Author: jimmyreagan

The Log College by Archibald Alexander

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This Banner of Truth biography is to some degree different than their usual offerings. In this case, it’s more sketches of a variety of men who were all unheralded heroes who all had associations with a school colloquially known as the Log College. This school did not have the reputation of more famous ones, but in lacked nothing in effectiveness. In fact, the school was quite looked down on, but not for cause. The training it offered was rigorous, and more importantly, the ministry of its graduates impressive. In a word, revival describes its legacy.

After a short chapter on the Log College overall, we get 5 chapters on William and Gilbert Tennent. They were founders of the school with vision and persistence. Next, we learn about the College of New Jersey and the New Jersey and the New London School which sprang from the Log College. From here, we get more sketches of outstanding early graduates who were able servants of Christ with a near constant air of revival permeating from their ministries.

When the life of John Tennent was given, he seemed eerily similar to David Brainerd to me. He had a short life and thought so poorly of himself, yet did a tremendous work for the Lord. Next up is William Tennent, Jr. His story was at once thrilling and colorful. You’ve just got to read that section on the time that he was thought to be dead, but was not. I don’t want to give out any spoilers, but you will not want to miss that one. And there were several other totally unusual features of his life all the while he was an able servant of Jesus Christ.

From here, there are seven shorter sketches of impactful men. The consistent quality of their ministries is what stands out. Probably unknown outside this volume, these men clearly hold renown in Heaven.

This book encourages on many levels. Some of the greatest servants of Christ are little known and near forgotten. Apparently, it is the Lord that got the glory for their lives and that is how it should be. This book is a corrective for our media-driven and marketing age that has invaded the Church. We can make an impact outside of those cheap methods. This book is worth your time.

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.

Habakkuk (CSC) by Susan Maxwell Booth

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Habakkuk gets a plush treatment here. Because this volume succeeds on so many levels, I see it as the best single volume on Habakkuk around.

The depth of the Introduction quickly becomes apparent and serves as a forerunner to what the whole commentary will be. Authorship and dating are well established. The Historical Background section is thoroughly enjoyable to read and even makes good theological reflections. After the requisite section on the text, literary concerns are deeply surveyed. Next, one of the best sections on structure that I’ve seen in major commentary series in a long time is given. Whether you fully conclude as does the author, you will love the fullness with which that subject is broached. Equally helpful, Habakkuk’s place in the Book of the Twelve was quite imaginatively sketched.

The skills introduced in the Introduction cascade out through the commentary proper. 350 pages on Habakkuk is perfect for your main commentary on this prophet. I’ll give this volume the highest 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

The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (PNTC) [Second Edition] by Douglas Moo

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This is the kind of commentary that demands a second edition. Had the editors replaced it as is often the case in these major ongoing series they would have had a lot of explaining to do. This commentary went straight to the upper echelon sixteen years ago when it came out and Mr. Moo is still in his prime in commentary writing. Cliché yes, but nonetheless accurate, it was a “no-brainer” that this new edition arrived. It will not lose its lease in that upper echelon for at least a couple decades from now for sure either.

It’s specifically a blessing as well that he writes on Colossians. Many scholars today like to mug Paul and take Colossians away from him. In this work they were caught in the act and hauled to jail. Since Moo handles those critics with gentleness perhaps its surprising I’d use such a violent analogy; but then again his respectful tone does not make him any less lethal, so maybe it’s not surprising after all. Read the Introduction and you will see. When he ends the authorship section with “But Paul must be seen as the real author”, he’s in no way being condescending. His masterful analysis leaves him with nothing else possible to say.

Describing the false teaching addressed in Colossians is equally adept. His eleven points are balanced, biblical, and fog clearing. Scholars must have something against Colossians because they went quite rogue in this area as well. His theological overview was just right too. Perhaps only structure comes up short (as is usual with him) as it gets not one sentence beyond the outline.

Philemon is probably less a battleground than Colossians and ironically Moo is less certain about the big picture of the letter, though he slightly favors the traditional viewpoint. Still, he writes skillfully and mixes all the ingredients perfectly so you can make your own cake. To me, his work on Philemon is of immense value as well.

Moo needs no recommendation from me as an exegete. He has already attained something of legendary status. I can say, though, that that reputation is fully on display in this commentary. If you are studying Colossians and Philemon, avoid this commentary at your own peril.

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.

Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Pentateuch

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Having enjoyed the earlier two volumes of this series covering the New Testament, I was pleasantly surprised to come across this volume. I guess now I’ll expect the rest of the OT to be covered. On the surface, we might suspect that the Pentateuch would be the area most in need of geographical assistance. Father back in time and having generations trample over its environs, there is simply less certainty. Enter, then, this volume.

This volume is a massive undertaking. In some ways it seems like a Bible encyclopedia while at other points it’s more of an atlas. Despite the title, it’s not a commentary per se. What you get is a thorough article on any geographical subject that greatly impacts our understanding of the text. Some are quite scholarly (like ones explaining from a “socio-spatial” perspective!) but they are often still fun. I loved the one arguing, for example, for the traditional site for Sinai. Though I found it less plausible, it was worthwhile to have an article arguing for an alternate site. Not all articles are explicitly geographical like, for instance, ones on burial practices. Still, it’s all good stuff.

Sometimes even theology was addressed and usually effectively when it appeared. Perhaps my only complaint mimics mine of the earlier volumes: some maps strain the eyes to read. Charts, though, are usually fine.

I can’t help but love a book like this one. Even if every article isn’t your thing, you are bound to find several that are simply fascinating. No other volume I know brings these loose ends so tastefully together. What you have is an asset not duplicated anywhere else. That’s saying a lot these days.

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.

Acts 1-9:42 (WBC) by Steve Walton

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Well, we have waited for this one a long time. I think I first heard it was coming 15 years ago. Perhaps I noticed because it was anticipated to be an excellent commentary on Acts. I heard that the exegesis that Walton would likely produce were why the expectations were so high. Though it has grown into a three-volume set, and though this is only the first volume, I can see what all the hullabaloo was about.

There is an anomaly—the Introduction for Acts as a whole is not in this first volume. There is a bit about textual issues, but the rest of those things normally addressed in an Introduction will come in the third volume. At first I thought maybe he just wanted more time to write it, but he states that at the end is where those issues should be handled. He is in the minority there and I cannot concur. That also makes the staggered release of the volumes a bit unfortunate. I’m not complaining as most all major publishers of Christian academic works do the same thing. I suspect budgetary concerns are in play. It’s not that serious a problem in any event and the three volumes are going to be fantastic when they are all here.

But volume 1 is here now and the prognosticators were correct: the exegesis is expert level. The Introduction of sorts is worth reading as it explains his approach. In short, he wants a commentary on the text rather than on previous commentaries. I’m glad someone figured that out.

We are all used to the WBC format by now even if it would never occurred to us to design a commentary in such a fashion. He advises that in each periscope that we read the “Explanation” section first, which ironically is the last one in each periscope. The WBC format can’t keep a good man down, or a good commentator I suppose.

The scholarship is mature and thorough. There’s some Greek but English is always at its side. He is considered conservative, but some critical, and a bit wrong-headed orientation, is to be found occasionally. This big volume on only the first nine chapters of Acts proves that this will be detailed enough for the most demanding student imaginable.

He writes well too. It’s hard to really hold attention when we have this kind of depth, but he pulls it off. There are some good one-volume commentaries on Acts that are indispensable, but I’d think we’d have to rank this as the best major, heavy-exegesis volume on Acts we have.

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.

In the Power of the Spirit by Calvin

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Here’s the third volume of Calvin’s sermons that survived on the Gospels. These sermons are truly captivating. Credit both Calvin for his sermon prowess and White for his exquisite translating skills. While reading you can so easily forget how old they are. If it wasn’t for a near obsession against “papists”, you’d forget these sermons weren’t new. I guess we’d better credit the timelessness of God’s Word as well.

Most people know John Calvin the theologian, maybe some John Calvin the commentator, but few John Calvin the preacher. Don’t expect a treatise on the theological system that bears his name here, but some sterling exposition. These sermons are dandies.

Preachers may love the sermons as they prepare their own, but I see another wonderful use of this book. I can’t imagine a better devotional read. The sermon “One Mightier Than I” was so piercing. I was thinking of doing one thing in my life professionally that wasn’t a sin or anything like that, but this sermon turned me around in my tracks. That is now off the table. Now that’s the kind of devotional reading I like—not those that just give you the warm fuzzies, but those that humble you.

I could go on and on as all of them are high quality . The ones that covered Jesus’ temptation were especially enlightening. Without a doubt, this is a volume that I will be returning to again in the future.

Of course it’s got the beauty and durability we have come to expect from Banner. I hope they keep translating and giving us these volumes. I’ll never stop asking for them to do Jonah, but maybe I’m the only one who wants that one.

This is a book that I feel blessed to own. I suspect you will feel the same way. 

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.

Romans (NTL) by Beverly Gaventa

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This volume brings the NTL quite close to completion. The volume on Romans in any New Testament series will tell you much about its theological predilection. That is surely true here. This series gives perhaps the clearest presentation of a mediating or critical perspective. That is not my perspective at all, but I often read at least one entry from that side of the fence to stretch myself. This series’ best contribution is often theology that really gets you thinking. This volume succeeds along all those lines.

In fact, Gaventa is an especially translucent writer (or she has a grand editor). Your eyes will easily glide along the page understanding fully her thinking whether you agree or not. Often, when you don’t agree you will still find not as abrasive of arguments as we commonly find. If you are of her theological persuasion, you may develop a deep appreciation of this book.

After a large bibliography, she jumps into the Introduction. She begins by jumping into an orientation to how she approached this commentary including her influences. I wish more commentators used that method. I found she was true throughout to what she said here and I appreciate the transparency.

Again, appreciating transparency and agreeing with what was transparently presented are not the same thing. For example, she says she reads Paul “with a hermeneutic of generosity.” She then cites as an evidence things Paul has said. She states “and there are, to be sure, elements in the letter that disturb me, particularly Paul’s use of same-sex relations as evidence of humanity’s refusal to recognize God as God.” That statement raises far greater questions than merely commentary matters on Romans like, say, what moral system do we use to judge the Word of God? I mean, what’s higher or truer that we could use? If it can be produced, why aren’t we studying it instead of Romans anyway? See what I mean.

At least she tries. In her commentary on Romans 1&2 she twists the passages relating to homosexuality until they are contorted beyond recognition. Her description of Roman views of gender hierarchy (page 68) are beyond the pale in describing what Paul was saying. It came across as an act of desperation that on the one hand apologizes for what Romans actually says to saying it’s still a good book on the other. I can’t see how that would satisfy people on either side of the fence. Don’t misunderstand—I’m neither obsessing on this issue or stating it’s one of the main themes of Romans, but I do believe it might help you understand what you have in store for yourself between the covers of this volume.

With that settled, expect nice exegesis within the confines of her perspective. When she’s on, she’s really on because of her superior writing skills. Barth is clearly her greatest influence and that tells you what to expect doctrinally. Theological nuggets are to be found as well.

If you are like me and are conservatively minded and seek light on a different perspective with theological assists, you will find what you are looking for here. If you possess a critical mindset, you will 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.

Job (EEC) by Duane Garrett

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Here’s a bright, new commentary on the fascinating Book of Job from one of the leading commentary series of our day (EEC). The task fell to prolific commentator Duane Garrett. Ages ago he tackled other Wisdom books in the NAC series. Though that was a perfectly usable volume, it was the work of a rookie. Here the seasoned player steps to the plate and delivers a mature work on Job. I have not read everything he has ever written, but this is the best work he has done out of what I have used.

From the first pages of the Introduction his skills are apparent. He’s well researched, he distills that research to clearly state what the scholarly world has thought, and then he is not afraid to make a conclusion. With kindness to us he does it all without excessive verbiage.

I find myself in sympathy with most of his conclusions as well. The scholarly world has moved on from dating Job closer to Abraham and I just can’t go with them. The older generation had far better reasoning there and the new arguments strike me as vacuous. Garrett makes a strong argument for seeing chapter 28 as an inserted Wisdom Poem. I’m not sure, but he lays it out for you to decide.

He begins with the chiastic structure of Job and is spot on. Whether what he said above about chapter 28 is correct or not, it is the center of the chiasm it seems for sure just as says. The rest of the Introduction is well done. He writes with clarity on textual issues, genre, and biblical parallels.

There’s plenty of meat on the bone in the commentary proper as well. Exegesis, explanation, and theology are first rate. Some of those speeches are exceptionally challenging and there’s excellent help here.

So where does this one rank among commentaries on Job? Hartley (NICOT) is the most similar. He blows many others away as they commentate through a dark haze and so rob Job of its theological beauty. I guess, then, we will have to rank this as our best option for Job in the major commentary category.

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 30 Days Series Bundle by Trevin Wax

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This gorgeous set is a boon to one’s devotional life. It’s actually three popular titles to use for one month each with a morning, mid-day, and evening reading. The first one covers all 150 psalms in a month. That’s a cool undertaking for sure. The next volume covers the life of Jesus by a collection of key passages in the Gospels. The final one comes from the letters of Paul.

Every entry has a short call to prayer followed by a “Confession of Faith” for morning entries. The evening portion substitutes a “Confession of Sin”. Next, there’s a canticle followed by the Biblical reading. After the Gloria, you get the Lord’s Prayer in every entry. The selection ends with a short famous prayer and a blessing. It’s a nice design.

The set itself makes you think of an heirloom set. The volumes look so sharp in the slipcase. These books will easily last for many years.

It would be impossible to not benefit from these books and I recommend them. Mr. Wax envisioned these volumes masterfully and you will be blessed.

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.

CSB Notetaking Bible, Expanded Reference Edition, Brown LeatherTouch Over Board

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Here is a lovely Bible for those who enjoy note taking directly in your Bible. As for the translation, this is the Christian Standard Bible, which is one owned by Holman Publishers. There’s a short article at the beginning where they explain their approach to making this translation. They say they combine the best of formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence to produce what they call optimal equivalence. I did a little checking and they offer the KJV as well.

The one in front of me for review is the “Brown Leather Touch Over Board”. It’s an attractive hardback volume that seems well crafted. Others options they provide are “Cream Suede Soft”, “Floral Cloth Over Board”, and “Sea Depth Leather Touch”. They are all nice and cater to various tastes, but I prefer this brown one by far.

They give ample room for notes. To have that space for notes you have to give up something. Even though it’s a reference Bible, there’s not many other features outside those references. That’s no problem though because you’d only pick this one if you specifically wanted space for notes. Personally, I love a Bible with the note taking space. I’ve used one for many years. My scribbled notes would be worthless to others and probably illegible. Still, they are so helpful to me. Mark me down as firmly in the note taking Bible camp.

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.