New Book Reviews

Titus For You by Tim Chester (God’s Word For You Series)

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Do you need a vibrant guide to Titus in your studies? How about one that could actually span from the beginning Bible student to the seasoned pastor and offer real help? Look no further than Titus For You by Tim Chester.

Mr. Chester rescues this volume in the Pastorals from the bad rap of institutional rigidity. He challenges us not to write it off as boring, or inferior to the Book of Acts. Beyond his initial argument, he makes his best case by the lively exposition he provides. Nothing boring there!

In places he is simply outstanding. In discussing 1:5-9 he exposes the two great dangers for the pastor–Over-pastoring with its excessive control and under-pastoring with its denial of the core role of shepherding. Look up what he says drives us in either case. Spot on.

On 1:10-12 he shows how easily being godly can morph into being legalistic. Later he says, “And legalism is not a substitute fuel. Legalism does not work because it cannot work.” In the next several pages he dismantles legalism piece by piece.

His sections on the Christian home and pastoral qualifications are balanced and helpful. The church discipline passage (3:10-11) is well explained as corresponding to Matt. 18:15-17 as well.

It is a winner. This is my second volume in this series to review and I am impressed with its quality. Kind of special too that an upstart publishing group, The Good Book Company, could come out among the big boys with such a worthwhile series. I look forward to coming titles in the series!

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.

Related review:
Romans 1-7 by Timothy Keller

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1 & 2 Kings– Apollos Old Testament Commentary

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Do you need a quality exegetical commentary on an area of Scripture that is, comparatively, poorly served? You might, then, want to check out this newest title in the Apollos Old Testament Commentary series. Though this is my first title from the series, this volume on Kings by Lissa Wray Beal shows this series one to consider. On a technical level, it has some comparison to the World Biblical Commentary series in my view.

The commentary was actually more conservative than I expected. There wasn’t endless discussions about sources. The commentary focused on the text we have. The introduction was enlightening in many ways. I personally could not agree with the author’s chronological conclusions. Thiele is a truer guide in that area in my judgment.

Since I have especially studied the lives of Elijah and Elisha, I really focused on that area in this volume. The comments were helpful and at times spiritually insightful. The exegetical judgments were reasonable and the conclusions often sound. Of course there are points where I would disagree. For example, I don’t see the evidence in stating that the account of Elisha is compiled from all over his ministry and put in II Kings 4 rather than being true chronologically.

Pastors will find the “Comments” section superior to the “Form and Structure” one. Every verse is discussed, which is essential in a good exegetical commentary. As a pastor myself, if forced to have only two exegetical commentaries on Kings, I would choose the NAC volume by Paul House and this fine commentary. This commentary is worthy of your consideration.

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.

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How Jesus Became God– Answering Bart Ehrman

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It is hard to believe. That one rouge scholar could elicit such press is at least hard for me to believe. Still, that is the case and many are quoting Ehrman as if he actually spoke with authority. He speaks as if he has that unquestioning authority and some are at a loss at how to refute him, especially to someone who blindly accepts him. Enter this volume, subtitled “The Real Origins Of Belief In Jesus’ Divine Nature”, and published by Zondervan, that is written by five scholars. Michael Bird, Craig Evans, Simon J. Gathercole, Charles E. Hill, Chris Tilling contribute.

Ehrman’s positions are explained carefully and fairly before they are answered. The authors each hold the belief that Jesus is God in the full sense of the word.

They prove that Ehrman is guilty of “parallelomania” is describing what early Christians believed. That is, he finds something in one document and then demands it means the same in another. That is both arbitrary and illogical and alone refutes a big portion of Erhman’s work.

They also showed his interpretive categories were faulty. For example, he randomly picks Galatians 4:14 as his key, attaches a far fetched meaning, and then reads it into every Christological passage. That is reckless.

Ehrman wants us to believe that our current views on the deity of Christ developed slowly over time, but that is simply not the case. It sprang directly from Jesus’ personal followers.

The writers write as scholars and make a few concessions that I could not. Still, this is a real help at a time of need.

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.

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1 Corinthians by Mark Taylor (NAC)

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1 corinthians Mark Taylor

Are you looking for an excellent exegetical commentary on I Corinthians? Are you a pastor or teacher who wants help without the scholarly side paths that mar many modern commentaries? Look no farther than the latest entry the New American Commentary series published by B & H Publishing.

The brief introduction helps get your orientation before he delves into quality commentary. Don’t let the size fool you. Spend some time in the footnotes and you will see Mr. Taylor needs feel no inferiority to authors of larger works. He has sifted much before he comes to conclusions.

As a test of this volume’s quality, I really analyzed his commentary on oft-debated passages. As you know, I Corinthians has no shortage of them. Chapter 5 with its incest and church discipline was well covered. Whether you would agree with him or not, you : a) knew what the issues were, b) knew the main opinions held, c) knew what Mr. Taylor concluded. That is what makes a good commentary in my judgment. He was equally good on marriage and divorce in chapter 7 and following.

This series is, perhaps, the best for the pastor. I have them all and use them. I am glad just a handful remain to be published before the entire Bible will be covered. As an added bonus, it has the best price structure of any series. I 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 Carta Jerusalem Atlas

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What is the most important city in Bible history, or for that matter, all of human history? Jerusalem. You might say it is God’s own city. In every Bible student’s library there should be at least one volume that explains the city in terms of Biblical history, significant events, and geography. I suggest this volume by Dan Bahat and published by Carta as your first choice.

The author’s life has been dedicated to the history of Jerusalem and it shows on every page. In a responsible way, he has sifted all the reams of archaeological data and recreated a fine history. Though the author is Jewish, I feel he is fair to Christians in telling the story. I might squabble over a detail here and there, but overall it is the most thorough available.

He begins by sharing the topography of Jerusalem as it surely played a factor in many events. Then he reviews basic archaeological elements before launching into its historical beginning, at least in terms of importance, with the Time of David, or the First Temple Period.

He deftly takes time with especially important features like the city’s water supply. You would be surprised how prominently that fits into several Bible events. The discussion of Jerusalem in the times of Christ are particularly helpful.

In what I consider a bonus to the Bible study help, Jerusalem’s history on down to the present times is given. If you have a desire to know the events of the 1900s, which includes the history of the modern state of Israel, you will have all you need here.

The graphics are well done in the manner we expect from Carta. The overlapping over the map of the current city makes this an exceptional resource if you are planning a serious trip there. A fine map for a modern pilgrim as well as a good index concludes the volume. This book is a great resource!

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 this volume and many other fine Bible study helps here.

Related Post:
Bible Atlas–Finding The Right One

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Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Charles Marsh

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A good biography will grip you, move you, and challenge you. In really getting to know someone in all the dynamics that make him or her the person he or she was, you find out things about yourself and, perhaps, what you would like to be. When Mr. Marsh takes pen in hand on Bonhoeffer that is exactly the experience you have.

Mr. Marsh can write–that is obvious. He delved into his subject until he had something to say. He took a multifaceted view and hid nothing. Even what could have been mundane information, like certain academic pursuits, was woven together to show us the man progressing to become what he finally became in magisterial prose.

As you go along you find Bonhoeffer to be a spoiled kid far into adulthood, indulgent, lazy in physical work, and a lover of extended travel, and at times, a man with a temper. Still, you could not help but admire him. There is duplicity in us all, yet Christ can raise us above it. Though his theology was a good bit to the left of mine, I firmly believe he was a believer who not only loved the Lord, but grew to love Him more.

As with any of us he wrestled with some of the hard choices of life. In the end, he far more came down on the right side, a side fraught with danger and pain. I do not know what he died thinking, but he died a victor.

The only negative of the book was the suggestion that, perhaps, there was a homosexual attraction for his dear friend Bethge. That seemed a cheap gimmick for our ages’ fascination of homosexuality. The friendship was as close as possible, but Bethge always clearly refuted this suggestion. With no compelling evidence given, and knowing what a painful charge it would have been to Bonhoeffer who lacks the privilege to be alive to refute it, I suggest you toss it out so this otherwise great book will not be marred.

Still, this page-turner you will enjoy 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.

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The Return of the Kosher Pig–A Book Review

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kosherpig

Here is a definitive volume on the “Divine Messiah in Jewish thought” by Rabbi Itzhak Shapira. The candor of this volume comes from the author as a Rabbi deciding to delve into who the Messiah truly is. Trained to despise Christianity and Jesus Christ, his journey took is profound. These pages show the depths to which he dug and the thoroughness of his work. He went through all the documents that make up Jewish thought since Bible times. There is nothing superficial as you would usually find in such writings. What would satisfy one already a Christian will not satisfy an Orthodox Jewish person. He even explains why that is so when he goes at the heart of what Jewish writings actually say.

He begins by explaining why Christianity is so offensive to Jewish people. It is our belief of God becoming a man that they find complete idolatry. This he calls for a Jewish person “the ultimate uncleanness.” Hence, the pig, the ultimate unclean animal, is Christianity. He then sifts through, not only the Old Testament Scriptures, but the writings all through the centuries that define Jewish thought.

He finds extraordinary things in their writings. The pig (animal) will be kosher again when the Messiah comes.He finds that the midrash says the pig of Christianity will return when Messiah comes. You have to wade through a great deal of information, but you will be surprised on several occasions on what previous leaders and writings have said. It is clear–Jesus Christ fits perfectly into what their own writing say. It is not enough, as he says, to just quote Isaiah 53, but his findings, on the other hand, will give the most studious Jewish person pause. It may lead them to Christ as well.

This book is heavy and so is three stars to the uninitiated, but it is five stars plus for one immersed in Jewish thinking. I will then average it and give it four stars. It will make a fine reference tool 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.

Be The Dad She Needs You To Be by Kevin Leman

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bethedadsheneedsyoutobe

I certainly want to be the Dad she needs me to be, don’t you? Since three of my six children are girls, I was totally intrigued by Dr. Leman’s subject. Fortunately, the book lived up to its expectations for me. My wife has read several of his books, but this was my first one. He is worth reading! In an engaging, personal style, he gets you thinking on deeply important subject matter. I laid this book down with definate  knowledge of where I need to tweak my parenting of my daughters.

He masterfully explained how girls are so different, and so bewildering to we fathers, yet they need us so badly in their lives. The sobering fact that the kind of confidence she will have in life, and the corresponding choices she will make, particularly about relationships, will come from me. He then spends the balance of the book telling me not how to be a perfect Dad, but a good Dad. A Dad who really impacts her life to the good.

He leads past the idea that we can just criticize and command them to be the person we want them to be. We must purposely leave an “indelible imprint” on them. Sadly, we actually will leave one no matter what–that is why we must be purposeful. We must realize that every child we have is different so we have to know her heart. There is no foolproof little 10 Steps To Perfect Parenting. In the case of daughters, ours is the relationship that matters most.

He explained how we Dads are different, but that is good. She needs our approval, not another girlfriend in us. She needs me to live a “disciplined, balanced” life in front of her to give her security. He coached us in how to be involved in “the talk”. That is something we would rather pass off to her mother, but she needs to hear about men from me. If we don’t, some other guy will! He also gave counsel on when there are catfights under your roof–we can be a help!

There is so much more here. He has my ear even more because of how his daughters turned out, and how they now cherish him as father. What could be better than that? Thanks Dr. Lehman for an awesome 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.

 

Related Posts:

The Good Dad by Jim Daly

Father Hunger by Douglas Wilson

 

A Commentary On Judges And Ruth–Kregel Exegetical Commentary

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Judgesruthchisholm

Do you need a really quality commentary on Judges and Ruth? Look no farther than this latest in the Kregel Exegetical Commentary series, this time by Robert Chisholm. Mr. Chisholm has 30 years teaching this portion of Scripture under his belt and it shows. Though a major commentary, this volume is effectively aimed at pastors and teachers. Instead of the rubbish approach of “speculative fancy that litters the history of biblical higher criticism”, he takes the superior and helpful “literary-theological” approach. That means he takes the text as he finds it! As a pastor, I am glad to have this book.

His Introduction for Judges is extensive and covers all the issues we might wonder about as well as the issues that scholars wrestle with. Chronological questions are the trickiest, but whether you finally come down where Mr. Chisholm did or not, you will for sure have the information to decide for yourself. The section entitled “What Is The Point Of Judges?” is exceptionally good. In addition, the section on female characters, of which Judges has many, is fascinating as a backdrop for the abject failure of men in those dark days. Preachers will love his suggestions on how to approach preaching the book as well.

The commentary itself is good. Just look at, for example, his explanation of Jeththah’s vow or of the Levite and his concubine shows he will tackle hard passages with verve. He thoroughly gives the different viewpoints, yet never fails to argue passionately for his point of view. I so prefer that approach whether I agree with the commentator’s conclusion or not.

He is equally as good on Ruth. I was unconvinced on his arguments against Daniel Block on the wrongness of Naomi’s sons marrying Moabites, but feel I know the issues involved like never before. There is no skepticism here.

In this second release in this series, Kregel is batting one thousand. If they can keep this level of quality, I say keep them coming!

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 . 

Related article: Psalms Volume 1- Kregel Exegetical

 

 

 

Bible Revival–A Needed Book

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Bible-Revival-by-Kenneth-BerdingHow would you like a book that addresses one of the biggest, yet often overlooked problems of our day? It is the problem of a famine of the Bible– not only in our world, but within Christianity itself. Adding to the damage is our lack of ideas on how to address the problem. How will I address the problem in my life? How will pastors address it in our churches? Packing a real wallop, this volume by Kenneth Berding and published by the Weaver Book Company shares real answers. The answers are deftly given, and as the subtitle says (“committing ourselves to one book“), are what we should have already realized.

Mr. Berding confines his case that we have this famine to one succinct chapter. That suffices as I doubt any reader would fail to see the obvious nature of the Bible’s standing among God’s people. He even discusses some possible reasons, like distractions and so on, that gives insight to where we are today. Chapter two to the end are insightful, practical advise on what must be done.

His approach is one of confronting the things that keep the Bible at a such distance that it does not have the dramatic effect it otherwise would on our lives. Things like seeing the Bible as truly sufficient, or that it can be actually understood, or our being superficial in reading it, or worse, that we already know all the important stuff–these are makings of biblical illiteracy. He call our biases “special interests” and the preferred type of sermons today “therapeutism”. One of our biggest blunders, as he well explains, is our imagined right to an opinion of whether what we read is acceptable to us or not. He leads us persuasively away from these things.

Were we to confront the things that Mr. Berding calls out we would without fail have a revival in our personal lives regarding the Bible. I recommend this book for you and me. As a pastor, I recommend it to those I pastor too. It is a gem that I pray finds a wide audience!

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 .