Daniel Block’s commentary on Ruth is a prototype commentary in the major exegetical commentary category. Perhaps you are like me, and already loved his commentary on Judges and Ruth in the New American Commentary series. Most reviewers always thought his section on Ruth was not quite as outstanding as the one on Judges. Though I still found it valuable, that was probably a fair assessment. So what did Mr. Block go and do here? He has given us what is likely the best exegetical commentary on the Book of Ruth that we have today.

This book is one of the early volumes in the emerging ZECOT series. The bar remains high for future volumes. It continues the discourse analysis approach, which is merely keeping the narrative flow ever in view.

His Introduction to Ruth was tantalizing. He uncovers things usually overlooked and that provides us great help in our goal of grasping the book of Ruth. For example, I hadn’t thought about the fact that the namesake of the book speaks the least often of the three main characters. These kinds of clues really tell us something. His following of the narrative flow helps bring out wonderfully the structure and literary style of the book. Best of all, his brief overview of the theological message of Ruth was outstanding. I might see more in the messianic significance than he does, but the Introduction is still top-notch.

The commentary itself is all that you could hope for. It follows carefully the ZECOT layout and uses it to the best advantage. In addition, there are some charts along the way that really added something helpful to my comprehension. As a bonus, he provides a dramatic reading of the Book of Ruth in an appendix.

Not only is this an extraordinary commentary, it was enjoyable to read someone who not only loved the book of Ruth, but the God of Ruth as well. Label this one – a must buy!

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.

This book is the latest release of Kregel’s helpful “Handbook for Old Testament Exegesis” series, edited by David Howard. It tackles what is, perhaps, the most difficult genre in the Bible—Apocalyptic Literature. Though the volumes in this series are designed for graduate-level courses, this volume by Richard A. Taylor is accessible and reads well.

Chapter 1 sets the stage by carefully answering the question, what is apocalyptic literature. That chapter begins by explaining the importance of genre in exegeting the Old Testament. He also relates well that which most surprises the student as he reads – scholars have trouble even agreeing on what the definition of apocalyptic literature is. Taylor does give us a definition on page 33, but its paragraph length shows the difficulty of definition here. He also defines the kind of apocalyptic literature types that we may encounter in the Old Testament. Perhaps, like me, you don’t see a lot of “ex eventu” prophecy in the Old Testament as he does.

The next chapter is quite helpful as it surveys the places in the Old Testament that you encounter apocalyptic literature. He also discusses a great deal other extrabiblical Jewish apocalyptic texts. I personally find those texts to be of much less value in understanding true Old Testament apocalyptic texts than modern scholars, but every such book is bound to discuss those spurious texts.

There’s much help for the preacher in carefully defining types of figurative language you might encounter. Clearly, that type of language cannot be explained in the same manner as we do with narrative texts. From there, he goes on to explain the process of interpreting apocalyptic literature.

Along the way, you will find words well-defined, lists of other books you might need for exegesis, and examples of his method on specific Old Testament texts. In addition, there’s a very helpful glossary at the end of the book. The appendix on antecedents of apocalyptic literature would be far less help to most preachers.

Because he covers his subject in about 200 pages, this is probably the perfect book to have on the subject. Some folks might be satisfied with the apocalyptic literature chapter in a regular hermeneutic volume, but if you want more, this is the book for you.

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.

At first glance this is a book idea that seemed a little cutesy, or at least that’s what I was thinking. In fact, this idea of having the different New Testament writers discuss theology as if they were around the table seemed like a gimmick. It wasn’t until I actually read the book that I found it to be a unique and engaging way to think about how doctrine is presented in the New Testament.

Derek Tidball’s first chapter gave a good, brief overview to the different approaches to New Testament theology. When he discusses the authorial approach, you can’t help but think how many such works set the writers of the New Testament against each other almost as competing voices for Christianity. That is not the case here. Besides an imaginary Chair and observer, his panel is made up of Luke, James, John, Jude, Mark, Matthew, Paul, Peter, and the Hebraist.

In chapter 2 he goes big picture and discusses the common thread of the New Testament as being the Good News. It’s in this first chapter of the panel going at it that you find out just how interesting and helpful this work is. The quality is maintained all the way to the end and the great doctrines of the New Testament are gone through in a very logical sequence. The amazing part is that this method actually reads much better than many other such theologies.

In addition to the theology, you get a great picture of the emphasis of each New Testament writer. For example, if you were study in Matthew you can go through this book and read Matthew’s statement in each of the theological discussions and you have a good idea of the uniqueness of the book of Matthew. Not only does this book read well, it lends itself to future consultation on a variety of New Testament subjects.

You won’t agree with every single theological description in this book, but you will get a conservative, Scripture-affirming treat for your studies. To my mind, this volume can take his place among much larger works on our shelves and I highly recommend it.

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.