New Book Reviews

Holman Illustrated Bible Commentary

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holman

As a pastor I think I have found the perfect resource to recommend to folks serious about studying the Bible–this new whole Bible commentary by Holman Reference, edited by E. Ray Clendenen and Jeremy Royal Howard. This volume is perfect for the person trying to read the Bible but struggling with certain passages. Even if you have been studying the Bible for years, you will still find this a real asset.

You have some measure of commentary on every verse. It may not give all the detail you would want on that verse (no one-volume commentary can), but you can at least grasp the general idea. There are fine maps as you see in other Holman resources as well interesting pictures. It really has a nice look.

While I do not know the names of all the contributing scholars here, I see many that are known to be outstanding scholars. Each book gets a short background, themes (message and purpose), how it fits in the Bible as a whole (Contribution to the Bible), and Structure. These are well done.

The only thing missing is an Introduction to the Bible as a whole or of each Testament, but no volume can have everything.

I highly recommend this commentary!

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 Message of Kings (BST) by John Olley

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kings

Here is another fine, helpful title in The Bible Speaks Today series. The books of I and II KIngs are inexplicably overlooked by many, which is mind boggling considering how strong in thrills and high in theology those books are. This economical volume is ideal for teachers and pastors to get some real help.

The volume begins with a helpful Introduction of 38 pages. It gives sufficient historical background, but I felt its strengths were in identifying themes. When you read that section you will likely agree with his conclusions as he reasons well. Discussing “flawed heroes and failed reforms” was spot on. He addressed a few quirking scholarly rabbit trails, but fortunately never fell for them.

The Commentary section, comprising the bulk of the book, was good. Since I have done a great deal of study on Elijah and Elisha, I dug carefully in his comments there. They were filled with substance of the kind to help an expositor. He even threw in a further reflections section midway through Elijah’s life. Quality seemed consistent throughout.

374 pages on the two books of Kings seems just right for this series. I recommend this volume for those studying these two wonderful books of the Bible.

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.

Amy Carmichael by Iain Murray

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amy

Are you looking for a Christian biography for the whole family? Here is one on a fine Christian lady that will appeal to everyone in your house. In addition to enjoying it myself, this volume will find use in our home school. Though the ladies might especially enjoy it, I will assure the men out there that this book and Amy Carmichael’s life will be a challenge to your own spiritual life.

Though the book is written where teenagers could easily read it, there is nothing fluffy about it. Prolific biographer, Iain Murray, whose books have been enjoyable to me on several occasions, distills her life for the greatest spiritual effect. Plus you get a real glimpse of who she is as a person. He tells what a wonderful impact Tomas Walker, the missionary she worked with, had on her life.

Amy Carmichael’s life, admittedly, makes a biographer’s task easy. She went just to be a help to a mission work and the Lord just opened a children’s ministry up to her. Not a typical ministry, however, as she was rescuing little girls from a life of forced temple prostitution and one of rescuing the lives of children who had no future in the harsh caste system in India.

Mr. Murray, in the last part of the book, examined her life critically because the two popular biographies wrote of her without one critical comment. He uncovers that she was human, was more and more autocratic as the years went by, but still with taking all that into account she was a sincere, humble, and trusting servant of Jesus Christ.

This is a fine volume on a fine lady and I highly recommend 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.

Two Great New Carta Titles

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carta

Carta continues offering great titles to Bible students! Here are their latest two titles (distributed by Hendrickson):

Understanding Early Christianity: An Introductory Atlas by Franklin Littell

In 40 oversized pages you get an outstanding Introduction from the First to Fifth Centuries of Christianity. Setting Palestine in its proper context from just before Jesus, and discussing the influence of Judaism on early Christianity, the volume exposes us to the greater Greek influence of the times. From rising Hellenism to the evolving influence of Roman Rule, this work delves into the major influences of those times. Even the heresies that had such an effect are discussed.

Equally valuable are the profuse illustrations throughout coupled with fine Carta maps. This volume is excerpted from the large Carta’s Illustrated History of History and so provides a more economical way to study this critical time period.

This volume would be effective for many uses: Bible classes, homeschool, personal study, or a refresher for pastors. I recommend this volume.

Understanding Great People of the Bible: An Introductory Atlas to Biblical Biography by Paul H. Wright

This attractive, oversized-paged volume is a treat for the eyes. Mr. Wright brings much expertise to the table to make this volume valuable. Its unique approach of giving atlas information on Bible characters is helpful in that many study the Bible in character studies. Perhaps not every character is here, but those that are can have their study enriched.

Profusely illustrated in full color, this book is one you will enjoy. The greatest feature is that several of Carta’s very best maps are here. I personally find Carta’s maps the best we have today. Any one studying the Bible will be pleased to get this volume. I highly recommend 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.

Paul And His Letters by John Polhill

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paul

Are you looking for a book that digs into who Paul is and then naturally works its way to the 13 books conservative scholarship attributes to Paul’s hand? You will want to check out this accessible volume that is widely used by seminarians and pastors alike. Polhill is a highly respected Pauline scholar, having also produced a commentary on Acts, who is the perfect choice for this volume.

He first fleshes out Paul with penetrating insight. You get an idea of the key elements of Paul’s early history that molded him for the work God had for him. Roman citizen, Jew, and Pharisee, Paul was a complex person. His zeal was legendary, first for the bad and then the good. His meeting with Christ, which Polhill devotes a whole chapter, changed everything.

As the book develops, Polhill traces Paul through Acts and begins tying his letters to the narrative. Some reviewers, who feel that he offers too brief a commentary of these books, miss the point entirely. It is not a commentary at all, but a description of introductory and background issues from Paul’s life. The point is showing the essence of each letter, and what, humanly speaking, brought about the need of the letter. For its actual goal, the volume wonderfully succeeded. It occasionally traced rabbit trails of more eccentric scholarship, but usually sided on the conservative side.

This book will find its home next to F.F. Bruce and Conybeare and Howson on my shelves. Plus, it is the most recent of the three. I highly recommend 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.

Dictionary Of Daily Life: Volume 2–A Review

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dictDL

Here is volume 2 in the planned three-volume set (correction: now planned four-volume set) from Hendrickson that continues the promising start we found in volume one. This volume continues to live up to its stated aim of giving us insight into the daily life of Bible times with articles that cover what is often missed in other Bible dictionary or reference volumes. As one who owns several Bible Dictionary or Bible Encyclopedia sets, I found things covered well here that were little covered in larger volumes.

Written on a level that any Bible student could comprehend, this book is still backed by impeccable scholarship. Looking at every subject in the chronological order of OT, NT, the Near Eastern World, the Greco-Roman, the Jewish World, and the Christian World is especially ideal and enlightening.

Some of the most fascinating subjects in this volume include dentistry and teeth, divorce, dwellings, hair, and heating and lighting. In the article on divorce, for example, you will find information that may not match everything that you have heard. In the one on dentistry and teeth, you will simply be glad you did not live in Bible times!

There are even a handful of color pictures at the end. This practical resource will be a blessing to any Bible student or pastor, and I highly recommend it and eagerly anticipate the final volume.

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.

Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi (TOTC) by Andrew Hill

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totc hill

Here is another fine entry in the highly respected Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series. This is a replacement volume for Baldwin, so this title has big shoes to fill. I was immediately surprised by the size of the volume coming in at 368 pages. Apparently the series editors felt comfortable giving Mr. Hill the space he felt he needed.

Since Mr. Hill already has written a volume on Malachi in the Anchor Bible series, a series known to revel in minutiae, I feared that this volume might have trouble sticking to the target audience of Bible students and pastors. While it does read slightly more academic than some in the series, that was not a problem.

He begins by discussing the three together, even seeing some measure or connections between them. He sees a unity in The Day Of The Lord found in each. He was at his best when he sees a parallel to many in our day being jaded by religion. Historical context is given first, which is crucial in my judgment. We also get a clear, succinct Introduction for each book separately.

The commentary itself is of sufficient quantity to help you get to the bottom of what the text is saying. I noticed real insights on many occasions. It is a real asset for studying this portion of Scripture. As a added bonus, it is quite economical for a serious commentary. I recommend 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.

Second Corinthians (PNTC) by Mark Seifrid

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pillar

This volume faithfully extends the respect afforded the prestigious Pillar New Testament Commentary series published by Eerdmans and edited by D. A. Carson. It has several features to commend itself to pastors, perhaps even more than for scholars, though it is without question a scholarly volume.

He has an unusually short Introduction. It is clear and penetrating, but much shorter than we are used to. That is not, however, a liability as he just works the discussion into the commentary. He also just ignores the more ridiculous and unfounded discussions that clutter many commentaries. I find that refreshing as some of those discussions do not merit one drop of ink.

Some have criticized Seifrid for not interacting enough with other scholars. His focus was clearly more on expounding the text than esoteric scholarly rabbit trails. Again, that is a plus too! It seems to me that he was only sticking to the design of the series he was contributing to. I have heard others criticize him for some “Lutheran” theology. I am not a Lutheran, but hearing viewpoints that don’t exactly match every other commentary is not a bad thing either.

Taking the commentary here on its own, you will find well written and helpful exegesis to help get at the meaning of the text. I predict pastors will actually prefer it, as I do, over some of the other volumes out there. He gives us more insight into Paul and to what is going on in this second letter. I appreciate his taking this letter as a unified whole as well.

The positives here are many and I highly recommend this volume for teaching and preaching Second 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.

Find my reviews of other commentaries here.

The Printer And The Preacher by Randy Petersen

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printer preacher

Here is the merging of two categories of reading that, if you are like me, you enjoy–Christian biography and Colonial America. You get in this volume two prominent characters in those categories–George Whitefield and Ben Franklin. It is a pleasing, somewhat stretched, and breezy read.

His premise that the friendship of these two men “invented” America failed, but the book did not. These two men made distinct contributions to what became America, and they even had some sort of friendship, but the friendship itself had nothing to with anything in forging of our nation. In fact, the friendship was much ado about nothing as he failed to uncover just how deep the friendship was. I suspect it was not that deep and we will never know for sure beyond that.

Why I will still recommend the book is that these two men with their different lives did have such an impact. The similarities and differences in the two men are fascinating and how people took to them is something Petersen did capture. He succeeded in bringing Franklin alive more than he did Whitefield in my opinion. Part of the reason, I imagine, is that he too followed the oft-discredited study of Harry Stout.

Still, with the above caveats in mind, it remains enjoyable reading.

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.

Hebrews: Biblical Theology For Christian Proclamation by Thomas Schreiner

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hebrews

Here is the first volume in a brand new commentary series, the Biblical Theology For Christian Proclamation by Holman Reference. Published by the same organization that produced the wonderful New American Commentary (NAC) series, we have high expectations(all contributors will hold to inspiration and innerrancy). One of the General Editors, Thomas Schreiner, contributes the inaugural volume. Admitting in the Introduction to the series that we have so many series today that a new series needs a unique approach, this one aims at especially highlighting the theology of the book.

Mr. Schreiner is a well known scholar and a prolific commentary writer. He has done a good job here. The Introduction covers many of the usual suspects (e.g., he is confident Paul did not write Hebrews), but even there he highlights theology throughout.

The commentary proper is thoughtful. Still, he can’t help wrestling with a few of the more esoteric thoughts that have come along. The scholar in him could not resist, I suppose. Also, in a few places I could not agree with his conclusions. The commentary, however, adds really helpful discussion for pastors and, most importantly, the theology angle is successful. We need to keep theology as one element of our thoughts in studying a text.

The size is perfect for the aims of the series. The volume is an attractive, colorful hardback. This volume bodes well for the future of this series. I recommend 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.