Second, do not think "textbook." That may be an unfortunate description of a book that is far more and will be used often as the reader grows in his knowledge of the Word and begins to teach more. The second edition opens with the newer essays and lays a good foundation that enhances the essays on the epistles. Those essays, just as in the first edition, cover each epistle thoroughly with things like date, culture, themes and content, giving you both a new appreciation and possibly even a new viewpoint for each of those books. This should be thought of as a necessary book for any Bible class teacher. It can profoundly affect his ability to teach each epistle accurately as he learns its context and purpose.
As with any collection, the essays are not equal. Some are better written than others. But the book is well worth your time and money overall because most are excellent or even better than that. Just to name a few you do not want to miss: David McClister on "Paul's View of the Holy Spirit," Tom Hamilton on "Paul's View of the Local Congregation," and Nathan Ward's "Paul's View of Humanity, Sin, and Salvation." In the essays on each epistle, David McClister will let you know that yes indeed, there is a reason to study Philemon after all. And leaving any of the others out in this list does not mean that they are not worthy of your attention just that I did not want to list almost every essay in the book!
From the Pen of Paul is published by Florida College Press.
Dene Ward