Desert Scribblings

Thomas Cahill: How the Irish Saved Civilization (Hinges of History)
Wish I had read this years ago. Fascinating book, providing insight into the life of St. Patrick, and arguing for the positive role Celtic monasticism had in preserving the history and literature of the classical world. Plus, I think that Cahill's observations about Patrick's mission to the Irish also speaks to some of the things the emergent movement is wrestling with in the contemporary church.

Rob Bell: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith
Offers new perspectives and ways of communicating about the Christian faith, not as a system of belief but as a way of being and living.

Marcus J. Borg & John Dominic Crossan: The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Birth
Intriguing and thought provoking take on the story Matthew and Luke were really telling about Jesus' birth.

William H. Willimon: Thank God It's Friday: Encountering the Seven Last Words from the Cross
Great read, especially for Lent.

Bill T. Arnold: A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax
Incredibly helpful reference. I never do translation without it in reach.

James Maxwell Miller and John H. Hayes: A History of Ancient Israel and Judah, Second Edition
You'll be hard pressed to find a better single volume on the history of Ancient Israel and Judah.

David Noel Freedman, Ed.: Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible
A good one-volume Bible dictionary for those who don't have access to or cannot afford the Anchor Bible or New Interpreter's Dictionary.

Philip J. King: Life in Biblical Israel (Library of Ancient Israel)
Fascinating book on what archeology has revealed about daily life in Biblical Israel.

Ronald J. Allen: Preaching the Old Testament: A Lectionary Commentary
Very good lectionary commentary sensitive to Jewish interpretation and tradition.

John H. Hayes, Carl R. Holladay, Gene M. Tucker, & Fred B. Craddock: Preaching Through the Christian Year: Year A : A Comprehensive Commentary on the Lectionary
Three volume commentary of years A, B, and C of the RCL. My OT and NT professors are both co-authors.

Ludwig Koehler: The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, 2 volume set
The standard lexicon for biblical Hebrew studies.