Exploring the Bible Series Collection (6 vols.)

by Steve Walton; David Wenham; I. Howard Marshall; Stephen Travis

and

5 more

Publisher:

SPCK

, 2002–2011

Overview

Exploring the Old and New Testaments (6 vols.) is a series of six textbooks which covers the Old and New Testaments, all written by authors who have extensive experience in teaching students in their first two years of university-level study. This series is perfect for someone looking for a survey of the Bible that can be as broad or immersive as you see fit. The series easily facilitates teaching the material to classes or small groups.

Each book provides an exploratory approach which encourages and enables students to engage the Scriptures for themselves, and not simply as passive learners. They offer activities and challenges at introductory and intermediate levels, together with key background information needed to enable students to work at the required level, and ideas for further thought and reading.

Key Features

• What do you think? boxes provide reflective questions to ponder or use for group discussions.
• Digging deeper boxes offer deeper research into topics providing 2–3 hours of immersive study.
• Essay topics at the end of each chapter provide topics for further research.
• Complex information is clearly shown in various graphs, charts, maps and diagrams.
• Every chapter includes suggestions for further reading for extra illumination into engaging ideas.

Product Details

• Title: Exploring the Bible Series Collection
• Publisher: SPCK
• Volumes: 6
• Pages: 1,653
• Christian Group: Anglican
• Resource Type: Biblical Theologies
• Topic: Biblical Studies

Exploring the Old Testament, vol. 1: The Pentateuch

• Author: Gordon Wenham
• Publisher: SPCK
• Publication Date: 2003
• Pages: 207

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

Exploring the Old Testament, vol. 1: The Pentateuch introduces students to the first five books of the Old Testament. In a challenging and engaging way it enables students to understand the kinds of literature they are dealing with, the structure and purpose of these books, the major themes and theologies of each book, and issues for today arising from each area of study.

I like the dynamic, interactive approach of this textbook . . . an excellent introduction to the critical questions . . . I can see it working at a range of levels.

—Reverend Loveday Alexander, professor emeritus, University of Sheffield

Gordon Wenham studied theology at Cambridge, London (King’s College), Jerusalem (Ecole Biblique), and Harvard University. He is professor of Old Testament at the University of Gloucestershire. Among his writings are commentaries on Genesis, Leviticus, and Numbers.

Exploring the Old Testament, vol. 2: The Histories

• Authors: Phillip E. Satterthwaite and Gordon McConville
• Publisher: SPCK
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 295

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

This book is an introduction to the Histories intended for first- or second-year students at theological college or university. It is meant to be read in conjunction with the biblical text. The book includes maps; tables of key facts, chronologies and events; and numerous inset panels. These provide brief treatments of particular topics, suggest questions for thought and discussion, or introduce the reader to issues that require deeper research and reflection.

Philip E. Satterthwaite is lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew at Biblical Graduate School of Theology in Singapore.

Gordon McConville studied modern languages at Cambridge and theology at Edinburgh and Belfast. He is professor of Old Testament theology in the University of Gloucestershire, having previously taught the Old Testament in Bristol and Oxford. He has written a number of books on Deuteronomy and the Prophets, and most recently on Old Testament political theology.

Exploring the Old Testament, vol. 3: The Psalms and Wisdom Literature

• Author: Ernest Lucas
• Publisher: SPCK
• Publication Date: 2003
• Pages: 207

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

Being able to understand the Psalms and the rest of the Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament from a macro perspective is one of the most important keys to unlocking the richness of the individual Psalms and books like Song of Songs, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. In Exploring the Old Testament, vol. 3: The Psalms and Wisdom Literature Ernest Lucas encourages students to understand the literary devices used in the Psalms, the structure and purpose of each book in this genre and the major themes and theology of each book.

I have found the range of topics treated by Lucas enormously impressive. From all the usual introductory topics through to detailed guidelines for interpretation, students will find here admirable summaries of the main scholarly views together with sensible comments to help evaluate them. I know of no other textbook on the Psalms and Writings that will service its intended readership so helpfully.

—H.G.M. Williamson, Regius Professor of Hebrew, University of Oxford

Ernest Lucas worked in biochemical research for a few years before studying theology at Oxford University and becoming ordained as a Baptist minister. He has been the minister of churches in Durham and Liverpool. While at Liverpool, he was awarded a PhD by the university there for his research on the book of Daniel. For several years he worked as educational director and the associate director at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. In 1994 he moved to Bristol Baptist College, an affiliated college of Bristol University, where he is vice-principal and tutor in Biblical studies.

Exploring the Old Testament, vol. 4: The Prophets

• Author: Gordon McConville
• Publisher: SPCK
• Publication Date: 2002
• Pages: 272

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

Exploring the Old Testament, vol. 4: The Prophets is a highly readable introduction to the Hebrew prophets that locates them in their ancient historical setting, opens up the prophetic texts in the light of the most recent scholarship, and brings out their relevance for modern living. It fulfills its aim of making the prophets accessible to the student reader.

McConville utilizes the best scholarship as well as his own considerable knowledge and creative energies to produce a study of the prophets that will serve admirably as a textbook for a class or a resource for individual study. I recommend this book highly to all who want to learn more about this important part of the Hebrew Scriptures.

—Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

Gordon McConville studied modern languages at Cambridge and theology at Edinburgh and Belfast. He is professor of Old Testament theology in the university of Gloucestershire, having previously taught the Old Testament in Bristol and Oxford. He has written a number of books on Deuteronomy and the Prophets, and most recently on Old Testament political theology.

Exploring the New Testament, vol. 1: Gospel and Acts

• Authors: Steve Walton and David Wenham
• Edition: 2nd
• Publisher: SPCK
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 320

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

This book is written in an exploratory approach which propels students toward engaging the Gospels and Acts for themselves. It offers activities and challenges to both the Scriptural novice and to those a little more comfortable with handling the Scriptures, offering important background information that will enable the student to work at the required level. On top of that, Exploring the New Testament, vol. 1: The Gospels and Acts offers ideas for deeper thought and further reading for even greater challenge. It is an excellent textbook for courses on the Gospels and Acts.

This new edition includes updated bibliographies throughout, with numerous corrections and updates.

[A] gem . . . avoiding the twin dangers of overwhelming the student with detail or oversimplifying complex issues, the authors offer invaluable summaries, charts and questions that will deepen learning. . .

—Michael B. Thompson, Vice-Principle and Lecturer in New Testament Studies, Ridley Hall College

I know no better book for its purpose and I am sure it will be extensively used.

—Richard Bauckham, professor of New Testament studies, St. Mark’s College, University of St. Andrews

Steve Walton is senior lecturer in Greek and New Testament studies and director of research at London School of Theology. Previously, he lectured at Bedford College and St. John’s College, Nottingham.

David Wenham (PhD, Manchester) is vice principal and tutor of New Testament at Trinity College, Bristol, having previously spent many years at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, where he served as dean and vice principal.

Exploring the New Testament, vol. 2: Letters and Revelation

• Authors: Howard Marshall, Stephen Travis, and Ian Paul
• Edition: 2nd
• Publisher: SPCK
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 352

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

With Exploring the New Testament, vol. 2: The Letters and Revelation students will discover: the kind of literature they are dealing with; the historical context and background of the letters and Revelation; the major questions in the scholarly study of these books; the structure and purpose of each book; the major themes and theology of each book; and the issues for today arising from each major area of study.

This new edition includes updated bibliographies throughout, with numerous corrections and updates.

Howard Marshall has spent most of his career teaching in the University of Aberdeen, where he is now honorary research professor of New Testament. He is a former president of the British New Testament Society and currently is chair of the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical Research. He has written commentaries on the Greek text of the Gospel of Luke and the Pastoral Epistles as well as on the English text of Acts, 1–2 Thessalonians, and 1–3 John. He has a preaching ministry in the North of Scotland Mission Circuit of the Methodist Church and elsewhere.

Stephen Travis has taught New Testament at St. John’s College, Nottingham since 1969, where he is now also vice-principal and director of research. He has also enjoyed short spells of teaching in India, Australia and Sri Lanka. He has written at both a scholarly and a popular level on a variety of biblical themes, particularly the Christian hope. A Methodist layman, he has served the church on a number of theological commissions.

Ian Paul has studied math and theology and has taught in Nottingham and Salisbury. He is on the staff of St. Mary’s, Poole and is managing editor of Grove Books Ltd.