Fall reading for biblical theologians…and pastors – part 2 (Matthew Barrett)

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 volumes 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). 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 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.