in the last several decades that feminist critique has begun to impact professional biblical scholarship. The current consensus recognizes that serious biblical study must raise questions about the role of women in biblical text and their place in the ancient societies that produced the Bible. Brenner has compiled a unique anthology of feminist writing, offering a rich resource for reclaiming the female heritage found in the classic stories of three women. The first is Esther, from the Hebrew Bible, who without forgetting her gender and cultural location, develops into a competent politician. This book devotes ten chapters to her. The second is Judith who, as an embodiment of the Jewish community, transforms both the community’s traditional power base and the social role of marginalized groups. Three chapters are devoted to this classic figure. The third is Susanna, a narrative figure who is gazed at as a mere object and then must defend her innocence after being accused of infidelity. Two chapters are devoted to her story.

Athalya Brenner is Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Amsterdam, and Rosalyn and Manny Rosenthal Distinguished Professor-in-Residence of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, Texas.

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Global Christianity Collection (7 vols.)

An exciting collection of essays connecting postcolonialism and the Gospel of John, written by a group of international scholars, both established and new, from Hispanic, African, Jewish, Chinese, Korean and African-American backgrounds. It explores important topics such as the appropriation of John in settler communities of the United States and Canada, and the use of John in the colonization of Africa, Asia, Latin America and New Zealand. The interpreters represent communities of borderland dwellers, women in colonized settings, minority ethnic groups within colonized centers and others.

In an era of rapid globalization, increased travel, rising diasporic communities and neocolonialism, it is crucial that biblical scholars find ways to address this world with critical skill and sensitivity. This book fills this need.

Musa Dube is affiliated to the University of Botswana and member of the Society of Biblical Literature.

Jeffrey L. Staley attended Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary, and the Graduate Theological Seminary in Berkeley. He teaches in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Seattle University.

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PBI New Testament Studies Collection (11 vols.)

Taking as the determinative concept Jesus’ favorite name for God, Father, John interprets the ideal relationship of men to God as that of spiritual children, having the Life – eternal – from the Father. According to John this life of sonship to God, having a definite beginning other than the physical birth, and being manifested in very definite moral and spiritual qualities, defines the very being of a Christian. It is in the measure that one understands clearly, experiences personally and expounds persuasively this truth of Christian Sonship, that one lays hold upon the very heart of Christian faith and life. Hence this investigation of ours to find the formulas, the content and the meaning of the Johannine doctrine of the divine sonship of Christians.

When we start investigating the Johannine doctrine of the divine sonship of Christians, we are confronted with certain questions regarding its nature and origin: Is the Johannine concept of sonship something purely juridical or moral, or does it suppose an ontological reality? If it supposes such a reality, in what does it consist? How do men obtain this reality so as to become children of God? What are the practical consequences of this divine sonship in the life of men? What is the origin of the vocabulary employed by John to express his concept of sonship? Only an attractive study of all the relevant texts in the Johannine Writings can provide satisfactory answers to all these questions.

Matthew Vellanickal is the author of Studies in the Gospel of John and Good News and Witness: the New Testament Understanding of Evangelization (with L. Legrand and J. Pathrapankal).

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Theology of the New Testament

The crowning achievement for students of the New Testament is to grasp the whole while discerning the parts, to derive contemporary theological meaning without compromising historical accuracy, to respect the integrity of the ancient texts while interpreting validly within the structures of modern and postmodern consciousness. But how is it possible to communicate the diversely expressed faith of ancient Mediterranean fishermen and tentmakers in a crucified Jewish messiah to the academy and the church of the globalized and pluralized twenty-first century?

In Theology of the New Testament, Udo Schnelle—master teacher, deft exegete, committed churchman, and fully attuned contemporary intellectual—takes up this challenge with extraordinary energy and intelligence. The result is a capstone volume that puts all the pieces together both for students who read it straight through and for professors, theologians, pastors, and others who work through it at their own pace. For all who read it, the book will become a standard reference, a reliable source not only for summaries of particular New Testament books and topics but also for a refreshed and deepened perception of how a transcendent message has been uttered through temporally and spatially fixed actions and words.

This translation, by M. Eugene Boring, prepared by a leading American scholar who knows the author well and shares similar qualifications and commitments, achieves the literary quality of an original English composition while conveying accurately the sense of the original German and adding bibliographic adaptations for English-language readers.

We are pleased to announce that Baker has decided to publish books for use with Logos Bible Software. These books are being released through the Pre-Pub program and will be pushed into development when there are enough orders to cover costs.

Schnelle's Theology of the New Testament is, in my view, perhaps the most methodologically sophisticated and theologically significant contribution to the genre in the past twenty years. 'Jesus of Nazareth: The Near God' is the common center for his informed and insightful elaboration of the thought of New Testament theology in the context of a contemporary understanding of reality. The author's critical acumen and theological sensitivity, as well as his obvious control of both primary and secondary literature, make this book a necessary addition to the library of every serious student of the New Testament and an ideal text for advanced courses.

—David E. Aune, Walter Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, University of Notre Dame

A magnificent achievement. Udo Schnelle's Theology of the New Testament comprises philosophical reflection, reconstruction of earliest Christian thought, and a history of biblical interpretation. At heart, however, the volume offers meticulous analysis of the New Testament's varied constituents. The exegesis is well balanced; the conclusions, sound. Like its subject matter, this investigation gathers most of what is important from previous works and points the way toward a constructive future. Schnelle's magnum opus will stand as one of the twenty-first century's few indispensable works in the field.

—C. Clifton Black, Otto A. Piper Professor of Biblical Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary

Fresh, invigorating, enlightening, and occasionally provocative, this survey of New Testament theology serves well as a handbook of informed discussion of the crucial issues. With the confident hand of a seasoned scholar and a refreshing openness to the transcendent, Schnelle guides the reader book by book through the canon, using the familiar categories of systematic theology to ensure comprehensive coverage. Here is not only outstanding German scholarship but also an entry into contemporary German discussion via exceptionally rich footnotes.

—Donald A. Hagner, George Eldon Ladd Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary

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Keith Drury Collection (6 vols.)

In the 6-volume Keith Drury Collection, author, pastor, and teacher Keith Drury addresses pastoral calling, spiritual disciplines, worship, and other relevant church leadership topics. Drawing from his experience as a pastor and his position as a professor of practical ministry, Keith Drury offers sounds advice and wisdom for pastors, teachers, and ministry leaders. This collection contains a volume on the creeds, confessions, and articulating clear Christian belief in an age of skepticism and doubt, along with a helpful volume on worship practices—from preaching and music, to finding common ground in today’s “worship wars.” The Keith Drury Collection also contains books on practicing the spiritual disciplines, women in ministry, ordination, and developing a high view of ministry in your congregation.

The Logos Bible Software edition of the Keith Drury Collection is specially designed for pastors and church leaders. From advanced search features, to detailed tagging to the Bibles and other books in your digital library, Logos gives you the tools you need to be an effective ministry leader.

Books on pastoral calling, spiritual disciplines, and moreScripture references linked to the Bibles in your digital library (if you own them)Sound advice on addressing and resolving worship wars in your congregation

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Second Corinthians

Second Corinthians is packed with challenges and treasures. Perhaps no other letter attributed to Paul demands more study and effort. In this letter Paul opens to us a unique window into the way he understands his apostolic life and ministry as patterned after the example of Jesus. We see the Apostle’s love and care for a church he has founded. We sense his joys and frustrations. We discover a fledgling community that struggles with many of the same issues that Christians face today, nearly twenty centuries later. And in the midst of all this, we catch glimpses of Paul’s inspired—and inspiring—insight into who God is and how he has reached out in love to the world through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Such insights into God’s faithfulness and love demand an appropriate response, and Paul challenges the Corinthians—as well as us—to offer one.

This fourth volume of the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, like each in the series, relates Scripture to life, is faithfully Catholic, and is supplemented by features designed to help readers understand the Bible more deeply and use it more effectively in teaching, preaching, evangelization, and other forms of ministry. It is intended to facilitate the reader’s fruitful engagement with Paul’s letter. In addition to commentary and exposition of the text, Thomas Stegman discusses authorship, literary unity, historical context, theological themes, and relevance for today.

We are pleased to announce that Baker has decided to publish books for use with Logos Bible Software. These books are being released through the Pre-Pub program and will be pushed into development when there are enough orders to cover costs.

Detailed exposition and commentary on the textAccessible for English-only studyIntroduction to authorship, literary unity, historical context, theological themes, and contemporary relevanceOutline of the bookSuggestions for further readingIndex of pastoral topics in Second Corinthians

A blessing offered to the whole Church, Tom Stegman's commentary presents the heart of St. Paul's message: the fullness of God's love for us that has opened up a new way of life, empowered by the intimate presence of the Holy Spirit, who shapes us more and more in the likeness of Christ. This inspiring book will encourage numerous Catholics and other Christians in understanding better and accepting more generously a truly Christ-centered existence.

—Gerald O'Collins, SJ, emeritus professor of theology, Pontifical Gregorian University

Thomas Stegman's commentary on 2 Corinthians is elegant, clear, and deeply insightful. He takes one of Paul's hardest letters and makes it intelligible. With a masterful grasp of Paul's rhetoric, he shows readers how the apostle challenges his ancient readers--and readers today--to live out the character of Jesus Christ.

—Luke Timothy Johnson, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Candler School of Theology, Emory University

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The Logos Christmas Sale Begins Today!

The 2011 Logos Christmas specials are here! We’ve got lots of great ways to save on Logos resources this season.

The Christmas Credit promotion lets you earn Logos.com store credit.

If you spend $100 between December 1 and January 2, you’ll receive 10% of your total as Logos.com credit. But that percentage can climb all the way up to 50% with the more you spend, which you can put toward even more Bible study resources in the coming year!

To participate in the Christmas Credit program, first sign up for the email list at the 2011 Christmas page.

The total amount you spend this season will place you in one of five tiers. Each tier offers to match a percentage of your qualifying total spending in Logos.com credit—the more you spend the higher percentage you’ll earn!

Spend $5,000 or more on qualifying products, and we’ll match 50% of your total in Logos.com credit (there’s no cap to the amount you can earn)!Spend $2,500 to $4,999.99 on qualifying products, and you’ll get 40% of your total in Logos.com credit (up to $2000).Spend $1,000 to $2,499.99 on qualifying products, and you’ll get 30% of your total in Logos.com credit (up to $750).Spend $500 to $999.99 on qualifying products, andyou’ll get 20% of your total in Logos.com credit (up to $200).Spend $100 to $499.99 on qualifying products, and you’ll get 10% of your total in Logos.com credit (up to $50).

Shortly after January 2, you’ll receive your Logos.com credit based on the tier you qualify for.

Here’s an example: if you spend $1,260 on qualifying products in the month of December, you will earn 30% of that in Logos.com credit. After the promotion ends, you’ll receive $378 in Logos.com credit to spend whenever you want on Logos.com products (some restrictions apply; see the details).

12 Days of Logos has returned with more great savings! Starting today and running through December 21, we’ll be posting one new deal each weekday at www.12DaysofLogos.com. These prices won’t last long, so you’ll have to act fast to take advantage of them.

Make sure to visit 12daysoflogos.com each weekday until December 21 to see the new deal for the day. To get reminders of the great offers, subscribe to the RSS feed or sign-up for daily reminders so you don’t miss any of the savings!

From now until January 2, base packages are on sale for 15% off. This is a great opportunity for you to start your library or to purchase the perfect gift for a family member or friend.

For more details on any of the promotions, visit the 2011 Christmas page.

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Dictionary of the Targumim, the Talmud Babli and Yerushalmi, and the Midrashic Literature (2 vols.)

Marcus Jastrow’s Dictionary of the Targumim, the Talmud Babli and Yerushalmi, and the Midrashic Literature is a classic reference work and the standard dictionary on Talmudic literature. The subjects of this dictionary, writes Jastrow, “are as unlimited as are the interests of the human mind.” With his Dictionary, Jastrow made Talmudic studies accessible for English scholars, and helped establish the study of rabbinic texts as a mainstream scholarly enterprise in America.

Jastrow’s Dictionary contains over 30,000 individual entries, and covers nearly every word in the Talmud. For each entry, Jastrow defines the term, offers examples of use, and provides numerous cross-references. He also includes the etymology for many words, and countless quotations and illustrations from the rabbinic literature. Jastrow’s Dictionary is also noted for its brevity. Reviewers throughout the past century have noted Jastrow’s concise style, and his avoidance of tangential and irrelevant material—common in many other similar dictionaries.

With the Logos Bible Software edition of Jastrow’s Dictionary of the Targumim, the Talmud Babli and Yerushalmi, and the Midrashic Literature, you have instant access to over 30,000 Hebrew and Aramaic entries at the click of a mouse! By promoting the dictionary in your KeyLink preferences, you can double-click any Hebrew or Aramaic word in any book in your library, and Jastrow’s Dictionary will automatically open to the exact entry you’re looking for! This dictionary is also fully searchable, which means you can find words and phrases buried deep within individual entries. All cross-references between entries are linked, making navigating the electronic edition of Jastrow’s Dictionary infinitely faster and easier than the cumbersome and difficult-to-read print editions.

This dictionary is a vital addition to the libraries of scholars who study rabbinic literature. Jastrow’s detailed and meticulously researched study of Hebrew and Aramaic terms will also benefit scholars of the Hebrew Bible, as well as scholars of the Hebrew and Aramaic languages.

Over 30,000 entriesContains nearly all Hebrew and Aramaic terms from the Talmud and rabbinic literatureExamples of use contained for nearly all entriesEtymological history included in many entriesNumerous quotations and contextual illustrations from rabbinic literatureIndicates words which originate in other languages, such as Greek and LatinNoted by scholars for its concision and brevity

Marcus Jastrow was born on June 5, 1829 in the town of Posen, in Prussia (now Poland). He received a Ph.D. from the University of Halle in 1855. In 1858, he returned to Poland—this time to Warsaw—and became rabbi of a German congregation. He became involved with the patriotic Polish party and the Polish revolution, for which he was imprisoned between 1862 and 1866.

In 1866, Jastrow left Poland for America, when the Congregation Rodeph Shalom of Philadelphia called him. During this time, he began writing prolifically, both in German and English. His significant contributions to Jewish scholarship include a new translation of the Bible into English by the Jewish Publication Society, numerous articles on the Talmud for the Jewish Encyclopedia, and his magnum opus, A Dictionary of the Targumim, the Talmud Babli and Yerushalmi, and the Midrashic Literature. To the dictionary, he devoted two decades of his life, and completed the final page just days before his death in 1903.

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Studies on Esther (4 vols.)

Esther tells the captivating story of a Jewish child who became queen of an empire and saved her people from destruction. It is the only book in the Bible which does not mention God by name. Yet God is present throughout the story—operating providentially, sustaining his people in exile.

Studies on Esther (4 vols.) aims to understand the book of Esther more clearly—its origins, its inclusion in the canon, and its modern place in the interpretation of Scripture. The authors assess the story of Esther, examine its vocabulary, explore its textual traditions, and attempt to understand the history of interpretation of Esther. They also reassess the relationship between Esther and other literature of the time, shedding light on the origins of Esther.

With the Logos Bible Software edition, all Scripture references are linked to the original language texts and the English Bibles in your library. By employing the advanced search features in Logos, you can find the exact topics, Scripture references, and subjects you’re looking for. With Logos, every word is essentially a link. All references to the text of Esther are automatically linked to the Hebrew texts and English Bible translations. Clicking on any word in any language automatically opens your preferred lexicons and searches for the corresponding entry. That makes the Logos edition the most accurate and efficient way to study the book of Esther.

Studies on Esther is a vital addition to the libraries of biblical scholars and historians of the Near East. This collection will benefit pastors who are preaching on Esther, Bible study leaders, and students of the Old Testament.

Incorporates contributions from top scholars of the past decadeIdeal for Bible study, sermon preparation, and scholarly researchAll Scripture references linked to the Bibles in your library

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Earn Logos.com Credit with Your Holiday Purchases!

With the annual 12 Days of Logos sale and 15% off all base packages, you can save big this Christmas on Logos.com!  But did you know that your qualifying purchases—made between December 1, 2011 and January 2, 2012—will count toward Logos.com credit? That’s right! Not only can you save money now, you can also earn Logos.com credit to spend later.

You need to sign up to qualify for this promotion. So the first thing you want to do is head to the 2011 Christmas page and enter your email address to sign up. At the end of the promotion, all qualifying purchases made with the associated email address will be totaled and we will credit the appropriate amount of Logos.com credit to your account.

Don’t worry. If you made a huge purchase earlier this month but hadn’t opted into the promotion yet, you can still get credit for that purchase. As long as you sign up by the end of the promotion (January 2, 2012), every qualifying purchase made during the promotion period (December 1, 2011 through January 2, 2012) will be credited to your account!

The total amount of your qualifying purchases made during the promotional period (before taxes and shipping) will place you in 1 of 5 tiers. Each tier offers a percentage of your total spending in Logos.com credit (the percentage increases as your total spending increases). The credit you earn is determined by the price bracket you fall into at the end of the promotion.

Spend $5,000 or more on qualifying products, and we’ll match 50% of your total in Logos.com credit (there’s no cap to the amount you can earn)!Spend $2,500 to $4,999.99 on qualifying products, and you’ll get 40% of your total in Logos.com credit (up to $2000).Spend $1,000 to $2,499.99 on qualifying products, and you’ll get 30% of your total in Logos.com credit (up to $750).Spend $500 to $999.99 on qualifying products, and you’ll get 20% of your total in Logos.com credit (up to $200).Spend $100 to $499.99 on qualifying products, and you’ll get 10% of your total in Logos.com credit (up to $50).

Shortly after the promotion ends, you will receive your Logos.com credit based on the amount of your qualifying purchases. You can then use your Logos.com credit—which never expires—toward any live products!

With a Logos Payment plan, you can stretch out your payments for up to 12 months. Did you know that with the Christmas Credit promotion, not only can you use our interest free payment plan, but qualifying purchases can also earn you Logos.credit?

This means you could purchase Portfolio at 15% off (all of our base packages are on sale through January 2), spread those payments out for 12 months, and then receive $1,458.60 in Logos.com credit! That’s enough credit to purchase the Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (44 vols.)  and still have nearly $400 to spend on more great resources!

Check out all of the details for the Christmas Credit promotion now. Then head to the Christmas 2011 page and sign up to start earning your Logos.com credit today!

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Perseus and the Greek Background of the New Testament

On September 30 we released over 1,700 free books in the seven Perseus collections. With all the collections available for free download, a lot of people are asking “How can I use Perseus for Bible study?”

Dr. David Instone-Brewer, Senior Research Fellow in Rabbinics and the New Testament for Tyndale House, recently published an informative article on the combined efficacy of Perseus and Logos 4 in studying the Greek context of the New Testament.

“The combination in Logos of the Perseus material and the Duke Databank of Papyri makes this Logos collection more useful for NT research than any other collection of Greek literature,” says Dr. Instone-Brewer. “In my opinion, the Logos implementation of Perseus is now the best tool available for studying classical Greek background of the Bible.”

In the article, Dr. Instone-Brewer digs into the submission of women in the New Testament, and how to study this topic using Scripture alongside Greek classical literature from the Perseus collections.

The Perseus Collections are free, so if you haven’t downloaded them yet, download all seven collections today!

Do you have a favorite resource in the Perseus Collections? Leave us a comment and let us know which one and what you like about it!

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Rushdoony Biblical Studies Collection (8 vols.)

There is a marked resemblance between our time and that of Elijah and Elisha. Theirs was a time of judgment; ours is as well. But there is a deeper resemblance. Their day was an age of syncretism, of radical compromise between the worship of the Lord and Baal in worship. The two had been blended together to make one religion, so that a refusal to see the necessity for uncompromising religion marked Israel.

Israel rarely denied the Lord or professed open apostasy. Rather, it pursued a course of religious syncretism, using the name of the Lord but absorbing with their religion whatever other faith was expedient for them. Thus, they were not open pagans, but pagans who practiced their unbelief under cover of the Lord's name.

Syncretism is again our problem. Numerous forces, powers, and persons are accorded sovereignty over man. Today, Baal-worship is again prevalent in the name of the Lord. Humanistic statism is easily and readily submitted by churchmen.

Elijah and Elisha's day was one of prosperity, a false prosperity that was largely the product of inflation. Our age, too, has been marked by an inflationary prosperity, and the loosening of moral and religious standards is one result. People want things, not qualities or virtues. This mindset demands more material wealth for men and diminishes the need for moral and educational performance and excellence. It is now a virtue to tolerate evil and to be intolerant of any material lack for man.

In Chariots of Prophetic Fire, R.J. Rushdoony challenges the church of our day to resist compromise and the temptation of expediency, and realize that the power today does not lie in politics or governments but in God's men of faith.

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Patrologia Cursus Completus, Series Graeca, Part 1 (vols. 1-18)

The volumes of Jacques Paul Migne’s Patrologia Cursus Completus, Series Graeca form the largest collection ever published of the extant writings of the ante-Nicene Greek Fathers of the Early Church—serving not only as the translation base for Philip Schaff’s Early Church Fathers, but also as the bedrock of theological and historical studies of the Early Church. The first piece of the Logos edition of the Patrologia Graeca represents the first 18 volumes (20 volumes in print) of the entire 161-volume set, roughly covering the ante-Nicene Fathers (pre-fourth century, prior to the epoch-marking Council of Nicaea). These volumes include the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, the post-Apostolic Fathers, apologists, and other ante-Nicene Fathers.

Between the years of 1857 and 1866, an industrious French monk, the abbé Jacques Paul Migne, published the 161 volumes that make up the Patrologia Cursus Completus, Series Graeca, roughly translated “Complete Course on Patrology, Greek Series,” and commonly referred to as “Patrologia Graeca” (PG). These volumes contain much of the available extant witness in Greek to the writings of the Fathers of the early church. Each volume of the Patrologia Graeca contains not only Greek editions of writings of the Fathers, but also includes lengthy dissertations, introductions, and other supplementary material. Many editions even contain notes on textual variants found among other manuscripts, along with explanatory material written in Latin.

The 38-volume edition of the Early Church Fathers, edited by Philip Schaff, used many of the Patrologia Graeca volumes as translation base, but Patrologia Graeca contains many works of the Church Fathers not translated by Schaff and not available in English. Where material is in common between Early Church Fathers and Patrologia Graeca, the Patrologia Graeca encodes links to Early Church Fathers, allowing access to an English translation for those who have the Logos edition of the Early Church Fathers.

These volumes are not facsimile editions of page-scans; they are full-blown, full text Logos resources. Each volume of the Patrologia Graeca is navigable by page number or column number (the primary method of citation of the Patrologia Graeca), and linked in many Logos books! The works will further be referenceable by author and work. Further granularity in reference scheme will depend upon each work itself. For instance, Migne’s edition of First Clement marks chapter boundaries but not verse boundaries. The Logos edition marks these chapter boundaries, but further granularity may not be represented in initial releases.

To see the complete table of contents to the Patrologia Cursus Completus, Series Graeca, Part 1 (18 vols.) which includes the works of each author, the length of each work, and the language of each work, click here!

Jacques Paul Migne was a notable priest and publisher in 19th-century France. He was born in Saint-Flour on October 25, 1800 and studied theology at Orleans, before becoming ordained in the diocese of Orleans in 1824. After publishing a controversial pamphlet, Migne was forced to leave his parish. He moved to Paris, where he founded the journal L’Univers religieux, which he edited until 1836.

In 1836, Migne founded a publishing company designed to distribute theological works cheaply for a wide audience. For nearly three decades, Migne published hundreds of volumes of Greek, Latin, and Syriac writings from the first fifteen centuries of Christianity. He published continually until his publishing company was destroyed by fire in 1868, and his publishing was further hampered in 1870 by the Franco-German War.

Jacques Paul Migne died in Paris on October 24, 1875.

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Synopsis of the Greek Sources for the Hasmonean Period

This volume offers a synopsis of 1 and 2 Maccabees in Greek. It includes not only all parallel sections of these two books but also Books 12-14 of Josephus’ Jewish Antiquities to the extent that they are paralleled in 1 Maccabees or in the Jewish War. Thus, the major sources for the history of Palestine from 175 to 37 BCE are made available here together for the first time in electronic form.

The synopsis aims primarily to serve as a basic tool for the literary and historical analysis and comparison of the texts included. It shows, in most cases unequivocally, how the texts, arranged here in parallel columns, deal in different fashion with the same or similar events. It also makes transparent where they follow the same or similar outline, share words and phrases – sometimes even entire sentences.

Synopsis of the Greek Sources for the Hasmonean Period assists the researcher in identifying and comparing different types of relations between various sections of these texts. Additions and omissions stand out immediately, but also passages rewritten in a more or less biased fashion are more easily identified than if one had to use each text separately. Furthermore, the synopsis may be useful as a tool for comparing the similarities and differences not only of content but also of style between the War and Antiquities, especially in passages where the parallels are particularly close.

This synopsis will be a valuable tool for scholars and students working with the Books of Maccabees and/or with Josephus, and for those interested in various forms of intertextuality.

Title: Synopsis of the Greek Sources for the Hasmonean Period: 1-2 Maccabees and Josephus, War 1 and Antiquities 12-14Author: Joseph SieversPublisher: Editrice Pontificio Istituto BiblicoPublication Date: 2001Pages: 336

Joseph Sievers was born in Germany in 1948. He began his studies at the University of Vienna and at the Hebrew University. He holds a Ph. D. in Ancient History/Hebrew Studies from Columbia University and a Lic. Theol. from the Gregorian University. He has taught Ancient History at the City University in New York, Jewish History at Seton Hall University, and New Testament Greek at the Pontificio Ateneo S. Anselmo. Since 1991, he has taught Jewish history and literature of the Hellenistic period at the Pontifical Biblical Institute. Among his publications are The Hasmoneans and Their Supporters: From Mattathias to the Death of John Hyrcanus I, and Josephus and the History of the Greco-Roman Period: Essays in Memory of Morton Smith which he co-edited with Fausto Parente.

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Naked Bible Survey Updates

Posted By MSH on December 15, 2011

Just wanted to give readers a brief update on the Naked Bible’s two running surveys.

Back in October I opened the competition to the first annual Harold Camping Bunkagesis award. With only a couple weeks to go to the deadline, Harold is running away with his namesake’s hardware. He has 51% of the votes among the four candidates; the others are in the twenties.

In regard to the survey about the future of the Naked Bible. I’ve had a hundred respondents. The input is appreciated – especially the nearly thirty of you who chose to type out suggestions and / or thoughts about the questions. Here is the breadown for the first question, which was in my mind the most important:

The “church” question has actually gained ground in the past week or so, but the written responses to it are overwhelmingly negative. I have to confess that I don’t have much enthusiasm for the idea as well. I have been asked a number of times to do sermon content, so I thought I’d seek a wider reaction to the idea. My feeling is that there is a lot of sermon content on the web and not much of the sort of thing I do. If I am going to commit to a MEMRA second year (and I am) and give the site (and course offerings) an overhaul, and produce a lot of video content for the courses *before* the term begins (which is the plan — already underway), I would have little time for sermons anyway. Podcasting is also going to be a definite go. The plan is to edit the existing content (at least start with that) for podcast delivery (10-12 minute segments). I’ll say more about it in January. I hope to have some completed by February – i.e., have my format down with musical intro included, that sort of thing.

Lastly, the final question about subscriptions was interesting. Just over two-thirds of respondents voted for “probably” or “pretty certain” in regard to $1 a month or something like that. I’m less certain about that than I am the podcasting. The latter seems like a logical next step.

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Archibald Alexander Collection (20 vols.)

A member of a long line of the great Princeton theologians which includes Jonathan Edwards, B.B. Warfield, and Charles Hodge, Archibald Alexander was a dominating and highly influential Presbyterian theologian, and the founding principal of Princeton Theological Seminary. He wrote and preached extensively on theological topics, missions, and biblical authority, and—more than any other during his time—appropriated and defined Calvinism in the unique context of America.

The Archibald Alexander Collection contains twenty volumes of works on biblical studies and theology. This collection includes Alexander’s important writings on biblical authority—the first works in Princeton theology to defend biblical inspiration against the claims of higher critics—a project greatly expanded by his successors Charles Hodge and B.B. Warfield. The Archibald Alexander Collection also includes Alexander’s works on religious experience, church education, and his two massive volumes on the history of Israel. This collection also contains numerous sermons, lectures, and other addresses, including his address delivered at his own inauguration as professor of theology at Princeton.

With the Logos Bible Software edition of the Archibald Alexander Collection (20 vols.), all Scripture references are directly linked to your original language texts and English Bible translations. You can also employ advanced searching, along with the powerful tools in your digital library. The Logos edition is a must-have for historians of American Christianity and Presbyterianism, as well as biblical scholars and Reformed theologians.

Archibald Alexander’s works on religious experience, biblical inspiration and authority, and other important themes in Princeton theologySermons, addresses, and lecturesAll Scripture references linked to original language texts and English translations

Archibald Alexander was born on April 17, 1772 in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He was educated at nearby Liberty Hall, and studied for two years under William Graham. At age 25, he was elected president of Hampden Sydney College in Virginia. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Philadelphia to become pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church. When Princeton Theological Seminary opened in 1812, Archibald Alexander became the first professor of theology, where he served until 1840. Among his students was Charles Hodge, who named his son, A.A. Hodge, after his mentor. Archibald Alexander died in 1851.

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Contemporary Issues Collection (7 vols.)

The church in every age has wrestled with complex social issues and has sought to bring the gospel to bear on cultural engagement. Our age is no exception.

The Contemporary Issues Collection (7 vols.) explores the relationship between the gospel and the current cultural and political milieu. From vexing philosophical problems—such as the problem of evil and divine foreknowledge—to pressing social issues—such as the relationship between the church and politics, these authors explore controversial topics and tackle the important issues facing the church today. These volumes affirm the relevance of the gospel and the importance of theological reflection for each new generation of Christians asking important questions about engaging culture.

These books explore pressing contemporary issues:

JusticeIsrael, anti-Semitism, and eschatologyThe problem of evilChristianity and political engagementThe Bible and epistemologyHellChristianity and feminismAnd more!

Most importantly, these authors offer practical advice to help the gospel make sense in the current cultural and political climate. And with the speed, functionality, and power of your digital library, the Logos edition of these volumes from Paternoster are easier to read and more useful than ever for your church staff, small group, or personal study.

Insightful and discerning approach to important cultural issuesContributions from top scholars, including theologians, philosophers, lawyers, and historiansAll Scripture passages linked to your Greek and Hebrew texts and English translations

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The Christmas Story and the Biblical Text

Posted By MSH on December 13, 2011

Anyone engaged in serious Bible study knows there are incongruities between the story as we have all seen it portrayed in church and TV and the details of the text. For example, the matter of the “three wise men” comes to mind right away. The text never says there were three wise men. That number is inferred from the three gifts given to Joseph and Mary. Oh well.

But still, every now and again, it’s nice to be reminded of the need to pay attention to the text. Helps to put the story in the right framework.

The Bible Places blog has an interesting summary of the “no room at the inn” issue. And that is juxtaposed with this short piece from our (Logos’) own Bible Study Magazine: “Away in a Manger, but not in a Barn,” by Gary Byers.

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Customer Life Cycle & Content Marketing – Where Do You Stand?

Readers of Online Marketing Blog know I have a bent for holistic SEO and the role of content marketing across the entire brand and customer relationship (customer life cycle marketing). A lot of commentary in the SEO world over the past few years has been about moving levers via site architecture / code / server / crawler / robot / markup / feeds / microformats as well as blocking and tackling with keywords and links. There’s even been a trend in attention towards social signals and an increasing perception of value for content.

Understanding something as effective and tactical as search engine optimization is more than a moving target but with the right mix of human talent, adaptive strategy, hypothesis/testing/refinement and ongoing education through credible resources and a human network, companies can do exceptionally well with SEO.

So where does this business of Customer Life Cycle and Content Marketing come in to play?  As companies realize the effort they’re spending on optimization of marketing content is mirrored by more and more competitors, it’s important to discover additional competitive advantages with those investments. Applying an “Optimized State of Mind” across the mix of digital content a brand publishes online is one dimension, but applying a Content Marketing Strategy that considers the totality of the brand and customer relationship is an even bigger opportunity that few companies are adopting. But they will.

To help get our arms around what the notion of Customer Life Cycle Marketing means, here are some key questions to consider:

Customer Interaction Audit

How do we connect with customers online with content throughout the life cycle?  Awareness, Knowledge, Consideration, Selection, Satisfaction, Advocacy, LoyaltyWhat do our customers think of those interactions?How do they respond?How does the brand measure up?What are the brand opportunities to improve those interactions for mutual benefit?Where is the brand missing out on interactions because there is no content being published for that phase in the relationship?How can existing content marketing strategy be extended beyond the buying cycle to advocacy and loyalty?

Most of our readers having marketing related objectives related to customer life cycle, so the emphasis might focus more on customer information behaviors (Discovery, Consumption, Engagement).  The resulting approach is to optimize the Content Marketing Strategy for those interactions.

I admit this is a train of thought blog post, but wanted to share how the mechanics of SEO and Content Marketing can be applied to broader business and customer objectives.  We’ve been lightly involved with this type of work, but as our agency undergoes a bit of metamorphosis in 2012, it’s becoming more and more of what we’re good at besides customer acquisition and engagement (Search, Social, Email, Content, Online PR).

Strategic Approach to Optimizing Connections Between Customers and Brand with Content:

Win internal support, develop effective process and share vision to scaleCommunicate goals to teams involvedAssess readiness and skills internallyDevelop training, process & supportCreate feedback mechanisms to inspire continued participation (internally and customers)Conduct customer research: Segments, profiles, personasWhat are customer behaviors and expectations?What preferences do they have for information & interaction throughout the life cycle relationship with the brand?Develop a content strategy that identifies editorial, promotion and PR effortsCoordinate Paid, Owned, Earned and Shared Media according to your Approach for Customer Life Cycle MarketingMake sure content is findable, shareable, useful and actionable across the spectrum

Assess Signals that Represent Customer Lifecycle Interactions & Success

Key Performance Indicators:

Social KPIs: Fans, Friends, Followers, Comments, Likes, Shares, Votes, Ratings (Benchmark, Trends, Growth, Quality)Social topics used in relation to brand name, sentiment (Relevance to Brand USP & Key Messages, Relevance to What Customers Care About & Pain Points, Solutions)Search KPIs: Brand vs. non-brand search keywords, website content (Product/Sales Info, HR jobs, News, Customer Service/Support/FAQ/Knowledgebase)

Business Outcomes:

Sales – Inquiries, up sell/cross sell, upgrades, order frequency, volume & net profitSocial Engagement – trend of brand mentions, referrals, endorsements, links/shares, sentiment over timePublic Relations – Unsolicited MSM news pickups, online media blogs, media inquiries, analyst inquiriesHuman Resources and Recruiting – Candidate inquiries from search & social optimized contentCustomer Service – Rate of traditional support inquiries vs. web visits to support content, service solutions delivered via social channels

Have you implemented optimization (Search and/or Social) best practices outside of marketing (Products/Services) content? Do you see the value in doing so?

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20 Social Media Marketing Do’s & Don’ts

I think I just might!

It is no longer a question of IF companies should execute a social media strategy.  The question for most companies is HOW to best execute a meaningful and engaging approach that generates results.  With so many social media marketing options available, marketers must also decide best practices and what tactics to avoid.

We all make mistakes as marketers and it’s important that we not only learn from those mistakes but share  with others so that they can avoid them.  I hope that the 20 Social Media Marketing Do’s and Don’ts that I’ve provided within this article not only entertain you but make you think about your current social media strategy. Which tactics are you happy to say you’ve implemented and which mistakes will you admit to?

#1: Save Time, Re-purpose Content.
While this is a great tactic it is important to be thoughtful about the way that you are re-using content.  Simply spitting out the same information over and over again will not work.  Be sure to change elements of your posts in order to either highlight different information within the post or target a different segment within your audience.

#2: Interaction is Where It’s At!
True interaction via social media can be a tough tactic for many marketers to master.  Finding the correct balance of self promotion and intriguing content that inspires action can be very instrumental in using social media appropriately.  Take some time to comment or interact with your current clients and prospective clients to show that you’re there, and you care about what they are saying.  A simple tactic is to ask questions that inspire a response.

#3: Try Multiple Media Types.
Social media users are interested in fresh new ways of presenting content and ways that they can share it with their networks.  In fact certain forms of media such as infographics or videos have a tendency to be much more sharable and appealing.  Try to incorporate some new media types into your social media content plan for the year.

#4: For Pete’s Sake! Make it Searchable.
I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that you have some sort of optimization in place for your website.  Keep the same strategy in mind for your social media content.  If it can be searched it can be optimized.

#5: Keep Calm in a Crisis
The last thing you need is your social media intern “Sarah” having a meltdown at the first sign of something unfavorable being said about your brand on social media.  By keeping a level head and having an emergency preparedness plan ready should disaster strike you will be able to calmly and rationally tackle the issue.  P.S. Ignoring it doesn’t count as a plan.

#6: Customize the Flow
If you’re like us you have multiple audience members to provide information to online.  This could be different verticals or even different departments within a single organization.  Do your homework,  what sites do your different audience members participate in and what topics are of importance to them?

#7: Don’t Let Just Anyone Represent Your Brand
In the past some companies have encouraged all team members to participate in the promotion of their brands because they worked under the notion that more was better.  False.  While you don’t want to discourage interaction or squash the dreams of your team it is important that the voice of your social media strategy represents who you are and what you believe in as a company.  Trish from accounting that posts on her social network about the copious amounts of alcohol consumed Tuesday night and the terrible time she’s having at work the next day may not be the best resource for networking your company.

#8: What Was the Purpose of This Again?
Remember why you’re using social media in the first place.  By setting a set of realistic and attainable goals you will be able to test what works and what doesn’t and adapt your online marketing strategy from there.

#9: Pull Out the Tool Box and Find Your Measuring Tape
If you create a beautiful piece of furniture but can’t fit it through the front door what was the point?  The same applies to your online strategy.  I don’t want to discourage planning big but make sure that you have an effective means of measuring your success in order to identify the true ROI of your online marketing strategy.

#10: Be Innovative, or at Least Open to Innovation
You don’t have to be cutting edge to run a successful social media program.  However, it doesn’t hurt to have your eyes and ears open to the latest trends.  Experiment with your strategy to find new and interesting ways to present the same information to your networks.

#1: Hello? Is Anyone Listening?
One of the worst things that you can do is ignore your audience.  I shared an example last week of ChapStick’s reaction to unfavorable responses from their network.  Deleting information or simply refusing to answer are a big marketing fail.

#2:Have You Ever Tried to Have a Conversation With a Robot?
If you are like me, at one time or another you’ve found yourself screaming at the automated help desk for your credit card company beyond frustrated that you couldn’t speak with a live representative.  Try to spare your online audience of the same exasperation and create thoughtful and conversational content.  Leave the robots for the other guys.

#3: I Know You Are But What Am I?
As we’ve said before it is difficult if not impossible to take things back once you’ve said them online.  There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with audience members, colleagues, or competitors but there is no need to be impolite.  If you take a do unto others approach you will save yourself and your company a lot of damage control.

#4: Accounts Covered in an Inch of Dust.
You did some research and found 10 new social networking platforms that your company is not signed up for.  You assign a task to your marketing team to sign up for these accounts, and unfortunately that is as far as it goes.  If you cannot commit to utilizing a platform on a regular basis and setting it up in a way that clearly represents your brand then what is the point.  Don’t do it just to do it.

#5: One Size Does Not Fit All.
All social media sites are not created equal.  As marketers we must consider not only the type of interaction that typically happens on a given platform but also the audience we are trying to reach with that platform.  If your social strategy for Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are all exactly the same you may want to reconsider your plan.

#6: The Nameless &  Faceless Group from Company XYZ
In order to make friends online you need to be friendly.  Part of being friendly means adding a personal note to your social media profiles.  Snap some impromptu photos around the office and share a little bit about some of the key team members.  This is an instance where a little bit of extra effort can go a long way.

#7: Taking Your Relationship To the Next Step.
Romancing your prospects does not end at gaining them as followers.  Sure they’ve signed up to receive updates on your company but is that really enough?If your ultimate goal is to gain them as new clients then it is important to have a personalized and meaningful flow of communication that sets next steps in the relationship.  An example would be recommending that you have a phone conversation or possibly meet in person to discuss some business opportunities.

#8: We Really Care About You.  Just Kidding.
Spending countless time and effort to engage with prospects only to abandon them is a completely useless tactic.  Handle these relationships with the same care that you would your other business relationships.

#9: We Have No Idea What is Important To You.
Our company is great, we have so much to offer you, hire us now!  I consider each of these to be obnoxious and pitiful tactics for engaging followers.  Instead of utilizing your platform as a means for marketing your products and services try instead to offer information that can help solve the business problem of your prospects.

#10: What Are All of These Followers For Anyways?
Now that you’ve built up this community of online followers what can you use it for?  Your online community is a great resource for crowdsourcing content and brainstorming ideas.  If you want to gather a set of your own statistics why not go to your online community and ask them to participate in a study or survey and share the results with everyone.

I know that a lot of these tips may seem like no brainers to you some of you, but in the fast changing world of social media, mistakes can have a significant impact.

I’m curious to know if you have any other “no brainer” social media tactics that you’d like to share?  They can be funny, insightful, pretty much anything you want as long as they’re true.  I look forward to laughing, cringing, and sighing with you.  If you have a moment to fill out the survey below I’d love to get some feedback from you regarding this post and your personal experience with social media marketing.

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5 Email Marketing Tips for Increased Open Rates

Is your message blending in or standing out in an inbox filled with emails?

Email marketing has become an essential part of engaging and targeting prospects and clients online. In fact, eMarketer reports that 97% of small businesses use email marketing to connect with customers.   There are many aspects that make up an effective email marketing program, but today I’ll focus on how marketers can increase their campaign open rates.

Email content is essential, but getting people to actually open your email is a hurdle many marketers find hard to overcome.  A deep understanding of your customer base as well as their needs and habits for proper segmentation can be key in creating an effective email marketing strategy that produces high open rates.

As marketers we must ask ourselves: If I received this email from another company, would I open it?

What are the two things that email recipients see before actually opening an email?  Who the email is from, and what the subject line is.  These two items are your prime real estate for enticing your audience to view your email as opposed to simply trashing it and moving on.

The Sender: Recent studies have shown that adding a personalized feel to the email can be key in increasing open rates.  Instead of sending the email from sales@companyxyz.com instead utilize the first and last name of a company employee.  Setting up an email to send out messages on behalf of a company CEO or President can have a large impact on open rates.  I would also like to note that many spammers are sending out emails with female first names (without a last name) so be aware of this spamming trend and try to avoid it.

The Subject Line:  If ever there were an opportunity to convince your audience to read this is it.  Email marketing service MailChip has provided some best practice approaches to creating subject lines which include:

4 Words or Phrases to Avoid: free, help, percent off, reminderLocalization Helps: providing a city name can increase open ratesNewsletter Half Life: using the exact same subject line for each newsletter can decrease open ratesSubject Line Strength: keep your subject to 50 characters or less with the exception of highly targeted audiences

To see some additional tips as well as some subject line examples that have been tested as well as the open rate see the study here.

This is a tactic that requires some common sense as well as some experimentation.  If your emails are sent too early in the morning they can get lost in the shuffle of other emails either sent late at night or early in the morning.  If your emails are sent too late in the afternoon your customer may see it as one more thing to review before quitting time and put off reading it until the morning (which will pile it under even more emails).  It is also important to keep in mind your audience.

If you are running a B2C campaign your audience may have time to check their emails either during lunch or after work.  Try experimenting with time frames that match up with that notion.  If your campaign has a B2B focus I would recommend sending emails in the afternoon or around 7 or 8 in the morning when you know they’ll be reading.  If your email marketing system allows you can always try doing some A and B testing utilizing different time frames to test open rates.

Spam filters analyze a large list of criteria when determining an email’s “spam score”.  If your email campaigns total spam score is over a certain threshold then it is sent to the dreaded Spam inbox.  There are some common mistakes that are easily avoidable if you know what to look for.

Spammy phrases such as “Once in a lifetime opportunity!”Too many !!!!!!!!!ALL CAPITAL LETTERSSloppy HTML

For additional tips to avoid being sent to the spam filter be sure to visit SpamAssassin.

Depending on which email service you use there should be a report that allows you to determine which emails are either bouncing or which subscribers are not opening your emails on a consistent basis.  Your open rate can be dramatically increased by pulling people from your list who never open your emails.  I wouldn’t recommend deleting their emails completely.  Instead, do some digging to find where the email subscriber originally came from so that you can create a more targeted campaign to get them re-engaged.

Make it easy for people to sign up to receive email correspondence from your company.  Having potential customers jump through hoops to receive your marketed material is a poor strategy.  In order to make this process effective and engaging perhaps you could provide a fulfillment piece or whitepaper during the initial sign up as a take away and then continue to market based upon their needs.

The more refined your targets within your campaigns are the more likely you are to achieve success with your email marketing campaign.  Creating separate nurture campaigns for prospects and influencers within different industries and job roles is a great way to begin tracking and improving success rates.

Now that we’ve covered 5 important tips for improving the open rate of your email marketing campaigns, I thought that providing some sort of standardization for open rates by industry might also be useful. Open rate is one of the most commonly ased questions with email marketing clients. While you make the decision to implement each of the tips above, it’s important to understand that the open rate of your email marketing campaigns can differ based upon your industry and target market.

Image Credit: Constant Contact

What are some of the tips you’ve followed to increase your email marketing open rates? What are some of the top resources you rely on for email marketing advice?

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