I just received an advertisement drawing attention to the relatively new periodical (since 2008), Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care, sponsored by Biola University/Talbot. The journal seeks out articles that research on “the nature and means of becoming more like Jesus.”

I appreciate journals like these – great for ministry leaders and connects academia to the church in more fruitful ways than traditional journals. They have some free articles that look interesting. I am not a fan of the phrase “soul care,” but I think we need more journals like these in general.

As I previously posted on my favorite SBL fall picks for Eerdmans, so I am also doing for Baker Academic. Personally, this year, I think Baker will steal the show (if their Nov releases stay on schedule and make it to the conference!).

Here are some highlights:

(don’t let the logo fool you; Baker does not officially endorse my unofficial endorsements of their books)

A.G. Padgett, As Christ Submits to the Church: A Biblical Understanding of Leadership and Mutual Submission (Aug)

I’ve mentioned this book a couple of times. I think this could be paradigm-shifting in the conversation about headship, although I gather that this book will focus almost exclusively on the church context, not the at-home marriage context.

S. Moyise, Jesus and Scripture (Sept)

I think Moyise’s work is incisive and state-of-the-discipline. He is always a good read.

Jo-Ann Brant, John (PAIDEIA) (Oct)

This PAIDEIA series has been really excellent so far. I am excited to see what Brant does with John.

C. Seitz, The Character of Christian Scripture: The Significance of a Two-Testament Bible (Oct)

A huge issue, but I think if anyone can bring light to this subject, it is Seitz.

J.W. Thompson, Moral Formation According to Paul (Oct)

An important topic and a strong scholar.

Ed. Joel Green et al, Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics (Nov)

I simply cannot wait.

C. Keith and L.W. Hurtado, eds., Jesus among Friends and Enemies (Nov 11)

I have heard bits and pieces about this book, mostly from contributors. Should be good.

J. Todd Billingsly, Union with Christ: Reframing Theology and Ministry for the Church (Nov 11)

One of my “big” a-ha moments in seminary was when I learned about “union with Christ.” I have always hoped that this critical and central topic would one day be accessible to more people. Perhaps this is the book. We will see – I hope it is!

I am already starting to drool over the best fall books from Eerdmans, a few of which I am saving up to buy at SBL.

Here are some items that caught my eye.

Eerdmans Companion to the Bible; Gordon Fee and R.L. Hubbard (eds.) (Sept)

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians; Witherington (Sept)

Prophetic Jesus, Prophetic Church (Sept)

The Gospel of John; F.D. Bruner (Oct)

After SBL, in December, we will see the book I am most interested in: Getting “Saved”: The Whole Story of Salvation in the New Testament; Charles Talbert and Jason Whitlark (Dec)

In the August 2011 issue of Scottish Journal of Theology, there are a number of interesting items – Beverly Gaventa authors two of them.

“Neither Height nor Depth: Discerning the Cosmology of Romans”

and

A review of Kavin Rowe’s World Turned Upside Down.

See here for issue contents.