Blake Widmer
- An excellent book rich with local Christian theological experience. The western world needs to listen well to the many generations of believers who have been living "in the land" for thousands of years. We are way too obfuscated by the noise of the previous western generation's fascination with dispensational, rapture theology which is a novel teaching only in the last 200 or so years. Munther takes us back to the Hebrew scriptures and helps us understand the promises of the land in light of the advent of the Messiah, Jesus, as they are understood today by the heirs of the promises "in the land".
- Cannot recommend enough. Did you see who just gave it a "must read" review? Bates, Gupta and Wright. Nothing else needs to be said. I found McKnight's approach in this book from listening to Tim Mackie on the Bible Project podcast talk about the "reading backward" approach from a literary perspective. Very helpful. McKnight's angle is a very plausible reading based on the context in which the letter was written. The socio-rhetorical lens helps us see the possibilities and draw us out from our systematic theology classrooms and into the real-life dynamics of first century house churches.
- Does anyone know if this interacts with the great work of astronomist Dr Ernest Martin, who wrote the book "the star that astonishes the world"?
- He refers to both Dr Martin & Rick Larson in this book, effectively postulating that both theories of Martin & Larson are flawed. I really developed an appreciation for Larson’s perspective but also an open-minded to consider other theories and evaluations. I plan to dig into this book and see what it has to say. This is an important historical event that I wish to understand with more factual, historical & biblical basis for proven & accepted theories.
- For a helpful overview of the problems of the Martin-Larson position from Nicholl's perspective, see https://www.uniontheology.org/resources/bible/new-testament/what-is-wrong-with-rick-larsons-star-of-bethlehem-dvd-documentary
- Does this author tie in the "day of the Lord" judgement on Jerusalem and the temple in 70AD?
