Exegetically Speaking

Prof. N. T. “Tom” Wright returns to our podcast to discuss Eph. 3:10 and its vision for the church in the present age: God’s “intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known.” God created us so that through us he could show the world who he is, in particular, by a community of all races and nations drawn together in love. Rev. Dr. N. T. Wright is Research Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Early Christianity at St Mary’s College in the University of St Andrews and Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. His work has established him as the foremost voice among New Testament scholars of the present generation, not least due to his many commentaries, topical studies, and the multi-volume, Christian Origins and the Question of God. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3zbWrl0  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/47lwSe2 

The Gospels tell us the story of John the Baptist and Jesus in distinct ways. Mark’s narrative is a fast-moving action story, comparable in some ways to John Grisham’s style. Attention to Mark’s use of the aorist tense in particular helps us appreciate where the real action is. Michael Kibbe earned his Ph.D. at Wheaton Graduate School, and is Associate Professor of Bible at Great Northern University, Spokane, Washington, a gem of a program. For more information about Great Northern University in Spokane, visit their website: https://gnu.edu. Among Michael’s publications are, Godly Fear or Ungodly Failure?: Hebrews 12 and the Sinai Theophanies and From Topic to Thesis: A Guide to Theological Research, which was followed by From Research to Teaching: A Guide to Beginning Your Classroom Career. GREEK Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4dpd6k1  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3X7hH4w 

Psalm 46 is a psalm for our moment, and its encouraging message is amplified when read in Hebrew. The psalm reminds us that amidst the nations in uproar, and battles, and devastations, and mountains falling into the sea, the God of Jacob is our high fortress, lifting us above the chaos. Our instinct in turmoil is to tighten our grip on things. The psalmist advises us to let go and know that the Lord is God. Dr. Megan Roberts is an alumna of the M.A. in Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton College, and Professor of Old Testament and Program Director of Bible/Theology at Prairie College, Alberta, Canada. Her dissertation, Memory Formation in Isaiah 40–55: Healing to Accomplish Comfort, is forthcoming with Brill. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3As5Gxy  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4der6wI 

1 Peter 2:23 is translated in the NIV as, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.” Close attention to the Greek grammar can illuminate that Christ’s non-retaliation was an enduring one, outlasting the repeated attacks made on him. Dr. Darian Lockett is Professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America. Among his publications are, Letters for the Church: Reading James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude as Canon and Letters from the Pillar Apostles: The Formation of the Catholic Epistles as a Canonical Collection. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3yeGTfX  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4d6MGmV 

In Daniel 12:2-3 the dead awake, some to life, some to shame and contempt. This has long been understood to refer to bodily resurrection, one of a few such OT passages. But there are indications in the text’s language that its intended sense is otherwise. John Walton, Old Testament Professor Emeritus at Wheaton Graduate School, is a frequent contributor to this podcast. One of his most recent publications is The Lost World of the Prophets: Old Testament Prophecy and Apocalyptic Literature in Ancient Context. Among his others, note also: Wisdom for Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation. He is currently working with Dr. Aubrey Buster(Associate Professor of OT at Wheaton College) on a commentary on Daniel. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4c8xjcd  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3Mbc2UZ 

1 Timothy 4:1 is translated by the NLT, “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith.” Some take the Greek behind “the last times” to mean “the last days,” the extreme end of history. But is that Paul’s meaning? Dr. Jermo van Nes is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven, Belgium. Among his publications are, (co-editor) Let God Be True: Perspectives on Romans 3, (author) Pauline Language and the Pastoral Epistles, and (co-editor), Drawing and Transcending Boundaries in the New Testament and Early Christianity.   Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4cNrBO3  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3LujQjY 

Proverbs 15:12 is translated, “mockers resent correction” (NIV), “scoffers do not like to be rebuked” (NRSV), “mockers hate to be corrected” (NLT), and in other ways. Close attention to the Hebrew wording enhances our awareness of the character type (the scoffer) and the response to reproof (does not love it). Dr. Arthur Keefer is a Presbyterian Minister at the Scots’ Church in Melbourne and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Divinity (Trinity College, Melbourne). His publications include, Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World, and (co-editor) The Cambridge Companion to Biblical Wisdom Literature. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3LgaoAH  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3Yfno1t 

A close and careful reading of the words and grammatical constructions of Revelation 3:20 will clarify at whose door the Lord stands, and the strong encouragement of what he is doing there. Dr. Scott Duvall is Fuller Professor of New Testament at Ouachita Baptist University. Among his publications are (with J. Daniel Hays), Grasping God's Word, Fourth Edition: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible and God's Relational Presence. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3WivvsF  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3SoN8ET 

When an OT character is first introduced in narrative literature, we are typically given important clues about who they are and what they are going to do. So it is with Elijah, a foreigner who would seem to be an unlikely opponent of Baal worship. Dr. David Firth is Old Testament Lecturer at Trinity College, Bristol, UK. Among his publications are, Including the Stranger: Foreigners in the Former Prophets, 1 & 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Study Guide: A Kingdom Comes, and (co-edited with Brittany Melton) Reading the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets.  Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3RMY2E5 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4cBEcU7 

Among the spiritual gifts Paul lists in Romans 12 is diakonia, often translated simply as “ministry” or “service.” The social context of the Greek speaking world can assist us in understanding more fully what this term signified for them. Dr. Teresa McCaskill is an independent researcher who resides in central Florida. She has authored Gifts and Ritual: The Charismata of Romans 12: 6-8 in the Context of Roman Religion, and is working on a second book. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4bvshGE  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/45HZVHQ