This new volume in the Old Testament Library (OTL) series replaces the old volume by J. Alberto Soggin. Niditch has improved on that older entry. I always turn to this series to grasp the critical viewpoint and to get some theology that you just don’t get in other places. This volume generally falls within the expectations of the series yet would not necessarily be my favorite. In the plus column, the book is well-written and it’s easy to follow the author’s train of thought, but on the negative side it pushes the envelope too far in some places and is too brief in others.

There’s a lengthy bibliography provided at the beginning of the book. The commentary section is substandard and only lists seven titles. On the other hand, the rest of the bibliography is quite thorough.

The Introduction begins by describing the Book of Judges as epic-style literature. There’s a discussion of the office of a judge that is quite interesting. Folklorist insights calling them epic heroes, social bandits, etc., are a little much for me. There’s discussion of the war and fighting in the Book of Judges, the history of the Book of Judges (the author at least sees the material as “meaningful” to the time of the Kings). I had trouble accepting the redaction history that was given as well as some of the discussion about genre. The discussion of the voice of the theologian and the humanist gave some food for thought. The section called texture provided some helpful structural insights. There seemed to be, however, an over-emphasis on the oral nature of the material in the text-critical section.

Where the commentary wasn’t too brief, there were some interesting observations in the commentary proper. At times there’s too much of a feminist angle, but at other times you will find some real help. The exegetical work is sufficient within the framework of the author’s outlook.

Critical scholarship is usually never too kind to the book of Judges. In any event, this book is probably as good as any in understanding a critical approach to the book. While not the equal of some in the series, it does have value.

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.

Frank Matera, a well-known New Testament scholar, contributes this volume on II Corinthians in the New Testament Library (NTL) series. Though this volume would be labeled critical in its approach, he took a surprising number of positions that you might find in a less critical work. For that reason, I thought this volume one of the better in this series. You will still be made aware of some of the critical outlook that this series usually provides, yet you might appreciate his opinion on the unity of the letter and his exegetical work too.

After a bibliography, the author begins the introduction by addressing ministry and conflict in the letter. He labels II Corinthians as “perhaps the most personal and revealing of Paul’s letters”. He sees it as “an intensely personal writing it which the apostle speaks more extensively and intimately than in any of his other letters”.

Next, he dives into the argument and structure of the letter. He divides the letter into three parts and explains his reasoning for the division as well as for the subdivisions. He summarizes his position in a list of four things that Paul is defending. His reasoning and the subsequent outline give good food for thought. From there, he tackles the theology of the letter. He sees the theology as rich and it would be hard to disagree with the importance of the six things he lists as the key theology of the letter.

In the next section, when he considers the time between I and II Corinthians, he wades into the morass that often entangles the scholarly world. The next few sections of the introduction continue to look at this subject from various angles. Along the way, you get a good overview of where the scholarly world has twisted and turned on this issue. Pleasantly, he argues for the unity of the letter.

In the commentary proper, I thought the exegetical work to be some of the best I’ve seen in this series. There are many good insights to be found.  This book could profitably be added to the list of those you consult when studying II Corinthians.

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.

 

Mr. John Stott remains one of the more beloved writers of Christianity today even though he’s been passed away for a few years now. He was widely published and has books carried by several publishers, but he had a special relationship with IVP and they carry all his great commentaries. In this blog post we will review a sampling of four of these great commentaries. In addition to these reviewed below, he has some equally fine commentaries on the Sermon on the Mount, Acts, Romans, Galatians, and Thessalonians.

1. The Letters of John (TNTC)

This commentary is, perhaps, his most well-known. At the least, I’ve seen it quoted time and again in later major exegetical commentaries on the Epistles of John. It’s his only commentary in the wildly popular Tyndale New Testament Commentary (TNTC) series. I imagine this series has been one of the best-selling of all time because of its broad usefulness. Despite its age, I still see it widely recommended and even called the best in this series by many reviewers.

The thorough introduction is wisely divided into three parts: authorship, occasion, and message. He reasons beautifully for the authorship of the letters by John. He has wonderful things to say about occasion and message. There is much learning there. He seems to conclude much as the earlier commentator Robert Law did, though he’s far easier to follow in my opinion. I don’t exactly agree with Law’s premise, but it’s well explained here.

The commentary proper is model commentating. The introduction and commentary on II and III John are equally compelling. This book lives up to all its hype.

The TNTC is currently going through its second major revision. That means this title will likely be replaced by a new author. I’m confident that IVP will not allow this book to go out-of-print and if you ever can’t find it in the TNTC look for it is as a classic reprint by them. Get this 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.

2. The Message of Ephesians (BST)

You could never accuse the beloved Mr. John Stott of shying away from the more difficult books of the New Testament. I mean he’s written on Romans and Galatians and has also tackled the sublime Book of Ephesians here in the Bible Speaks Today (BST) series. In fact, as the editor for the New Testament volumes of this series, it appears the whole series was a labor of love for him. For the record, he produced its best volumes in the eight he contributed. This series has a different design than the TNTC and he excelled in both.

He allows the introduction to the letter to be handled in his commentary on Ephesians 1:1-2. I personally don’t see any loss in that design. With skill he argues for the authorship of Paul even though the scholarly world has mostly gone in the ditch on the subject. He covers the recipients and the message of the letter here as well.

The commentary is wonderful. It has the positive aspects of both good commentary with all the requisite background information as well as the warmth of an outstanding sermon. Whether this book is in the BST series or not, it has no shame on the shelves among the big boys. It would be a mistake to not own 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.

3. The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus (BST)

This fine commentary by the late John Stott is a two-for-one special as you get commentary on both I Timothy and Titus. It’s another of Mr. Stott’s outstanding commentaries in the exposition – friendly Bible Speaks Today (BST) series. I consider this volume one of his more underrated commentaries. His pastoral heart made him the ideal commentator for these two New Testament books.

This book begins with a special section discussing the authenticity of the Pastoral Epistles. I’ll never understand why the scholarly world is so preoccupied with denying Paul authorship of a handful of his letters, but I wish scholars would punt the ball and make what Mr. Stott says here the 20-yard line.

The commentary on both these letters is warm, accessible, yet in no way shallow. Perhaps the comments are shorter, yet they say more than many commentaries twice the length. Mr. Stott has lived up to his own subtitle of “guard the truth” in this fine volume that you need in your library!

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.

4. The Message of 2 Timothy

The quality of Mr. Stott’s commentating never wavers as you can see in what is, perhaps, one of his lesser-known works in this commentary on II Timothy in the valuable Bible Speaks Today (BST) series. Until this whole series is revised and replaced, I won’t be able to think of it in any other way than Mr. Stott’s baby.

I have no idea why II Timothy has its own volume while I Timothy and Titus are put together, but since you need all these commentaries anyway it’s better to have to buy two instead of three! Don’t be surprised if someday when this series is revised that all three Pastoral Epistles found in these two of Mr. Stott’s commentaries end up in a classic reprint by IVP.

He gives an introduction that champions Paul as author and explains the contents in regards to his life and work with Timothy. While the commentary is not especially long (only 127 pages), there’s not a wasted word. I’ll always consult it no matter how many thick volumes sit beside it on my shelves. For pastors, this book is indispensable.

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.

Here we are in the early stages of the second full revision of the venerable Tyndale New Testament Commentary (TNTC) series and we have a new entry on the Book of Revelation. This replaces the volume by the second series editor, Leon Morris. As much as I love the works of Mr. Morris, I’ve never heard his commentary on Revelation being talked up as his best. This new volume by Ian Paul is a substantial entry at 370 pages. I feel that Mr. Paul fully grasped the parameters of this series and put it to good use.

I’m going to rate this commentary highly even though I subscribe to a different theological perspective on prophecy than is entertained here. In my judgment, this book has these key superlatives: incredible background information of the time John wrote, profound but sane discussion of numerology, a fairness in mentioning other viewpoints since Revelation is one of the most debated books of the Bible, and solid exegesis. Even as one who takes a pre-millennial outlook, I think every pastor or Bible student needs a book from this viewpoint, especially since it dominates current scholarship. The beautiful thing about this volume is that it covers the same ground well and much more succinctly. Osborne, Beale, or Aune would take much more of your time while Paul here can give you all you need.

Even with my differing viewpoint, I found his introduction filled with good things worth pursuing. No matter your theological perspective, you will find much to mine here. The commentary itself, though if you’re of a different theological persuasion you may broadly disagree, is still filled with great insights into the words of the text and other parallels. You won’t regret consulting this book!

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.