R. T. France (1938–2012)

Luke’s Gospel is about salvation. It is filled with Jesus’ encounters with lost, often marginalized people and the change he brought to their lives. Luke carefully sets his narrative both in the historical context of its day and within the prophetic context of God’s larger salvation history. In this commentary, noted scholar R.T. France provides valuable historical, theological, and practical insight for those who wish to faithfully teach and preach the powerful message of salvation found in Luke.… (més)

I found the book to be thought provoking at 3 levels.

First, the challenge to see that many passages my complentarian position are not without unanswered or difficult to answer exegetical issues. I need to remember that my position is the best I can discern, but God is the final answer

second, that many differences are hidden at the hermeneutical or application level, yet are not clearly stated by either side.

third, that many who disagree do so with honest intentions and a desire to please God. I must be careful not to label others negatively because they are seeing things differently.

My one critique then is that Dr. France begins not as an objective scholar but as one already holding a position. I believe that this is reflected in his willingness to point out exegetical and hermeneutical weaknesses in the opposing view, but the failure to examine and apply the same principles to his own view. While seeking to defend the trajectory hermeneutics he accepts, he fails to address the substantial exegetical weaknesses in the interpretation of the passages that support the trajectory. In reading in passages where women are praised or mentioned, he fails to address the rather thin basis for claiming the substantial roles played by women in any way violated the 1 Timothy 2 injunction. In fact there is a significant lack of any information at all in the passages themselves which can be used to describe authority as it would have been understood then (without using anachronistic reasoning based on modern definitions of leadership). This provides as shaky or more shaky foundation for claiming a trajectory as he argues belongs to those who see a complementarian position.

His tone is appealing and friendly, not polemical. This book is worth the read.… (més)

The New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT) is based on careful study of the Greek text and reflects serious work in technical areas -- such as linguistics, textual criticism and historical concerns. The NICNT series flourished under the editorship of several New Testament scholars -- first Ned Stonehouse (Westminster Theological Seminary), then F. F. Bruce (University of Manchester, England) and Gordon D. Fee (Regent College, Canada) and now Joel B. Green (Fuller Theological Seminary). Newer volumes in the NICNT account for emergent emphases in biblical studies and their theological significance for God's people.… (més)