Asia Bible Commentary Series Update (10 vols.)

by Ming Him Ko; Mitchel Modine; Koowon Kim; Peter H. W. Lau; Rosa Ching Shao

and

7 more

Publishers:

Langham; Asia Theological Association

, 2017–2019

Overview

The Asia Bible Commentary Series (Edited by Bruce J. Nicholls and Sang-Bok David Kim) aims to enable readers to understand the Scriptures in their own context and to interpret and apply them to the plurality of Asian cultures in which they live and work.

The series is designed for use by pastors in their expository ministry of preaching, teaching and counselling, by teachers and students in their theological studies, and by men and women who lead small groups in churches and homes. The Asia Bible Commentary Series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.

Key Features

• Interprets scripture in light of an Asian theological context
• Helpful for pastors, teachers, and students
• Provides exegesis and application for each section of Scripture

Product Details

• Title: Asia Bible Commentary Update (10 vols.)
• Editors: Bruce J. Nicholls & Sang-Bok David Kim
• Series: Asia Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Langham
• Volumes: 10
• Pages: 2,014
• Resource Type: Commentary
• Topic: Biblical Studies

Leviticus

• Author: Ming Him Ko
• Series: Asia Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Langham
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 274

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The book of Leviticus has a two-fold mission. Leviticus 1–16 symbolizes the order of the world through sacrifices, purity law, and sacred boundaries, so that God’s people can acknowledge his presence and lordship in their different aspects of life. The second part of the book, from Leviticus 17–27, extends the belief of holiness through moral laws of sex and social justice, so that God’s people can be holy, as he is holy.

Written by one who is thoroughly at home in both the world of Pentateuchal studies and the contemporary struggles of Asian (especially Chinese) communities, this commentary provides a strong challenge to a reductionistic worldview as it invites the readers to live out a life of embodied holiness. All who are willing to work through this insightful volume will not only gain a deeper understanding of the book of Leviticus but also a powerful vision of faithful existence in the midst of the mundane reality.

—David W. Pao, Chair, New Testament Department, Professor, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Ming Him Ko holds a PhD from Durham University, UK. He is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Alliance Bible Seminary, Hong Kong. He also serves as a pastor of Christian Alliance Yau Oi Church in Hong Kong. He is the author of The Levite Singers in Chronicles and Their Stabilising Role (Bloomsbury, 2017).

Numbers

• Author: Mitchel Modine
• Series: Asia Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Langham
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 216

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The book of Numbers is a misunderstood book of the Bible. It is about more than just numbers. Instead, when read closely, one gets the chance to follow the Israelites on their “Journey with God in the Desert”. The Hebrew title, Bammidbar, means “In the Desert”, indicating that the setting is the most important part of the story. The God who delivered them from Egypt is the same God who said he will give them the Promised Land.

Mitchel Modine brings out the dynamic spirit of the book of Numbers to challenge readers to pause and think deeper in order to capture its truths and their current relevance.

—Jason Valeriano Hallig, PhD, Professor, Asia Graduate School of Theology

Mitchel Modine has lived and worked in Asia for ten years. He holds a PhD in Old Testament from Drew University, New Jersey, USA. He is a faculty member of Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary and the Asia Graduate School of Theology, and he has taught students in four Asian countries and the USA. He is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. He is the author of three other books, including commentaries on Jeremiah 26–52 and 1–2 Chronicles. He has contributed articles to both popular and scholarly collections. He and his wife, a native of the Philippines, live in Mega Manila.

1 Samuel

• Author: Koowon Kim
• Series: Asia Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Langham
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 302

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

1 Samuel is full of riveting narratives related to the beginning of dynastic monarchy in ancient Israel. Both theologically and historically informed, this commentary will help those from cultures heavily influenced by the Chinese historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, to understand the biblical narrative of 1 Samuel, as well as inform those interested in East Asian culture of commonly held beliefs regarding what constitutes a good ruler.

Dr Koowon Kim’s exposition of 1 Samuel is the best type of commentary by a gifted interpreter. He not only provides a clear and profound explanation of the meaning of the biblical book in its ancient context, he also shows its continuing relevance for today’s church.

—Tremper Longman III, PhD, Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

Koowon Kim holds a PhD in Old Testament and the Ancient Near East from the University of Chicago, Illinois, USA, and a MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He has been training pastors at Reformed Graduate University, Seoul, South Korea, since 2008. He has previously authored or co-authored theological monographs with Brill and SBL Press and contributed to various reference works published by Baker Books, InterVarsity Press and Lexham Press.

Ezra and Nehemiah

• Author: Joseph Too Shao and Rosa Ching Shao
• Series: Asia Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Langham
• Publication Date: 2019
• Pages: 238

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The examples in these books, of leading through challenges and opposition by trusting the Lord and committing to prayer, testify to how God’s gracious hand guides and blesses his people at each step. The careful exposition of these two books provides a valuable model for us to balance prayer and action with contextual application, and how the full obedience of leaders can lead to communities being transformed.

For decades, the ministries of Joseph and Rosa Shao have been much like the work of the protagonists of these biblical books, Ezra and Nehemiah. Like those great leaders of the past, the authors’ devotion to God and their service to God’s people in strengthening the faith of others have been exemplary. This edition of their commentary on these important texts will perpetuate their ministry and it is a welcome contribution to our understanding of Ezra and Nehemiah.

—Stephen Lee, PhD, President and Lam Ko Kit Tak Professor of Biblical Studies, China Graduate School of Theology, Hong Kong

Joseph Too Shao is President and Professor of Old Testament at the Biblical Seminary of the Philippines, Manila. He also served as the fourth General Secretary of Asia Theological Association. As an Old Testament scholar, he is an itinerant professor who teaches at many seminaries worldwide.

Rosa Ching Shao is the Professor of Counseling at the Biblical Seminary of the Philippines, Manila, and Asia Graduate School of Theology, Quezon City, Philippines. She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a licensed counselor and a Certified Solution-Focused Therapist.

Esther

• Author: Peter H. W. Lau
• Series: Asia Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Langham
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 152

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The book of Esther seems to show little interest in the temple, the Promised Land, prayer or other signs of the Israelite religion. Most peculiarly for a book of the Bible, there is no explicit mention of God! Yet there are many similarities with present situations in Asia, which open ways for God to speak today. Lau examines the book in its original context, and considers how to interpret and apply it in light of the rest of Scripture.

A helpful guide, Lau attends carefully both to the context of the text and the experience of reading Esther in Asia today, showing how these two enrich our discipleship.

—Rev David G. Firth, PhD, Old Testament Tutor and Academic Dean, Trinity College, Bristol

Peter H. W. Lau first trained as a medical doctor before getting a MDiv from Sydney Missionary and Bible College, New South Wales, Australia, and a PhD in Old Testament from the University of Sydney. He has been lecturing at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, Seremban, Malaysia, since 2010. He has also authored books on Ruth, Ezekiel and Psalms and serves as the Old Testament Review Editor for Themelios.

Jonah

• Author: Rosa Ching Shao
• Series: Asia Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Langham
• Publication Date: 2019
• Pages: 108

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Dr. Rosa Shao beautifully weaves together the story of the biblical text with narratives from the Asian (Chinese and Filipino) contexts and psychological insights. Testifying to how she was drawn to the book, Dr. Shao shares how this book has impacted her personally and demonstrates how others can hear the book’s message in their own context. From better understanding the story of Jonah, readers will gain valuable insight for discerning God’s divine call on their own lives.

A brilliant exposition replete with cultural and ethnic perspective and wisdom! Easy to read and follow so that, Jonah-like, we may say rather willingly “yes” to the commands of our Lord who patiently loves the whole world.

—Jung-Sook Lee, PhD, President and Professor in Church History, Torch Trinity Graduate University, Seoul, South Korea

Rosa Ching Shao is the Professor of Counseling at the Biblical Seminary of the Philippines, Manila, and Asia Graduate School of Theology, Quezon City, Philippines. She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a licensed counselor and a Certified Solution-Focused Therapist.

Micah

• Author: Johan Ferreira
• Series: Asia Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Langham
• Publication Date: 2017
• Pages: 162

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Micah contains a provocative message: God has a problem with his people and is sending judgment. However, Micah’s message is not only one of impending judgment, it also contains grace and hope. Ferreira shows how Micah provides hope that Christians, especially Asian preachers and teachers, can become courageous messengers of the Lord Jesus Christ. This commentary is based on a careful reading of the Hebrew text within its historical and canonical context. It provides a detailed analysis of the book of Micah and also serves as an introduction to the message of Old Testament prophetic literature.

A lucid exposition of a much-studied book of the Bible. It is both timely and relevant to the Asian churches of the twenty-first century … bringing both strong warning to the whole church, and distinctive hope to her ongoing message of peace and salvation, while never wavering from the prophetic aspirations of Scripture. Preachers and students will find this book very helpful indeed.

—Rev. Justin Tan, PhD, Director, Centre for the Study of Chinese Christianity, Melbourne School of Theology, Australia

Johan Ferreira is Professor of Oriental Studies at Minzu University, Beijing, China. He has a PhD in New Testament from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. His extensive studies also include an MTh in Biblical Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey. He is the former principal of Brisbane School of Theology, Queensland, Australia, where he taught for eighteen years. He is married to DeGuang and they have two adult children.

Philippians

• Author: Roji Thomas George
• Series: Asia Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Langham
• Publication Date: 2019
• Pages: 196

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Asian Christians will identify with the context of the epistle to the Philippians – a church hemmed in on every side. The internal struggles of the community, personality conflicts among leaders, division within the church, and challenges from false teachers coupled with the violent threat from outside the church parallels the situation in many parts of Asia. This commentary studies the text exegetically in its original dynamic context while seeking to hear the rhetorical thrust of the apostle’s words in the Asian context.

Thoroughly engaging both the biblical text’s ancient background and his modern South Asian setting, Roji George connects these horizons skilfully. With well-reasoned and sound conclusions, George articulates the significance of Philippians for Asian contexts today.

—Craig S. Keener, PhD, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, USA

Roji Thomas George is Professor and Head of the Department of New Testament Studies at South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies, Bangalore, India. He has a DTh in New Testament from Senate of Serampore College (University), West Bengal, India, and is an ordained minister of the Indian Pentecostal Church of God. As well as authoring and editing several books he has also written articles for national and international journals.

Colossians and Philemon

• Authors: Brian Wintle and Bruce J. Nicholls
• Series: Asia Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Langham
• Publication Date: 2019
• Pages: 232

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Paul’s epistle to the Colossians provided guidance on how to deal with their past, showing them how faith in Christ brings new meaning to their situation. In his epistle to Philemon, Paul demonstrates the potential when slaves responded to the gospel and turned to Christ. Both of these epistles are extremely relevant to the church in Asia today, especially as it is confronted with syncretism, false teachings and the mistreatment of the less fortunate and marginalized in society.

Here you have a balanced, insightful, reliable and innovative commentary on two of Paul’s letters. Balanced, for it avoids extreme views and unnecessary technicalities and offers a convincing exegesis of the text in straightforward English. Insightful, because it contains many insights into the text that are unlikely to occur to the Western reader but will readily resonate with readers who have an Asian background. Reliable, for while it interacts with alternative understandings of the text, it always represents “informed orthodoxy.” Innovative, with its splendid special studies that are particularly relevant to Asian teachers and pastors – such as “Apostles and Apostolic Succession” and “Slavery: Then and Now.” Warmly and highly recommended.

—Murray J. Harris, PhD, Professor Emeritus of New Testament Exegesis and Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, USA

Brian Wintle holds a PhD from the University of Manchester and has been principal of the Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, as well as the first regional secretary of the Asia Theological Association (India chapter). He was the general editor of the South Asia Bible Commentary (2015) and is currently serving as the academic coordinator of the PhD degree programme in Christian Studies offered by the Centre for Advanced Theological Studies, Sam Higginbotham University of Agriculture, Technology and Science (SHUATS), Allahabad.

Bruce Nicholls is a graduate of London Bible College, Ardmore Teachers College, and Princeton Theological Seminary. With his wife Kathleen, he taught for nineteen years at Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, India. He has founded several initiatives in the areas of theological education in Asia, including the WEF Theological Commission, TRACI New Delhi, the Asia Theological Association and the Evangelical Review of Theology. After thirty-nine years in India sponsored by Interserve, he now resides in Auckland, New Zealand

James

• Authors: Luke L. Cheung and Andrew B. Spurgeon
• Series: Asia Bible Commentary
• Publisher: Langham
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 134

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

James convinced that our devotion to God must be reflected in the way we live, and so he writes a letter that is full of sound, practical advice. He exhorts us to control our tongues, he speaks against greed, envy, and wrong desires, and he gives wise advice about enduring suffering, praying for ailing believers, and restoring believers who are tempted to depart from the truth. Using Asian applications, this commentary of James highlights the relevance the triune God has in all contexts of life.

Pastors, teachers and students of the Word will find plenty to chew on as they prepare to preach and teach in their local congregations and theological institutions. This is an indispensable book that must find a place in personal, church and institutional libraries.

—Paul Cornelius, PhD, Regional Secretary (India), Asia Theological Association

Luke L. Cheung earned his PhD from the University of St Andrews, United Kingdom, and is Wilson Chow Professor and Vice-President of China Graduate School of Theology, Hong Kong. He is also an ordained minister for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Hong Kong Presbytery.

Andrew B. Spurgeon is a professor of New Testament Studies and holds a PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary, USA. He teaches as a visiting professor in India, Philippines, Nepal, and Singapore. He is the author of 1 Corinthians(Primalogue, 2012), Romans (ATA, 2013), and editor of Leitourgia (Primalogue, 2015), as well as Chairman of Publications for the Asia Theological Association. He and his wife Lori live and travel throughout Asia and have three sons.