Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 82:2 (Fall 2020)
Article: Short Notices
Author: Anonymous

WTJ 82:2 (Fall 2020) p. 403

Short Notices

David Bomar, ed., Journeys of the Apostle Paul. Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2019. Pp. 208. $29.99, cloth.

Journeys of the Apostle Paul is an edited volume on Paul’s missionary journeys, helpfully divided into five sections: his journey to Damascus (Acts 9:1–30), his three missionary journeys (Acts 13:1–15:35, 15:36–18:22, 18:23–21:14), and his final journey to Rome (Acts 21:15–28:31). Each section begins with a map of the ancient world with a modern look that certainly grabs your attention. In fact, all five maps fold out to the width of three full pages to get a full-orbed perspective of each particular journey, and include key texts related to each stop and detailed notes on Paul’s travel companions. This volume is visually stimulating, filled with pictures of artifacts, actual locations, and specific scenes in the book of Acts that allow the reader to experience Paul’s ancient world. Most importantly, this volume contains illuminating contributions by stellar contributors. The general flow of essays makes the social, historical, exegetical, and theological insights of Acts scholarship accessible to readers of all levels interested in knowing and experiencing Paul’s missionary journeys—the accomplishments, the joys, the trials, the sufferings, and especially the divine mission to the Gentiles. They even apply Paul’s experiences in such a way that invites the reader to extend that very mission in his or her own context. As Keener concludes, “This mission to all peoples continues today. Paul’s passion to spread Christ’s message is a model for you and me. Whatever our respective roles, we remain a part of that mission to bring good news about Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth” (p. 151). Though slight disagreements about the text will always exist, I certainly recommend this book to those filling classrooms, pulpits, and pews.

D.E.B

Danny E. Olinger, Geerhardus Vos: Reformed Biblical Theologian, Confessional Presbyterian. Philadelphia: Reformed Forum, 2018. Pp. 317. $29.99, cloth.

Geerhardus Vos was an interesting figure—an introverted churchman, a stellar exegete, an irenic dogmatician, a brilliant mind. His influential writings have left their mark on the Reformed world. His Biblical Theology shapes the way you read the entire Bible, not as a “dogmatic handbook” but as “a historical book full of dramatic interest” (p. 17). His Pauline Eschatology is a landmark study that recalibrates ...