Author: Gordon Bland

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Book Review / Missions

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“A Concise History of the Christian World Mission: A Panoramic View of Missions from Pentecost to the Present”, A Critical Analysis

J. Herbert Kane’s A Concise History of the Christian World Mission: A Panoramic View of Missions from Pentecost to the Present fills a gap in the Christian world mission compendium. As beneficial as this work is, it should be noted that its purpose is not to serve as an in-depth tome of history, but instead, it is a brief overview to support “Dr. Howard’s opinion that all committed Christians should have a working knowledge of the Christian world mission.” Many Christians are very busy, so in taking Dr. Howard’s suggestion to heart, Kane has produced a work to educate Christians without burdening them with a work that is too weighty. The beauty of this text is that it stokes interest in the reader and provides a jumping-off point for further research.

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Book Review / Theological Study

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A Critical Analysis of the Theology of Thielman and Schnelle

Udo Schnelle’s Theology of the New Testament and Frank Thielman’s Theology of the New Testament: A Canonical and Synthetic Approach are two of the greatest theologies produced in the early twenty-first century.  Despite both works sharing part of their name, the content and approach of each author differ from the other, providing for argumentation and conclusions that are unique and significant for modern theological studies. The structure of Schnelle’s book is first a discussion of his philosophy of how theology should be studied and then he moves through the development of Christian theology through Scripture chronologically. Thielman also starts his book with his views of theology as well, but the rest moves through each book of the New Testament in canonical order.

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Bible Study / Exegetical Study / Expository Study / Theological Study

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The Tabernacles Discourse: The Light of the World John 8:12-30

The Tabernacles Discourse is a memorable event in the Gospel of John, but in the Jewish cultural context, it is an even more dramatic event. Scholars disagree on the Light of the World discourse, whether it belongs to the Tabernacles Discourse or not, as the woman caught in adultery exists between the two exchanges. The oldest manuscripts lack the woman caught in adultery; thus the two exchanges would both occur in the context of the Festival of Tabernacles, providing a further dramatic and provocative exchange.