This summer I have recommended books in a variety of different categories (history, theology, etc.). With Fall almost upon us, I now turn to recommend new books in the area of biblical studies. (View past posts in this series here.)
Hearing the Message of Scripture. A Commentary on the Old Testament.
I appreciate commentaries that try to help pastors and students understand the Bible better, specifically what the biblical author intended to communicate. That is what this commentary series by Block is trying to do. Daniel Block, the series editor, writes, “The primary goal of this commentary series is to help serious students of Scripture, as well as those charged with preaching and teaching the Word of God, to hear the message of Scripture as biblical authors intended them to be heard.” Some of the key features include:
A Graphical Display of the Text of Each Passage, enabling readers to grasp quickly and accurately the main idea of the text, its development, and supporting ideas; and allowing them to understand how the commentator arrived at this depiction and interpretation of the passage.
Identification and Discussion of the Main Idea of Each Passage, with a special emphasis on identifying and discussing the main thrust of each passage and showing how it contributes to the development of the whole composition.
Help in Drawing Out the Meaning of the Hebrew for Interpretation, drawing on Hebrew grammar in the service of meaning.
Theological and Canonical Significance, providing a theological and applicational discussion of the main thrust of the passage, synthesizing the theology of the passage and elaborating on it.
Here are the first two volume
s in the series:
Daniel Block. Obadiah: The Kingship Belongs to YHWH (Hearing the Message of Scripture: A Commentary on the Old Testament). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
With careful analysis and interpretation rooted in a study of Hebrew, this addition to the Hearing the Message of Scripture series tracks the flow of argument in the Old Testament book of Obadiah, showing that how a biblical author says something is just as important as what they say.
Kevin J. Youngblood. Jonah: God’s Scandalous Mercy (Hearing the Message of Scripture: A Commentary on the Old Testament).
With careful analysis and interpretation rooted in a study of Hebrew, this addition to the Hearing the Message of Scripture series tracks the flow of argument in the Old Testament book of Jonah, showing that how a biblical author says something is just as important as what they say.
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary
Knowing the background to the book of the Bible under study is critical. While it is not determinative, knowing the cultural and historical background to a passage can shed light on the text and its context. This series, previously published as four volumes, aims to colorfully and graphically help students become familiar with the ancient context of biblical books. Some of its key features include:
• Over 2000 photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams and charts to provide a visual feast that breathes fresh life into the text.
• Passage-by-passage commentary presenting archaeological findings, historical explanations, geographic insights, notes on manners and customs, and more.
• Analysis into the literature of the ancient Near East that will open your eyes to new depths of understanding both familiar and unfamiliar passages.
Here are the first books to release in paperback:
John W. Hilber. Psalms (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
John H. Walton. Genesis (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
David W. Baker. Isaiah (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
Teach the Text Commentary Series
Here is another series, like the first one above, that is aimed directly at students and pastors. Teach the Text Commentary Series aims to bring biblical scholarship into the pastor’s study so that he can effectively communicate the text. Each volume is intentionally concise, focusing on the most pertinent information. Below is a list of the volumes in the series, which you can find for sale here.
Luke
R. T. France
1 & 2 Samuel
Robert B. Chisholm, Jr.
Romans
C. Marvin Pate
Job
Daniel J. Estes
1 Corinthians
Preben Vang
Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs
Edward M. Curtis
Mark
Grant R. Osborne
Psalms, Volume 1
C. Hassell Bullock
Revelation
J. Scott Duvall
Daniel
Ronald W. Pierce
Matthew
Jeannine K. Brown
Leviticus and Numbers
Joe M. Sprinkle
Joshua
Kenneth A. Mathews
Jeremiah and Lamentations
J. Daniel Hays
Exodus
T. Desmond Alexander
Judges
Kenneth C. Way
Ezra and Nehemiah
Douglas J. E. Nykolaishen
Isaiah
Frederick J. Mabie
2 Corinthians
Moyer V. Hubbard
Galatians and Ephesians
Roy E. Ciampa
Hebrews
Jon C. Laansma
Psalms, Volume 2
C. Hassell Bullock
Acts
David E. Garland
Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon
Linda L. Belleville
1 & 2 Kings
David W. Baker
John and 1–3 John
David L. Turner
Deuteronomy
Michael A. Grisanti
The Minor Prophets
Douglas Stuart
James, 1 & 2 Peter, and Jude
Jim Samra
Genesis
Richard S. Hess
1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus
Philip H. Towner
Proverbs
Richard L. Schultz
1 & 2 Chronicles
Robert R. Duke
Ezekiel
John W. Hilber
Matthew Barrett (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at California Baptist University, as well as the founder and executive editor of Credo Magazine. Barrett is also Senior Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church. He is the author and editor of several books, including Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration, Owen on the Christian Life, and God’s Word Alone: The Authority of Scripture. You can read about Barrett’s other publications at matthewmbarrett.com.