Francois Bovon continues the high standard of commentary that he began in the first volume of this three-volume set in the Hermeneia series. The level of scholarship and probing theological reflection remains at its commendable level. This volume is huge as it is actually one combined volume of what was two volumes in the original German and French. The translation is so well done you would never know it was originally in another language.

This volume covers Luke 9:51-19:27. That section is known as the Travel Narrative and is Luke’s most unique section. Bovon continues with the same format as we found in volume 1. In each section of commentary, he begins with a bibliography and translation. From there, he provides a section he calls “analysis” that discusses sources. That is, to my mind, the least valuable section and his certainty when he discusses sources is somewhat grating.  Next, he moves into commentary verse-by-verse of a most outstanding quality. A final section of the history of interpretation really moves this commentary into a special category.

Maybe the best way I can illustrate why this book is such a jewel is to refer you to some great passages of Luke that are favorites of many of us. In the section on The Good Samaritan, Bovon goes through the story seeing details others miss as well as their theological significance. Both in his own analysis and his discussion of the history of interpretation he allows for the allegorical interpretation of Christ being the Good Samaritan. Most modern exegetical commentaries run right by that possibility.

Then there’s his discussion of the Parable of the Prodical Son, which he wisely calls the Parable of Two Sons. He explains inheritance in those days as well as I’ve seen. He shares so many theological nuggets that most miss. It was truly an exciting section to read. There are many other such passages in this commentary.

This commentary is truly special and unique, 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.

Are you looking for a quality exegetical work on Daniel that holds to a premillennial or dispensational viewpoint? This fine volume in the pastor-friendly New American Commentary (NAC) series has no real rival for you then. If you see it ranked average, it is usually downgraded for its prophetic outlook, not for the quality of its scholarship. That bias will erase if you read it for yourself. In fact, several amillennial reviewers reluctantly admit that the scholarship is superb. Yes, I’m very high on this book.

The Introduction is conservative, helpful, and warm. He begins with the prophet Daniel and the authorship and date of the book. He explains how the radical theories are very recent and the conservative conclusion on Daniel and its date has long been believed and for good reason. He’s helpful on historical setting and genre as well.

Commentaries on Daniel tend to be good on either the thrilling historical stories or the prophecy, but not both. Mark this one down as excelling on each one. It offered real help and insight in both categories.

This series is always your best bet for a premillennial outlook. (Check out the equally magnificent volume on Revelation in the series). Miller has given the volume that many of us have been looking for on Daniel!

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.

Japhet’s volume is the most massive exegetical commentary on I and II Chronicles that I am aware of. It’s actually fatter (1077 pages) than most volumes in the Old Testament Library (OTL) that I’ve seen as well. In addition to its size, I’ve only seen great praise from the entire scholarly world for this highly-respected book. It’s fair to call it an influential volume.

I’d agree with those who would call it “conservatively critical”. In truth, it’s going to appeal to the more scholarly types (that’s another thing that sets this book in a different vein than some others in the series). Still, it’s quite readable.

The Introduction tracks its own course. It jumps in at the name and place in the cannon. She concludes that Chronicles is “one work, composed essentially by a single author, with a very distinct and peculiar literary method.” She looks in depth at the structure of the books. She goes far on sources, but much of it is just about which books of the Bible influenced the Chronicler. She has some conclusions I could never agree with, but there is careful explanation throughout. She summarizes the theology as a constant appeal to the past.

In the vast commentary we find helpful philology and exegetical detail. There’s more work on theology here than in the Introduction, which is a plus to most users. There’s more reference to sources than I like to see, but there’s plenty of helpful history. It’s hard to find anything missing across the pages of the commentary proper. Students will appreciate it.

This book is likely the book to have on Chronicles on the heavy exegesis side of the spectrum. 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.

Here’s a scholarly book designed to really get at what OT wisdom literature is and what scholarship has thought it to be. Edited by David Firth and Lindsay Wilson, this book highlights the work of eleven scholars on the oft-debated issues of wisdom literature.

Part 1 is one chapter by Craig Bartholomew that introduces where the study of OT wisdom is today. That provides a fine overview, including some of the more bizarre things out there.

Part 2 gives chapters on the four main wisdom books of Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and the Song by Ernest Lucas, Lindsay Wilson, Katherine Dell, and Rosalind Clarke respectively. All of the chapters were worthwhile providing the reader learning each time.

Part 3 branches out on themes including seeing Ruth as Wisdom literature, retribution, wisdom, the connection of wisdom and biblical theology, voicing, and a really profound discussion of divine absence.   Gregory Goswell, Lennart Bostrom, David Firth, Christopher Ansberry (he was a really good writer), Simon Stocks, and Brittany Melton provided these chapters.

The book was a solid effort. If you like this type of book, I suggest you check out “Five Festal Garments” by Barry Webb from the same publisher as well. I predict you will see this volume quoted often in future scholarly works. It would be a worthy addition to 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.

This commentary is one where I’ve heard so many tidbits of praise that I have long wanted to see what all the hoopla was about. With this review I’ve had my opportunity to look over this commentary from the Hermeneia series that I’ve had little interaction with. Since the series is geared more to scholars while my needs are that of a pastor, perhaps that was to be expected. Having now looked at this first volume of the three-volume set, I’m ready to admit that it is as special as its press clippings say.

Even though I have some caveats to my glowing review, I’m so glad to have it at my disposal. I must confess that the Introduction is rather brief, and misses what most introductions of an exegetical commentary discuss. That reason, I’ve heard, is because Bovon has written a full volume on introductory matters of Luke’s Gospel and feels no need of repetition. Further, I have no sympathy with his conclusions about sources, dating, or the historical integrity of what Luke’s Gospel says. Why with such caveats do I offer such a high ranking?

He is savvy with exegetical or philological insights. Even better, his theological help is profound. In the passages I reviewed, after I read past matters I couldn’t agree with, I’d find sparkling nuggets that enabled whole new lines of thought. I don’t know about you, but that’s what I’m looking for in a commentary. He’d often pull in incredibly interesting references from other parts of Scripture. I find that kind of help stimulating.

Aimed at scholars or not, I still recommend this book as a fine resource for pastors!

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.

Clinton Arnold, who also happens to be the editor, contributes this volume on the wonderful Book of Ephesians in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary (ZECNT) series. Mr. Arnold is a scholar highly qualified to comment on this book, one of the most important in the Bible. It’s obvious that Ephesians has been area of expertise for him. As with several volumes in the series, Mr. Arnold holds conservative viewpoints and defends them in a magisterial fashion. His bold proclamation of a belief in the inerrancy of Scripture was much appreciated by this reviewer.

He begins his Introduction by relating his awe of the Book of Ephesians. He believes the destination of the letter is Ephesus and shows the recent scholarly rejection of it to be built on a foundation of sand. He draws a vibrant portrait of the setting in Ephesus including its diverse religious and cultural background. He traces where Judaism stood there. I found it easy to agree with his four main themes of Ephesians too.

On authorship he remains convinced of Paul and explains why we should as well. He sifts through the scholarly debate over Ephesians similarity to Colossians to good advantage. He doesn’t have as much to say about structure as some, but doesn’t believe rhetoric is as in play as some have argued. After an outline and bibliography, he jumps into the commentary of the text.

The commentary is in the pastor-friendly ZECNT style. I read through some of what I believe to be the harder passages and loved what I found. There’s great presentation of options and clear reasoning about what he feels to be the right conclusion. I thought his section on the household code was balanced and firmly complementarian.

There’s a lot of competition in the Ephesians commentary category. He’s much more succinct than Hoehner and up near the staus of O’Brien. The writing flows well and the content is top notch. This volume is clearly in the must-have 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.