Author: jimmyreagan

Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (Second Edition)

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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 It’s predecessor was well received, but it is here superseded, though the older work is still worth having as either a comparison of 20 years of developments or an alternate angle.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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Judges (ZECOT) by Boda & Conway

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The ZECOT has certainly found its own niche with its discourse analysis orientation and in the process has become a commentary series you simply must not miss. Here the wooly Book of Judges gets its turn and it seems to me the discourse analysis approach especially gives a rich payload in this book that many don’t know what to make of. Boda, whose commentary on Zechariah impressed me a few years back, and Conway have done good work here. The two are colleagues at McMaster Divinity College and proved to be seamless collaborators as well.

After a bibliography and translation, there’s a successful 50 page introduction that slows down where it should while zipping along where it should as well. When discussing Judges and its historical context, the authors see a dichotomy between the history itself and that of the original readers as they see Judges being written later on. Obviously, much of that is speculative. The intent of the writer taken from clues from the text is the rose among the thorns of this section. That next section leads them to an in-depth look at clause function as originated by Roy Heller. The detail is complex, but the conclusions are easy to follow and quite interesting.

My favorite section of the Introduction, entitled Judges and its literary shape, is eye opening. The earlier detailed work is marshaled into an outstanding explanation of the structure. That means, of course, the unique goal of this series is fully realized here. You’ll understand Judges fair better because of it too.

The theology section was a little brief but perhaps some would blame Judges for that.

The commentary proper with the good foundation laid in the Introduction is ideal. One of the strengths of the ZECOT is its layout and its advantages are evident here. People love Daniel Block’s work on Judges and rightly so, but you’d do yourself a favor to get this one too.

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.

Divine Love Theory by Adam Lloyd Johnson

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Here is a fascinating look at what the author calls Divine Love Theory. On the one hand, I fully subscribe to this idea as something of the big picture of our faith. I found much here to strengthen my inclinations. On the other hand, this book is something of a technical look (point-counterpoint) at it and particularly the author’s precise theory or presentation of it. It’s still good and it reads with as much a philosophical tone as a theological one.

He will usually interact with other theories or writers to flesh out his ideas, but he is still easy to read compared to what you usually find with that style. I notice that he excels at building his argument, presenting it sequentially, and meeting all objections along the way. This approach will thrill academic types, but those outside that world might prefer something more in the popular vein. I believe Mr. Johnson could write such a work since he succeeded in communicating even in the academic style. Readers should, though, create expectations with this in mind.

Going forward, this will likely be a reference title to me. I underlined a lot of things that I can use if I encounter these issues again. I will be able to expect clear analysis in those cases with this work.

I could even feel comfortable saying the position in this book is now my own; that is, the precision and supporting details matches what I believe implicitly. There’s great competency here!

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.

From Prisoner to Prince (NSBT) by Samuel Emadi

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The NSBT never disappoints and it usually delivers that which is not really available some other convenient place. Such is this book on Joseph. The author states upfront that this book isn’t a commentary on Genesis 37-50, though I would submit it would enlighten where those commentaries might let you down.

He is trying to lay out the biblical theology of this portion of Scripture as well as tracing out how Joseph was used throughout the rest of the Bible. To be sure, the heart of the discussion is the question of its typology—is that a real thing or not. For people like me the answer is an obvious yes, but it’s still helpful to hear that championed.

The farther into this book you delve into this book its greatest strength quickly emerges—bringing the structure of Genesis to life. The design of Genesis and how the beloved story of Joseph fits into it is nothing short of exciting. Perhaps this is as it should be because biblical theology when successfully executed will deliver exactly the kind of eye opening insights Emadi delivers. There’s hardly any theological works I enjoy more than those that succeed where this one did.

Amazingly, he brings to life all of Genesis with this work on Joseph. He also shows how typology should be responsibly done and the tasty fruit it yields. This is a good one!

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.

Christian Dogmatics by Kooi & Brink

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Here’s another option for a systematic theology. To be honest, I had never heard of Cornelis van der Kooi or Gijsbert van den Brink. Still, I figured it must have some value if it was picked up by Eerdmans since a publisher would have to have some confidence to publish another volume in the crowded systematic theology field.

It turns out that these authors come from the influential Dutch Reformed theology stream. That stream gave us, among others, Bavinck. Be that as it may, this book did not seem like reading Bavinck to me. The writing style was more modern and at times the theology was too.

These authors struck me as mostly true to what I’d expect from a reformed theologian with a few modern concessions. I read some sections carefully because I’d been studying them and had a better basis of comparison. For example, their section on the Holy Spirit was unique. Not exactly how others have tackled the subject even among those on their own team. Not really unorthodox either, just emphasizing on the down beat. Where you’d expect more, you may not find it; where you expect little, you may get a basket full. Again, on the Holy Spirit check out what they had to say on the Spirit and the Word. That’s where I got my basket full while, say, on the deity or filling of the Spirit not so much.

That trend continued as I delved into other sections. Mark this down as good second-level option. It’s never going to knock the big boys off their perch, either for the public at large or for my own shelves, but from its peculiar vantage point it can give new visions of the exquisite portrait of God’s Word. The gallery is not as crowded here so you can take your time and enjoy what most of the crowd never sees. I don’t know about you, but I love to take some moments on this side of the gallery as well.

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.