Essays

Review: The Black Agenda

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Cover image of "The Black Agenda" edited by Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman

The Black Agenda

The Black Agenda, Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, ed. Foreword by Tressie McMillan Cottom. St. Martin’s Press (ISBN: 9781250276872) 2022.

Summary: Black thinkers in various fields make recommendations to combat racism and promote needed societal change.

The year of 2020 brought COVID, which had a disproportionate impact on Black communities, and the demonstrations following the death of George Floyd, asphyxiated by a Minnesota police officer. Despite the election of a Black president, it was clear that the structures of a racialized society endured. In the wake of that, this book was written, an effort of Black scholars and leaders in a wide array of fields. These included climate, healthcare and wellness, education, technology, criminal justice, the economy, and public policy. In all, thirty scholars contributed essays framing in brief proposals to address the impacts of racism in their area of work. The contributors did not aim for exhaustive nor bandage solutions. Rather, the book represents the thought of Black experts to offer ways forward from within the Black community that honor Black identity.

The essays on climate focus on the special vulnerabilities of Black communities to extreme weather as well as integrating climate concerns with other pressing issues. Also, the special vulnerabilities of Black communities argue against an #alllivesmattering approach to the environment. Finally, a representative of the Black Queer community advocates for greater visibility for the sustainability efforts that have characterized that community.

Under healthcare, essays focus on public health efforts that reflect racial awareness as well as recruitment of more Blacks to work in the health system. On a different note, the concluding essay advocates for the formal recognition and support of careworkers, many unpaid. The essays on wellness focused on interventions that promoted preventive wellcare. This includes prenatal and infant care, disability initiatives, and mental health services. Finally, the cofounder of Health in Her HUE writes about technology focusing on the health needs of Black women.

The essays under the education section were among the most wide-ranging. Specifically, topics included COVID educational environments, expectations for Black girls, and the representation of Blacks in children’s books. Advanced education included consideration of the effects of automation on students at HBCUs and student debt on wealth building.

Under technology, one of the essays discusses bias against Blacks in facial recognition and other technologies. In addition, there is the matter of algorithmic discrimination. Finally, there are ways artificial intelligence is defined and implemented that harm marginalized groups.

The opening essay under the criminal justice section argues for increasing diversity of police departments and other measures to diminish the contentious relationship police have with Black Americans. One essay argues for alternatives to our system of incarceration, the largest such enterprise in the world. Then, the following essay considers the impact of incarcerating Black men on women and families. The final essay focuses on the particular relationship between queer Blacks and the police.

The section on economics begins with an essay on the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve and how they impact Black workers. The next essay recommends the use of stratification economics to best understand Black economic realities. Finally, two women advocate a framework that pursues economic recovery through uplifting Black women.

The public policy section opens with advocacy for voter mobilization. This is complemented in the next essay by advocating the role of policy wonks alongside activists and organizers. The next essay argues we can ino longer neglect the Black rural South in the pursuit of justice-centered policies. The final essay argues for an Economic Bill of Rights.

The political climate in 2026 is very different from 2022. But this, to me underscores the importance of the book. By and large, these people are not often at the table. Often, the “table” doesn’t even recognize there are Blacks with expertise to contribute. My hope is that a more enlightened day will come, when decisions are not made for Blacks but with them, listening to what they would contribute. This book represents an example of the scholarship, expertise, and insight that this community brings.

Review: New Testament Ethics

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Cover image of "New Testament Ethics" edited by Cherryl Hunt, Nicholas J. Moore, and Timothy J. Murray

New Testament Ethics

New Testament Ethics, Cherryl Hunt, Nicholas J. Moore, and Timothy J. Murray, editors, foreword by Luke Timothy Johnson. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (ISBN: 9780802884503) 2026.

Summary: Critical and constructive essays discussing Richard B. Hays “The Moral Vision of the New Testament” thirty years later.

Thirty years ago, Richard B. Hays published his landmark book, The Moral Vision of the New Testament (reviewed at https://bobonbooks.com/2026/07/28/review-the-moral-vision-of-the-new-testament/). Quoting from my review:

What Hays does in this book is establish a methodology of moving from the texts of the New Testament to applications to contemporary issues. He follows a four step process. He begins with describing the moral witness of the New Testament texts. Then, he synthesizes that material into three focal images he argues are foundational to New Testament ethics. From here, he engages the hermeneutical or interpretive task, drawing upon text as the “norming norm” but also weighing church tradition, reason, and experience. Finally, he addresses the pragmatic task of using this framework to address five “test cases” which vary in terms of the amount of textual material available.

In this book, a wide array of scholars engage Hays’ work thirty years later. Sadly, Richard Hays passed away in 2025, before this work’s publication. However, it honors his scholarship in the best way possible, carrying the conversation he began forward. The book is organized into three parts after an introductory essay by the editors.

Part 1: Hermeneutics: Approaching New Testament Ethics

This part addresses the methodological questions arising from Hays’ proposal. Andrew Cowan challenges Hays’ emphasis on narrative, asserting that other New Testament genres contribute paradigms for ethical decision making. Likewise, Andrew Goddard challenges his ideas about narrative, but from the perspective that scripture might better be understood as drama. Miles Tradewell focus upon, affirms, and extends Hays’ work on metaphor, incorporating recent scholarship.

Channing Crisler addresses Hays’ three focal images of community, cross, and new creation, proposing justification as a fourth. While justification is an important New Testament theme, I was not convinced that it spans the full New Testament corpus. Finally, Walter Moberly compares Moral Vision with The Widening of God’s Mercy, describing what changed for Richard in his views about LGBTQ sexuality. He observes that Hays does not change his reading of the texts but sets them within a widening trajectory of God’s mercy. He also notes the distinctive contributions of his son, Christopher.

Part 2: Exegesis: Mapping New Testament Ethics

The contributors in this section focus on the description of the contribution of particular texts or authors to New Testament ethics. The ethics of material possessions in Luke’s gospel is the focus of Carl-Magnus Carlstein and Rebekah Eklund. Specificallly, this advances Hays’ work in addressing at length a topic hays only briefly touched on in his conclusion. Then Kai Akagi considers the role of the fear of the Lord in moral motivation as it appears in Acts.

Richard B. Hays noted the inclusive focus of love in John’s Gospel. However, Elizabeth Corsar takes exception to that, arguing for a strong connection between love and mission, and that this is consistent with the rest of the New Testament. She considers it to be another focal image. Andrew Boakye explores the connection of the resurrection to ethics, arguing it is foundational to human equity. Finally, Amy Peeler discusses the theme of patient endurance in Hebrews and how it relates to his three focal images. She also suggests a fourth focal image, that of covenant. Given that Hays did not discuss Hebrews in his work, this essay makes a signal contribution.

Part 3: Themes: Practicing New Testament Ethics

The essays in this section focus on Hays’ “pragmatic” task, taking specific issues, offering examples of using the New Testament in ethical discernment. Annalisa Phillips Wilson discusses sex and celibacy in light of 1 Corinthians 7, avoiding either simplistic valorizing of marriage or exalting celibacy. Likewise, Elizabeth Hare and Nicholas Moore focus on relationality in Luke-Acts against the global health crisis of loneliness. They examine the narratives of Zacchaeus, Aquila and priscilla, and Apollos.

Yung Suk Kim takes Hays discussion of ethnic conflict further, looking at Paul’s body metaphor. Then Cherryl Hunt applies Hays’ methodology to the ecological crisis. Her essay underscored how little material in the New Testament directly addresses this theme, compared to the Old Testament. She gets at this by radically reinterpreting Hays’ focal images, extending them to the whole creation. Finally, John Barclay concludes in what is perhaps the most challenging of the essay in addressing wealth, and the New Testament warnings of its dangers.

Concluding Comments

I thought this volume a fitting tribute to Hays. Many of the essays emphasized the enduring value of his methodological framework as well as his focal images. I particularly appreciated the extension of his work on the topics of wealth and possessions, especially John Barclay’s concluding essay. Likewise, Hays did not utilize the full New Testament canon in his original work and so Amy Peeler’s work on Hebrews and the idea of patient endurance most helpful. And Kai Akagi and his essay on the fear of the Lord in Acts and its OT resonances of great value. I think, were Hays have been able to write an afterword, as was planned, he would have been deeply appreciative of both the critical and constructive work of these essays.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Review: Power and the Pulpit

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Cover image of "Power and the Pulpit" edited by Gerald Hiestand and Joel Lawrence

Power and the Pulpit

Power and the Pulpit (The Center for Pastor Theologians Series) edited by Gerald Hiestand and Joel Lawrence. Cascade Books (ISBN: 9798385247554) 2025.

Summary: A theology of preaching grounded in God’s word and Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered preaching with humility.

Over the years, I have participated in the ministry of the word as part of a preaching team in our congregation. And, for a space, I coordinated expository preaching training for college ministry staff. Both of these occasioned thought and discussion about the theology of preaching. What is our vision of what it is we do when we set forth God’s Word with God’s people? Furthermore, does it make any difference? Where does the power come from that works transformation both in us as preachers and in our hearers? Do we still believe, as the apostle Paul wrote that “preaching comes, not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).

So, it was with great interest that I welcomed this latest collection of essays from the Center for Pastor Theologians conference in 2023. The focus was on the theology of preaching and addressed the questions mentioned above. The essays are organized under three parts: the centrality, the humility, and the practice of the pulpit.

The Centrality of the Pulpit

Jeremy Treat opens this collection discussing “Why Preaching Still Matters” in a time when this is being jettisoned in some churches. He argues that the simple answer is that God has commanded it and that God works effectually in his people as the word centered on the cross is proclaimed. He addresses concerns particular to this generation. Jason Meyer then focuses on Paul’s theology of preaching. Rather than a rhetorical performance, preaching is to be cruciform, empowered by Christ. In “Bring the Thunder!”

Douglas Sean O’Donnell return to the source of power in preaching: God’s commission, the Spirit’s empowering, prayer, and the power of the cross. Then Philip Ryken focuses in “The Ministry is the Message” on our union with Christ in his suffering and glory. Finally, Nicole Massie Martin discusses how the slain but standing Lamb of Revelation 5 is “The Answer” to all our life questions and, indeed, the center of all things.

The Humility of the Pulpit

Matthew D. Kim returns to the preacher’s identification with Christ’s suffering in “Is Your Preaching Pain-Full?” Are we conscious of our own weakness and dependent through prayer on Scripture and the Holy Spirit? And do we empathize with the sufferings of our people? Kevin Vanhoozer contrasts the bully pulpit and the “kata-pulpit,” that pulpit that is in accord with scripture. He sees preachers as curators of the Word of God. However, recent pastoral abuses have undermined, or as Laurie Norris would say “pasteurized the pastorate.” Instead of combativeness or compromise, she calls pastors to cruciformity. Then to close this section, Stephen Witmer turns to the poetry of George Herbert, the poet-pastor to speak of “Treasures from an Earthen Pot.” Following Herbert, he speaks of embodied, local, and limited preaching.

The Practice of the Pulpit

Ahmi Lee opens this section writing of “The Philanthropic Pulpit,” a meditation on Oration 14 of Gregory of Nazianzus. He emphasizes how the pulpit promotes “true human flourishing as God intended and wills.” Trygve. D. Johnson then considers “The Power and Purpose of the Pulpit.” The essay is a study of P.T. Forsyth. Jaclyn Williams focuses on the embodied, incarnational nature of preaching and the joy of being “used by God to declare eternal truths within temporal space.” Neal D. Presa draws upon Ambrose of Milan to discuss mystagogical preaching–connecting “what occurs in the context of the gathered worshiping community to God’s work in the world….” Finally, Eric Redmond discusses the importance of specific application.

Conclusion

I appreciated the call to a scripture-centered, cross-focused, and Spirit empowered preaching that ran through these essays. We’ve had enough of human charisma and self-help messages with a veneer of God. What was also delightful was to see how speakers drew not only on scripture but also great preachers through history: Gregory, Ambrose, Herbert, and Forsyth. Finally, these essays focused on the humbling, high-calling of preaching, where under God’s grace, we may, in a way, speak incarnationally. That is, where it is Christ speaking to his people through us.

These are essays to encourage the pastor, laboring week by week and wondering if it matters. And they remind us of being participants in the miracle of God’s word among God’s people.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Previous reviews of books from The Center for Pastor Theologians Conferences:

Becoming a Pastor Theologian: https://bobonbooks.com/2017/12/21/review-becoming-a-pastor-theologian/

Beauty, Order, and Mystery: https://bobonbooks.com/2019/01/28/review-beauty-order-and-mystery/

Tending Soul, Mind, and Body: https://bobonbooks.com/2020/07/14/review-tending-soul-mind-and-body/

Review: Questioning Technology with Jacques Ellul

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Cover image of "Questioning Technology with Jacques Ellul" edited by David W. Gill and Lisa Richmond

Questioning Technology with Jacques Ellul

Questioning Technology with Jacques Ellul, David W. Gill and Lisa Richmond, eds. Pickwick Publications (ISBN: 9798385244430) 2025

Summary: Essays on the technological thought of Ellul, both foundational principles and applications.

In 1954, French sociologist-philosopher-theologian, Jacques Ellul published La Technique: L’enjeu du siècle. It didn’t get much notice until published in English ten years later as The Technological Society. It is one of three books on technology Ellul wrote, along with The Technological System and The Technological Bluff. One of the most significant ideas from his works is the idea of technique. He sees technique as the ultimate stage of technology which he describes as “the totality of methods rationally arrived at and having absolute efficiency (for a given stage of development) in every field of human activity.”

Does that sound familiar? As our generation comes to grips with what it means to live in a highly networked society with technology integrated into the fabric of our lives, all toward the end of increasing efficiency, Ellul sounds prescient. Likewise, as we grapple with the implications of the rapid advances in artificial intelligence and its implementation, Ellul’s descriptions are eerily prophetic.

In 2024, the International Jacques Ellul Society met for its biennial conference on the topic of Ellul’s thought on technology. Out of the conference presentations arose the 31 essays in this volume. I could write a review on each one, given their depth and breadth. I won’t do that but rather try to give you a sense of the richness of Christian thinking on technology, inspired by the writing of Jacques Ellul more than seventy years ago!

The book is divided into two parts: Foundations and Applications. The first part focus on the contours of Ellul’s thought, sometimes in conversation with other thinkers. Carl Mitcham opens the section charting and critiquing Ellul’s thought within the larger discussion of the philosophy of technology. Jennifer Karns Alexander takes Ellul’s ideas about efficiency and raises questions about the “efficiencies” of AI, noting the ways its inefficiencies are offloaded to other sectors of society. I was fascinated by the contrast Justine McIntyre makes between technique’s appeal to satiety and nature’s promise of sufficiency. Several essays weigh Ellul in light of other thinkers: Weber, Mumford, Fuller, Charbonneau, Illich, and Arnold Gehlen. Finally, Felicia Wu Song closes out the section with a Christian ethic of non-power in a digital world focused on technique and productivity.

The second part opens with what I thought one of the most important essays of the whole by David W. Gill, one of the conference organizers. In “The End of Technicized Work” he explores the implications of our technopoly on the displacement of workers and its economic consequences and what work and vocation might look like in this brave new world. Some of the essays explore the implications of technology on music, art, organizations, law, education, and the state. For example, I would highlight T. Bone Burnett’s essay on recording technology, tracing what he sees as a deterioration of sound quality in the technological advances and what he is doing to counter this. Several essays explore what it means to be human in a world of technique. Geraldine E. Forsberg’s essay on a theological perspective particularly stood out in this regard

The second part closes with two essays of particular applicative import. Firstly, challenging church use of technology, Luke Proctor, calls the church to incarnational, not virtual reality. Secondly, noting Ellul’s focus on the individual, Matthew Littlehale argues for the role of local communities to resist the incursion of technique.

In conclusion, this volume represents some of the best thinking extending the insights of Jacques Ellul. In particular, it challenges those of us in the Christian community to discernment rather than passive adoption of the latest technology. Where do we draw the line and not bow to the god of efficiency? And what does it mean to walk in the “non-power” of the cross? What will it mean for us to both minister to and advocate for the displaced? Finally, how will we live into the incarnational, embodied life of human community in an increasingly digital world?

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Review: Israel’s Scriptures in Early Christian Writings

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Cover image of "Israel's Scriptures in Early Christian Writings" edited by Matthias Henze and David Lincicum

Israel’s Scriptures in Early Christian Writings

Israel’s Scriptures in Early Christian Writings, edited by Matthias Henze and David Lincicum. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (ISBN: 9780802874443) 2023.

Summary: How Jewish scriptures were used in the New Testament and in other early Christian writings.

The Jewish scriptures were the only “Bible” of the New Testament writers and important for other early Christian writers along with the coalescing collection of texts that make up our New Testament. But what constituted “Jewish scripture” particularly for first and second century CE writers? What materials were particularly important and how did writers appropriate these materials? It is with all these questions that this major reference work of essays concerns itself.

In the Introduction, the editors set up a fourfold system for classifying use of the Old Testament: marked citation, unmarked citation, verbal allusion, and conceptual allusion. Contributors use this system with a high degree of consistency throughout the volume. Then, the remainder of the book consists of five sections of essays, on each of which I will comment briefly.

Contexts

The section begins by asking “what were the “scriptures” in Jesus time?” This is important because no “canon” existed of these scriptures. The following six chapters consider the reuse of scripture in the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint, in early Jewish literature, in the Dead Sea Scrolls, in Philo and the Alexandrian tradition, and in Josephus.

Israel’s Scriptures in the New Testament

Seventeen chapters make up this section, a major portion of the book. The writers consider every New Testament book. However, this is not in commentary form. Rather essayists note the uses of scripture under the four categories noted above. It is interesting, for example, to note the number of texts Matthew cites whereas the bulk of John’s use is allusions. Likewise, it is interesting to see how Paul’s use of scripture varies from letter to letter.

Themes and Topics From Scriptures in the New Testament

Here, eight chapters consider the use of Jewish scripture under the topics of God, Messiah, Holy Spirit, Covenant, Law, Wisdom, Liturgy and Prayer, and Eschatology. Of the essays in this section, I especially valued the one on Messiah. It demonstrated both a coherent messianism, and yet no monolithic “messianic idea.”

Tracing Israel’s Scriptures

This part of the work studies four books that make up a major part of the New Testament use of Jewish scripture: Deuteronomy, Isaiah, the Psalms, and Daniel. Each chapter explores the uses of the book throughout the New Testament. Then the final chapter considers key persons from the Jewish scriptures throughout the New Testament: Abraham, Moses, David, Jacob, Joseph, and Elijah. The essay also considers lesser known female figures including Eve, Hagar, Sarah, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba.

Israel’s Scriptures in Early Christianity Outside the New Testament

Finally, the editors offer a helpful extension of this study beyond the horizon of the New Testament. Essays include studies of the use of Jewish scriptures in the apocryphal gospels and apocalypses, in Adversus Judaeos literature, in Marcion and the critical tradition. It was fascinating, in Adversus Judaeos, to see how Christian writers used scripture as a key source of authority as they engaged Jewish opponents to their message. The concluding essay is wonderful icing on the cake in the form of looking at the use of Israel’s scripture in early pictorial art.

Concluding Comments

I appreciated the breadth of this work not only in the consistent use of the four-fold classification but also in keeping each essay at a manageable length, important in such a long work. Yet for all that, the depth of scholarship, evident in citations and bibliography, is impressive. I suspect, unlike this reviewer, most readers won’t read this straight through. Rather, it serves as a helpful reference work, whether for addressing the Jewish scriptural background to the New Testament, for exegesis of particular books, or for biblical themes. And if you are concerned with the relationship of the two testaments, this is an absolute must read.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Review: Interpreting Jesus

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Cover image of "Interpreting Jesus" by Dale C. Allison Jr.

Interpreting Jesus

Interpreting Jesus, Dale C. Allison Jr. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (ISBN: 9780802879196) 2025.

Summary: Six essays on Jesus addressing eschatology, Moses, miracles, women with Jesus, memory, and methods of attestation.

In 2010, after completing Constructing Jesus, Dale C. Allison Jr. told his wife, “Honey, I’m done with Jesus” to which she replied, “He’ll be glad to hear that.” In the Preface to this book, he confesses, “But I was wrong. I have been unable to stay away. What he thinks now I do not know.” I cannot speak for Jesus, but I’m glad he didn’t stay away. I found each of the six essays here thought-provoking, the work of a careful scholar not afraid to engage prevailing scholarship with fresh ideas.

The first essay explores the indications that Jesus believed the “last things” were imminent and that the latter days had begun. Yet his followers had to deal with delay beyond what they expected (and we all the more). However, Allison notes the indications as Jesus nears Jerusalem and faces not only unreceptiveness but imminent death, that he foresaw some form of interim period before his triumphal return. He cites the parables of the bridegroom’s delay and the master’s delay as examples. And he looks at examples of contingency in Jewish literature and allows for the possibility of the delay being contingent on the occurrence of certain events.

The next essay explores how Jesus’ life may be seen as a type of fulfillment or enactment of Moses. He does this by way of noting some of the parallels between Moses and Simeon Stylites and exploring how these map onto Jesus. Allison follows this with what I thought one of the most important essays that took exception in some ways to the radical skepticism of Jesus scholarship of the miracle accounts. He allows, with scholars like Michael Licona, that historical investigation does not require on to a priori rule out the miracle accounts. He notes credible contemporary testimony documented both in Catholicism and scholars like Craig Keener. Should the possibility of credible testimony to the miraculous be ruled out for the accounts of scripture?

The Chosen introduces the idea of women being included in the company of Jesus, sometimes traveling with Jesus and the male disciples. While Allison does not interact with this portrayal, his next essay discusses the biblical accounts. He notes the support women gave, and their presence in various accounts. Allison also notes Jesus teaching on the lustful look and other issues relating to men and women. He seems to be reluctant to allow for women as a permanent part of an itinerating band, while allowing for them to accompany a larger group to Jerusalem for feasts.

But how reliable are the memories of the eyewitnesses? Allison’s next essay addresses the question of the reliability of memory. He particularly has in view Richard Bauckham’s strong defense of the eyewitness accounts of the life of Jesus. He considers the case of Peter and Mark and how the literature on memory leads him to bring a measure of caution in weighing their accounts. While not dismissing Bauckham, he raises the question of whether all memories are equally reliable. May some be more reliable than others?

The final essay is a deep dive into the criteria and methodologies used in historical Jesus scholarship. The question is what may we most confidently attribute to Jesus? For example, scholars consider themes that have multiple attestation as more likely to be authentic. They discredit independent sources. Likewise, there is the criteria of dissimilarity. That is, scholars credit Jesus with saying things found nowhere else. Allison explores a number of exceptions to this methodology.

I must confess that as a non-professional, I knew of Allison but have not read his prior works. While evangelicals may not agree with all his conclusions, his careful scholarship also offers encouragement. What struck me about these essays was a sense of even-handed fairness and an openness to modify his own views. I appreciated his engagement with scholars like Michael Licona, Craig Keener, and Richard Bauckham. And I appreciated his candor in wrestling with questions any of us who have studied the gospels at length have wrestled with.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.