Fee

My first Bible was the King James (or Authorized) version. I read from it, studied it and cherished it as my most prized possession. Unfortunately, I also found much of it hard to understand. Naturally, as many Christians do, and have done, I started looking at more modern translations of that noble Book, and what I discovered was disturbing.

Though I found many of the newer translations to be much easier to read, I discovered that certain verses were missing. Not translated differently, but MISSING! I wondered what was going on. After reading further, I discovered that other verses were added, and, once in a while, entire historical accounts were either entirely missing, significantly changed or noted to be of doubtful originality. I had to get to the bottom of WHY these changes were made, and WHO made them-- so I began what to this day has proved one of the most rewarding studies of my life: the study of New Testament textual criticism.

Textual criticism is the science that attempts to reconstruct the purest, most original form of text from the many thousands of, at times, conflicting and divergent documents that span, in the case of the New Testament, many centuries. This volume, actually a compilation of seventeen studies, provides a fascinating, insightful look into the discoveries, and the theories that attempt to accommodate them, that have impacted the very form of today's New Testament.

Authored by two experts in the field, this volume will serve as an excellent introduction to the science of New Testament textual criticism. You will learn the basic terms and ideas endemic to this field of study, and survey the varying methods (and underlying theories) used to determine the most original form of the Christian New Testament. I highly recommend this valuable book-- with an important qualification.

The potential reader should be advised that this volume is written by two individuals who, though recognized authorities in the field, represent a particular theoretical approach, popularly known as reasoned eclecticism, that is only one among several currently taken. As with any historical science, differences of opinion exist among the experts, so proceed with an open mind, and enjoy!

One reviewer on this list states that the book has no "redemptive-historical" approach to it. Two things to say in response to this. Firstly, when writing any book on hermeneutics, this is a touchy issue. There are many excellent scholars out there who disagree with this type of approach and to over-emphasize that in a beginners volume will likely get the new exegete into trouble by seeing too much typology. Secondly, the book does address a redemptive-historical approach with the "already/not-yet" tension. The authors handle this issue with great wisdom, I believe. I myself hold to "salvation-historical" hermeneutic and I am very satisfied with this volume.

I have given this book to many Christians who are fairly young and not too familiar with biblical interpretation and have been very pleased with the way it has helped them, just as it helped me.

I highly recommend this book!

The authors also deal with the problems of interpretation, exegesis, historical and cultural context and literary conventions of the time. They look at the narrative style of the Old Testament and its function as well as Acts, the various parables, prophets, psalms, wisdom literature, and the revelation. You may not agree with every aspect of their treatment of the various books and literary styles, but this is the best treatment of the problems of translation and interpretation that I have come across to date. "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" is highly recommend for anyone interested in Bible translation or interpretation.

In Dallas, the affair is over, but the lingering damage may cost history professor Pete Donelly his marriage. His spouse Ellen informs him that she needs a few days away from him. She goes to the home of her sister, Susan. However, when Pete calls Susan's number, he learns she never arrived nor was she expected. Pete begins to search for his missing spouse.

Over three decades ago, Ellen witnessed two assailants murder her father. The police arrested and the court convicted Franklin Walker only. Franklin has just been released from prison. Ellen, abetted by her mother, seeks vengeance and has gone to Los Angeles to destroy her life long nightmare-Franklin. Unbeknownst to the triangle of players is the individual in the center who actually killed Ellen's father. He realizes that he is suddenly being pursued and refuses to be the prey. Instead the predator arranges for a final confrontation in Santa Fe where he plans to be the only one to walk away.

Though a strictly by the book tale, EVERY TRACE is an excellent debut thriller that should garner new author Gregg Main a mainstream audience. The story line is filled with action and relentlessly increasing tension. The characters are intriguing, especially Franklin, the nightmare killer. The climax has several twists that add to the plot. Mr. Main demonstrates he has the ability to be one of the top writers of relationship thrillers.

Harriet Klausner

The content of the letter allows ample scope for theological consideration, to which Fee responds with insight (many insights). A striking example is the concept of theology in Philippians taking the form of story (p. 47); thus the famous Christ hymn (2:6-11) is consistently referred to as the Christ narrative. Fee agrees with other commentators before him that the purpose of the hymn (narrative) was the presentation of Christ as the ultimate model to be emulated by the Philippians (love, humility, obedience); but at the same time this passage represents "the heart of Pauline theology" because it summarizes so movingly the central role of Christ and the true nature of God. If Paul is passionate about Christ, so is Fee, and it shows through in a number of eloquent passages. He is no mere academic; to him, what Paul told the Philippians in the first century remains "a word for all seasons" (Fee's expression).

Technical matters and interaction with other scholars are mostly restricted to the very full and rewarding footnotes. I can't help thinking, though, that a few of these are needlessly argumentative. At least where Hawthorne is concerned, I checked some of Fee's objections and found Hawthorne (WBC, vol. 43) to be equally convincing. The oft-repeated advice stands: Always consult more than one commentary. This does not detract from the value of Gordon Fee's contribution; it should be on the shortlist of everyone looking for a solid, detailed, and readable study of Paul's Letter to the Philippians. [Four and a half stars, had fractional ratings been possible.]

Here's what the book will not do, however:

1) The book will not hype you up to win, win win and motivate you. Dr. Weiss assumes you are already motivated to improve yourself and your business.

2) The book will not teach you your craft such as consulting, being an attorney, etc. You need to take specific classes to acquire the skills.

3) The book will not be very applicable unless you are already fairly busy and have a fairly good number of clients. If you are very hungry for business, you will miss many of the concepts presented.

However, if you have the above issues figured out, Dr. Weiss's book has a great potential to take you to a new level.

One caveat: there are many euphemisms in this book, and to fully appreciate the advice given therein you need to have had some experience, so that you can relate the presented concepts to the actual events in your past. Aha, you'll be saying, THAT'S why it went the way it did then; aha, I wish I had articulated this or that particular idea before. OK, so now Mr Weiss articulated it for you, very concisely, straight to the point, with no hot air whatsoever.

With all that in mind, "How to Maximize Fees..." is a great little book, and I can wholeheartedly recommend absolutely anyone to read it. Then, when (and if) you have more time, after you know Weiss offers meaningful advice and not going to treat you to another load of inflated banalities and feel-good preachy bs, you can move on to his other, more extensive works.