An essential collection of C. Clifton Black’s best essays on the theology of the New Testament

Clift Black is well known and widely loved for his exegetical acuity, his theological seriousness, his pastoral kindness, and the most delightful sense of humor in the biblical-studies guild. All these qualities are amply displayed in these thirty essays written across four decades (1983–2023) of his career, including four never before published.

The chapters fall under four main headings: “Horizons” (essays of wider conceptual sweep), “Stopovers” (essays on particular topics or biblical passages), “Feuilletons” (brief essays on subjects in religious, political, or popular culture that intersect with biblical theology), and “Declarations” (essays that originated as sermons, or as thoughts about preaching).

Chapter 1 attempts to define “New Testament theology.” Chapter 30 professes “Jesus Christ Is Lord”—an apt label for this book’s robustly challenging conclusion. Between these bookends, topics include exegesis as prayer, sin and retribution in the Gospels, Mary (mother of Jesus), grief and death, the King James Bible, biblical truth, the kindness of strangers, Johnny Cash, “early Catholicism,” dogs (well, one very good dog), the lectionary, church and ministry, and God’s promise for humanity.

Biblical Theology: Essays Exegetical, Cultural, and Homiletical represents the fruit of a lifetime of studying, preaching, praying, training pastors, walking in the light, and laughing in the valley of the shadow of death. Black’s keen mind and pastoral heart will inform and charm scholarly and lay readers alike.