Month: October 2022

Acts (CSC) by Patrick Schreiner

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This latest release in the Christian Standard Commentary (CSC) series is the first to replace an author from the NAC that the CSC is replacing. To be honest, I was surprised to see the John Pohill work replaced as I had enjoyed using it in the past. In the author’s preface where he mentioned the type of commentary Pohill and others had written, he laid out his desire to especially focus on “the narritival and theological content of Acts with an eye toward the ecclesial.” I only had to start reading before I realized that he was on to something.

He begins the introduction by telling us of the main proposals for the “theological heart” of Acts. From there he develops quite convincingly this theme as our Triune God sharing with us. He traces the big picture through the Father, the Son, the Spirit, the Word, salvation, the church, and witnessing. Now that’s what I call getting the big picture. The Trinitarian perspective is brilliant and undoubtedly correct.

Next, he takes on narrative, genre, Lucan concerns, and structure and imparts much meaningful material along the way. There are even some helpful graphs provided. He ends with traditional introductory issues and has conservative conclusions.

The commentary proper is at once well researched and well written. Despite the expertise, I think pastors and Bible students can score a winner in this volume.

Count be as won over! This is a real treat.

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 Servant of the Lord and His Servant People (NSBT) by Matthew Harmon

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Here’s another interesting title in the the NSBT series that is a series with some of the most incredible variety of any that I know. Though there are several books on slavery in biblical times and ones on the Suffering Servant in Isaiah, and though there are many devotional titles on being a servant, this theological treatise carves out its own niche.

It has an interesting introduction that looks at the words in Hebrew and Greek that can be translated as either slave or servant. It well explains what a challenge it can be and how it all depends on the context as the words have quite a range of meanings.

In chapters 2-5 Harmon explores four key OT characters as servants. Adam, Moses, Joshua, and David are quite effectively presented as servants though not rigidly in the same way. Good stuff!

The next two chapters cover the Isaianic servant and Jesus the servant par excellence in turn. From there a group, the apostles, are covered including Paul, Peter, and others. Finally, the church in each part of the NT is presented as a servant people.

In addition to the interesting theme, every passage used has carefully done exegesis for you. That has its own distinct value and can be used in study of the passages themselves.

This volume joins other recent releases in the series as a winner. I’m not surprised!

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.

Ezra-Nehemiah (ZECOT) by Gary V. Smith

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I’ve loved all the ZECOT volumes releases to date, but this latest entry by Gary Smith deserves special commendation. Perhaps he has grasped the format of the ZECOT the best I’ve seen so far. His work is good; his presentation is near perfect. I even enjoyed it more than his widely-received work on Isaiah (NAC/CSC). In that vein, I liked it more than a recent release on Ezra and Nehemiah in the NICOT series as well.

After a bibliography and translation, he dives into a strong Introduction. He begins with a clear presentation of historical background. It’s spruced up with some pictures and graphs that were particularly effective. His conclusions are conservative here as well as the following section on date and authorship. The concluding work on literary features is his best work here and, of course, matches the distinctive contribution of the ZECOT series.

The commentary proper is even better and continues the use of timely charts. Every section gives a main idea, the literary context, structure and literary form (rich), explanation of text ( what most are looking for), and canonical and theological significance (perceptive).

This is one to get!

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.

Sermons and Addresses of George Smeaton

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Here’s an attractive new volume by popular older theological writer George Smeaton. You probably are aware of his influential writings on the Holy Spirit and the Atonement that have been around for 140 years. In this new release sermons and addresses are collected and presented to us in one book.

The book begins with a fine biographical sketch by John Keddie. This is particularly valuable since there has been so little written on Smeaton. Since there’s so little for Keddie to draw from, there’s much more on his career than his personal life. His ministry and theological writing are well described as well as several theological controversies of his time that he was involved in. Next, the Introduction gives a few details on these sermons and addresses. What is unique about these addresses are how they really add to a biographical understanding of Smeaton themselves.

The first five are excellent sermons that have both an exceptional theological basis and a clearly experiential side. The next two look at the profound revival of his time. The one “The Improvement of a Revival Time” makes you pine for what we know so little of. The last several are excellent yet give good historical background and strong encouragement particularly for preachers.

This beautiful hardback is the perfect setting for these writings. I think you’ll like them.

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 Lost Sermons of Spurgeon (Collector’s Edition) Volume 6

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This beautiful set of Spurgeon’s early sermons continues in this volume 6. The spine of this collector’s edition is green but the exquisite look remains. What a set this is turning out to be!

The Foreward this time is by Mark Dever and focuses on Spurgeon and the art of preaching. He discusses the calling and what it entailed according to Spurgeon. From there, he discusses Spurgeon’s advice on preaching. All good stuff!

After reprinting the Introduction from previous volumes, and a few pictures of Spurgeon’s notes, the sermons begin with the first one a lovely one on Immanuel. I love how the notes always tell us if he had a later sermon on the text and whether there are similarities. I remember the later one on Jehovah Jireh but the one here really isn’t the same. The other notes are fascinating as well.

The sermons are awesome again. Anyone who loves Spurgeon needs these volumes! Anyone who loves preaching needs them too. I give it the highest possible recommendation!

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.