Christmas Gifts for the Bible Scholar in Your Life

Some people are just hard to shop for, especially Bible scholars who often show little interest in any hobbies or activities not related to their research. If you know such a hard-to-shop-for person (like myself), here are some gift ideas.

1. A mug inscribed with the Gezer Calendar inscription from Eisenbrauns.

2. Books are always a good choice, but it has to be the right book. Most of what's in stock at the local Barnes & Noble or Christian book store doesn't cut it. Here are some suggestions (from the list of books I want but don't have.)

• Craig Keener, The Historical Jesus of the Gospels from Eerdmans.

• John Collins, Beyond the Qumran Community from Eerdmans.

• John Sailhamer, The Meaning of the Pentateuch from IVP.

• James Beilby, ed., The Historical Jesus: Five Views from IVP.

• Michael Sokoloff, A Syriac Lexicon from Eisenbrauns/Gorgias.

Karel van der Toorn, Scribal Culture and the Making of the Hebrew Bible (available from Amazon).

3. A tie with a picture of biblical Jerusalem (Amazon)

4. A Levenger Shirt Pocket Briefcase (a personal favorite - I have 2).



5. The Levenger Editor's Desk, a truly great tool for reading and organizing reference books. I received one as a gift several years ago.

6. Book Darts. A must for serious readers.

7. The ever-popular tweed blazer - the hallmark of a true scholar.