Scot,
A couple of questions:
1. When you originally posted about the Zondervan OT set, you mentioned that evangelicals in particular need to purchase it. Can you explain why?
2. What are your thoughts on the NT volumes?
3. With big volumes like this I now feel more comfortable getting them on electronic format (Libronix). Do you think that’s a good idea with this series given how much you praised the layout? Also, I’ll never get it on electronic format as long as Logos sells it at retail ($250) when I can get it on Amazon for $150. Electronic format should be cheaper, not more expensive!!!
4. I’ve tried to keep up with the Campbell debate about Romans and justification. I’m not really understanding it at all apart from maybe Paul didn’t write Romans 1-3 or something along those lines. Whenever you get around to reading it, would you consider doing a few posts on his basic thesis, the implications it has (theological, ethical, etc.)? That would be great.
Thanks!

Very interested in your impending review of Doug Campbell’s book. He (via his wife’s login) has been kind enough to engage with some of us at Chris Tillings blog recently. I still wonder how non-historic understandings of “dadm” and the “fall” fit in, given Doug’s interesting take on Romans 1-4 v 5-8(ish).

I thought I could restrict this category to one book, but Jim Belcher’s book is a must read too: Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional
I could not help to wonder if you had read the review at Amazon.com by a reviewer who found the book to be a rehashing of ideas repackaged to portray a 3rd way, when it seems to be the same way with a new twist. Having not read the book and pondering whether to purchase it based on this 2 star review; I am curious why you endorse this must read. In all fairness the reviewer gave a lengthy response in a polemic atmosphere, including a letter to the author. How say you?
Link to review
http://www.amazon.com/review/R1C2VTHMYNAVBB/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Luke, first, because the series anchors the text in ancient background texts and sources. I’ve not seen the NT volumes … so nothing to say. On the electronic versions… outside my world. I don’t read books online or in electronic form, so I can’t help you on that.
I will eventually do more on Campbell, but his is not an easy book to post about.
On Belcher’s book … well, I’m familiar with the emerging scene and I think his book is fair minded and describes the emerging and traditionalist views well. I recommend it highly.

And Bryant, I worked through Belcher’s book chp by chp on this blog.

Bryant,
Scot did a 10 part series on the book in Sept.-Oct. that got quite a good conversation going, with Jim joining in. You can find it with this link Deep Church as Third Way. You might find some information there to help.

And Bryant, you might particularly look for some of the comments by dopderbeck on those threads about Belcher’s book. He and others were wondering if the book really advocated a “third way” or if it was more like conservative Reformed Evangelicalism (I believe the author is in the PCA, hardly a denomination known for “third way”) with less of a hard edge. For example, some questioned whether one could really be “third way” while still holding to “inerrancy” as a key doctrine. Others observed that the emerging church that Belcher wants to differentiate from has seen itself as a “third way” movement, and wondered how many “ways” we can have by those who position themselves as a new way between perceived extremes.
I have not read the book so have no direct input myself, but the discussion was interesting.

Thanks for the replies, If I were to presuppose an understanding of the emergent/emerging church movement, I may be tempted to investigate this book further, though the many reviews seem evenly split on this 3rd way as a result of the two ways (tradition and emergent). I tend to think of works by Martin Hengel, that may shed some light on the early church and how if functioned in a society both politically and socially infected by a graeco-roman ethos. There are many aspects of (the worship experience) that have no linkage to scripture that on the surface seem forced, by the early church; For what reason(s) epistemologically speaking are they part and parcel of church that we know very little of. Perhaps the answers lay in an understanding of Judaism and early Christianity as they merged into the one creation as Paul express?s in Ephesians Ch. 2

AHH (#7) Excellent comments.

You really do a lot of us a service with this particular post. Glad you added Belcher’s book. I thought it was very good.

Hi Scot,
What about Love is an Orientation by Andrew Marin? You did quite a series on it, and I bought it because of that….wow, that book changed my life and my entire outlook to the hottest topic in our faith today. He is truly a pioneer and someone who is bold enough to finally put words to what so many others have been trying to grasp. I know my church has made significant changes in what it means to be incarnational; especially in the gay community, but also especially in our understanding of our Christian calling. His book tops my list of best I’ve read this year.
Thanks.
John