The second of two memes that Mike (ΕΝ ΕΦΕΣΩ) recently tagged me in is listing 5 books or scholars that had the most immediate and lasting influence on how I read the Bible. This list probably won’t come as much of a surprise to anyone familiar with what I’ve written. It is in no particular order.

1. Greg Beale, Christopher Wright, and Tremper Longman III

More than any other authors, these three have heavily influenced me in several areas including intertextuality, and understanding the Old Testament in light of the New. In terms of intertextuality, Greg Beale’s book “We Become What We Worship” (review) is top-notch. For Christopher Wright, make sure to check out “Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament” (review [link down at the moment]) and “The Mission of God” Tremper Longman has a lot of great books out there, but the most recent I read by him is “Immanuel in Our Place: Seeing Christ in Israel’s Worship ” (review).

2. Andy Crouch, Michael Wittmer, Abraham Kuyper and Tim Keller

This three men have all written books/sermons that have absolutely transformed my view of Christianity’s call to cultural engagement. Crouch’s “Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling” is an absolute must-read in this area. Wittmer’s “Heaven Is a Place on Earth: Why Everything You Do Matters to God” is one of the better theologically reasoned books on the subject. Kuyper’s sphere sovereignty is foundational for most of my thinking. And Tim Keller is Tim Keller.

Now I’ve already gone over my limit of 5, though I guess I’m really doing this by themes instead of authors. Either way, I’m going to stop with the next section—
3. N.T. Wright
Wright has been one of my greatest influences since I’ve been introduced to him. In terms of eschatology and understanding how it plays out in the present, he is unmatched. In terms of defending the historicity of the resurrection, no one else comes close. Understanding the Bible in terms of community—one of the best. When I disagree with him (mostly his definition of “righteous”), he forces me to think through a text in light of what he says. I can never outright reject him, I have to look at the passages and study them thoroughly before I reject what he says.

I know there’s a lot more people that should be on this list… but I either can’t think of them or I’m not trying because I have so many already. I’m hoping that Brad and Jacob pick up on this.