Biblical Studies (New Testament) Course
The Gospel and Letters of John by R. Alan Culpepper
R. Alan Culpepper’s The Gospel and Letters of John examines the theological, literary, and historical dimensions of the Johannine writings, focusing on themes such as light and darkness, love and hate, and truth and falsehood. Culpepper explores the structure and purpose of these texts, emphasizing their portrayal of Jesus as the incarnate Word and showing how the Johannine letters exhort believers to remain steadfast in faith amid trials.
About the Author
R. Alan Culpepper is a distinguished New Testament scholar, best known as a leading authority on the Johannine writings, including the Gospel and Letters of John. He served as the founding dean of the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University and has made significant contributions to the field through his works on literary structure, theological themes, and narrative criticism.
His scholarship is widely respected for its combination of depth and clarity, offering insights that are both academically rigorous and accessible to students and researchers alike. Culpepper’s work has played a pivotal role in shaping modern interpretation of the Johannine literature.
There You May Be Also by H. John Cha
John Cha’s book That Where I Am, There You May Be Also offers verse-by-verse commentary on the entire Gospel of John (1:1–21:25). Its central emphasis is that through the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1:33) and the reception of the Holy Spirit (20:22), believers are born as children of God (1:12; 3:5a). Under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, they are led into all truth (14:26; 15:26; 16:13), serving God in spirit and truth during their earthly lives (4:23–24; 14:17). When Christ returns, they will be clothed with an immortal, spiritual body like His (3:6b, 8; 1 John 3:2) and will enter the heavenly dwelling to be with Him forever (3:5b; 14:2–3).
The Gospel of Matthew by Donald Senior
Donald Senior’s The Gospel of Matthew offers an in-depth exploration of the first book of the New Testament, focusing on its theological themes, literary structure, and historical background. Senior highlights the Gospel’s portrayal of Jesus as both Messiah and teacher, its emphasis on the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and its vision of the coming kingdom of heaven. He further examines the importance of discipleship, the ethical teachings of Jesus, and the Gospel writer’s stress on the mission of the church. In doing so, Senior presents Matthew as a vital bridge between Jewish tradition and the emerging Christian community.
About the Author
Donald Senior is a Catholic priest and biblical scholar, renowned in the field of New Testament studies for his expertise in the Gospels and the Passion narratives. A member of the Passionist community, he served as president emeritus of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Senior has authored numerous scholarly works on the Gospels and has been actively involved in editing biblical publications, making significant contributions to contemporary biblical scholarship and theological education.
The Gospel of Mark by Donald H. Juel
Donald H. Juel’s Mark is a scholarly yet accessible commentary that explores the Gospel of Mark as a theologically rich and narratively powerful text. Juel highlights the mystery of Jesus’ identity and the paradox of the suffering Messiah, guiding readers to wrestle with the ambiguity and urgency that characterize Mark’s portrait of Jesus. His interpretation shows how the Gospel’s literary structure and theological themes challenge traditional expectations of a triumphant Messiah.
About the Author
Donald H. Juel (1942–2003) was an outstanding New Testament scholar, renowned for his profound literary and theological insights into the Gospels, especially the Gospel of Mark. He earned his Ph.D. from Yale University and taught at Luther Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary. Juel was widely respected for his focus on narrative interpretation and on the unexpected development of Jesus’ messianic identity in Mark, which significantly shaped modern Gospel studies.
The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles by F. Scott Spencer
Spencer’s The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles is a scholarly yet accessible introduction that treats Luke–Acts as a unified literary, theological, and historical work. After interpreting Luke’s Gospel with its portrait of Jesus as the merciful Savior, Spencer turns to Acts, focusing on the Spirit-empowered church as it expands God’s mission to all nations. He pays close attention to narrative flow and character development, exploring how themes such as reversal, inclusion, and divine guidance shape the message. This book invites readers to see Luke–Acts as the vivid story of God’s salvation unfolding through Jesus and his disciples.
About the Author
Scott Spencer is a New Testament scholar and professor with expertise in narrative and theological interpretation of the New Testament. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Durham in the United Kingdom and has taught at institutions including the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and the University of Virginia. Spencer has authored numerous works on the Gospels and Acts, and is well known for his research emphasizing literary and rhetorical analysis.
The Letters of Paul by Charles B. Cousar
In The Letters of Paul, Charles B. Cousar does not treat Paul’s epistles as a disconnected collection of writings, but as revelatory letters written with coherence and direction within the life of real Christian communities and their historical contexts. Cousar emphasizes the progressive revelation of Christ to Paul, the salvation and gift of the Spirit given through God’s grace in Christ, and the transforming work of the Spirit on the hearts and minds of believers. He also shows how Paul offered guidance to the local churches of his time on practical matters of faith, ethics, and church life. Attending carefully to the literary integrity of each letter, Cousar explains how Paul’s language gives diverse expression to the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.
About the Author
Charles B. Cousar was a New Testament scholar, specializing in Pauline theology and biblical interpretation, who served as a professor at Columbia Theological Seminary. He authored several authoritative works focusing on the theological and rhetorical analysis of the New Testament, particularly the letters of Paul, and was widely respected for his scholarly contributions to biblical theology and hermeneutics.