As someone who has used John Glynn’s earlier work that this book replaces, I was really curious to see how the late author’s work would be updated. His work is one of those available for commentary and other resource recommendations that had real value, but his design was unique. He listed what he thought were the major works in each category, but rather than giving analysis on each work he usually gave a corresponding footnote that mentioned his overall recommendation. Amazingly, he would even factor and forthcoming volumes and grade them based on the author’s other works. When I first picked up this new volume that has been edited by Michael Burer with contributions by Darrell Bock, Joseph Fantin and J. William Johnston, I first thought that it was quite different than the earlier work that I enjoyed. As I continued going through it, however, I came to see that the new design kept a flavor of Glynn’s style with the improvement of more comment on each commentary and more rating for each book. It took a lot to win me over, but I can say that it was accomplished in this new book that covers New Testament resources.

As with any book that gives ratings of commentaries, you will sometimes totally disagree with what falls in their best, better, and good categories. Only in a few cases would the word “unbelievable” come to mind. On the other hand, there’s no way you couldn’t disagree in places with a work like this, and perhaps that’s part of its charm.

In the commentary section, you have explained the approach, format, and usability of each commentary. The special studies for each New Testament book are not annotated and are not majorly changed from the earlier edition. No favoritism is shown to any particular commentary series. In other words, just because a commentary from a series ranks highly for one New Testament book is no sign it will be rated that way in another here. That shows that works were thoroughly reviewed.

As with the earlier edition, there is also a listing on New Testament introduction, Jesus and the Gospels, New Testament background, Jewish background, popular references, general references, Greek resources, and exegesis works.

This is the type of book that you will likely wear out in the years ahead as you return to it again and again to make wise book purchases. I look forward to future volumes that will cover Old Testament and theological resources. While, again, I would agree with ever rating given, there’s no doubt that you would build an outstanding library if you followed this book’s recommendations. Count this book as one of the best of its type.

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.