(Part 1)

JBTM Book Reviews
161
Scripture index are included as well.
The overview of each book helps the reader understand the basic message of each book.
The overview, combined with the concise background information, provides a text that any
person who desires to learn more about the Bible will find helpful. This is a good resource for
Sunday School teachers who are looking for assistance in lesson preparation. The “Practical
Application” section of each chapter should be particularly helpful.
While this book has many commendable features, several things could be improved. The
chapter that discusses the period between the Old and New Testament provides the basic
historical information but fails to illustrate how the cultural and political changes during the
intertestamental period shaped the cultural and political environment of the New Testament
world. Moreover, the authors do not include any discussion of first-century Judaism and
how the Judaism of that period differs from the Judaism of the Old Testament era. Since
Christianity developed within the context of first-century Judaism, a basic understanding of
first-century Judaism is necessary for properly understanding the teachings of Jesus and the
New Testament authors. Also, Hindson and Towns do not advocate a particular interpretation
of Revelation. While it is not necessary to embrace fully one of the major interpretations of
Revelation to understand the basic ideas in the book, a textbook that is designed for a college
survey course should at least make the student aware that the church has interpreted that
book in various ways.
Despite these minor issues which might be addressed in subsequent editions, the authors
have accomplished their stated purpose of providing a textbook that can be understood by
students in a biblical survey course as well as laypersons reading for personal benefit.
- Gary E. Blackwell, William Carey University-Tradition, Biloxi, Mississippi
Invitation to Philippians: Building a Great Church through Humility. By Donald R. Sunukjian.
Biblical Preaching for the Contemporary Church. Wooster, OH: Weaver, 2014.
xi + 113 pages. Paperback, $14.99.
Rather than being a collection of dusty, old sermons disconnected from the vibrancy of
congregational life, Sunukjian takes readers of Invitation to Philippians on an exciting journey
through the text of Philippians and expertly evinces how this ancient epistle is still highly
relevant and applicable to the church today. Sunukjian (PhD, UCLA; ThD, Dallas Theological
Seminary) is a prolific author, whose works include the popular homiletics textbook,
Invitation to Biblical Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance. Also, Sunukjian
is a seasoned preacher who served fourteen years as senior pastor of churches in Arizona,
Texas, and most recently in California. He is currently professor of Christian ministry and
leadership at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. Prior to joining Talbot, Sunukjian