Jeremiah (KEL) by Michael Shepherd

There are two elements to consider in evaluating this commentary. First, there is the novel, almost experimental approach of using as his Hebrew source text the old Greek text of Jeremiah! Yes, I said Greek. Second, there is the commentary skill exhibited as he works through the text. To my mind, he scores far better on the second one than the first.

For the life of me, I can’t see why that Greek text as his basis was a good idea. Yes, I read his reasoning, but I’m still unconvinced. Perhaps the scholarly world will eventually canonize him as a bold pioneer, but I don’t think still I’d be convinced. Perhaps, too, since he mentioned the plethora of commentaries on Jeremiah today, he felt he needed an angle to join the fray. I would have thought, but what do I know, that delivering a commentary in a major commentary series on one of the largest books in the Bible would have been enough. If I’m studying anything based on the Masoretic text, as most would be doing, won’t this commentary leave me high and dry where they differ? Will this be along the lines of Coca-Cola bringing out New Coke, which of course if you’re younger than me you probably never heard of?

If I’ve been sounding super-critical, let me balance it. Mr. Shepherd is a quality scholar. His writing is fine, his research thorough, his conclusions clear headed and the help he gives quantifiable. His earlier commentary on the Minor Prophets in this same series was top notch. It would not be fair to write him or this commentary off for one questionable idea even if it unfortunately pervades the whole work. To be even more fair, what he did is not one iota as bad as those who take the Masoretic text and chop it to pieces, as if you couldn’t believe a word of it. Finally, perhaps anticipating the criticism, he mentions what the MT says often throughout the commentary.

Every commentary has its strength and this one is the exegesis despite the incessant discussion of the Greek text. The exegesis is better than, say, the theology, but it’s not barren of theology and often makes good Scriptural connections.

I’ll give this 4 stars, but you can add one more if you happened to be looking for a commentary on the Greek text of Jeremiah. If that were the case for you , I doubt this one could be beat.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Ephesians (PNTC) by Constantine Campbell

When I first beheld this book, the first surprise was how slender it was. I mean Ephesians is one of the most prominent NT letters of all. Perhaps the quick turnaround from when Pillar’s previous Ephesians volume was retired contributed to it. Still, I knew Constantine Campbell’s expertise on union with Christ and union’s prominence in Ephesians suggested the volume would have to possess distinct advantages. The size turned out to be not a factor really and the expected proficiency was present as well.

The Introduction was sufficient, thoughtful, and well reasoned even if it too was shorter than some similar volumes. Authorship, background, and date lined up with conservative conclusions. Themes, beginning with, you guessed it, union with Christ, was the best section of the Introduction. Structure was given something of a short shrift, but overall the Introduction satisfied.

The commentary impressed me. I found the flow of logic that he laid out for arriving at his conclusions was truly enlightening. All the main passages including the thorny Household Code were well handled. I felt I was getting real help in every case.

I know it’s a bit overused in commentary reviews these days, but the word for this one is judicious.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Kingdom of God (Biblical Theology for Life Series) by Perrin

This book sneaks up on you. At first, you will think Mr. Perrin is not coming at his subject head on, but more a coming in from the side. You will be gaining incredibly interesting information as you go, but it may be nearing the end, at least if you are like me, before you realize that he has really delivered on bringing out what precisely is the Kingdom of God. It’s not exactly like other books on the subject I’ve seen, but by the end that’s why it’s good.

He has a lively writing style. He’s a little heavy on pop culture. I mean he named several popular modern musicians that I couldn’t identify in a police lineup, but it’s not really a detriment to the book. He writes in a vein that is happily catching fire in biblical theology these days where the main themes of the Bible are held on to no matter the subject at hand. That’s a richer track to travel in my book.

The beginning is a bit clanky as he discusses scholarly background stuff, but he reaches cruising altitude by the second chapter and maintains it to the end. Only chapter 8 on the signs of the Kingdom had me scratching my head AND never quite putting it together. The fault, though, may be mine. Mostly you get nuggets dug out and laid before you.

My only slight criticism would be occasional exegesis that seemed a little overwrought. He did like sometimes an obscure linguistic choice that you wonder if hardly anyone else would agree and then make it key to interpreting the passage. I’m not saying he was wrong, but you might need more proof to really accept it. Overall, however, the work is provocative in a meaningful way.

This book with its scriptural index is a treasure trove where you go could go seeking specific insights; but more importantly, it really contributes something tangible to the often nebulous topic of the Kingdom of God.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Genesis (BCOT) by Goldingay

Goldingay marches on. He seems to turn out commentaries at the pace other scholars turn out articles. How he does that is a mystery to which I can make no contribution. I’m sure some would say had he slowed down he might have, say, written a more detailed and meaningful Introduction for Genesis here. Those same observers would be hard pressed, though, to deny his penchant to turn a phrase or to make his work stand out. I think if I read just a few pages of his work I could peg him as the writer. I don’t mean idiosyncratic in a heavy way, but unique and lively.

His viewpoint is predictable and grates on me at times (perhaps because he doesn’t bury it in lifeless prose), but in recent years I’ve found it more palatable. The more I think about it, I suppose neither he nor I have changed our outlook much, but he puts more charming concepts at the center of his presentation even if things I vehemently disagree with sometimes underlies his position. Perhaps commentary series like this one (BCOT) line up best with his gifts. Or at least it seems so to me. (On that score, I see real potential in this recently-birthed series).

For the record, I came to this particular volume thinking there’s no way I would like it as much as his work on Hosea-Micah in this same series. And to some degree that’s true but it wasn’t overly a self-fulfilling prophecy on my part. I know what Goldingay believes but I still try to listen to what he says. There was some of what I don’t like; for example, his explanation of genre. To formulate categories centuries after the fact and then read them back as if more informative than what was said, and then to reduce divine Scripture to just another writing, strikes me as disingenuous, at least for believers. To deny the underlying premise that drives such thinking—God could not have done these things so we must find a more polite explanation—is one thing I’ve never understood from scholars who help us in so many other ways. But I digress.

Still, I did enjoy this volume more than I expected. I love how in a few paragraphs he neutered the whole Documentary Hypothesis. Throughout the text, he provided so many brilliant insights or things I had never thought of before. This more than compensated for his brief introduction. I don’t need a commentary to be the best in every area, only brilliant in some ways makes it much worthwhile to me. Sometimes Goldingay gets into real life for those on the pages of the Bible and that I love. Sometimes I scratch my head too, but he makes me think.

With my usual caveats for Goldingay, I warmly recommend this commentary!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (Second Edition)

It’s the breadth of this volume that immediately grabs you. As you continue perusing, the scope and then the depth impresses. There’s 1160 double-columned pages on, just think, Paul and his letters. I know Pauline studies take on a life of their own in scholarly circles, but that’s still amazing. Those modern tangents are of course covered, but the classic subjects are as well. Such massive productions are more a thing of the past for whatever reason, but this work can stand up to any of them.

The updating of this volume is so extensive that it’s almost a brand new work. It’s predecessor was well received, but it is here superseded, though the older work is still worth having as either a comparison of 20 years of developments or an alternate angle.

There’s nothing I could think of that is missed, nor did I find anything superficially handled or glossed over. You might not, as I, always agree with conclusions offered, but the elements that we might debate are usually clearly given.

What’s my favorite feature out of the many positive attributes I found in this volume? It’s the extensive coverage of each letter of Paul that really amounts to an Introduction of each—like maybe what you’d find in a really good commentary. That coupled with all the extensive background material and you’ve got a winner here. There’s good theology too here where the absence of can at times sink other such works. Additionally, even if you don’t find some of the more esoteric subjects riveting, you’ll at least have a place to remind yourself what they are should the need arise.

Easily, this book is the best of its kind.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Letter to the Romans: A Short Commentary

Having enjoyed Bruner on Matthew and John, I was excited to see his work here on Romans. Strangely enough, before I tell you how much I enjoyed this book, let me you what’s wrong with it.

It’s much shorter than his other commentaries, hence the “a Short Commentary”. He quotes other authors more extensively, yes on every page. Sometimes he only skims what has been deeply debated arguments. No Introduction is given. There’s no way this volume could serve as your main commentary on Romans. Maybe that sounds like a lot.

Still, I loved it. Read the preface for the beautiful outlook he has for Romans following his deeper work on Matthew and John. He quotes a lot but they are good ones. He drops theological nuggets all around. Once Spurgeon recommended a title as a spice to add at the end of meal preparation. That’s what you have here. This is some paprika to dash on after you’ve studied the major tomes. Your dish will taste better for sure.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Text and Paratext by Gregory Goswell

I must confess that I knew nothing about paratext before picking up this book. I’ve always loved studying structure of biblical books, and heard paratext might intersect with it. It is also a study that emphasizes the “final form” over pointless study of sources and I fully favor that as well. It turned out to be fascinating, even if it at best is only of secondary importance.

The first section looks at paratext in terms of book order and the differences and what they suggest. This was my favorite as it made helpful comparisons and even more fruitful interconnections between Bible books.

The middle section on book titles just didn’t seem as fruitful to me. The final section on book divisions made a few help connections to structure and was more profitable.

Without doubt, this book taught me paratext clearly and with a skill that I could easily say, “I got it”. That’s a success for any book. The significance of the concept of paratext, though, will vary among readers. I’ll leave that for you to decide.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Matthew (EBTC) by Charles Quarles

Having written extensively on Matthew’s Gospel in the past, Charles Quarles here delivers the latest entry in the EBTC series. It strikes me as being of the same value as most of the previous entries in the series and it seems to strike the balance the EBTC series calls for as well.

Somewhat surprising is the 100 page Introduction before you even get to the commentary proper. The first 45 pages cover basic introductory issues like author, date, provenance and destination, language, genre and purpose, and structure. The author’s vast learning is on display here, the conclusions conservative, and the coverage adequate.

Even better is the rest of the Introduction that embraces theological themes as this series promises. At first, I thought it was odd that these discussions began focusing exclusively on Christological titles. As I continued I had to confess that they are critical to unlocking Matthew. I especially loved later the discussion on the Kingdom of Heaven for its perceptiveness and restraint. New Covenant, New Creation, and New Israel continued fleshing out what Matthew was up to. By the end, I was sold on his approach.

The commentary proper was also a success. 650 pages for Matthew means the commentary is mid-length by today’s standards. For many, though, that’s going to be just right. This one will be especially enjoyed by pastors and anyone who is interested in careful study. The deep learning is there while the parade of it is subdued. For many, this would be all they would want or need on Matthew.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Ruth (NICOT) by Peter H. W. Lau

In a surprising development, Ruth is replaced in the NICOT series here. It’s surprising because the replaced commentary was by editor Robert Hubbard and, as it turns out, Hubbard himself enlisted Peter Lau to produce this new volume. While the Hubbard volume was top notch, and will doubtless remain in print as an Eerdman’s Classic Commentary, Hubbard knew what he was doing. This is a dandy commentary. Peter Lau already produced Unceasing Kindness and his expertise on Ruth is now established.

The Introduction is all you could want. Lau is on point as he begins with structure. He wades through the muddy waters of genre of Ruth and comes out on the right bank. On authorship and date he surveys the horizon and picks the spot with the best view. Next, the discussion of purpose raises the standard even higher. He covers canonicity and textual issues but there isn’t much to see there.

To me, the Introduction fully blossoms in the theology section. In what’s really just a continuation he starts covering themes. Don’t miss “applying the law” and “Ruth’s ethnicity and Israelite identity” as you will connect many dots. The latter is not some latter-day political nonsense, but something that really gets at the heart of Ruth.

I loved what I read in the commentary proper. The great ideas introduced in the Introduction infuse the commentary in ways that really help. There is an embarrassment of riches in commentaries on Ruth but you’d better consider this one for your studies.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord? (NSBT) by Michael Morales

I. Love. This. Book. I could string together enough positive adjectives to describe it to fully wrap three Christmas trees. Instead of exhausting the thesaurus, however, let me tell you why I love this book with descriptive nouns—essence, landscape, theme, theology, insight, wisdom, and treasures.

Morales knows how to step back and take in the horizon, so much so that after reading this book I have a much better grasp of not only Leviticus but the whole Pentateuch. For that matter, the whole OT and even the whole Bible are clearer. I know you think I’m getting carried away, but give it a try. The details are many, but they are not wasted. God is really after a sanctuary where we meet Him.

I’m not going to review the contents as I often do because I think you’ll enjoy the experience I had—just diving in with no idea of what to expect and just enjoying discovery after discovery.

As I read this book I fell more in love with Leviticus. Leviticus! You know, the place where Bible reading plans come to die!

The NSBT was developed into a mighty forest and this one is a Redwood. I could only wish that all 66 books of the Bible had such a one to honor it as this one does Leviticus.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.