Exegetically Speaking

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14, NIV). The verb (σκηνόω) translated as "made his dwelling" occurs in the NT also in Rev. 7:15; 12:12; 13:6; and 21:3. It turns out to be a suggestive verb with a strong history in the OT connected with Moses' tabernacle. Dr. Denis L. Salgado is the Lead Research Fellow & Assistant Executive Director at the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (CSNTM). His publications include (co-editor), Intersection: Interdisciplinary Approaches to New Testament Text and Manuscript Studies. In addition to his exposition of John 1:14, in this episode Dr. Salgado talks about the urgent importance of studying the remaining manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4vbwYzP M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4viuaBc

In a passage closely paralleled in Micah 4, the entire book of Isaiah is anticipated. A Hebrew particle in Isa. 2:3, the meaning of which is debated, hints at the scope of the inclusion of the nations (Gentiles) in God's dealings with Israel and the nations' own misgivings about the extent of their inclusion. Will they experience partial or full participation? Dr. David Baer, a Wheaton College alum and a missionary with Mesa Global, is Director of Mesa Scholars and Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages at Medellín's Biblical Seminary of Colombia. His publications include (co-editor), Leshon Limmudim: Essays on the Language and Literature of the Hebrew Bible in Honour of A.A. Macintosh. In an earlier episode of this podcast he discussed Isa. 57:15. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4a0GRrJ M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4fRR2md

Prof. George Kalantzis returns for a third comment on one of the Bible's most well-known verses, John 3:16. A seemingly small question – should the English pronoun 'his' be inserted where the Greek has only the article 'the'? – swells with importance when viewed through the lens of the church's theological growth over the centuries following the apostles. Dr. George Kalantzis is Professor of Theology and Director of The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies at Wheaton College. Among his publications are Theodore of Mopsuestia: Gospel of John and Caesar and the Lamb: Early Christian Attitudes on War and Military Service. He has been editor or co-editor of several volumes, including, Christian Dying: Witnesses from the Tradition. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4tUlbFz M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3P1abqI

In a recent episode, Dr. Ellie Paley walked us through Job 42:6, Job's final response to God's answer from the whirlwind. The very next verse, Job 42:7, presents the conundrum of how Job, who was just rebuked by God, is now commended by God in contrast to his three friends. The Hebrew wording suggests that the key difference between Job and his friends lies in the direction of their speaking: To God about Job or to Job about God? Dr. Paley has taught courses at Duke Divinity School and Jerusalem University College, and is transitioning to a postdoctoral position at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv. Her doctoral research on Divine-Human Dialogue and Resolution in the Book of Job is forthcoming with Brill. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/48GQoDD M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3RjAzww

For the 350th episode of this podcast, Dr Michael Bird reviews the ways in which John's Gospel presents Jesus as equal to God, and then concentrates on the language of 1:18. Is the idea that of Jesus as the "only begotten" of the Father, what would that mean, and how would later theological terminology express what John is teaching? Dr. Bird is Deputy Principal and Academic Lecturer in Theology at Ridley College (Melbourne, Australia). His many publications include What Christians Ought to Believe: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine through the Apostles' Creed and Jesus among the gods: Early Christology in the Greco-Roman World. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4mAwEY0 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/41Duai0

Two of the shortest verses in the Bible are 1 Thess. 5:16 and 17: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing" (NRSV). Dr. Jeff Peterson argues that that these verses are directed to leaders of the Thessalonian church, along with all of vv. 14-22, and he zeroes in on the Greek adverb translated "without ceasing." Concretely, what was Paul asking the recipients of his letter to do? Dr. Jeff Peterson is Professor of New Testament at Harding School of Theology, Harding University. His publications include (co-editor), Marcan Priority Without Q: Explorations in the Farrer Hypothesis. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3NUCXJ0 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4diWywK

Rom. 7:7-25 has attracted more attention from commentators than any other biblical passage. All readers feel some sympathy with the struggle with sin that is voiced, though elements of what Paul writes make neat identifications difficult. Who is the "I" who is speaking in vv. 7-13 and then the "I" in 7:14-25? Prof. Witherington, who has been on this podcast before, is the Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and is an emeritus professor of New Testament at St. Andrews University, Scotland. He has published widely, including commentaries on every book of the New Testament; of relevance to this episode is Paul's Letter to the Romans: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. His most recent book is Rethinking Biblical and Systematic Theology. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4uziQR4 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4sP9NJY

Ps. 103:17-18 presents God's kingdom as the kingdom of Israel while v. 19 also mentions God's universal kingdom. In which sense did Christ bring God's kingdom to realization? Dr. Fredericks is Professor of Biblical Studies and Provost Emeritus at Belhaven University. His publications include Reframing Biblical Theology: The Eternal Design and (co-author) Ecclesiastes & The Song of Songs. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/46Wx5Fv M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4syONHm