{"id":646,"date":"2015-05-01T12:00:18","date_gmt":"2015-05-01T12:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/forbiblestudynerds\/?p=646"},"modified":"2015-03-11T19:38:49","modified_gmt":"2015-03-11T19:38:49","slug":"bible-resource-spotlight-matthew-a-theological-commentary-on-the-bible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/forbiblestudynerds\/2015\/05\/bible-resource-spotlight-matthew-a-theological-commentary-on-the-bible.html","title":{"rendered":"Bible Resource Spotlight: Matthew: A Theological Commentary on the Bible"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reader Appeal: Pastors, Bible teachers<\/p>\n

Genre: Commentary<\/p>\n

FBSN Rating: B+<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It seems strange that asking a theologian to write a Bible commentary would be considered, well, strange. But in the \u201cacademic silo\u201d world we live in, the fact is that theologians don\u2019t typically write commentaries. Professors of biblical studies write commentaries, while theologians write, um\u2026whatever it is that theologians are supposed to write. For that reason, Westminster John Knox\u2019s decision to publish a series of Bible commentaries written exclusively by theologians is a unique choice.<\/p>\n

Anna Case-Winters tackled the theological commentary on the book of Matthew<\/em>. Dr. Case-Winters is a professor of theology at McCormick Theological Seminary and an ordained Presbyterian minister. Her approach to the text is unique and interesting. Whether because it was written by a theologian, or because Dr. Case-Winters\u2019 personality is reflected in her writing, the commentary segments in Matthew<\/em> trend toward introspection and personal application. They are much more devotional in nature than one would expect, and perhaps (at least in part) that\u2019s because this commentary tackles chunks of Scripture at a time rather than going verse by verse through Matthew\u2019s gospel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis commentary meanders among layers of meaning,\u201d Dr. Case-Winters says up front, and she\u2019s telling the truth. Her meditative approach to the Scripture is the defining aspect of this book. Reading this commentary feels more like listening to someone else\u2019s sermon than anything else. Her deep exploration of the Lord\u2019s Prayer is an example of this, and though more devotional and sermonic than educational, it does make for an interesting perspective. Dr. Case-Winters also sprinkles in relevant quotes in callouts and adds occasional \u201cFurther Reflections\u201d sections when she feels the need to \u201cmeander\u201d a bit more extensively about a particular subject raised in the text.<\/p>\n

For the pastor or Bible teacher who is mainly looking for facts to use in next Sunday\u2019s sermon, this commentary will disappoint. But for the pastor or Bible teacher who is looking for stimulating discussion about specific texts in Matthew, Case-Winters\u2019 commentary will add texture and insight. Be aware, though, that Matthew: A Theological Commentary on the Bible<\/em> requires the reader to engage thoughtfully, and so may require more study time than expected from a typical Bible reference work.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matthew: A Theological Commentary on the Bible <\/a>by Anna Case-Winters<\/p>\n

(Westminster John Knox Press)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2126\u2126\u2126<\/p>\n

About: For Bible Study Nerds\u2122<\/a><\/p>\n

About: Mike Nappa<\/a><\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2014 to present by\u00a0Nappaland Communications Inc<\/a>. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reader Appeal: Pastors, Bible teachers Genre: Commentary FBSN Rating: B+   It seems strange that asking a theologian to write a Bible commentary would be considered, well, strange. But in the \u201cacademic silo\u201d world we live in, the fact is that theologians don\u2019t typically write commentaries. Professors of biblical studies write commentaries, while theologians write,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":571,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[101,2],"tags":[301,302,300],"class_list":["post-646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible-resource-spotlight","category-matthew","tag-anna-case-winters","tag-matthew","tag-theological-commentary"],"yoast_head":"\nBible Resource Spotlight: Matthew: A Theological Commentary on the Bible - For Bible Study Nerds<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bible Resource Spotlight: Matthew: A Theological Commentary on the Bible - For Bible Study Nerds\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Reader Appeal: Pastors, Bible teachers Genre: Commentary FBSN Rating: B+   It seems strange that asking a theologian to write a Bible commentary would be considered, well, strange. 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