(Part 1)

JBTM Book Reviews
119
One of the weaknesses of the volume was the inconsistent assessment of the imputation
of sin. For example, Macleod’s chapter presents two Reformed views of imputation in
the Reformed tradition, the mediate view (inherited corruption which later results in guilt)
and the immediate view (inherited guilt) (139–41). Contributors such as Yarborough and
Hamilton speak of the inheritance from Adam in terms of sin, death, and corruption, and
their chapters are consistent with the mediate view. However, Madueme locates the denial
of inherited guilt with Pelagius (226). Also, Schreiner argues against both the interpretations
of both Pelagius and Blocher’s mediate view of imputation (275–78). A reader might
infer from the views of Madueme and Schreiner that one must explicitly affirm inherited
guilt. However, Yarborough and Hamilton do not affirm inherited guilt in their biblicaltheological
treatments of original sin. It seems that the Reformed tradition remains unclear
on whether one must explicitly affirm inherited, or alien, guilt.
Another weakness of the book was the insertion of human inability when discussing
human sinfulness (253). One can affirm the universal sinfulness of humanity while rejecting
the extreme positions of both human goodness and human inability. Finally, neither
the title nor the subtitle reflect the organization of the material in the book. Presently,
the book promises by its title to address Adam, the fall, and original sin. In the subtitle, it
promises to address theological, biblical, and scientific perspectives. However, the major
parts of the book deal with “Adam in the Bible and Science” (part 1), “Original Sin in History”
(part 2), “Original Sin in Theology” (part 3), and “Adam and the Fall in Dispute” (Part
4). Perhaps in a subsequent edition, book chapters could be reorganized to reflect the order
of topics presented in either the book’s title or its subtitle.
Even with weaknesses noted above, the book should be required reading for all who
desire to consider a comprehensive case for a historical Adam, his fall, and the doctrine
known as original sin.
- Adam Harwood, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana
Advances in the Study of Greek: New Insights for Reading the New Testament. By Constantine
R. Campbell. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015. 253 pages. Paperback, $34.99.
Constantine R. Campbell is associate professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical
Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, where he has served on faculty since 2013. He previously
served as a senior lecturer in Greek and New Testament at Moore Theological College
in Sydney, Australia. Campbell received a PhD from Macquarie University and is the
author of several books including Basics of Verbal Aspect in Biblical Greek, Keep Your Greek:
Strategies for Busy People, and Paul and Union with Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Study.
His most recent work is Colossians and Philemon: A Handbook on the Greek Text.