Notes on two books I’ve read recently:
Entrusted with the Gospel:
Paul’s Theology in the Pastoral Epistles
Andreas Kostenberger & Terry Wilder
Broadman & Holman, 2010
Earlier this year, I spent some time studying the Pastoral Epistles. As a young pastor, I treasure the practical and pastoral insights that come from 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. But digging deep into these letters will unearth a number of thorny issues:
- Why is authorship disputed?
- What did Paul mean when he said women should be silent in church?
- Who fits the qualifications for an overseer?
- How was the early church structured?
Entrusted with the Gospel is a collection of essays that provide clarity on these and other issues. The book lays out the purpose and structure of these letters. The authors write convincingly about authorship, women’s roles, God’s sovereignty, and the doctrine of the church. The result is a helpful primer for deeper study in the pastoral letters of Paul.
Science and Faith: Friends or Foes?
C. John Collins
Crossway Books, 2003
Last Christmas, a good friend of mine gave me this book, a helpful guide to issues found at the intersection of faith and science (with a little philosophy thrown in for good measure). With an eye to scientific research and a hand on the biblical text, Collins explains the different views regarding the age of the earth and the creation of humans. The book also records the way the Intelligent Design movement has reinvigorated the debate over science and providence.
Science and Faith is certainly academic in its tone, but the chapters are short and include plenty of subheadings, making it easy to navigate the contents. I don’t agree with all of Collins’ conclusions (particularly animal death before the fall), but I still found Collins to be irenic and thoughtful as he addresses issues that deal with our faith in the Bible and our knowledge of recent scientific discoveries.
